2004 Dodge Ram 2500 (Complete Correction)

**DARK HORSE** · 06-06-2010, 01:47 PM

Okay, I hate to admit it, but this is another one of my trucks. (It is actually my wife’s winter driver). This 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 (w/ 37K on the clock) has been very much neglected recently. It is outside 24/7 (never seen the inside of a garage) and has never been polished. It is a truck that is treated like a truck. At times it is used as a work truck (hauling supplies, debris going to the dump, and we also use it to pull our 27ft. camp trailer). It is also used as a hunting, fishing, and true going off road truck. It has been through sage brush numerous times, and across many lava fields. It is long over due for a full paint correction, complete interior/exterior, engine bay, wheel well and undercarriage detail. My youngest son Andrew volunteered to help with the detail (as he always does), so here we go:

Here are a few pictures of what we were up against (prior to starting):

Notice the horizontal scratches just above the D and G (those will be dealt w/ later)…

Okay, so here we go…

Engine Bay: Covered the alternator with a large plastic bag and duct tape. Cleaned the engine bay with ARO (Amazing Roll Off) and various scrub brushes. Started truck and let it run for about ten minutes; dressed all rubber, plastic, and vinyl with 303 AP. (Here are a couple of shots):

Tires, wheels, wells, and Undercarriage: Tires and wheels were cleaned with Amazing Roll Off (ARO). Tires were dressed with Optimum Opti-tire bond. Wheels were sealed with 2 coats of Poor Boys World Wheel Sealant. Wheel wells and Undercarriage were also cleaned with ARO and sprayed with 2 coats of spray on rubberized undercoating. (A few pics.):

Interior: Door jams, Carpet, upholstery, and floor mats were all cleaned with APC+. (Door jams polished and protected w/ Klasse AIO. Carpet and upholstery protected w/ 303 fabric guard). Dash board, door panels, and trim were all cleaned with DP total interior cleaner and protected with 303 AP. Instrument panel, overhead display and stereo face were cleaned and protected with Plexus.
(Here are a few of shots):

First Wash: Presoak was done with Foam Gun and 3oz.of DP Extreme Foam Shampoo. Truck was then washed using 2 buckets w/grit guards, Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo, and an old GS-50 Sheepskin wash mitt. Rinsed and dried w/FK-425 and PakShak WW mf’s.

Clay: Clayed with DP universal detailing clay, using ONR mixed a 1:32 with distilled water for clay lube.

**DARK HORSE** · 06-06-2010, 01:49 PM

Paint Correction: (We chose the following):
Step 1 = m105 and several cyan hydrotech pads (91% IPA wipe down).
Step 2 = m205 and several tangerine hydrotech pads (91% IPA wipe down).
Step 3 = Menz. 85rd and several Gray CCS pads
(We used PakShak microfiber “Ultra edgeless white towels” for polish removal and PakShak ultra plush towels for IPA wipe downs).

(Here are some shots before, during, and after the polishing stages):

50/50

After

**DARK HORSE** · 06-06-2010, 01:52 PM

Some Before and Afters:

Second wash: After completing the correction stages we washed again. This time we washed the truck using 2 buckets w/grit guards, Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo, and a GS-50 Sheepskin wash mitt. Rinsed the truck with CR spotless, including engine compartment, and wheels. Blew out crevices with B&D leaf blower, blotted some areas with FK-425 and PakShak WW MFs.

LSP = We chose Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint sealant for the LSP. (Removed sealant and buffed with PakShak Ultra Plush MF’s). Here are a few shots after removing the sealant…

**DARK HORSE** · 06-06-2010, 01:56 PM

Exterior Trim, Plastic, and Glass: All exterior trim was first treated with Poorboys World Trim Restorer and allowed to cure for 48 hours, then further protected with 303 protectant. Plastic head light and tail light lenses were polished with Maguire’s Plastix and protected with Klasse HGSG. All glass was polished with Stoners Invisible Glass and protected with Klasse HGSG.
(Here are a few of shots):

Bed Liner, Chrome, and Exhaust tips: Bed liner was cleaned with Meggs APC+ and dressed with Black Again. All chrome was polished with Optimum metal polish on a 4” orange LC pad. Nerf bars and Exhaust tips were polished with Optimum Metal Polish and #0000 steel wool.

**DARK HORSE** · 06-06-2010, 01:57 PM

Here are a few more shots of the final project:

Thanks for looking…

**ASPHALT ROCKET** · 06-06-2010, 01:57 PM

Dam Tad, now that is a complete detail in the true sense of the word "detail". Most of the details are just wash and waxes. Awesome turn around buddy, and way to show everyone that you do not need a flex, a pos Griots or the Megs da. Great turn around buddy, you have come a long way in a short amount of time.

**Indy YZF** · 06-06-2010, 02:02 PM

Nice job, looks like brand new!

**Birdhunter** · 06-06-2010, 02:09 PM

WOW!!! That looks GREAT!!!

**cobalt9123** · 06-06-2010, 02:14 PM

Great work as always Tad!

I am curious as to what camera you use? When I do a full Finish Kare paint decontamination and m105/205/85rd in a couple weeks I want a camera that I can actually capture swirls with such as yours. My iPhone just doesn't cut it.