[s3gulit]

howdy,

I know alot of you guys actually know how to detail and whatnot. I like my truck looking clean buy never understood half of this stuff.

I have swirl marks...really bad, and would like to know how to remove them?

What's the claybar system do?

How do I remove all of the wax, clay, etc. the previous owner and myself put on? what's the purpose of removing all of it?

Whats a nice easy maintenance free wax i can throw on my truck and not worry about it for a month or so?

What about soaps? (I'm starting to hate the mr clean thing...)

If someone could go in detail with this stuff that'd be great because i'd like to get my truck looking its finest before a carshow coming up the second saturday in sept.

This is my "routine" Mr clean wash, soap, rinse (started using the eagle 1 wet soap in mr clean), wax with either meguiars quik detailer/wax or eagle one wax as you dry.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[2006BAMFRADO]

Well, I cannot explain in detail... but here is what I think I know..

To remove swirl marks, you will need a buffer (dual action, orbital, porter cable 2474..) and a swirl mark remover product (Meguiars #83) and buff and buff until the shit turns dry.. then wipe off and wax.

The clay bar system is used to remove road contaminents (bugs, dirt, tar, paint overspray, etc.) that regular soap and sponge wont get out.

To remove all of the wax that the previous owner and yourself put on by washing the car with dishliquid soap (dawn, etc.). The purpose of this is to do exactly that, remove all of the old wax and stuff so you can clean, clay, remove swirls, and wax the clean paint.

Nice easy maintenance free wax that you can throw on and not have to worry for about a month or so? I don't really know to tell you the truth.. I was my truck like 2 times a month.

Soaps? I don't really know, but I am using Mothers right now.

Hope this helps!

Justin

 

[01whiteoffroad]

i wash my truck atleast once a week with turtle wax car soap in the big white jug.

i use meguirs tech wax and it is the best by far. wipes on so easily and same for removing it. leaves no wax dust either, its great! this wax also removes swirls in the paint.

i only use the clay bar to remove fallout from rooftops...ok my truck is white, every now and again on the hood ill get these surface rust spots and certain black dots that wont wash/wax off. once you use the clay bar, u must wax the truck where the clay was used, bc in essence the clay removes any wax coating that was on the paint as well.

something i do when i washing my truck is i use "wax as you dry" on every wash, and wax about every 1-2 months depending on how busy i am. the wax as you dry helps keep the shine and make the paint smooth, and also i find it helps the wax application alot smoother.

as for cleaning the front chrome grill and bumper, wax that sucker too!

the windows....stoners inviisible glass cleaner is the only thing i use with a lint free 100% cotton "diaper soft" towel. this works better than rain-x when it comes to making water bead, and leaves absolutely no streaks.

on my tires i use meguiars endurance tire shine, its a purple gel in a clear bottle. it doesnt fling off like everything else and keeps the shine for about a week, and then once the week is over, it keeps the tire "clean black" and still looks nice for a month.

hope this helped.

 

[Claye]

I couldn't agree more with yoskater and 01whiteoffroad!!

 

[s3gulit]

so if i use the Meguiars NXT wax, it should clear alot of the swirl marks...i don't have a buffer/polisher or money for one so everything cleaned on my truck is done by hand. When u say i should immediatley wax the truck after removing the old wax and whatnot, does this mean literally right away or can i finish removing the rest of the wax on the truck...wash it with eagle 1's wet soap and then wax it with meguiars?

Also, where could i pickup that stoners stuff? ive never heard of it before.

I don't have a chrome grill...my entire front end is blacked out except the 454SS style emblem i picked up for my 96. I have so many rock chips on the bumper itself its insane, makes my truck look like shit.

 

[Nicholas]

You can pick up the stoners glass cleaner at almost any auto parts store and even wal mart. I know my advanced carries it, along with walmart. Never really looked anywhere else but it shouldn't be that hard to find. I think its like $4 a bottle or something, not sure, but its not very expensive.

 

[manofsteel]

howdy,


What about soaps? (I'm starting to hate the mr clean thing...)


This is my "routine" Mr clean wash, soap, rinse (started using the eagle 1 wet soap in mr clean),

dont do that. the mr clean thing is made to use the mr clean soap. changing it up messes up the whole process. go back to useing the mr clean soap, it worx better.

