Detailing advise.. calling all pretty truck owners

[jekquistk5]

After spending some time restoring my boats gel coat I figured I should
give my duramax some love as well. Ie get it looking like this again.

So what are the steps you guys take to get a nice shine on your trucks.

I need to know what pads you use foam with wax, wool with rubbing etc.

 

[Deuling]

Wash, shammy dry, hand wax with a good brand of wax.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Run a clay bar across first before anything.

 

[rebelgregory]

I used to buy black cars then I realized what a pain they are to detail. Yours should be easier. The above steps are good unless ur paint is badly oxidized. Then you're going to have to rub and polish or possibly even wet sand beforehand. It's time and labor intensive, but the results are better than new and no orange peel. Wax afterwards. I use a 7" polisher with 3 stages: wool>foam>finishing foam with 3M compounds in lowering abrasiveness with each pad. Last stage is just a swirl remover.

Nice D-max by the way. I just bought an '11 LML. Found out afterwards it's nearly un-tuneable due to ECM being locked down by GM. OK with it for now. The stock 760 ft-lbs still makes me giggle when I get on it.

 

[Deuling]

Ammonia on a rag takes care of water spots.. Just an fyi (always been a black vehicle in the driveway... )

 

[Teck]

Run a clay bar across first before anything.

X2, then use a cleaner wax,then a finish wax.
I would only use a wool pad if you need to compound it remove scratches after claying.

 

[jekquistk5]

Thanks!!! Its not oxidized at all just doesn't have the mirror finish it used to have. I do have a few Michigan Pin stripes. It is a truck after all, and it gets used to haul deer back from the woods, get wood for the fireplace and heat for the barn. Its been about 2 years since I have hand waxed it. I figured if I am going to spend the time waxing it I better do it right. For the first time I did the three step process, on the gel coat on the boat. Man does it look good. So if I can restore a 25+ year old gelcoat I should be able to do wonders on my dmax.

 

[Deuling]

Day I bought the blazer....

One wax job by hand, no buffer.

 

[jekquistk5]

Here is a more recent pic, it just doesn't pop like it used to. And Rebel thats a nice dmax!! I will upgrade to a LMM in the next year or two.

 

[Deuling]

Here is a more recent pic, it just doesn't pop like it used to. And Rebel thats a nice dmax!! I will upgrade to a LMM in the next year or two.

Soooooo u gonna sell me urs when that happensd??

 

[jekquistk5]

Soooooo u gonna sell me urs when that happensd??

Yes but at market price! Gonna trade it in, is the most likely scenario.

 

[Deuling]

Yes but at market price! Gonna trade it in, is the most likely scenario.

Oh well. I want an old a$$ cummins anyways for a tow rig.

 

[Blue85]

I've never seen another shine like Zaino. They have a ridiculous number of products/steps, but when you're done it almost seems like something is wrong for a car to shine that much. I tried to set a towel on my car hood and it slid right off! For all I know, MPG actually goes up.

 

[rebelgregory]

Hmmm. Never used Zaino, so I googled it. This looks like something I might have to try.

 

[Larry]

When it is time for a good cleaning, they get washed, clay bar’d, then wax (Meguiar’s) followed by Lucas Slick Mist for touch up.

jekquistk5,

Hey, we almost have the same truck except mine is an 8.1L with a 6 speed manual and manual shift transfercase. Bought it new back in 2001 and it only has 56,000 miles in it today. It is close to a virgin as one can get...everything is original except for the tires and oil. It is an early HD built at Pontiac East in 2000 and the second GMT800 HD truck my dealer sold. Funny thing I lived close to Pontiac East when it was built but I bought it in Colorado after I moved back. When I bought this one Duramax’s were too new and too unproven leaving me scared to death to be one of the first to own one. I still do not regret passing on the oil burner.

12 years later and the interior looks like the day it came home

 

[jekquistk5]

When it is time for a good cleaning, they get washed, clay bar’d, then wax (Meguiar’s) followed by Lucas Slick Mist for touch up.

jekquistk5,

Hey, we almost have the same truck except mine is an 8.1L with a 6 speed manual and manual shift transfercase. Bought it new back in 2001 and it only has 56,000 miles in it today. It is close to a virgin as one can get...everything is original except for the tires and oil. It is an early HD built at Pontiac East in 2000 and the second GMT800 HD truck my dealer sold. Funny thing I lived close to Pontiac East when it was built but I bought it in Colorado after I moved back. When I bought this one Duramax’s were too new and too unproven leaving me scared to death to be one of the first to own one. I still do not regret passing on the oil burner.

12 years later and the interior looks like the day it came home

Nice looking truck! Any tips for the side plastic molding with the chrome strip? Gonna shine her up in the next few weeks and park her in the barn/garage till she is needed.

 

[Larry]

Nice looking truck! Any tips for the side plastic molding with the chrome strip? Gonna shine her up in the next few weeks and park her in the barn/garage till she is needed.

The Lucas Slick Mist works well on mine

 

[ryoken]

I've buffed eleventy thousand cars and boats, from show winners to collision to 60' sportfishes....

obviously you have everything from aggressive lacquer compounds to hand glazes depending on the finish... but the best overall product for something with just mild scratches, yada, yada.. 3M's Finesse It.. best polish on the planet... period... followed by a good pure cream carnuba.. Mothers makes a good one..

3M used to make a killer green one in a black bottle, but I haven't seen it in a long time... cleaner waxes are ok for quickies.. boat detailers live by em, like Meguires #50.. but you wont get near the wax protection as a pure carnuba put on a perfect polished surface..

wool vs foam is I suppose a debatable subject.. I suppose.. good clean paint, foam'd do ya ok.. anything more ya need wool really... I run wools right thru buffing in the carnuba.. the heat makes it last longer... experienced wheel men can use wool thruout with great results... not super experienced with a wheel, foam's a good safe alternative..

 

[4xcrazy]

I found some stuff in the garage, I think my brother bought it awhile back, but I used it on the Avlanche, wow what a difference it made after a fresh wash. I believe its a Maguires product, something like Hyperwax or something. It's a spray on wipe off type of product you use after you wash and dry your vehicle. Removes any water spots and adds an awesome clean fresh waxed look. I was emazed after using it.

 

[max 02]

Larry your truck makes mine look like real POS!

But mines got over 300000 klms on it! And I live in Alberta...gravel,salt!!

Good job keeping it so nice!