Order for detail process

[timsatx]

Been out of it for awhile as I got super disappointed in the crows feet in the hood of my Frontier. I finally decided to get back to it. I have looked around but have not found something that addresses what I am asking. What I am trying to find out is what order I should do all the detailing?

Initially I figure to give the whole truck a bath. Then I will do the tires using IronX, then proceed to do the rest of the truck with IronX. Then I figure to wash it again. Then do claying, polishing and then coating (I plan on using Collinite 845).

My question though is where in the process do I deal with all the black trim? Beside the regular cleaning that I will also give the truck, I am thinking it probably should have some special cleaning, say with an IPA, then apply whatever I plan on using (undecided yet). But where should that be done in the order of detailing?

[GSKR]

Are you gonna coat it with a quartz silica ,or just collinite?

[FUNX650]

IMO:
Here's a good starting-point whenever
having to deal with that black trim:
Auto Trim & Molding Guide: clean & protect exterior vinyl, rubber, and plastic trim and bumpers.


Bob

[GSKR]

Been out of it for awhile as I got super disappointed in the crows feet in the hood of my Frontier. I finally decided to get back to it. I have looked around but have not found something that addresses what I am asking. What I am trying to find out is what order I should do all the detailing?

Initially I figure to give the whole truck a bath. Then I will do the tires using IronX, then proceed to do the rest of the truck with IronX. Then I figure to wash it again. Then do claying, polishing and then coating (I plan on using Collinite 845).

My question though is where in the process do I deal with all the black trim? Beside the regular cleaning that I will also give the truck, I am thinking it probably should have some special cleaning, say with an IPA, then apply whatever I plan on using (undecided yet). But where should that be done in the order of detailing?

I would treat the trim before wax.

[Eldorado2k]

I would treat the trim before wax.

Totally agree.👆🏽It becomes near impossible to do the other way around because the tape won't stick to the paint, plus you don't want to get all the gunk coming off the rubber on your freshly waxed paint.

[timsatx]

Are you gonna coat it with a quartz silica ,or just collinite?

Just Collinite. There are a few problems with the paint. The crows feet on the hood is one but I also have clearest failure on the right rear panel. There is almost a square foot where it has come completely off. I just want to provide some protection and not go overboard.

[timsatx]

Totally agree.👆🏽It becomes near impossible to do the other way around because the tape won't stick to the paint, plus you don't want to get all the gunk coming off the rubber on your freshly waxed paint.

So then clean the body and trim, treat the trim and then polish and wax?

[Eldorado2k]

So then clean the body and trim, treat the trim and then polish and wax?

Whoa I needed a few seconds to take that all in! Lol.

Yea, now that you think about it again you begin to realize/remember how this situation can sometimes lead you to wonder what the heck! It's like the chicken or the egg. Lol.

Note: I said tape won't stick to polished/waxed paint, but it also won't stick to dressed trim. But if you have to pick the lesser of 2 evils the rule is [I believe this is the rule] you treat the trim 1st and polish/wax the paint 2nd because any potential polish/wax residue won't stick/stain the trim at that point. Or at least it'll greatly minimize the staining and make for very easy cleaning if you happen to get any on the trim by accident.

Plus you can always/easily polish/clean any trim product you may have gotten on the paint. But the taping off should prevent that mess in the 1st place


I'd like to hear other people's opinions/recommendations on this.

[timsatx]

Thanks., now I just gotta buy more stuff. Dang it.

[Eldorado2k]

I finished polishing my fathers truck yesterday and broke my own advice.😁lol.



It's hard to say there's a strict rule to follow.. Every situation's different, just have to do what makes the best sense. How else would I have been able to polish around that handle?