Help with silver paint

[Olgrey93]

Hi all. I have a silver 2014 GMC sierra 4x4 and was wondering what I can do to get the best shine/mirror finish on it with products Bought at Walmart/auto zone. I washed,clayed and then put a cleaner wax on it yesterday and it looks good but what can I do to make it better considering I don't have a polisher and do it all by hand

 

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[Spurshot]

Start with your washing. Check your water source for hard water and dirt. A filter on the hose will assure clean water.

 

Use at least two buckets to wash the truck. One for soap water. One for rinsing the wash mitt after washing and before you put it back into the soap water. This will keep the soap water clean and prevent scratching and dulling the paint.

 

Use a Grit Guard in the bottom of the buckets to keep the mitt from going to the bottom and picking up any grit.

 

Use a microfiber wash mitt. Don't use it on your wheels as it will pick up very abrasive debris.

 

Use a detail brush around emblems.

 

Use a separate batch of soap water for wheels and separate mitt/brush. Rinse out wheel water before using tha t bucket for paint wash.

 

Dry with microfiber cloths.

 

These steps will help keep your shine. Watch the video on this page. http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/how-to-properly-wash-and-dry-a-car/

 

You should consider a power buffer. A decent one can be had for about $100. http://www.autogeek.net/?gclid=CM3x8KaUlMoCFUOBfgodCbcFkg

A buffer will allow you to use polishing compounds that will provide a superior finish. You can use polishes by hand, but they won't work as well at removing those micro scratches that dull the shine.

[ArjanRDC]

Honestly, polishing by hand is usually a waste of time - especially on such a big vehicle. A cheap used porter cable is a great entry level polisher. You should be able to still get new ones from Home Depot as well.

[Spurshot]

Honestly, polishing by hand is usually a waste of time - especially on such a big vehicle. A cheap used porter cable is a great entry level polisher. You should be able to still get new ones from Home Depot as well.

 

Anything you can do to protect the paint helps. But I agree, hand working the surface to improve the shine is nearly futile.

[Imcrazy]

Avoid wally mall or autozone for most of that stuff. Checkout Adamspolishes.com H20 Liquid Guard and Gloss gives a great shine and offers great protection.

[Silverado4x4]

It doesn't matter where you buy your wax as long as you buy a brand name wax, I have always used Meguiar's products and get a great shine that last's. Silver is one color that never seems to shine very well compared to other colors. Adams products are just way too expensive.

[Imcrazy]

It doesn't matter where you buy your wax as long as you buy a brand name wax, I have always used Meguiar's products and get a great shine that last's. Silver is one color that never seems to shine very well compared to other colors. Adams products are just way too expensive.

Adam's stuff is actually pretty affordable, it doesn't take much.... a $30 bottle of wax will probably do my truck 10 times. Big name stuff that's not professional grade doesn't work as well and has lots of fillers so you don't really get any more value even though it maybe cheaper because of all the filler. I tried meguiars and it didn't even touch the swirls on my old truck, granted it was the consumer grade stuff, I've not tried their professional line but, I've heard the open time kinda sucks. I do use meguiars latest hi zoot liquid sealant aka synthetic wax on certain areas of vehicles.

 

$24.00

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.do?q=ultimate-wax-liquid&promoCode=MEGFGS49WEBPAYPC&gclid=CKnC9rCamcoCFZODaQodsMcBUw

 

$29.00

http://adamspolishes.com/shop/exterior/waxing-and-glazing/adam-s-liquid-paint-sealant.html

 

 

To me $4.00 price difference is not really even a consideration, the Adams stuff goes on easier and is a superior product.

 

 

To the OP if you want to get more shine you need to polish, you can't really accomplish any polishing without a machine however, a porter cable DA polisher is cheap, $120 or so, and will save your body for waxing as well. Don't waste your money and more importantly your time applying polish to your truck without a machine, unless you've got about 40 hours to do the work and your built like popeye it ain't gonna get ya anywhere. Silver can look great my wifes Mazda 6 looks awesome.

[Imcrazy]

[Spurshot]

You really should get a DA oscillating buffer like the Porter-Cable, Griots, Torq, etc.. Not a rotary buffer.

[Olgrey93]

Thanks for the replys folks. So should I do everything in this order? Wash,clay,seal,(with a da polisher)wax? Or am I missing some steps?

 

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[Imcrazy]

I usually, strip wash to remove any wax, clay, polish as needed, apply a sealant(instead of wax). One of the big reasons I went with Adams is they have awesome videos showing how to use their products. Check out their youtube.

[Spurshot]

The pads have various cutting ability as well as the compounds. You can mix them to get different results. But it's better to follow recommended combinations if you don't have experience.

 

Like Aaron says, find the videos and watch to learn the techniques. Easiest path is to follow a makers system.

 

Autogeeks is a good place to shop online. http://www.autogeek.net/

 

I have a shop called Chemical Guys near me that is a full line company for all detailing supplies. http://www.chemicalguys.com/

[rjkinpa]

Ive used zaino products on my 2008 gmc.. just traded it in.. but looked great for 72000 mile.. easy to use and lasts... i used z-5 with accelerator and the new one step coating.. both together..

http://www.bergeysbuickgmc.com/VehicleDetails/used-2008-GMC-Sierra_2500HD-4WD_Extended_Cab_Standard_Box_Work_Truck-Souderton-PA/2681366473 heres my truck on the lot.. ill have to post of new 2015 double cab i traded it for.. hope that helps