The order to do my truck's makeover!

[Kristina]

Hi everyone!

A complement first off, I've lurked around the forums for about a year now and you have awesome skills! Very helpful forum.

Last year I was the "head detailer" for my boyfriend's truck when we took it out to shows, just because he doesn't have the same attention to detail that I do (in my opinion, hehe!) and I absolutely obsess about the condition of his and my vehicles.

Late last fall I got a truck of my own which I plan on dumping way too much money in. I don't know much about it's history aside that the last owner was hauling a dirtbike in it, and for the first two years of its life it was registered commercially so who knows what it was used for. The condition of the paint depresses me. It could be MUCH worse, but I really want to make the best out of what I have. I do plan on fully repainting the truck, not for another two years or so.

It is an 01 of the oh-so-revealing black variety. I'm dealing with swirl marks (though not as bad as I've seen on here) but moreso scuffing... all over. Thankfully there is only one VERY bad chip/scratch which I attempted to repair today (). But all over the truck, everywhere you look, are light coloured scuffing and scratches, none are so bad that you can detect it by touch. The worst parts of the truck have the sandblasted effect... even with a wash / wax / claybar the paint looks FILTHY. It just looks dirty. Little white flecks all over, although you can't feel them. Will ScratchX save me here or will I just have to **** it up until the paint job?

I've gone out and stockpiled some products. So far I've collected up...

- Gold Class shampoo/conditioner wash
- microfiber wash mitt
- pack of microfiber cloths
- TWO bottles of ScratchX (I expect to have arms of steel after this, yes it will be done by hand as all I have is a likely crappy $20 buffer)
- Meguiars clay kit
- am seeking out the new Tech Wax 2.0... used the old version on my boyfriend's truck and was awesome, but the 2.0 is apparently going to be harder to find in Canada...

My main questions...

1) I've been reading about the paint cleaners and polishes.... is this something that would benefit my truck if I am going to be doing the claybar/ScratchX/techwax?

2) In what order do I do all this? From what I've read here, it should be wash/dry, clay, Scratch X, wax? Is this right?

3) What are the best tools to apply the Scratch X and wax for effectiveness and ease of use?

Thanks guys, looking forward to your input!

[Murr1525]

Re: The order to do my truck's makeover!

The small sandblasting affect sounds like it could be little chips, nothing will help that if it is.

1. Yes. ScratchX is the strongest paint cleaner for hand use, though in the future you could use the Deep Crystal #1 Paint Cleaner for milder, general cleanings. A pure polish helps give a nice rich look to the paint, esp on dark colors, esp on black. Deep Crystal #2 Polish is a nice, easy to use polish that will look good. #7 Show Car Galze is the top of the line, but will take a little getting used to.

2. Yes...
-Wash - Two buckets, Grit Guards if possible
- Clay - You might want some extra lube.
- Clean - ScrathcX or DC#1
- Polish - DC#2 or #7
- Wax - Remember 2 thin coats is best.

3. Stop worrying about easy right now. Focus on a panel a day at most. You can start off with a foam applicator like the Hi-Tec Foam Applicators and do a test spot with that. But you might want to do your first 2 or so passes with a piece of 100% terry cloth, then do the last one or two with foam. Remember small areas at a time, several applications, lots of passion. The truck should almost be rocking on the springs as you work it in. Have fun....

[Derrick]

Re: The order to do my truck's makeover!

Since this is your first post welcome to MOL as for your questions

1. Yes the cleaner/ Polishes will benefit your Truck if you are looking to restore the paint ( remove swirls, light scratches, and other below surface defects ) scratchX will also do this but it is not as aggressive as some of the cleaner polishes and depending on the paint and defect your looking to get out. you may need something a little more aggressive than scratchX

2. Yes that looks good and if i were to suggest anything i like to apply a good pure polish after paint cleaning like #7 Show Car Glaze

3. If you have not already, i would invest in a DA like meguiars G110 or G100. It will help dramatically especially if you are looking to use scratchX on the entire car and needed with some of the other cleaner/ polishes.

The little white flecks in the paint may be chips. Can you see if its ontop of the paint or into it? if its paint overspray Claybar should take care of it but if its chips you will need a new paint job for that one