2021 Telluride Detailing Thread

[vyrenee]

What kind of dressing/conditioner is suggested for the non-metal areas (like the areas below the doors, around the wheel wells, and bumper)?

 

[Patsfan29]

What kind of dressing/conditioner is suggested for the non-metal areas (like the areas below the doors, around the wheel wells, and bumper)?

I use Chemical Brothers VRP. It works like a champ on the outside areas you mention and on any of the doors inside as well. Not the piano black around the shifter and such, but anywhere else. If you apply to the car after washing, make sure its dry before putting it on or water will streak through the application, but once it sets, it looks good for a week or so.

 

[vyrenee]

I use Chemical Brothers VRP. It works like a champ on the outside areas you mention and on any of the doors inside as well. Not the piano black around the shifter and such, but anywhere else. If you apply to the car after washing, make sure its dry before putting it on or water will streak through the application, but once it sets, it looks good for a week or so.

Thanks very much for the help. With a nightfall edition especially, it’s a little difficult to tell what is metal and what is plastic.

 

[Patsfan29]

Thanks very much for the help. With a nightfall edition especially, it’s a little difficult to tell what is metal and what is plastic.

I use it on my S and its cleans up the dull plastic right away. It looks good on the tires as well. With the black interior, if thats what you have, especially with kids and their little smudgy fingerprints, it cleans up the area around the windows incredibly well. One of the better products that was recommended by another Telluride owner to me.

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[Deadliftbro99]

So..I just got my telluride finally last week and I've been trying to educate myself on proper auto cleaning lol..

I've never owned a vehicle that was expensive enough to really bother with not screwing anything up, or washing it meticulously. I have no clue at all what I should or shouldn't do, other than what I've been able to pick up on reading this forum..I was hoping someone could give me a "Noob beginner guide" run down of some clean items (brushes, towels), as well as soaps and other cleaners to get started? Not trying to break the bank and I don't currently own a pressure washer, leaf blower, foam cannon or any of those items. I have access to a pressure washer though...I'm still debating on a ceramic coating, just depends on the options around me which I still need to check out.

Hopefully someone can just give a good starter run down to get me going.

Thank you so much in advance

 

[Bohen]

So..I just got my telluride finally last week and I've been trying to educate myself on proper auto cleaning lol..

I've never owned a vehicle that was expensive enough to really bother with not screwing anything up, or washing it meticulously. I have no clue at all what I should or shouldn't do, other than what I've been able to pick up on reading this forum..I was hoping someone could give me a "Noob beginner guide" run down of some clean items (brushes, towels), as well as soaps and other cleaners to get started? Not trying to break the bank and I don't currently own a pressure washer, leaf blower, foam cannon or any of those items. I have access to a pressure washer though...I'm still debating on a ceramic coating, just depends on the options around me which I still need to check out.

Hopefully someone can just give a good starter run down to get me going.

Thank you so much in advance

This is what I use and I recommend if you do have the option to use a fiam cannon and a pressure washer do so of course something that's not going to have crazy PSI do so , way better results.
Id definitely do ceramic coating , it helps with maintaining and washing.
This soap is PH neutral, the Diablo wheel cleaner is great on all types of wheels and ALWAYS use microfibre towels and wash mit .
I bought everything online
To help with the wheels and lug nuts I use the Wollywormit and unless you have huge hands get the regular size wash mitts .
For the exterior lower plastic black trim I use Cerakote wipes but follow the instructions fully
Again this is what I use and I feel has great results .
The mother's ceramic quick spray is overkill for me since I already have a ceramic coating on my vehicle but it makes me feel better plus this is also a product that is " safe " to use even on regular waxes and sealants that you apply to before it is added .
The leather interior just needs to be wiped down because unless it is raw leather it has a plastic protectis the plastic protected ceiling on it.
If your leather interior is light colored then use a leather cleaner but other than that no need to put any protection on unless you have the interior code with a ceramic coating .
I bought a cheap foam cannon too .
as well.

 

[gman1868]

So..I just got my telluride finally last week and I've been trying to educate myself on proper auto cleaning lol..

I've never owned a vehicle that was expensive enough to really bother with not screwing anything up, or washing it meticulously. I have no clue at all what I should or shouldn't do, other than what I've been able to pick up on reading this forum..I was hoping someone could give me a "Noob beginner guide" run down of some clean items (brushes, towels), as well as soaps and other cleaners to get started? Not trying to break the bank and I don't currently own a pressure washer, leaf blower, foam cannon or any of those items. I have access to a pressure washer though...I'm still debating on a ceramic coating, just depends on the options around me which I still need to check out.

