Next time I drive across country, I’m renting a vehicle instead

"Nothing" (nothingatalluseful) 07/17/2020 at 18:25 • Filed to: None

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Ok, maybe not really. But I don’t know what was worse, the dog hair (I’m already looking at Canvasback cargo liners), or the bugs. The interior probably took a good three hours. I had to vacuum, use a lint roller, vacuum again. A swiffer duster is awesome at getting dust out of all the little crannies.

Exterior detail about six. I did need wax on there anyway, as the water had stopped beading. I gave it a quick once over in NY, the bugs were kept at bay on the drive back by rain in the evening. Still, de-bugging was a pain, those little suckers were everywhere.

I really dislike the look of bug/stone deflector thingies, but I think I’m getting one. The leading edge of the hood has some sizable paint chips, most of them were from before the road trip, though.

I enjoy detailing , so it was time well spent. I find it therapeutic, just me, the DA polisher (trusty old Porter Cable 7424xp), some polishing pads, and a 4Runner. That said, my next car might be white or silver, the blue looks mighty nice clean, but it’s definitely a bit of work!

Next up for the 4Runner, an oil change and tire rotation. I dislike oil changes on this, as removing the skid plates is a bit cumbersome. I may  get an aftermarket skid just for the ease of future oil changes.

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > Nothing 07/17/2020 at 18:40

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I’ve always thought I’d try and r ent a vehicle for road trips but never manage to pull that trigger.

I will say, we have a canvasback cargo area carpet cover and it’s pretty good. That said, I’ve also had great luck removing dog hair from carpet by using a nitrile glove , by sweeping your hand along the surface, not too much pressure required and either vacuum on the spot or rake  into a pile. A fair amount of dust will also come out as well so vacuuming locally is helpful. Be careful, a ton of friction is generated here, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to nearly burn you hand.

Good luck.

MUSASHI66 > Nothing 07/17/2020 at 18:55

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We have three dogs. They love swimming. They love shaking it off as well.

After a Pilot and Grand Cherokee and Forester and Outback, a pickup with a topper is the only way to go. No more dog hair in the cabin. 

Nothing > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 07/17/2020 at 18:56

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Interesting, I’ll give that a shot.

I was surprised at the amount of hair that had made its away through the crevice between the second and third row. We had him groomed a week or so prior, too.  Crazy shedding Aussie.

MM54 > Nothing 07/17/2020 at 18:57

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I drove a rented Yu kon XL from LA to Cleveland, taking a 3000 mile somewhat scenic route without so much as a rain shower to clean it. It was unbelievably dirty by the time it was returned to the airport in Cleveland - the whole front end was solid bug-guts and the back still covered in red dust from Monument Valley.

onlytwowheels > Nothing 07/17/2020 at 19:14

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Under_Score > Nothing 07/17/2020 at 19:24

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Don’t you have Toyota Care for the oil change & tire rotation? Or is Toyota Care a southeast thing?

onlytwowheels > onlytwowheels 07/17/2020 at 19:25

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Toyota 4Runner Weathertech 55049

For Sweden > Nothing 07/17/2020 at 19:31

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I have a solution for the dog hair issue

Danny Korecki > Nothing 07/17/2020 at 20:01

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“ I dislike oil changes on this, as removing the skid plates is a bit cumbersome.” Is it a TRD Off Road?

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > Nothing 07/17/2020 at 20:20

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Totally know what you mean, there’s our Aussie/Collie mix, hair everywhere!

notsomethingstructural > Nothing 07/17/2020 at 20:34

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The nanoskin product line is pretty impressive and I’ve found it de-bugs pretty well. If you needed to wax anyways, that and a PC will make short work of claying. That’s assuming you’re claying those pesky fuckers off and not using a chemical treatment (which I don’t use  unless I’m trying to touch-up between waxes)

fintail > Nothing 07/17/2020 at 21:01

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Dark blue - this is a big factor in why I didn’t buy out my prior lease. Current car is pearl white - while some will say it is boring, it also doesn’t look like a barnfind after driving in the rain for 10 miles. and it suits the car .

However, trucks are supposed to be dirty, so you can get away with it.

Nothing > fintail 07/17/2020 at 21:28

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My wife doesn’t like white cars, but if the 4Runner gets replaced someday, I’ll have a hard time not getting something white/silver.

I don’t mind getting it dirty, it just doesn’t stay dirty long!

Nothing > For Sweden 07/17/2020 at 21:28

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I’ve definitely thought about going back to a pickup.

Nothing > notsomethingstructural 07/17/2020 at 21:29

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I don’t use a chemical for bugs, either. I’ll have to check out nanoskin. The good news is we’re fairly bug free in CO. It’s was just the rest of the darn country buggin’ me up!

Nothing > Danny Korecki 07/17/2020 at 21:31

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No, it’s an SR5. They still front skid plates.

Nothing > Under_Score 07/17/2020 at 21:33

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When I took the 4Runner in for its 5k service (which is just a tire rotation), I watched it sit in the parking lot, I got a text saying it was done, and a service person went out and drove it into the pick up area. When I took it for my 10k, they wouldn’t touch it since it has a 2” lift. Me and Toyotacare don’t get along, apparently.

Nothing > onlytwowheels 07/17/2020 at 21:34

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That I can deal with. Thanks for the info!

Nothing > MUSASHI66 07/17/2020 at 21:35

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The road trip to NY was the first trip longer than about 15 minutes for the pup. He did awesome, and now every time I get ready to leave, he wants to go along.

I’m sensing a theme with the pickup suggestions. With a cap, I can keep hockey gear from stinking up the inside of the truck, too.

Nothing > MM54 07/17/2020 at 21:37

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My wife suggested a rental,  then we just loaded up the 4Runner instead. A big ‘Burban would have fit the bill nicely.

fintail > Nothing 07/17/2020 at 21:41

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She has her own car, right? :)

That’s maybe the only reason I’d ever get a truck/SUV, to give my OCD a break.  I wonder how long that would last.

notsomethingstructural > Nothing 07/17/2020 at 21:42

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It’s so weird, it’s like a rubber sheet you put on the PC and spray the car with diluted soap and run it right on there. But it’s 97% as good as clay imo  and honestly you’re not getting that last 3% in a single pass with most detailing clay. Just magic. 

Nothing > fintail 07/17/2020 at 21:44

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And conveniently, it is also dark blue! If I wanted to never drive again, a white minivan would do it, she’d refuse to be seen in it!

Under_Score > Nothing 07/17/2020 at 22:22

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Gotta stick with Toyota genuine for that stuff.

I have a service guarantee for my car for the first two services. Nothing is being touched!

fintail > Nothing 07/17/2020 at 22:36

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I bet she’d just love a white station wagon then lol

Danny Korecki > Nothing 07/18/2020 at 01:34

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Well that’s cool that it still gets some functional bits.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nothing 07/18/2020 at 11:59

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Does a rental car company charge extra for cleaning up after pet hair?

Yeah, bugs suuuck. 

Nothing > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/18/2020 at 17:31

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I bet they would. I’m probably going to get the canvasback type cargo cover. Right now I have a Husky liner, and when we need the third row, I have to take it out. The fabric liners I can just leave in there and they work with the third row.

Another thing I forgot...tint. I need to tint, too.