Would I have to do anything different from a complete wash for a truck that`s just been going through the occasional automatic wash(with brushes) for the last 10 years? It has some pretty extensive swirl marks and hasn`t been waxed other than the spray stuff at the auto wash for about 10 years. I don`t exactly want a show room finish. I just want the paint clean and protected.
Do anything different for neglected paint?
- Thread starter CathyG
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ThatsRicci
New member
ahh
Welp... hit it with a great wash..
a Paint Cleaner.. If the color of the paint starts showing up on your applicator pad.. welp.. youre clear coat is toast - no biggie, just going to require -more- protection to preserve the color.
So apply the paint cleaner and possibly a clay bar over ground in stuff until the paint is generally clean of dirt/brakedust/specks and other marks (scratches/swirls are ok at this point)
Apply some scratch remover at this point to any noticable scratches and bird poop marks and other etchings. Use touch up paint on the bigger scratches and chips.
Then it's time for a polish.. the polish will get out the swirls and give it a mirror finish... do this twice if it's never been done before.
then a wax, 2-3 coats (or as much as your arms can take...)
that'll protect the mirror finish you just put down with the polish.
badda bing.. now run it through the touchless wash once in a while and keep it fresh with some spray on detailer every week or so.
you can do this all in one day, one nice long saturday. have it done in time to go out for an icre cream cone by sunset. with a beer bbq in the middle and maybe even cut the lawn to give your elbows a break.
MEguiars makes all of the products you need to do this..
Welp... hit it with a great wash..
a Paint Cleaner.. If the color of the paint starts showing up on your applicator pad.. welp.. youre clear coat is toast - no biggie, just going to require -more- protection to preserve the color.
So apply the paint cleaner and possibly a clay bar over ground in stuff until the paint is generally clean of dirt/brakedust/specks and other marks (scratches/swirls are ok at this point)
Apply some scratch remover at this point to any noticable scratches and bird poop marks and other etchings. Use touch up paint on the bigger scratches and chips.
Then it's time for a polish.. the polish will get out the swirls and give it a mirror finish... do this twice if it's never been done before.
then a wax, 2-3 coats (or as much as your arms can take...)
that'll protect the mirror finish you just put down with the polish.
badda bing.. now run it through the touchless wash once in a while and keep it fresh with some spray on detailer every week or so.
you can do this all in one day, one nice long saturday. have it done in time to go out for an icre cream cone by sunset. with a beer bbq in the middle and maybe even cut the lawn to give your elbows a break.
MEguiars makes all of the products you need to do this..
Bluto
New member
I don't think the 1986 will have a clear coat. I would give two products from ClearKote a try. Don't let their name confuse you. They have some of the best products for non-clear coat paint.
http://www.clearkote.com/products.htm
The Vanillia Moose Wax Hand Glaze to clean and get rid of some scratches and oxidization, and the Moose Wax to protect.
Wash the truck. Use a clay bar from the auto parts store (Clay Magic or Meguiars). Glaze then the Wax.
If you just one to do one setp, go for the Moose Wax. It cleans, protects, and can be applied in direct sunlight.
http://www.clearkote.com/products.htm
The Vanillia Moose Wax Hand Glaze to clean and get rid of some scratches and oxidization, and the Moose Wax to protect.
Wash the truck. Use a clay bar from the auto parts store (Clay Magic or Meguiars). Glaze then the Wax.
If you just one to do one setp, go for the Moose Wax. It cleans, protects, and can be applied in direct sunlight.
Last edited:
I wanted to post some before/after pics of what I ended up doing. I used Meguiars Deep Crystal car wash because we already had it followed by Scratch-X and Mothers Cleaner Wax.
Here`s the before
Here`s the after
You were right Bluto. I have single stage paint. I would have loved to use clay but that stuff is expensive.
Here`s the before
Here`s the after
You were right Bluto. I have single stage paint. I would have loved to use clay but that stuff is expensive.
:
I need to get another photo of it in the sun to show how much the swirl marks have been reduced but it`s been cloudy.
