[RedFrontier]

Ok, now that the wet season is coming to an end (although in the Pacific NW its always wet) I have no use for my truck being a truck, until it starts getting wet again. So I would like to make her pretty for the summer, since my looks can't get me a woman maybe my good looking truck will?

Sorry back to the topic, I am starting to notice some swirl marks in the paint if I look hard enough. Along with some dings and dents here and there and some minor "scuffs" in the center of the front bumper from when my sister backed her CR-V into it.

What would be the best way go get that wet paint look going again? I mean I detail the truck in the summer and two times a week I spray it with the bottle of quick wax buff it and it looks good. My main concern is getting it looking better than the day I bought it, any help or advice? I already get made fun of for being the odd guy who is always spraying and rubbing his truck or vacuming it way too much.........or if someone touches it and it leaves a hand print I rewash the whole truck and yell at them.........

 

[NissanTy]

sounds like the clearcoat is getting shot, i would try claybar, or if your not scared to do so, wet sand and a good buff will make it look new.

 

[RedFrontier]

sounds like the clearcoat is getting shot, i would try claybar, or if your not scared to do so, wet sand and a good buff will make it look new.

That's what I was afraid of having to resort too, I don't have to orbital buffer knowledge or the knowledge to do the above mentioned. Another thing someone mentioned was taking it to a pro-detailer, but with so many ad's and people claiming to be pro's I am kinda skeptical.

I recently made the switch to a meguiars spray wax (don't have the exact name of it) that my neighbor uses on his silverado, its red just like my truck and he said its the only spray and rub product that has actual wax mixed into it instead of just a chemical to make it shine, so far it is working better and after a few shots at it, it's made a difference.

I will do my reasearch on claybar and check it out, big thanks!

 

[DucatiSS]

Using a claybar product will do wonders for the surface contaminants that are on top of the paint. When I clay bar mine it feels soooooo smooth it is crazy. The swirls that you see however will have to be dealt with by something with a little bit more cutting power. Check out this site Griots Garage and the videos. My garage cabinet looks kinda like their warehouse but their stuff really works. I own both the 6" and 3" polishers. You will not grind into the paint with these things and you will be very happy with the results.

I was going to pay a professional to do both of my trucks, but instead I invested that money into myself and with a little time and elbow grease they both came out terrific.

 

[RedFrontier]

Thanks the both of you, let me ask you this then. Since I just used the spray wax today, should I wait a while before I claybar it? If I am not mistaken claybar is a pre-wax thing?

Thanks, gonna run to do the auto store looking for some claybar!

 

[DucatiSS]

Thanks the both of you, let me ask you this then. Since I just used the spray wax today, should I wait a while before I claybar it? If I am not mistaken claybar is a pre-wax thing?

Thanks, gonna run to do the auto store looking for some claybar!

You are correct, claybar is a pre-wax item. Just wait until you wash it really good and then clay it.

Dont forget when ever you work with any claybar product you also need some "paint lubricant" like a Speed shine or quick detailer. Also stock up on some good micro fiber cloth's

 

[lane.mcpeak]

My truck is going to get a good polish and wax here as soon as I can.

 

[roastbeef]

wash, clay, wash, wax.

 

[devious1]

All of the above and... A buffer is not hard to use. You will get the hang of it after using it for awhile. It order to use one you need rubbing compound to use first which you can also used by hand. It is a pain in the a$$ to use by hand but it works. Rubbing compound has little tiny bits of sand-like stuff, like using a really fine sand paper and removing small scratches and stuff on the surface. If you go this route I am not held responsible for any damage because I am not there to see how thick or thin the paint is. Also, you have to move the buffer around often and never let it sit in one place, it will burn the paint.

There is a thousand other things on the shelf at an auto parts store that one get crap out of the paint and cover scratches. Safer options too.

Everything with paint and body is a mind game, a game of making it look like it's perfect even tho nothing is.

