Detailing my F-150 tomorrow...what should I do?!

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CC268

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Hey guys,

I am THINKING about doing a full exterior detail on my 2014 F-150 tomorrow now that it is starting to cool off (I may change my mind in the morning haha). Anyways...I did a full detail on it about a year ago that included Iron X, clay bar, Pinnacle Cleansing Lotion and then Collinite 845. The paint is still in excellent shape so there is no need for any heavy correction work, however, if I am going to go over it I think it is worth at least doing a light polish on it before I wax/seal/coat.

I just bought McKee's Paint Coating, but I don't know if I want to go through all the work of applying a coating right now. I would have to do something like Meg's M205 and then the McKees Coating Prep Polish and then the coating. On a big truck like mine that is a ton of work to a three step process like that...but it is a possibility.

I am debating on whether or not I need to Iron X it again...I could do a test spot, but with the blue paint it is very difficult to see Iron X changing colors.

Here is the DA Polisher I have:
-Griots GG6

Here is what I have for pads:
- LC Flat pads (5.5" and 4"): yellow, orange, white, black, blue

Here are the polishes I have:
-HD Speed
-Menzerna 3500
-Pinnacle Cleansing Lotion
-Meguiar's M205
-HD Polish
-McKee's Coating Prep Polish

Here are the waxes/sealants/coatings I have:
-Pinnacle Liquid Souveran (I won't use this on my daily driver as I want longevity)
-Collinite 845
-HD Poxy
-Menzerna Power Lock
-McKees Paint Coating

It's funny because about 80% of the product I just listed above I have never even used before...what can I say...I am a connoisseur of polishes and waxes I guess?

Anyways, what do you guys suggest? I know I need to do a test spot, etc...but I figure I would see if you guys have any combinations that stick out to you guys. I know I really I ought to do the paint coating, but it just seems like a lot of work.

Here are some photos from when I detailed it the first time...

20150522_185039_zps74kugs5n.jpg

20150522_185134_zps6hiasv0w.jpg
 
Give it the baggie test to see if it needs to be clayed again
 
Is your paint in need of claying? What kind of clay do you use?
 
Eldorado2k said:
Is your paint in need of claying? What kind of clay do you use?
Click to expand...

Well when I originally did this I did it with the DP Clay Bar...but I am lazy now and would do it with my Fine Grade Nanoskin Mitt.

I enjoy detailing, but to be honest, my truck takes a lot of the fun out of it because it is so damn big.

My truck is dirty right now, but I just did the baggy test and it definitely needs to be hit with the Nanoskin Mitt
 
CC268 said:
Well when I originally did this I did it with the DP Clay Bar...but I am lazy now and would do it with my Fine Grade Nanoskin Mitt.

I enjoy detailing, but to be honest, my truck takes a lot of the fun out of it because it is so damn big.
Click to expand...

I'm detailing a 40' RV tomorrow morning.... You have no idea! Lol.

But the money I'm gonna make tomorrow makes it alot of fun.😏lol.
 
What does the Mckee's Paint Coating Prep Polish do that M205 doesn't and vice versa?
 
Eldorado2k said:
What does the Mckee's Paint Coating Prep Polish do that M205 doesn't and vice versa?
Click to expand...

I don't even know I just bought it as I assumed it would the best product to use before doing the coating. If I could just do like M205 on a black pad followed by the coating though I would do that in a heart beat
 
CC268 said:
I don't even know I just bought it as I assumed it would the best product to use before doing the coating. If I could just do like M205 on a black pad followed by the coating though I would do that in a heart beat
Click to expand...

Well then do it. I think it's alot simpler than you're making it out to be.. Just wake up early [like 6am. start time] get some coffee if you're into coffee..
Quik wash
Halfways dry
Iron X /lightly agitate it/rinse
Clay towel while it's still wet + clay lube
Dry
Quik polish [either M205 or that McKee's Prep]
Coat that bad boy [or girl, if you refer to your truck as a girl. I've never understood why people refer to their vehicles as girls but whatever. Lol]
 
The McKees Coating Prep...do you do section passes like you would apply a polish? Or is it kind of just a quick application like doing a wax and then wipe it off?
 
CC268 said:
The McKees Coating Prep...do you do section passes like you would apply a polish? Or is it kind of just a quick application like doing a wax and then wipe it off?
Click to expand...

I have no clue. I've never used McKee's Coating Prep Polish.. Nor have I ever applied a coating. Lol.

Someone else will chime in.
 
Yea...I guess the quick route would be polish and then Collinite 845 but the longevity of a coating on a daily driver is nice
 
Are you doing it inside your garage? Or outside in the driveway?
 
Oh no all the polishing/waxing work is done in my garage...the washing part of course is done in the drive way
 
Your house looks sharp. Trucks cool too. The drought tolerant landscape of your neighborhood suggests that you probably get mild winters. Collinite will probably hold. I live in central CA and do a winter detail every year too just to not really need it. I only buy wipers every 3 years or so.
 
