Exterior Detail: 2006 F-150 FX4

[justin30513]

This one that I did last week for a buddy of mine. He is putting it up for sale and wanted me to do the exterior. This was after he spent 2 days on the inside. He said he'd leave the rest to me! Boy was it dirty. Maybe even filthy! I opened the engine bay and asked him what would he think if he was the customer and saw this? He shook his head and told me to just "handle it".

Here's the process......

Engine Bay:
(ZEP Citrus Degreaser 1:1 & Armor All Tire Foam)
This was my first major test for this new ZEP product. I wanted to try it full strength but didn't. Did a good job. Strong even at this dilution. I then used and entire can of Armor All Foam after rinsing. I shut the hood and baked it for about 30 minutes. I still cannot believe how easy this process is. Not to mention the results! I wish I could say it was all me but Armor All has a winner here.

Wheels, Tires, and Wells:
(ZEP CD at 1:1 and Armor All Tire Foam)
Pretty much the same process here. I did agitate the wheels with a wheel ShMitt though. Then the same for the tires and wells. I then put on a coat of AATF while wet and then removed while still damp. This was for cleaning purposes. A final coating went on later. The wells also got two coats. The wheels then got a layer of DP's Surface Spray Shield. Some lucky customer is going to have easy wheels to clean!

Wash Cycle:
(NXT Car Wash, 1 cup of ZEP CD, and black ShMitt)
If you can get a vehicle clean with this combo, it's in need of sand blasting. Yep, it's gonna take off any wax there is. That's why I'm doing it. Am I going to do this on every wash? Heck no. It's only before a full detail. What I like is that this new ZEP is not hurting my hands or drying them out. There was no need to clay after this. Maybe I was just lucky, but this mix just removed a ton of filth on it's own

Paint Correction:
(XMT#4 and CYCLO using EDGE2K Yellow Pads)
This combo pretty much took care of swirls and really cleaning the paint. I used two pea sized drops per pad. This was all that was needed per panel. I simply use the same pyramiding process used with a rotary. Fast and no pressure then slow and some pressure finished off by no pressure and fast overlapping passes. This takes care of any hazing.......even with this tough combo.

Paint Protection:
(Pinnacle's Liquid Souveran and CYCLO using EDGE2K White Pads)
With this products success on white, it was an easy choice for me. Also, very easy to use. I use it in the sun and leave it on for an hour and still have no problems with removal. Once the pads are primed, you can do multiple panels before reapplying any product to the pads. I put on a layer that is nearly invisible. Maybe this is why I've gotten over 60+ used out of one bottle....with a 1/4 left still. The look is wet and deep. Very glossy, even for white.

Befores....

[justin30513]

Afters......

[Stittville Ed]

Great looking job Justin.
If it ever stops snowing I will do the same on my engine bay, thanks for the tip.

[shadybreal]

I noticed the blue Silverado and your brother's Tacoma in the background. Truck looks great!

[justin30513]

Originally Posted by shadybreal

I noticed the blue Silverado and your brother's Tacoma in the background. Truck looks great!

GOOD EYE Bradley!

I still have to get his done. His TRD stickers came in. The Silverado is now gone. He sold it! He also bought an 07 Tacoma that I have to detail. I'm busy!

[alban61]

Truck's looking great! That white is wet and reflective. Engine bay looks....WOW! I hope it's as simple as you say. I'll be trying it out soon.
Took your suggestions and used DP Int. Cleaner on interior vinyl/plastic last week. Yesterday used DP Carpet/Upholstery Cleaner on seats and carpet with my new Ridgid 4gal/5HP wet/dry vac. Interior looks great now, except for one spot on the rear seat. I'll try something OTC for that. Thank-you for your honest reviews!

[sparkie]

What was them spots all over the hood in the before pics?
You can't beat Liquid Souveran on about anything, and so easy to use. The best Liquid wax I've ever used!
The truck looks great, nice gloss! The engine looks better then new.

[justin30513]

Originally Posted by alban61

Truck's looking great! That white is wet and reflective. Engine bay looks....WOW! I hope it's as simple as you say. I'll be trying it out soon.
Took your suggestions and used DP Int. Cleaner on interior vinyl/plastic last week. Yesterday used DP Carpet/Upholstery Cleaner on seats and carpet with my new Ridgid 4gal/5HP wet/dry vac. Interior looks great now, except for one spot on the rear seat. I'll try something OTC for that. Thank-you for your honest reviews!

I like it. I've actually cut it 1:1 and got good results. Let the carpet cleaner sit for a while though. And agitate with a brush. I like it a lot.

[rscpa]

GREAT JOB!!

I am always amazed at the work you do. I just wish you were a friend of mine as it would be much cheaper than buying all of this AG stuff....

or maybe not!

On cleaning the engine, you just clean it good with the degreaser and than spray the AA on it? Anything to avoid (other than intakes)? Any other tips or is that just all there is to it?

[justin30513]

Originally Posted by sparkie

What was them spots all over the hood in the before pics?
You can't beat Liquid Souveran on about anything, and so easy to use. The best Liquid wax I've ever used!
The truck looks great, nice gloss! The engine looks better then new.

Some kind of pollen buds from a tree here. They are everywhere!