Cleaning my truck, advice needed

lawnboy-5247 · November 17, 2016

My truck has always been washed at least monthly but I just have not had time to do much more than that, I would love it if I had time to wax it and keep up with it but I don't, so before winter sets in I was looking to do something long lasting. I have been looking at long lasting synthetic sealers and was considering buying a bottle of this stuff Meguiar's M21 Mirror Glaze Synthetic Sealant 2.0. I just am looking for advice on what the best method is to prepare my truck and apply it. Do I need to polish my truck before or can I just Clay bar it and can I apply it by hand or do I need to buy a polisher?

ChevyRoofer · November 17, 2016

My truck has always been washed at least monthly but I just have not had time to do much more than that, I would love it if I had time to wax it and keep up with it but I don't, so before winter sets in I was looking to do something long lasting. I have been looking at long lasting synthetic sealers and was considering buying a bottle of this stuff Meguiar's M21 Mirror Glaze Synthetic Sealant 2.0. I just am looking for advice on what the best method is to prepare my truck and apply it. Do I need to polish my truck before or can I just Clay bar it and can I apply it by hand or do I need to buy a polisher?

I was always taught that the process went like this:

Hand Wash and Microfiber/Waffle Towel Dry

Clay Bar

**Cutting Agent (if looking to remove swirl marks)

Polish (Don't let dry)

Wax

Sealant

DA Orbital Polishers are your friend when it comes to speed and accuracy. Same with Foam Cannons/Power washers.

You could polish, wax, and seal with a DA Orbital in 1/4 of the time it would take to do it by hand.

Also I'd give Chemical Guys a look at for products. I used to always use Meguiar's, especially their 2.0 tech wax.

But I've tried a couple Chemical Guys products now and they are top notch.

WhiteDiamond210 · November 17, 2016

This is the process I go through when I detail my truck:

1) Wash & Dry

2) Clay Bar

3) Polish

4) Sealant (2-3 coats)

5) Wax (2 coats)

355HP Z71 · November 17, 2016

1. Wash ( I use 3 buckets with grit guards )

2. Dry with micro fiber towels

3. Clay bar ( I use Meguiars )

4. Polish ( I use a DA polisher with chemical guys hex logic pads with Meguiars 205 )

5. Sealant ( Rejex Sealant )

Rally216 · November 17, 2016

I just used Chemical guys Jet Seal. I was really impressed with how it turned out. I'm hoping it holds up through winter.

Willyone · November 17, 2016

This is the process I go through when I detail my truck:

1) Wash & Dry

2) Clay Bar

3) Polish

4) Sealant (2-3 coats)

5) Wax (2 coats)

Yep right there... 1 thru 5

I did mine but admittedly did skip the clay bar. I felt the surfaces after the wash'n dry and felt no grit, so on to the polishing I went. After the wash and dry I polished with a product called RaceGlaze, which is the polish/sealer I used on my boat's gel coat. It's always given me great results and did with the truck too. Then I topped off with Collinite 885 paste wax. Great product and is an on/off, but not quite as easy to get off as other waxes I've used. FWIW, Raceglaze is a polish/sealer so ya could prolly just stop there. But a coat or 2 of good wax adds to the protection and shine.

I used my 7-9 inch Dewalt buffer with foam pads. Buffer only takes some getting used to and you can damage the paint if you over do it. If not familiar or you don't have experience with a rotary buffer, I'd recommend using a random orbit polisher. I picked up a cheapie R/O from Harbor Freight a few years ago for around $60.00. It works ok but it isn't variable speed and vibrates like a bitch. I'll replace it with a better unit at some point.

Below is a link to an interesting take on auto detailing. Careful... if you're anol about detailing this link will take up allot of your time LOL

https://www.youtube.com/user/autofetishdetail

Retired Bob · November 17, 2016

Hand Wash and Microfiber/Waffle Towel Dry

Clay Bar

**Cutting Agent (if looking to remove swirl marks)

Polish (Don't let dry)

Wax

Sealant

This is good except do not put down the wax and THEN add the sealant - do the sealant first and then wax as often as you like. The wax wears out much sooner than the sealer so you don't want to put the sealer over the wax as you will capture the dried out wax under the longer lasting sealer. I also like Rejex sealer - easy on and long lasting.

355HP Z71 · November 17, 2016

I agree with Bob . Rejex is the longest lasting wax or sealant I have ever used .

Lgetz · November 17, 2016

Another vote for Rejex Sealant as well. Have used it previously and a friend "stole" mine and really likes it.

lineman74 · November 17, 2016

Any of you guys used the Chemical Guys C9 yet. I have all the stuff to detail my truck and just haven't had the time. I purchased the C9 hoping to get a longer lasting finish. The bottle is supposed to do 6 cars so I'm hoping I can get at least 3 out of it for my truck.

66deadhead · November 17, 2016

Here's the steps I go through .... only when truck is cool to the touch do I wash. Usually early morning

1- rinse off all lose dirt and get truck soaking wet

2- apply foaming cleaner in foam gun. Let soak 10 min

3- rinse

4- apply second coat of foam cleaner in foam gun. Let soak 10 min

5- rinse

6- useing 2 buckets with grit guards ,wash only top part of vehicle with micro fiber mitt and meguires gold class. And rinsing mitt in 2cd rinse bucket before dunking mitt in wash bucket.

7- wash bottom part of vehicle with 2cd microfiber mitt and meguires gold class.cleaning that mitt also in rinse bucket before dunking in wash pail.

8- using separate 3rd bucket, soak and wash and clean all 4wheels. With wheel cleaner and soft brush.

9- rinse entire truck & wheels

10- dry with a leaf blower for a streak free shine, this also helps getting the water out of all those trouble spots where it tends to lay. Side mirrors, grill emblems, etc

11- check paint for any roughness or rough patches. If any is found, clay bar as needed. Usually once or twice a year if possible.

12- apply sealant of your choice, I been using meguires ultimate paste. It comes off fairly easy and seems to last months depending on weather conditions.

This may seem like overkill. Lmao, but my truck is Black. And I try to touch the clear coat as little as possible to keep from scratching or swirling it.

Afterwards, stand back and admire all your hard work with a few ice cold beers for a few hours in the afternoon before all the pollen and dust settles on it. Lol.