Finally Got Around to Trying to Detail my 03 Sierra

[davidk72008]

Hello Everybody. This is my first post on the forum as well as the start of a progress thread on my 2003 GMC Sierra project. I have owned the truck for about a year, and I am finally getting around to detailing it. I ordered a fairly large order of supplies from Adams Polishes last week, and I will be working with a Porter Cable DA. The paint on this truck has been neglected before I bought it, and I haven't done more than just wash it since I bought it.

Anyways, I washed the truck Sunday afternoon and last night I started working on the hood. I clayed it using Adams Visco clay bar and detail spray, used their correcting polish on their orange pad, finishing polish on a white pad, brilliant glaze on their red pad, and finished it off with their sealant on their black pads. I am very happy with the results on the hood so far. There are a couple of scratches that were deeper than I felt comfortable going any further with on this old paint. For my daily, though, I am perfectly happy with about 95% of the swirls and scratches removed and a high level of shine.

Here are some before and after comparisons of the reflection on my ceiling and portable shop light I was using. Speaking of, I reallly need some more room and better lighting. I would love to start doing this on the side with the possibility of building it into a full-on business, but I want to practice on some more of my family's cars before I do that for customers.

Here is a picture of the truck as it sat before I started with the polishing.

Let me know what you think! Thanks.

David

 

[Paul A.]

Beautiful work and welcome to the group, David.

Nice looking Sierra too! Smart decision to leave deeper scratches alone on 14 year old paint.

 

[Cruzscarwash]

Looks great, idk if it's the light you used but the paint didn't look too bad for an 03. Looks great and I'm sure will really shine in the sun.

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[dcjredline]

Nice

 

[LEDetailing]

Looks great, idk if it's the light you used but the paint didn't look too bad for an 03. Looks great and I'm sure will really shine in the sun.

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Agreed. I’ve seen one and two year old cars posted on here that look way worse. Great looking results so far.

 

[Goonie75]

Sweet work

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[TMQ]

Good job there...

Tom

 

[Kamakaz1961]

MY EYES! SO BRIGHT!..LOL Excellent work! Keep on Rocking!

 

[davidk72008]

Thanks for the kind words everybody. The paint wasn't in terrible shape, it just hasn't had a coat of wax or sealant on it in a while and it's been used as a truck so it needed a little love. There was a little oxidation on the tops of the fenders and there are a few parts where the clear has started to flake already. Other than the clear flaking, I should be able to bring most of it back.

Quick question in regards to the products I'm using, how does Adams stack up to Griot's Garage, Wolfgang, etc that I see on autogeek? This order of Adams supplies is really my first experience with higher end auto care products.

 

[Paul A.]

If you're anything like me, David, curiosity about other highly touted brands had me trying a LOT of stuff talked about here on AGO. I've finally settled on a few lines that I like and work well for me. Having been hanging around this bar for about 10 years now I have come to learn which members offer me (personally) the best advice.

I can't offer any comparison with Adams products as I've only tried a few and some years ago. There are plenty here that have more experience with Adams vs. XYZ and I'll let them respond but my point is...

Satisfy yourself by trying other things. Buy smaller quantities and move on to something else if you are looking for better results. For me that was (and still is) the FUN part!

 

[jjamesh87]

Lookin good man! These GMCs look good in red.

 

[davidk72008]

Good advice Paul. I plan on trying out some other products as I run out of this Adams. I'm enjoying it so far

 

[pilotpip]

Definitely doesn't look like a 14 year old truck anymore. Nice work!

 

[davidk72008]

I got a chance this weekend to clean up the interior after using the truck all summer and fall for lawn care jobs. I vacuumed, used Adams carpet and upholstery cleaner with their interior brush on the carpets and seats, and I used their leather and interior cleaner on the dash and plastic panels. Then I just followed up with their interior detailer to top it off. It sure was nice to ride in a clean truck this morning to work. I only took a couple cell phone pictures of it, but you get the idea.

Also, there is gum on the driver's side mat. Any recommendations for getting that off without scratching the mat? I started using a metal scraper, but it was scratching the mat up too bad.

 

[davidk72008]

Finally got around to doing a little more polishing on the truck last night. Got the passenger fender and door done. There are some scratches and etched in water spots that are still left in them, but overall they are much improved.

 

[Bobby B.]

Great job! The 2003 GMC Sierra looks great.

 

[LesW]

Looks good. Just finished my 04 Sierra, always a lot of work with full size truck.

 

[davidk72008]

Thanks for the kind words everybody. I made a collage with a before and after photo after 1 year of ownership. I'm satisfied with the outcome for now. It will need to be resprayed to fix a few of the spots on the truck where the clear had already failed, but overall it is much improved. Needs some tint, and it'll be just about done in the looks department. Excuse the flipped emblem in the first picture. I had to mirror the image to get the same point of view for comparison.

 

[JDGolden]

What a difference! I am a huge RCSB fan. I've considered selling my Camaro and buying one, but they're hard to find in great shape. The new Sierra wheels look great on it!

 

[Powerman]

Thanks for the kind words everybody. I made a collage with a before and after photo after 1 year of ownership. I'm satisfied with the outcome for now. It will need to be resprayed to fix a few of the spots on the truck where the clear had already failed, but overall it is much improved. Needs some tint, and it'll be just about done in the looks department. Excuse the flipped emblem in the first picture. I had to mirror the image to get the same point of view for comparison.

I’ve used goo gone to remove old gum marks. It might leave a clean spot though.
I’d also use one of the many interior protectants on the mats once you have them nice and clean.
David


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