Newbie 2014 Black Expedition

[Deano_1]

Hey Guys,

Brand new to this forum and looking for some good advice. I have a new 2014 Ford Expedition in Tuxedo Black with the Beige trim. I have been doing a lot of reading and trying to figure out where to start on properly detailing my new truck and I have a few questions. Since the truck is new, do I need to use a clay bar? I have used them previously but is it necessary on a new vehicle? Next question, I don't mind hand waxing and don't want to spend a lot on a electric buffer. Can i get good results without an electric buffer? I am sure there are a lot of differing options, on wax and have used Meguires products, but any suggestions on type of wax would be appreciated. And lastly, what product should I use on the lower beige trim? Sorry for the very long post, but I can't wait to get my new truck looking great.

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

DeanoFeed back please

[allenk4]

Do the "Baggie Test" to determine if the vehicle needs to be clayed

The Meguiar's Clay Kit is good and sold OTC at most larger retailers


Accomplishing any removal of paint defects by hand is a futile effort in my opinion. It can be done, but the result will not be as good and it will take days.

There are reasonably priced dual action polishers available.


Meguiar's Ultimate Paste Wax is available OTC, a little goes a long way, looks very good


As with many things there are the basics of vehicle appearance maintenance and a higher enthusiast level. Eventually, you will find your level.


Black Trucks are a lot of work

[allenk4]

This will also prove helpful:

Auto Detailing Facts, auto detailing Tips, How to detailing Guides, how to polish, how to wax, DIY detailing, do it yourself guides (http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html)

[custmsprty]

That's a lot of landscape to do by hand! Grab a PC kit while the VIP special or the 15% no exclusion sale is going, going gone.

here'a a link to the vip offer

VIP Special Porter Cable 7424XP Polisher Kits (http://www.autogeek.net/members-only.html)

The Blackfire Kit would be a great starter then all you would need it eh Blackfire Sealant and you'd be good to go.

[Deano_1]

Thanks for the replies. I will look at the links you included. I should also mention I live in upstate NY, and my truck stays outside.

Thanks,

[custmsprty]

Thanks for the replies. I will look at the links you included. I should also mention I live in upstate NY, and my truck stays outside.

Thanks,

Blackfire Car Care Products, Midnight Sun Car Wax, black fire car wax (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-car-care.html)

This is a great combo and a heck of a deal right now, plus the 15% off sale too. My wife just got this new 2015 Sonata Limited yesterday. I cleaned the paint with Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish then applied the Blackfire Wet Ice Over Fire Combo today with my Rupes Duetto. Took me about 3-1/2 hours all said and done. Those three products and a da would be great too, the other two products I posted are polishes to remove swirls which you probably already have because it's black and will have plenty more of over time. The BF Wet Diamond Sealant is awesome and holds up well for 4-6 months depending on the weather. Application and removal is super easy with the mentioned products.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w421/custmsprty/BlackfireMS_zps7f01618b.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/custmsprty/media/BlackfireMS_zps7f01618b.jpg.html)

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w421/custmsprty/BlackfireMS2_zps962126c4.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/custmsprty/media/BlackfireMS2_zps962126c4.jpg.html)

[Deano_1]

Did I see some sort of a add on polisher for an electric drill on a video instead of the whole kit?

[custmsprty]

Like I mentioned before, you have a HUGE amount of landscape to cover. Make the up front investment in the proper tool, you'll just end up there anyway. It would take you hours to hand apply sealant and with a da you could probably do it in 30-40 minutes. The other thing is no matter how hard you try, you always apply product too thickly by hand. Two things happen there, you waste product and make it harder to wipe off. I've done my Genesis Coupe twice and my wife's Sonata with the Midnight Sun and barely dented the jar. I did my bosses Lexus LS460 with Blackfire Sealant and if I used .5 oz, yes a half once to do the whole vehicle I'd be surprised.

I look at it this way, how much did your Expedition cost? So if you invest a few hundred dollars to properly maintain it what percentage of the vehicle cost is that? And what it would cost you to have someone detail it a couple times would cost more than that too. Food for thought.

Hope this helps :buffing:

[allenk4]

Did I see some sort of a add on polisher for an electric drill on a video instead of the whole kit?

Meguiar's makes a drill powered DA adapter system

It uses 4" pads

Meguiars DA Power System (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-da-power-system.html)

For the same money, you could buy a Harbor Freight DA

[Deano_1]

I think I will go with the Harbor Freight DA. Do I need something like the Meguiar's Correction System and what color and how many pads will I need?

thanks,

[Desertnate]

The HF is a good tool, and what I use. I would advise you to get a Lake Country 5" Backing Plate here and some LC 5.5" flat pads. Don't use the 6" pads from HF. They work OK, but fall apart very easily.

As for colors, I'd probably get orange, white, and either black or blue. That should give you enough options to take care of anything you'll see on a new vehicle. If there are any couple of bad places you might think about a yellow one or two.

[Deano_1]

5" okay thanks. Would this be LC-43-125DA Dual Action 5 Inch Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Plate?

Thanks,

[Desertnate]

5" okay thanks. Would this be LC-43-125DA Dual Action 5 Inch Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Plate?

Thanks,

That's the one I'm using and it works really well for me along with LC 5.5" pads. 5.5" seems to be a common pad size, so it should work well with just about any vendor's pads.