2005 Ford Ranger - 1-Step Compound & Wax with Pinnacle

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Nick McKees37

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Over the weekend I detailed a 2005 Ford Ranger "Edge." The owner just picked it up last week and wanted it cleaned up for his new business.

I was originally planning on doing an AIO (all in one) with Pinnacle XMT 360, but decided instead to use Pinnacle Advanced Compound followed by Pinnacle Liquid Souveran. It was a nice day outside, and the Ranger had surprisingly nice paint (metallic flake), so I knew an extra step would really bring out the maximum shine potential.

My tool of choice for this detail was a FLEX XC3401 equipped with a WHITE Hybrid Polishing Pad. I used this for the compounding step, and a Porter Cable 7424xp equipped with a RED CCS Waxing Pad to apply Liquid Souveran.

Total time spent was 4 hours. That includes wash, decontaminate (Nanoskin), compound, and wax. The exterior trim/tires/wheel wells were all dressed as well.

Before:

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It was obvious right away that the wheels and tires had not been cleaned for years. Pinnacle Advanced Wheel Cleaner Concentrate and DP Tire Cleaner & Restorer brought them back to life.

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I wasn't able to snap any more photos during the detail because I was simply trying to get the job done as fast as possible. I had set a goal to knock out the entire truck in 4 hours.

After

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Overall I was extremely pleased with how well it turned out. I couldn't justify an extra polishing step simply because Pinnacle Advanced Compound created a finish that was LSP-ready, plus this is a work truck and not a show car. Needless to say the owner was very happy with the end result. :dblthumb2:

This detail reminded me why I'm so fond of the FLEX XC3401. There's no way I could have knocked the truck out any faster with a different polisher.

On Autogeek.net

Pinnacle Advanced Compound

Pinnacle Liquid Souveran Car Wax

Pinnacle Advanced Wheel Cleaner Concentrate

Flex XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Orbital Polisher

Lake Country Hybrid Power Finish 6.5 Inch Pads

DP Tire Cleaner & Restorer
 
What did you do on the rims around the wheel wells and b pillars? 4" plate or angle the larger pad?
 
FrankS said:
Good job Nick, thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Frank!

ryandamartini said:
What did you do on the rims around the wheel wells and b pillars? 4" plate or angle the larger pad?
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Only part of the truck that wasn't polished using 3401 was the a-pillar and front bumper. Those were completed by hand. :)

Smaller panels were completed by tilting the polisher.
 
Nick, what did you use to dress the trim, tires and wheel wells?
 
Nice job. Great product placement in the wheel photo.
 
Nick@Autogeek said:
Thanks Frank!



Only part of the truck that wasn't polished using 3401 was the a-pillar and front bumper. Those were completed by hand. :)

Smaller panels were completed by tilting the polisher.
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Just asking because I'm looking at the various tools available and want to make a decision on where I'll go. I don't want to have several buffers to tote around.
 
Good job! Thanks for the pictures and write up. I really enjoyed them.

I have the compound but haven't tried the wax yet. I need to order some soon.
 
FrankS said:
Nick, what did you use to dress the trim, tires and wheel wells?
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Great question Frank.

Most of the plastic was treated with Chemical Guys Natural Shine Pleasant Matte Shine Dressing - It's a thick gel that spreads thin and leaves a nice, glossy finish (contrary to the name!).

Wheel wells were coated with Griot's Garage Undercarriage Spray

Tires were dressed with Poorboy's World Bold N Bright Tire Dressing Gel - I've always had great success using this tire gel on dry, neglected tires. It absorbs evenly and never leaves a splotchy finish.

Front grille was coated using Duragloss Ultimate Detail Spray - Another product with a confusing name (it's designed for plastic). I really like it because it leaves a glossy, uniform finish that doesn't require rubbing or buffing.

ryandamartini said:
Just asking because I'm looking at the various tools available and want to make a decision on where I'll go. I don't want to have several buffers to tote around.
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Charleston said:
FLEX eating away at defects. Nice
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Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
Nice turnaround Nick! Looks great.

Forced rotation is where it's at. :xyxthumbs:
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You can't go wrong with the FLEX XC3401, that's for sure. :dblthumb2:
 
Nick@Autogeek said:
Great question Frank.

Most of the plastic was treated with Chemical Guys Natural Shine Pleasant Matte Shine Dressing - It's a thick gel that spreads thin and leaves a nice, glossy finish (contrary to the name!).

Wheel wells were coated with Griot's Garage Undercarriage Spray

Tires were dressed with Poorboy's World Bold N Bright Tire Dressing Gel - I've always had great success using this tire gel on dry, neglected tires. It absorbs evenly and never leaves a splotchy finish.

Front grille was coated using Duragloss Ultimate Detail Spray - Another product with a confusing name (it's designed for plastic). I really like it because it leaves a glossy, uniform finish that doesn't require rubbing or buffing.
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Thanks for the reply Nick.

Never tried the Griots Undercarriage Spray but it looks pretty good, too bad it doesn't come in a smaller bottle.

Also, I've heard good things about the Poorboy's Tire Dressing. I'd like to try that out sometime.
 
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