Calling all black fontiers

[GolfTango]

First, if you have lots of swirls / scratches, grab yourself a Porter&Cable random orbital buffer. You'll need a quality foam or wool pad for cutting (I prefer foam), and another foam pad for glazing (if you decide to glaze).

For produts, either Zaino or 3M are excellent. I prefer Zaino (cut with Z-PC at a moderate speed (RO - 4.5; Rotary - 1200rpm). Then finish up with Zaino Z-5, then Z-2. Here is the Zaino store http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...de=APPLICATION

If you go the 3M route, you'll cut with the 3M cleaner, then use a fresh foam pad and apply a 3M glaze for dark colors. Finish up with 3M Show Wax.

Both net excellent results, but I prefer the Zaino ZPC / Z5 / Z2 for a deep shine that removes swirls and conditions paint....and lasts!

Another product I've used that yielded some deep shine were Klasse products. Google Klasse for details.

[Rick F]

To wash, you need to buckets of soap and water
Good quality microfiber mitt with a deep nap
Hose down the vehicle with low pressure water. DON'T blast the truck
(it even better if you have a water filter attached)
Suds up the mitt and use as light of pressure as you can. DON'T scrub the truck. This is the number one mistake. The mitt should glide over the truck. If it is dirty then you only should take one or two swipes and then flip it over for one or two more then rinse the mitt out in the second bucket very good. Load up with suds from the first bucket and repeat.
This is a very long process. If my truck is dirty it takes me about 30-45 minutes to wash mine. Always wash in the shade or at night. Never under sun or even warm days with cloud cover. I dry with a blower or a Mr. Clean filtered water rinse. Never Chamois or wipe dry. This is BIG mistake number 2. If you have to use a microfiber towel then dab it pull it off. NEVER drag anything across the clear coat. Even microfiber towels with a little sediment from the water or left from the wash will scratch it and it will show on black paint. As for waxing in circular motion. As long as the paint is clean, clayed and preped then you can wax however you want since wax does not cause swirl marks on CLEAN paint. Some people say waxing in circular motions caused swirls marks, that is true if the paint is dirty but not if it is clean.

[GolfTango]

Originally Posted by Rick F

To wash, you need two buckets of soap and water
Good quality microfiber mitt with a deep nap.

I agree on the two buckets of water. But, I've had excellent results and as most professional detailers will tell you, a wool mit is the way to go.

Originally Posted by Rick F

Never Chamois or wipe dry. This is BIG mistake...

Again, I've always used a chamois or The Absorber with excellent results. The key is to not rub the vehicle with the Absorber, but lay it flat on the surface and pull the water off. Never had scratches caused by using either. Cheers!

[Rick F]

Whatever works for you but you will never see a detailer use a leather chamois. They always hold sediment and once it is the chamois it isn't coming out. I use to use the absorber. Very good to use and I agree, never rub the vehicle while drying. I forgot to mention wool and they work just as good. The key is rinsing the mit as often as possible and take your time.

[TXKid]

A lot of good advice so far, here is my detailing procedure:

About every 6 months,

Wash with Meguiar's Gold Class
Clay with Clay Magic
Tape off rubber and plastic
Random Orbital with Meguiar's Deep Cleaner (Will switch to #83 soon)
Random Orbital with Meguiar's #7 (subject to change)
NXT Tech Wax by hand removed with Random Orbital x 2 coats

I use Meguiar's Chrome Polish on the bumpers and wheels

I use Meguiar's Plastic Cleaner on the headlights

Every 2-3 months I re-coat with NXT Tech Wax

I went almost 8 months without detailing and I paid for it. I did not have a fresh Clay Magic kit so I went straight to the Deep Crystal Cleaner. It looks good but could be better and there is still some trash in the paint.

I have a lot of chips and small scratches I need to work on so that is the next project. It looks great for a two year old truck with 68K miles though.

Also, I use Meguiar's foam pads, wash mitts, water magnet and generic microfiber polishing clothes and applicator pads.

Swirls can be removed by hand but you will pay for it that night.

[blunted_fubar]

I Use Mothers Clay Bar N Cleaning Wax Then I Go Over It With Z-best Wax Its Kinda A Purple Pinkish Color... Hard To Find... Nad I Used 303 Areospace... That About It

[06CajunFrontier]

I use eagle one nano quick detailer is it the same has the spray wax?? Works good, too.

[khmaiaznboi89]

use rubing compond to get rid of swirl marks, polish, then wax then wash often with safe methods then no more scrathes

[PimpinBlkFrontier]

What works well for me is to wash and dry with all clean towels... then go back with a microfiber towel (dry) spray some of the spray detailer and go over the entire truck... then every nite if it is not raining or alot of dirt on my truck i dust it off with the california duster then take a clean microfiber towel and use the spray detailer it keeps my black paint shining like new everyday!

[Aussie Frontier]

The biggest thing I found out is to wash the car with high pressure water first to dislodge as much as the surface gunk first.
Surface dust is your biggest enemy when it comes to tiny scratchs