ctrujillo4

I'll be taking a road trip soon from So-Cal to Las Vegas. I just purchased my 2013 ES-350 in May and it will be the first trip of many. I'm a bit concerned about protecting the paint during such a long stretch...(about 450 miles roundtrip). Any suggestions?

Should I wax the hood and front bumper? If so, any recommendations on what to use?

I wanted to get the clear bra, but it's a bit out of my price range right now. Let me know what you guys think.

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

For best durability, I would recommend a permanent coating such as Opti-Coat 2.0. While you will not be required to wax the car once the coating is applied, routine washing and upkeep is still very important!

larryinWA

I'm half way through a long road trip (2,500 miles). I've been disappointed at how difficult it has been to find a hose connected to water. Finally found one of the old style self-serve car washes (basically a pressure washer), where you can rinse off the dirt/sand that accumulates daily in Palm Springs.

LexBob2

I always apply a liquid spray wax (like Meguire's Ultimate Quick Wax) to the front surfaces of the car before a trip. It makes removal of bugs and other gunk easy. I carry the bottle with me on the trip and reapply if/when I get the car washed..

BertL

I make the trip from San Diego to Vegas or to the High Sierra (double the distance, same sort of terrain for much of the trip) at least a couple of times a year, in my RX as well as my previous convertibles. I've done this in my RX450h, previous RX400h, as well as my 335i and SC430.

For my RXs, I generally add a layer of Zaino (sealant) before the trip. It helps a lot with removing bugs if you go at that time of year when they are plentiful. On my verts, I also put another layer of Zaino on them before I left, but since they were both rock magnets being so low to the ground, I had custom Colgan Bras for them, used only on that road trip. I know there are many people that avoid the bras like the plague, but in all my years with them on two vehicles and on multiple trips, I had zero issues on my finish... But I also spent the money on the top of the line versions specific to my rides, and checked it at every stop, just in case (never had a problem).

For the trip itself, with your ES, consider taking a bottle of QD with you, and a couple clean microfiber towels. What I do is if bug situation gets too bad (it won't be this time of year with the heat), I've been known after refueling to pull up to places where there is air and water. I use the water, in a cup if need be, to loosen the bugs on the front bumper, then use the QD to get most of the muck off. I've only had to do that a couple of times mid-trip, but do check it out once I hit Vegas and I fill-up before checking in just so I can take care of the situation if necessary. If its not too bad, I honestly don't touch anything including a couple of bugs if they are there until I get home and let the fine layer of dust alone -- no touching except maybe a flick with my finger ... no rubbing... to get a bug or two off, then do a proper hand wash and reapply of Zaino to the front end for good measure. That approach has served me well on my RXs many many times, and I am very **** with my finish. ...and FWIW with my verts and their bras, the bras get cleaned off for good measure in the same way -- not so much because I am trying to get the bugs off before they eat into my sealant while I'm on the trip, but for esthetic reasons.

Hope that helps. Have fun in Vegas.

larryinWA

This trip I tried the suggestion of a friend and it seems to work very well. Spread the colorless ivory dish soap all over the bug impact areas. When you arrive, hose off the soAp & bugs. I had to rub some areas with a cloth, but they came off pretty quickly and it only takes about 2 minutes to apply.

DunWkg

Meguiar's Ultimate Wash and Wax Anywhere is what I use prior to and during a trip. Treat front bumper and surrounding area before leaving and as needed during. Slightly more expensive than Ultimate Quik Detailer, which I used to take with me.

Jetfire

iTrader: (3)

Wash wax before the trip. The wax acts as a sacrificial barrier to your paint. Carry some no rinse in a spray bottle for when you can not do a wash.

If you are worried. Then just tape up the front with blue painters tape.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

i was waiting for someone to mention the blue tape.. With only 450 miles the tape should do the trick on the front bumper and mirrors and maybe partial hood... U can always stop half way and reapply. i personally carry a quick detail spray in the trunk and use that after every trip and even to and from work.. A little excessive but bugs do more damage than anything IMO..

BertL

OP, great recommendations and alternatives from folks. Blue tape is an option I suppose -- likely what I'd do if I had to travel a lot on gravel or unimproved roads and had chosen to not put on a permanent clear bra for some unknown reason.

I don't know if you've been to Vegas often, but if you care about vanity even just a little bit, having blue tape on your otherwise beautiful ride as you cruise down the Las Vegas Strip will be a not so good anomaly for people to stare at. You'd otherwise fit right in with your new Lexus, even if it's a little bit dusty with a few bugs hitching their last ride -- it's the norm in those parts. I can remember 1, maybe 2 cars -- both non-luxury high volume vehicles of some sort with blue tape on their front-ends over the dozens of times I've made the ride through the SoCal desert to Vegas. One of those cars was full to the brim of personal effects -- likely someone moving themselves from SoCal to other parts unknown.

With a bit of preventive measures as suggested by folks, the greatest challenge if you are worried about your ride's finish is if there is high wind. I would absolutely not take my ride on the 15 in that case as you could get sand blasted. I postponed one trip a few years back because of the high possibility -- just check the Weather Channel a few days in advance or call the Highway Patrol for road conditions. No amount of coatings, tape or whatever would help protect your finish and glass in that situation. Me, well, I care a lot about my ride, but I like it to look good while I'm in Sin City, especially when I pull up to valet under those 7x24 lights. I take a very small risk harming my RX with a few bug casualties -- easily dealing with them as previously described.

Have fun. Drive and be safe.

larryinWA

Back in the day, before weather reports were available 24x7, my dad got caught in the desert in one of those sand storms. The sand stripped the paint off of his car. Fortunately it was a company car.

SW17LS

I would use this if you are concerned about the front end for the trip: