What to use on a new truck

[greg g]

After seeing the improvements on my old F250s hood my buddy wants me to do his brand new truck to make it showroom new looking, and keep it that way for a while. His truck is a 2011 F150, its a medium charcoal color. After looking at the truck under some lights there are some fine marks on the paint and we are going to try to take them out and then put a sealant on the paint. The truck is outside 95% of the time. What products and applicators would you recommend for this? I have a PCXP and orange, green, gray and blue CCS pads.

Thx
Greg G

[BobbyG]

Hi Greg,

Even though it's a new truck, the finish is just as prone to contaminants as older finishes.

This is some clay from 1/2 the hood from a 2011 Hyundai Elantra I did a few weeks ago..

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Clay-01.jpg


Wash
Clay
Polish
Seal
Wax

If you're using over the counter, try some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound on the Green pad. Do a 2 X 2 teat spot and gage your results. If you need to be more aggressive try an Orange pad with the same product.

Gray and Blue pads have no cut but can be used with a fine polish to finish up.

If you're ordering through Autogeek the choices are many..

Menzerna

Bundle

Menzerna Bundle (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-polish-bundle3.html)

Wolfgang Twins

Wolfgang 8 oz. Swirl Remover Combo, Wolfgang polishes, total swirl remover, finishing glaze, machine glaze (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-swirl-removers.html)

Poorboy's World

Poorboy's SSR1 (http://www.autogeek.net/pblsr16.html)

Poorboy's SSR2 (http://www.autogeek.net/pbmsr16.html)

Poorboy's SSR2.5 (http://www.autogeek.net/pbmssr16.html)

Meguiar's D151

Meguiar's D151 (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-paint-reconditioning-cream-d151.html)

Klasse High Gloss Sealant

Klasse High Gloss Sealant (
http://www.autogeek.net/klashiggloss.html)

[greg g]

Thx, I was definitely going to clay the hood and roof. I'm hoping the paint isnt to bad since the truck only has about 1500 miles on it. When I ordered my PCXP I got the started kit with the Pinnacle XMT fine swirl remover and the Carnauba finishing glaze.
I will definitely be ordering from AG but the options are mind boggling. I know I am definitely going with the Klasse gloss sealant. The Meguiars 151 sounds good. I guess I will give that a try and see how it turns out.
Having one more product around cant hurt, right? We can never have too much :)

Thx for the advice.

Greg G

[BobbyG]

As you begin to read and experiment, you'll find yourself trying this and that and all of a sudden you'll be asking yourself how you've 'acquired" so many products. There allot of products and just because they're available doesn't mean you have to have them all..........but it does help having several.

One thing you'll discover is products work differently on different finishes, what works real well on one finish may not work so well on another.

Meguiar's D151 is a very nice 1-step product, one of the nicest I've tried.

Pinnacle XMT is a nice line and testing to determine its effectiveness is in order. Be sure to vary the pads as a coarser pad, Orange, will product slightly different results then with a White pad.

Klasse High Gloss Sealant is an unbelievable product. Once it's applied, buff it to a nice shine and allow it to it overnight then overcoat with Collinite 845.

For a wax that's tough to beat in both gloss and longevity give Collinite 845 a try. This wax is amazing and for only $14.00 is the biggest bang for the buck that I'm aware of.

Too much product? I'm not sure what you mean....LOL

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/BobbyG53/Detailing/Collection_RD28.jpg

[greg g]

This all started with my "old" F250. It has had wax thrown at it several times in its life. Well it has served me very well and with the price of new Super Dutys I decided to spend a few dollars on it and see what I could make it look like. After several hours experimenting on my hood, I got it looking like a piece of red glass. My friend with the new truck saw the improvement and asked if I could give his new paint a deep gloss look and also protect it for a decent amount of time. So I told him I would read up and see what I could do for him. We are going to give it a try in a couple of weeks and see what happens. Its SO hot and humid here right now its miserable. I will definitely put up some pics when we get done.

BTW I'm really liking your shop set up.

Would you happen to know on the PCXP what RPMs for each setting? Some products give RPM recommendations and some give single digit numbers.

Thx
Greg G

[HeavyMetal]

:iagree:

Most of the products offered by AG are top notch. I have yet to be dissappointed in anything I've gotten here.

Bobby has steered you correctly for a solid, durable combo. Collinite 845 over a sealant is almost unbelieveable. You'll feel the need to rewax before that finish stops protecting.

Once you've had a little practice polishing, sealing and waxing, you may want to consider one of the newer coating-type sealants like Opti-Coat or CQuartz. They last quite a bit longer than traditional wax over sealant.

[BobbyG]

Would you happen to know on the PCXP what RPMs for each setting? Some products give RPM recommendations and some give single digit numbers.

Thx
Greg G

Thanks Greg! :props:

Regarding speed settings, Mike Phillips did a nice job of explaining them here...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/porter-cable-7424xp-updates/26256-speed-settings.html

[Cat ji]

What,would be the most suitable clay for a new car, less than 1000 miles...? (Wouldn't it be best to use one of the finer clays?...like the Pinnacle clay that they say can be used so frequently.)

[Showroom Shine]

As you begin to read and experiment, you'll find yourself trying this and that and all of a sudden you'll be asking yourself how you've 'acquired" so many products. There allot of products and just because they're available doesn't mean you have to have them all..........but it does help having several.

One thing you'll discover is products work differently on different finishes, what works real well on one finish may not work so well on another.

Meguiar's D151 is a very nice 1-step product, one of the nicest I've tried.

Pinnacle XMT is a nice line and testing to determine its effectiveness is in order. Be sure to vary the pads as a coarser pad, Orange, will product slightly different results then with a White pad.

Klasse High Gloss Sealant is an unbelievable product. Once it's applied, buff it to a nice shine and allow it to it overnight then overcoat with Collinite 845.

For a wax that's tough to beat in both gloss and longevity give Collinite 845 a try. This wax is amazing and for only $14.00 is the biggest bang for the buck that I'm aware of.

Too much product? I'm not sure what you mean....LOL

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/BobbyG53/Detailing/Collection_RD28.jpg
I don't have quite the collection you do,but it is easy to accumilate alot of different products. I'm thinking of starting a Detail Product Rehab for all of us Product Junkies!