Eldorado2k said:
What does the Mckee's Paint Coating Prep Polish do that M205 doesn't and vice versa?
Click to expand...

Prep polish is a non abrasive polish that removes the polishing oils to prep the surface for the coating.

CC268 said:
The McKees Coating Prep...do you do section passes like you would apply a polish? Or is it kind of just a quick application like doing a wax and then wipe it off?
Click to expand...

I would recommend investing in a prep spray product over using the McKee's prep polish. Less work and works just as good. Blackfire, Wolfgang or Optimum Paint Prep would be some. There have been a few threads about someone mentioning using Wolfgang prep spray during the Autogeek classes. Optimum is good as I use that when using Gloss Coat or DLUX. Contains no surfactants in it.

Prep polish is applied like a polish. No need to overwork it or it will be hard to remove. Simply apply over the surface for a few passes and remove. If polished with M205 on a polishing pad, the prep polish on a finishing pad is fine.
 
CC268 said:
Hey guys,

I am THINKING about doing a full exterior detail on my 2014 F-150 tomorrow now that it is starting to cool off (I may change my mind in the morning haha). Anyways...I did a full detail on it about a year ago that included Iron X, clay bar, Pinnacle Cleansing Lotion and then Collinite 845. The paint is still in excellent shape so there is no need for any heavy correction work, however, if I am going to go over it I think it is worth at least doing a light polish on it before I wax/seal/coat.

I just bought McKee's Paint Coating, but I don't know if I want to go through all the work of applying a coating right now. I would have to do something like Meg's M205 and then the McKees Coating Prep Polish and then the coating. On a big truck like mine that is a ton of work to a three step process like that...but it is a possibility.

I am debating on whether or not I need to Iron X it again...I could do a test spot, but with the blue paint it is very difficult to see Iron X changing colors.

Here is the DA Polisher I have:
-Griots GG6

Here is what I have for pads:
- LC Flat pads (5.5" and 4"): yellow, orange, white, black, blue

Here are the polishes I have:
-HD Speed
-Menzerna 3500
-Pinnacle Cleansing Lotion
-Meguiar's M205
-HD Polish
-McKee's Coating Prep Polish

Here are the waxes/sealants/coatings I have:
-Pinnacle Liquid Souveran (I won't use this on my daily driver as I want longevity)
-Collinite 845
-HD Poxy
-Menzerna Power Lock
-McKees Paint Coating

It's funny because about 80% of the product I just listed above I have never even used before...what can I say...I am a connoisseur of polishes and waxes I guess?

Anyways, what do you guys suggest? I know I need to do a test spot, etc...but I figure I would see if you guys have any combinations that stick out to you guys. I know I really I ought to do the paint coating, but it just seems like a lot of work.

Here are some photos from when I detailed it the first time...

20150522_185039_zps74kugs5n.jpg

20150522_185134_zps6hiasv0w.jpg
Click to expand...

im not going to make a suggestion on polishes even though ive heard good things about the hd speed, i understand its an all in one?, anyway i just came to say the griots garage 6.5 orange correction pad is nice and might save u some time with the truck
 
Eldorado2k said:
Well then do it. I think it's alot simpler than you're making it out to be.. Just wake up early [like 6am. start time] get some coffee if you're into coffee..
Quik wash
Halfways dry
Iron X /lightly agitate it/rinse
Clay towel while it's still wet + clay lube
Dry
Quik polish [either M205 or that McKee's Prep]
Coat that bad boy [or girl, if you refer to your truck as a girl. I've never understood why people refer to their vehicles as girls but whatever. Lol]
Click to expand...

nah go to one of those touchless washes to save time
 
2 bucket, clay if it needs it, HD Speed, PowerLock, then top with 845. That's what I would do with your personal vehicle and the products you listed that you have.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
The Guz said:
Prep polish is a non abrasive polish that removes the polishing oils to prep the surface for the coating.



I would recommend investing in a prep spray product over using the McKee's prep polish. Less work and works just as good. Blackfire, Wolfgang or Optimum Paint Prep would be some. There have been a few threads about someone mentioning using Wolfgang prep spray during the Autogeek classes. Optimum is good as I use that when using Gloss Coat or DLUX. Contains no surfactants in it.

Prep polish is applied like a polish. No need to overwork it or it will be hard to remove. Simply apply over the surface for a few passes and remove. If polished with M205 on a polishing pad, the prep polish on a finishing pad is fine.
Click to expand...

yea maybe I should get one of those sprays then...I think I will order the Optimum Paint Prep one as I hear Optimum makes good products. That would certainly save me some time.

Sounds like maybe my best bet is a light polish with a black pad and M205 followed by Optimum Paint Prep and then onto the McKees Paint Coating

In that case I guess I will hold of on detailing the truck today.
 
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