Wash and Wax

[hank14]

Spent 4 hours last night detailing the exterior of my 100. After the Ford and Chevy pickups I've owned, I'm still amazed at the finish on this vehicle. I did incur quite a few superficial scratches this last fall on some outdoor adventures. Most of them buffed out, some did not. I used Meguiars #9 swirl remover/polish and #26 yellow wax. Smooth as glass. Now I just need to touch up a chip and ding here and there.

This morning it's raining, or I would have snapped a shot of the beauty. At least the rain beads up (although I'm sure not as well as it would if it was an 80). ;p

 

[flyfish4life]

Hank - Is your 100 black by any chance - just curious how effective the swirl remover is?

 

[mmw68]

Hank...Iam about to do my truck this weekend,

DId you use a clay bar before you started? ANy did you use a buufffer?

THanks, Mark

 

[hank14]

Hank...Iam about to do my truck this weekend,

DId you use a clay bar before you started? ANy did you use a buufffer?

THanks, Mark

My truck is silver. I used a clay bar when I first bought it 1.5 years ago. It works great for hard to remove contaminants. I really like the Mequair's products, have used them for years.

I tried using a Waxmaster buffer, but I have never been able to do much good with them. It completely wore me out- 4 hours from beginning wash to final wax (except for the top- I was too tired at 1:30 this morning to tackle it).

I first used Meguiar's Scratch X on the whole hood, but it didn't seem to work as well as the #9 swirl remover.

 

[mmw68]

Thanks,

Well another silver truck owner!

Iam planning to use the quick clay bar product, I've had the truck about 7 weeks so I want to start fresh with the paint. It not in bad shape..just needs some TLC. After that I did not know what product to use...glad to hear the #9 worked well..Ive also used the #26 wax before - it's a good product.

Pst a picture so we can all see your hard work!

 

[hank14]

Here's a link to Meguiar's how to center. Lots of good info, especially about scratches.

http://www.meguiars.com/howtocenter/

 

[spressomon]

Clear protectant

Has anyone tried the adhesive based clear protectant that is being sold today to guard against paint scratches (there is a local applicator that calls this stuff "invisible bra"?

 

[hank14]

No, I haven't heard of it. I would, however, like to see through some invisible bras, if there were such a thing.

 

[spressomon]

Invisible bras

Hank...come to Reno..."Romantic Sensations" (XXX supply store) has what you're looking for...and probably more.

Anyway...back to paint protectants. I will see if I can find out who makes this stuff. I saw, in the latest Cabelas bible, a product that is very similar if not the same. What I don't know is if it can be easily removed at a later time...

 

[hank14]

Hank...come to Reno..."Romantic Sensations" (XXX supply store) has what you're looking for...and probably more.

I'm on my way!

Anyway...back to paint protectants. I will see if I can find out who makes this stuff. I saw, in the latest Cabelas bible, a product that is very similar if not the same. What I don't know is if it can be easily removed at a later time...

I would be interested. I'm also looking into that magnetic sign material to attach for wheeling and hunting trips- I would think it would stick tight ande really protect. I think Cabellas had some for sale that was camo for trucks for about $600.00- I'll need to find the cheap route.

 

[calamaridog]

I am also looking for some of the magnetic sign material. I'll post here if I find some. I've even seen it in silver.

I was thinking of just doing all four doors...

 

[spressomon]

3M Paint Protectant

Check it out...

http://www.clearmask.com/

 

[hank14]

I am also looking for some of the magnetic sign material. I'll post here if I find some. I've even seen it in silver.

I was thinking of just doing all four doors...

Looks like it's pretty high dollar- about $12.00 a linear foot, I think its 24" wide.

 

[spressomon]

Sage proof?

Well...I am supposed to get my first LC (99 100) sometime in the next week. I will be using for off-road forays including hunting in Northern Nevada. Running through the sagebrush really destroys the front & sides of any decent looking rig...if this clear protectant will hold up to sage then I am going to give it a try...beats repainting and/or the depreciation from all the scarring...

 

[tabraha]

Haven't tried the clear bra against brush but I had it on the nose of a Porsche and it was fantastic against stone chips. Worth the money I paid for it without a doubt. My LX came with scrapes on the lower air dam so I didn't buy it for that vehicle. It has run over plenty of scrub oak and pine trees and the paint has held up beautifully. I've had some heavy scrapes down the sides by limbs but buffing gets 'em right out. I have used the Meguiars yellow wax and this last time I threw on Zymol I had on hand b/c I did my Porsches earlier the same day. Water practically jumps off of it!

 

[superdosser]

Clear Bras and the like are good for stone chips but not

the kind of damage driving through sage, sticks, brush inflict. They cover the front of the car --- but everyting thing from there on back will get "Nevada Pinstripes"....

 

[spressomon]

Sage advice

I was thinking about applying the clear film onto the sides of the LC...if it holds up to 80mph sand, etc. on the front it seems it would be good for reflecting trail brush, etc.? Have you actually tried it on the sides of your vehicle?

 

[hank14]

It looked to me light the film kits are only available for the hood and front bumpers? Surely you could get a roll of that stuff and custom fit it to the side panels? That's what I wanted to do with the magnets.

 

[hank14]

Rain X'ed all the glass this week. Ordered Leatherique Rejuvenator and Pristine Clean and it came in today. Can't wait to try it out. I'll definitely take some before and after pics.

 

[NMuzj100]

Where did you get the Leatherique? I was blown away by the detailing info at www.autopia.org it's the bobistheoilguy.com for detailing cars.

I need to clay my wife's camry to remove peices of tree litter from the finish and then wax it. But the LC comes next.

Rain-X on the windows is one of the best things going - even in a New Mexico (makes the bugs slide right off)