Hopefully someone can just give a good starter run down to get me going.

Thank you so much in advance

Before we get started I should warn you that we are some car detailing nuts

If you want your Telluride to stay looking it's best, the first thing to do is have Paint Protection Film and a good quality ceramic coating applied. The YouTube channel Scott HD* does the best product comparisons for them

Here is what I posted last August. I tend to use products from Griots Garage, I've been using them for the past 20 years and they have great cleaning and detailing products. You can see a list of stuff that I have at the end, though I haven't updated it in the past 6 months

PREPARATION

• Leaf blower and power cord
• Blow floor clean
• White 5 gallon bucket filled with warm water
• Microfiber Wash Mitt
• Microfiber Drying Towels
  • PFM grey towels for Telluride
  • Dedicated grey MF drying towel for wheels
• Wheel washing
  • Separate bucket
  • Microfiber wheel brush set
  • Black tire brush
• Baby blue plush towels for Ceramic Wax (if needed)
• Dedicated MF towels for drying door jams and under the hood
• Fill foam cannon
• Carpro Iron X
• Connect wash handle and extension
• Step ladder

WASH

• Spray Iron X on wheels
• Power Rinse wheels and wheel wells
• Power Rinse underbody
• Power Rinse body
• Foam Cannon body, wheels, wheel wells – dwell 5-8 minutes Note: In drier conditions you will have to do the car in smaller sections, beginning at the top and working your way down.
• Power Rinse
• Foam car lightly
• Wash with microfiber wash mitt and warm rinse water
• Power rinse
• Blow dry
• Dry body with drying towels
• Dry wheels with grey wheel drying towel
• For my other cars that don't have ceramic coating like my Telluride: Spray and wipe with spray on wax or Ceramic wax (Ceramic wax only needed every 4-6 months of the paint is properly prepped in advance.

Back to the basics! If you want to detail your car or you want someone to detail it for you, Pan the Organizer** has a series of videos that goes through all the steps. Even if you're paying someone, they should go through these steps to properly protect your paint.

The steps he lays out are:
- Wash
- Chemical decontamination
- Clay Bar
- Paint Correction (machine polishing)
- Paint Protection with wax, sealant or ceramic coating the paint

In this video, Pan goes into detail (pun intended) on how to decontaminate your paint and glass with a clay bar.

**Full disclosure: I really like Pan for his How To videos. However, his product recommendations should be taken with a huge grain of salt because he does paid product reviews.

*By contrast, Scott HD does NOT accept any promotions or money for his reviews. He purchases all of the products he reviews on his channel. SO, if you're looking for product comparisons to make your own choices, Scott HD is the channel to watch.

Type	Item	Purpose	Brand
Wand	Swivel Extension Pressure Washer Wand	Pressure Wash	Adams
Washer	Electric Pressure Washer 2.0 - 1.8 GPM 2500 PSI	Pressure Wash	Adams
Blower	Leaf Blower	Drying	B&D
Filter	40019 TastePURE XL RV/Marine Water Filter	Water filter	Camco
Bucket	Purple Wash bucket	Wheels	Generic
Bucket	White 5 gal bucket	Body	Generic
MF Towel	Yellow MF towel	Drying	Generic
Brush	MF Interior Miniduster	Interior dusting	Griots
Foam Cannon	THE BOSS™ FOAM CANNON	Power Washing	Griots
Light	SLIM LED WORK LIGHT	Inspection	Griots
MF Towel	PFM® CRINKLE GLASS TOWEL	Windows	Griots
MF Towel	Green Spray On Wash towel - discontinued	Light duty waterless car wash	Griots
MF Towel	EXTRA-LARGE PFM® EDGELESS DRYING TOWEL	Body dry - new vehicle only	Griots
MF Towel	MF Yellow Drying Towel - discontinued	Body dry - older vehicles	Griots
MF Towel	PFM® TERRY WEAVE 16x16 TOWEL	Body dry - new vehicle only	Griots
MF Towel	MICROFIBER WASH & SCRUB MITT	Bug cleaning on body	Griots
MF Towel	MICROFIBER WASH MITTS	Body Wash	Griots
MF Towel	MICROFIBER EDGELESS TOWELS - grey	Door jams - rocker panels	Griots
MF Towel	MICROFIBER PLUSH EDGELESS TOWEL - blue	Ceramic Wax removal	Griots
MF Towel	MICROFIBER WIPE DOWN TOWEL - grey	Wheel drying	Griots
MF Towel	TWO MICROFIBER WHEEL WANDS (sm & med)	Wheel cleaning	Griots
MF Towel	EXTRA-LARGE MICROFIBER WHEEL WAND	Wheel cleaning	Griots
MF Towel	MF WAX REMOVAL TOWEL - white - Disc	Wax removal	Griots
MF Towel	MF POLISH REMOVAL TOWEL - yellow - Disc	Polish removal	Griots
MF Towel	PFM® EDGELESS DETAILING TOWEL	Light duty waterless car wash	Griots
Pad	RED FOAM WAXING PADS	Waxing	Griots
Pad	RED FOAM MINI WAXING PADS	Waxing	Griots
Pad	ORANGE FOAM CORRECTING PADS	Polishing	Griots
Polisher	G1 RANDOM ORBITAL POLISHER - Disc	Paint correction and Wax	Griots
Product metering	SURE-FLOW METERING TIPS, SET OF 6	Power Washing	Griots
Soap Sprayer	BRILLIANT FINISH™ FOAMING SPRAYER	Hose washing	Griots
Spray nozzle	Pressure Washer Water Broom	Chassis Rinse	Ryobi