 

[RedFrontier]

All of the above and... A buffer is not hard to use. You will get the hang of it after using it for awhile. It order to use one you need rubbing compound to use first which you can also used by hand. It is a pain in the a$$ to use by hand but it works. Rubbing compound has little tiny bits of sand-like stuff, like using a really fine sand paper and removing small scratches and stuff on the surface. If you go this route I am not held responsible for any damage because I am not there to see how thick or thin the paint is. Also, you have to move the buffer around often and never let it sit in one place, it will burn the paint.

There is a thousand other things on the shelf at an auto parts store that one get crap out of the paint and cover scratches. Safer options too.

Everything with paint and body is a mind game, a game of making it look like it's perfect even tho nothing is.

I know it is, but I was on my way home few nights ago it was about 11:30-Midnight. I look to my left in the ARCO station and there is this 1st Gen Silver Frontier parked, the only one at the pumps. The overhead lights shining down on that dudes truck surrounded by darkness made the truck look so freaking amazing. I mean it was a bone stock SE KC but the way that paint shined under the gas station lighting inspired me to keep my truck looking good.

One could tell that guy "took care" of his Frontier, I've rolled past that gas station and nothing ever caught my eye the way that truck did, there have been 09's and cars/trucks that rolled off the dealer lot that did not have a clean look to em' as this rig did....I shoulda talked to him, but that would of been really really creepy

 

[RedFrontier]

I have an update! Today, I washed the truck really good by hand. I used claybar on the whole friggen thing, I then waxed the whole thing when I was done waxing it. I used spray detailer on the whole thing. I used clean ultra soft cloths all the way around. I have to say the truck looks pristine! I achieved that wet paint look and the paint even feels soft to the touch, its crazy. Took me about 6 hours start to finish but it was ALL worth it!

What I found out regarding to paint, a good way to see the condition of you're paint is to place an open handed hand on the paint and run the hand down the paint. If you hear anything thats a bad thing, you are not supposed to hear any sounds.

The products I used where:

-Mothers Claybar Detail kit, came with 2 claybars a Mothers soft rag and a bottle of quick detail spray.
-Mothers carnuba wax
-Mothers quick detail spray


Here is a pic of the final product

And here is the inside right before I did the carpet and everything else inside it

 

[DucatiSS]

Truck looks great. :goodjob:

I thought I was picky at times, but I can say that I have never removed my seats to detail the truck.:laugh:

 

[devious1]

Looking good, I like shiny things!

Oh and I am glad to see I am not the only weirdo that strips the interior to clean it.

 

[RedFrontier]

Thanks guys, haha to be honest. I never really cared for the interior. Once I got that letter from my Credit Union saying the loan was paid off, something just clicked and now I go all out.

Maybe one of these days I will get brave enough to try my hand at the orbital buffer, just gotta convince my Dad to let me borrow his car for a day first!

 

[NissanTy]

good job man, my truck is due for a nice wash and wax, i'll do that when it starts to get nicer outside and the snow is finally over with. i need to claybar mine too it needs it bad, again nice work man! truck looks good.

 

[Mathster]

I have an update! Today, I washed the truck really good by hand. I used claybar on the whole friggen thing, I then waxed the whole thing when I was done waxing it. I used spray detailer on the whole thing. I used clean ultra soft cloths all the way around. I have to say the truck looks pristine! I achieved that wet paint look and the paint even feels soft to the touch, its crazy. Took me about 6 hours start to finish but it was ALL worth it!

What I found out regarding to paint, a good way to see the condition of you're paint is to place an open handed hand on the paint and run the hand down the paint. If you hear anything thats a bad thing, you are not supposed to hear any sounds.

The products I used where:

-Mothers Claybar Detail kit, came with 2 claybars a Mothers soft rag and a bottle of quick detail spray.
-Mothers carnuba wax
-Mothers quick detail spray


Here is a pic of the final product

And here is the inside right before I did the carpet and everything else inside it

did you pull the console out too to clean the coffee and soda out from under ther??

 

[lane.mcpeak]

Nice tires you have on there. I've got the same. Do you like how they ride and handle?

 

[MITOK]

That is the prettiest red truck I've ever seen. :goodjob: