Tips on washing a Tacoma

[ohhkk]

I have a 2026 Tacoma that has been ceramic coated. I am struggling getting bugs off the front and windshield. I am using a ceramic guys spray foam but think that I may need to use something else. Does anyone have recommendations for me including the right sponge k should be using? Any products you recommend and a better process?
I solo my truck, spray the foam, clean it, and dry with a micro fiber towel

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[AmbyBomb]

Use an actual bug product.

 

[bc510]

If you spray foam then you should let that foam sit on that area longer. Should soften everything up to come back with your mit and soap bucket. Sometimes when the bugs are really bad I’ll do a spray foam then wash then spray foam again and come in with my mit and soapy wash then spray the truck back down.

 

[tgrneal]

You could watch auto detailing videos on Youtube. I use Koch Chemie detail products like Green Star but there are several brands at several price points you could use.

 

[tacomasport1121]

What color do you have? I would recommend ONR rinseless with the Black Ultra Safe sponge. Beat combo in my opinion. Also have a good drying towel tha won’t scratch or mar your paint. Can wash one panel at a time and finishes with no water spots. My new and favorite way to wash the truck. I have a ‘24 in Underground, and it will scratch if you look at it wrong. Let me know if your want any more details. Good luck!

 

[JayZap]

I always use Titan Chemistry’s products. I spray their Bug Remover on the bugs, then foam the car down with their Extreme Foam and then use my mitt. Works every time!

 

[Andrace]

Any specialized bug-and-tar spray should work well. I have a can of mothers tar and Bug remover, worthless for tree sap, but it works great on bugs as a pre wash step, they blast right off with the pressure washer. The ceramic coat makes it a lot easier, but avoid scrubbing with a sponge to get them off whenever possible.

 

[ixo]

soap and water. let it sit. paying 80 bucks for some bottle of magic bug remover is buying literal snake oil.

 

[Andrace]

soap and water. let it sit. paying 80 bucks for some bottle of magic bug remover is buying literal snake oil.

Bug removers are alkaline and much more effective on bugs than a pH-neutral soap, and a $5-$10 can from any parts store will probably last a year.

 

[CharlieLed]

Adams makes a graphene coating product specifically for glass, I have it but have yet to be able to apply it but the hype makes it look like a great solution for your windshield issues.

 

[FalseProph]

I’ll give you my step by step process for keeping my black 24 shining. First, I only use microfiber towels, good ones (don’t wash them in hot water or dry them on high heat it will ruin the fibers) I fill two buckets, one with soap, one with just water, rinse with a 40° nozzle and a 1.2gpm pressure washer, this typically gets most of the bugs off. Then I snow foam it, rinse again, and hand wash with the microfiber towels. I will rinse the towel in the water bucket periodically to get any dirt off them so I don’t scratch while I wash. As soon as I’m done washing/rinsing I begin to dry with microfiber towels as well. Then after it’s done I pull it in the garage to cool off from the sun and use hot sauce boat bling water spot remover/sealant to give it the final detail. IMO ceramic coatings are a waste of money, if you wash and seal once a month it does a better job than spending 2k on a coating that lasts maybe half the year. I’ve had my 24 for two years now and can still get the paint looking brand new with this process

 

[lauren01]

What color do you have? I would recommend ONR rinseless with the Black Ultra Safe sponge. Beat combo in my opinion. Also have a good drying towel tha won’t scratch or mar your paint. Can wash one panel at a time and finishes with no water spots. My new and favorite way to wash the truck. I have a ‘24 in Underground, and it will scratch if you look at it wrong. Let me know if your want any more details. Good luck!

I second using ONR used as directed. This is the process I use. Get Optimum No Rinse Version 6. V5 is still sold, is very good, but V6 is their latest update to the product.
This works on my fully PPFed Tacoma as well as our other cars with their normal paint jobs.
If a vehicle is really filthy then I do a pre-treatment with foam to dwell, then full water wash/rinse.
For dried mud, light mist first to soften it so grit isn’t blasted over the surface. Then pre-treat to loosen gunk.
Nerd out on YouTube videos.
Happy Cleaning!

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