 

[s3gulit]

that mr clean soap goes through the thing like nothing...like 6 washes and its gone.

 

[therealgeronimo]

People also have different opinions on how you should wax your truck but use east to west motions when applying and taking the wax off (will help prevent more swirl marks) and as soon as what you are taking the wax off with gets a little dried wax built up on it change to a clean side or a new towel.

 

[Slowrider5]

Mr. Clean soap will actually leave a residue behind, that you can't necessarily see, but it could come into play with wax/polish adhesion to the surface. It has to do with the polymers they put in the soap that allows the water to just sheet right off. I use my own car wash soap (Zaino) and then I only use the Mr. Clean unit for the filtered water. Once I build a new house, I'm going to make sure to put a soft water tap in the garage.

 

[Slowrider5]

Go to www.zainobros.com
They have a lot of advice there on how to wash, what to use, etc.

 

[JoeJ]

so if i use the Meguiars NXT wax, it should clear alot of the swirl marks...i don't have a buffer/polisher or money for one so everything cleaned on my truck is done by hand. When u say i should immediatley wax the truck after removing the old wax and whatnot, does this mean literally right away or can i finish removing the rest of the wax on the truck...wash it with eagle 1's wet soap and then wax it with meguiars?

Also, where could i pickup that stoners stuff? ive never heard of it before.

I don't have a chrome grill...my entire front end is blacked out except the 454SS style emblem i picked up for my 96. I have so many rock chips on the bumper itself its insane, makes my truck look like shit.

the NXT wont clear your swirls, if anything it will make your truck shine more and make them stand out. Having a good looking truck is all about the prep work. NXT, or any other wax for that matter will not magically transform your paint, it is mearly a sealer to preserve the work you have done with polishing and claying, it will add some shine, but does nothing to "fix" your paint. Your truck sounds like it may be somewhat neglected but not horrible. The first step will be to wash your truck with Dawn dish soap in order to remove any old wax. This step also removes some of the oils from your clear coat, but we will be replacing them later so dont worry. Dont make a habit of this step though. After the dawn I would start out with a good claying of your truck. Its quite easy but time consuming. The main purpose of this step is to remove contaminants from your paint such as overspray and other undersirables. It may seem pointless, but this step is very important if you are looking to achieve top notch results. Pick up a nice clay kit, Clay Magic is what I prefer, but the zaino clay is also quality. Next you need to polish your paint. This is the step where you would be removing the swirls. Since you dont have a DA and dont wish to purchase one what you can do here is somewhat limited. I would really reccomend you pick up a Porter Cable, but if it's not something you are interested in then that is your choice. You can still achieve some results by hand though. I would reccomend 3M's swirl mark remover for the job. Meguiars Scratch X is also somewhat effective for a 'by hand' application. At this point you are going to want to wash your truck with dawn dish soap agian to remove all the residue from polishing and claying and promote ultimate adhesion of your chosen sealer. This is the step where you choose what you want to seal with, and also where you achieve ultimate shine. If a store bought product is what you want then NXT will be your best bet, it shine well, but unless your truck is garaged then it only lasts for about 2 weeks to a month. Other products you might consider are Zaino or Tropicare there are debates as to which is better so I'll stay out of all of that, read up some and pick what you think is best. After you have sealed your paint then all it comes down to is maintenance. Keep the truck washed with a quality auto shampoo and maintain your layer or protection with a quick detailer and regular applications of your chosen sealer. If you do that you can effectivley avoid all the work of doing those pesky first few step on a repeated basis. Just remember, no 'wax' (and i only call it that is because that what most people mistakenly call these synthetics) will cure your paint. If you want your truck to look good its all about the prep work, your 'wax' is just the final step. Hopefully I have been of some help, let me know if you have any other questions.