 

[Bohen]

The Optima wanted to see herself so I had to wash the Telley yesterday.
Even without the sun today she shines nicely .

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[RBTelly]

Just picked up our new Telluride and thinking about having clear bra installed on all front surfaces. The shop that I am looking at to do this is saying that they would remove the Telluride lettering on the hood, put the clear bra on and then put the Telluride lettering back on. Does that seem like the best approach? Would anyone anticipate having problems with the lettering over time? They also said they could cut around the base of the lettering after applying the clear bra as another option, with an additional cost.

Thoughts?

 

[gman1868]

Just picked up our new Telluride and thinking about having clear bra installed on all front surfaces. The shop that I am looking at to do this is saying that they would remove the Telluride lettering on the hood, put the clear bra on and then put the Telluride lettering back on. Does that seem like the best approach? Would anyone anticipate having problems with the lettering over time? They also said they could cut around the base of the lettering after applying the clear bra as another option, with an additional cost.

Thoughts?

Some here have chosen to have the letters removed and replaced, I chose to have the shop I used to use their plotter to cut the PPF so they wouldn't have to remove them. It cost less to do that versus removing and replacing the letters.

Their estimate that it would cost more to make the cutouts for the lettering doesn't make sense. Once the letters are removed, they must be replaced with a new set. The cost of the time and parts is more to remove and replace the lettering than to use the computer controlled cutting plotter to cut out the letters to go around each letter on the hood.

If they are saying they manually cut the film, then you would be wise to find a place that uses the computer controlled plotter.

In general, the gap between the flim and the letters is very small. So, unless you live somewhere that has a LOT of sand in the air, like in the SW US, the risk of damage between the letters and the film is minimal. Here in Minnesota, we get our cars sand blasted every winter due to what they put on the roads.

If you choose to have them remove the letters, make sure they put a new set on.

 

[3Rivers]

Just picked up our new Telluride and thinking about having clear bra installed on all front surfaces. The shop that I am looking at to do this is saying that they would remove the Telluride lettering on the hood, put the clear bra on and then put the Telluride lettering back on. Does that seem like the best approach? Would anyone anticipate having problems with the lettering over time? They also said they could cut around the base of the lettering after applying the clear bra as another option, with an additional cost.

Here's a video from a guy who had protection installed and then didn't put the letters back on. You can judge for yourself how it looks.

 

[shaveiceclub]

I’m sure this question has been answered before. I scanned this thread to find the answer but didn’t find anything too specific for my needs.

I need to clean my windows every few days. I park in a covered garage but dust still settles on the car. But the windows not being clear bugs me.

What can I use to do a quick wipe down of the windows? Spray bottle with water? I’m more concerned about keeping the windows clear than I am about about applying a sealant. Also picking up these from Amazon.

My other need is to keep the leather seats clean. I have black leather interior and I see everything on the seats and center console. What to do??

Thanks in advance.

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[JGM*]

I’m not sure if this is allowed, but I’ve been following this great car detailer and have learned so much. I have no affiliation with her, she’s just a wealth of knowledge.

 

[gman1868]

I’m sure this question has been answered before. I scanned this thread to find the answer but didn’t find anything too specific for my needs.