Joe

 

[Claye]

the NXT wont clear your swirls, if anything it will make your truck shine more and make them stand out. Having a good looking truck is all about the prep work. NXT, or any other wax for that matter will not magically transform your paint, it is mearly a sealer to preserve the work you have done with polishing and claying, it will add some shine, but does nothing to "fix" your paint. Your truck sounds like it may be somewhat neglected but not horrible. The first step will be to wash your truck with Dawn dish soap in order to remove any old wax. This step also removes some of the oils from your clear coat, but we will be replacing them later so dont worry. Dont make a habit of this step though. After the dawn I would start out with a good claying of your truck. Its quite easy but time consuming. The main purpose of this step is to remove contaminants from your paint such as overspray and other undersirables. It may seem pointless, but this step is very important if you are looking to achieve top notch results. Pick up a nice clay kit, Clay Magic is what I prefer, but the zaino clay is also quality. Next you need to polish your paint. This is the step where you would be removing the swirls. Since you dont have a DA and dont wish to purchase one what you can do here is somewhat limited. I would really reccomend you pick up a Porter Cable, but if it's not something you are interested in then that is your choice. You can still achieve some results by hand though. I would reccomend 3M's swirl mark remover for the job. Meguiars Scratch X is also somewhat effective for a 'by hand' application. At this point you are going to want to wash your truck with dawn dish soap agian to remove all the residue from polishing and claying and promote ultimate adhesion of your chosen sealer. This is the step where you choose what you want to seal with, and also where you achieve ultimate shine. If a store bought product is what you want then NXT will be your best bet, it shine well, but unless your truck is garaged then it only lasts for about 2 weeks to a month. Other products you might consider are Zaino or Tropicare there are debates as to which is better so I'll stay out of all of that, read up some and pick what you think is best. After you have sealed your paint then all it comes down to is maintenance. Keep the truck washed with a quality auto shampoo and maintain your layer or protection with a quick detailer and regular applications of your chosen sealer. If you do that you can effectivley avoid all the work of doing those pesky first few step on a repeated basis. Just remember, no 'wax' (and i only call it that is because that what most people mistakenly call these synthetics) will cure your paint. If you want your truck to look good its all about the prep work, your 'wax' is just the final step. Hopefully I have been of some help, let me know if you have any other questions.

Joe

That's a lot of great info! But I've found the best way to remove swirls is use a cleaner. I've found that Meguiars #83 is best at that. When applied by a DA. Also NXT does have some filling capabilities. Now no it isn't going to totally "fix" your paint. And you're right about prep work too.

 

[2006BAMFRADO]

Question: I live and work where lots of dust is, and I wash my car about once a week... will the california car duster create swirl marks? Any other ways to keep dust off without washing? I also use the quick detailer shit between washes too.. ?

 

[JoeJ]

That's a lot of great info! But I've found the best way to remove swirls is use a cleaner. I've found that Meguiars #83 is best at that. When applied by a DA. Also NXT does have some filling capabilities. Now no it isn't going to totally "fix" your paint. And you're right about prep work too.

Thanks, I've been detailing cars for a long ass time.
Several products contain fillers. NXT has a very mild filler that doesnt hold up well at all, didnt really think it was worth mentioning. If you are looking for a polimer with good filling capabilities, especially on a dark color I would reccommend Zaino Z5. Also, Blackfire can provide some pretty good ending results.

 

[JoeJ]

Question: I live and work where lots of dust is, and I wash my car about once a week... will the california car duster create swirl marks? Any other ways to keep dust off without washing? I also use the quick detailer shit between washes too.. ?

I just wipe my truck down using a spray bottle mixed with car wash soap and water and a large microfibre towel. As far as the duster, some people use them, but I dont like them. If you do decide to pick on up be aware that your first couple uses the duster is going to leave behind some wax residue that you'll have to deal with.

 

[s3gulit]

What about wetsanding the truck to get rid of the factory orange peel? Or if i went this route would it just be better to get everything (exterior wise) bolted on and just have it repainted in black and silver?

 

[JoeJ]

are you discussin finishing all of your body mods and then repainting the whole truck?
Wetsanding would deffintily be the cheaper of the two options, but unless you are planning on builing a serious show truck I dont think either is really necessary.

 

[s3gulit]

Well i wanted to wetsand it because the paint on the lid is spyder webbing like mad. I want a low profile lid (if anyone has a site that'd be cool) the gas door is starting to rust at the bottom (was like this when i bought it) i was going to get a 4" cowl hood and a rollpan and shave the tailgate handle and antenna so i was thinking it might just be best to go ahead and repaint the entire truck in the color scheme i want. (not real fancy...just 4 coats of jet black with some silver stripes/flames.

 

[JoeJ]

what color is your truck now? if its anything other than black a full color change including engine bay and door jambs is going to run you $5k+.
Spider webs can be eliminate with the methods I outlined above.