I need to clean my windows every few days. I park in a covered garage but dust still settles on the car. But the windows not being clear bugs me.

What can I use to do a quick wipe down of the windows? Spray bottle with water? I’m more concerned about keeping the windows clear than I am about about applying a sealant. Also picking up these from Amazon.

My other need is to keep the leather seats clean. I have black leather interior and I see everything on the seats and center console. What to do??

Thanks in advance.

I use a damp microfiber towel. I use Carpro Eraser when I need something a little more robust when I need to remove things like bugs. For tar and other oil based stuff you can use goo-gone.

However, if you have a ceramic coated windshield I wouldn't recommend anything more than Eraser otherwise you will strip the coating off.

 

[gman1868]

For anyone interested in Griots Garage products, they have a 20% off liquids sale going right now. SPend over $69 (after discount) and get free shipping. I just did

 

[veloduffer]

I’m sure this question has been answered before. I scanned this thread to find the answer but didn’t find anything too specific for my needs.

I need to clean my windows every few days. I park in a covered garage but dust still settles on the car. But the windows not being clear bugs me.

What can I use to do a quick wipe down of the windows? Spray bottle with water? I’m more concerned about keeping the windows clear than I am about about applying a sealant. Also picking up these from Amazon.

My other need is to keep the leather seats clean. I have black leather interior and I see everything on the seats and center console. What to do??

Thanks in advance.

I haven't used it yet (on order from Amazon) but Chemical Brother Hydrospeed Ceramic Detailer gets lots of praise for use on body AND windows - one reviewer noted that even TX backed on bugs come off the windshield easily.

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[arattle]

I’m sure this question has been answered before. I scanned this thread to find the answer but didn’t find anything too specific for my needs.

I need to clean my windows every few days. I park in a covered garage but dust still settles on the car. But the windows not being clear bugs me.

What can I use to do a quick wipe down of the windows? Spray bottle with water? I’m more concerned about keeping the windows clear than I am about about applying a sealant. Also picking up these from Amazon.

My other need is to keep the leather seats clean. I have black leather interior and I see everything on the seats and center console. What to do??

Thanks in advance.

I park in a garage as well and know what you're talking about. I use a California Car Duster to do a quick wipedown every couple of days, and as you run it on the windows and the paint, you really see a difference between the dusted and undusted parts. It takes 2 minutes to wipe down the whole car.

 

[shaveiceclub]

Just cleaned my car for the first time after turning it in for detailing when it was first picked up from the dealership. I suddenly find myself in need of a pressure washer, pH neutral soap, sealant, and any other essentials you could recommend. I’ve gone back through the thread and added some stuff to my cart based on what’s been used here by all you enthusiasts (Chemical Guys snow foam, etc). The two areas im struggling with are the pressure washer and foam canon. I need a fairly compact pressure washer, as I live in an apartment. The Sun Joes look to big. I see a couple Ryobi options. And a DeWalt option (but the reviews aren’t too good). I see Adams but that would definitely be an investment; is it worth it?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide

 

[gman1868]

Just cleaned my car for the first time after turning it in for detailing when it was first picked up from the dealership. I suddenly find myself in need of a pressure washer, pH neutral soap, sealant, and any other essentials you could recommend. I’ve gone back through the thread and added some stuff to my cart based on what’s been used here by all you enthusiasts (Chemical Guys snow foam, etc). The two areas im struggling with are the pressure washer and foam canon. I need a fairly compact pressure washer, as I live in an apartment. The Sun Joes look to big. I see a couple Ryobi options. And a DeWalt option (but the reviews aren’t too good). I see Adams but that would definitely be an investment; is it worth it?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide

For a pressure washer I have the latest version from Adams Polishes. None of the smaller ones have the necessary volume of water to make the foam cannon work well. I also use Griots Boss Foam cannon with the restricter on the pickup and the cannon works well with their foaming soap.

 

[shaveiceclub]

For a pressure washer I have the latest version from Adams Polishes. None of the smaller ones have the necessary volume of water to make the foam cannon work well. I also use Griots Boss Foam cannon with the restricter on the pickup and the cannon works well with their foaming soap.
View attachment 27233

I’d really like to go with the Adams since it’s what you use. I just have no where to store it! My storage locker is too small for it to fit. Thanks for the helpful tip regarding water pressure for the foam cannon to work.

What sealant/finisher do you use? Still that yellow bottle? Was it Mother’s or something like that?