Mini-Detail: 2005 Dodge Ram (AW Review)

justin_murphy

justin_murphy

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This is a work truck that I maintain on a weekly basis. He owns his own construction company and is actually on the road selling more than building. Because of this, he always wants his truck clean for a good impression. This weekend he was goind out of town and wanted it waxed. I was strapped for time since it was my wife's Saturday off, so I decided to try out my new DuraGloss AquaWax. I did want a fresh slate to start with so I cleaned up the paint with XMT#2.

Well, here's the full story....
(Sorry. No Before's or Interiors on this one. Was in a HURRY!)


Meguiar's NXT Car Wash
(EDGE Yellow Wash ShMitt...Was dirty....needed some cut! After, I noticed no scratching from this more abrasive ShMitt.)

XMT#2
(EDGE2K Green Cutting Pad at a #5 PC setting.)
Moved alot faster than usual. All I wanted to do was remove any wax that was there. Did this in full sunlight with no dusting and plenty of work time.

Duragloss Aquawax (AW) #951
(Applied to the panel and removed with Cobra Micro-Fiber)
I sprayed one mist per panel. 4 squirts for the hood. Again, in direct sunlight. I sprayed it on, turned my MF over, and buffed off. Way to easy....this cannot look good. Wrong! WOW! Wonderful depth and shine. Metallics popped and the finish had that just waxed feel. Plus, saved me about 30 minutes time....if not more. I will be ordering more of this for my business. Way to easy to use. I'll let you know on the durability in two weeks.

Other Products Used....

No-Touch Tire Foam
No-Touch Tire Shine
DuraGloss #401 APC
(Diluted 4:1 to test. Worked awesome and still smelled great!)
Duragloss Absorb-It Odor Eliminator #371
(Customer is a smoker and this did a wonder on the smell. Pina Colada scented.)
Stoner's Invisible Glass Aerosol
Meguiar's Hyper-Dressing
(Cut 1:1 for interior use.)


Glory shots....
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ryandamartini said:
very nice. Isnt AW awesome ? :D What did you use the APC on ?
Click to expand...

Wheels, wells, tires, bugs and interior cleaning.
Yeah I really like AW. Never thought it would leave a slick feeling like it did. Any tips on using it? What's the durability of it?
 
Great job and pictures! That hood/fender pic (the one above the pic of your reflection) really shows the "flakes" pop. AW looks great! Nice to know you can use it in full sun too.
Now, besides the APC on the wheel wells, did you also use the No-Touch Tire Foam? Maybe, it's just me, but I thought there were Reflections in the wells?!! (last 3 pics).
 
alban61 said:
Great job and pictures! That hood/fender pic (the one above the pic of your reflection) really shows the "flakes" pop. AW looks great! Nice to know you can use it in full sun too.
Now, besides the APC on the wheel wells, did you also use the No-Touch Tire Foam? Maybe, it's just me, but I thought there were Reflections in the wells?!! (last 3 pics).
Click to expand...

There is!
I use the foam first since it cleans. I spray it on and let sit. I then come back in 15 minutes and wipe it up. Next, I come back with the tire shine and give it a light coating. This gives it the plastic like shine! It costs more but worth it. I'm averaging 3.00 per 100.00 in supply costs. This new technique raised me up to 4.00 per 100.00. So this one cost me 8.00 since I charged 200.00. Well worth it though.....I had 3 calls this morning to do 4 cars after seeing his yesterday!
 
Very nice! As a Dodge owner, I can attest to how much time goes into washing/detailing these things. You did a phenomenal job Justin! I see that the truck isn't lifted, do you remember what tires he had on there? That is one great looking Dodge!
 
Awesome reflections Justin!! I see you got a haircut! :p What a beautiful day it was too! I love how you brought the flake out on that truck! I saw those pics and thought I could hear the snap, crackle and POP of Rice Krispies! :p Awesome work as usual Justin! :applause:
 
FloridaNative said:
Awesome reflections Justin!! I see you got a haircut! :p What a beautiful day it was too! I love how you brought the flake out on that truck! I saw those pics and thought I could hear the snap, crackle and POP of Rice Krispies! :p Awesome work as usual Justin! :applause:
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Yeah.....My head is about shaved! Just in time for winter! I was shaggy....bad. Yeah it was a nice day. High was 61. After this summer, I'm loving it. Perfect detailing weather. 28 degree mornings tend to slow you down when your hoses are froze though!
 
I did not find the Aquawax to be very durable at all, around 1 wash. (like Crystal Mist) That said they both are so easy to use that it is darn easy to add after each wash in less than 10 minutes.
 
AW is a great product, and as you mentioned, leave a slick finish too. I would not reccomend using it in full sun if you own a black vehicle however. I've made that mistake, and in certain angles, you will see streaking.

Great job on the Ram! Good to see that a finish can be produced so quickly.
 
Justin, great job! First time I use AW, I was blown away by it. I used it on top of wax, to seal the wax in. At least that's my thinking anyway. Looking at the pics, it's deep and has a great shine. Never thought you could polish then go to a spray detailer.
 
Man those wheel wells look NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4 new details after that truck.................Thats just a testimonial to your detailing skills!
Great job justin!
 
Justin...Glad you liked the AW...I have been using the DG system for a year now..and have been very pleased....I find the opposite of Killer I find it is very durable...I use the Dg shampoo which is not as harsh as some others...but has great cleaning abilities....in fact I did all my house windows with AW in late July and they still bead nicely and keep nice and clean....

when you try a car with 105 and then AW you will see a big difference in looks....try some DG shampoo also..I find the NXT to be a little harsh on some sealant and waxes...

AL
 
Al-53 said:
Justin...Glad you liked the AW...I have been using the DG system for a year now..and have been very pleased....I find the opposite of Killer I find it is very durable...I use the Dg shampoo which is not as harsh as some others...but has great cleaning abilities....in fact I did all my house windows with AW in late July and they still bead nicely and keep nice and clean....

when you try a car with 105 and then AW you will see a big difference in looks....try some DG shampoo also..I find the NXT to be a little harsh on some sealant and waxes...

AL
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pointers.
I'm really liking this line of products. Has anyone used their dressings or window cleaners?
 
Justin..I have used every product they make...Justin..what turned me on to Duragloss was a friend of mine has a construction company..and he uses it on the cabs of the dump trucks and the pickups....one day I asked him what he uses as the looked great all the time..he told me DG..so I went on ebay and I actually found a auction with all the car line..except 105 and AW...I got the winning big for a dollar...yup a dollar..31.99 shippng..but got a ton of stuff...

first time I did my truck in 111 sealant...looked great...went to the DG site and called and ordered a gallon of AW after talking to the owner/chemist Jerry..he was telling me about the product and the properties of it..I was sold and like I said..I got a gallon....and have bought a few more since

Awhile later I heard they just released a new sealant called Total Performance polish..I called and asked about it...he gave me the low down on it..new type polymer..more durable..lada lada lada...i order it...did the truck again..it was better than the 111 ..really made my red paint vivid....and so deep looking...and slicker than a wet eel....

now I have used the glass cleaner...and it works great...the dressings all work very nice...my favorite is Duragloss UD (Vinyl & Leather Dressing)..I use it on my outside trim and inside plastics...one downfall...it smells like some perfume..but goes away fast..does not linger long..but it does last long on outside trim..and inside plastics...I have no leather in the truck so can not comment on that part.....and no streaking from rain..just many water beads....

for tires I use either
Duragloss TMD (Tire & Mat Dressing)

Duragloss NSD (Non Silicone Dressing)

both work exellent..so far every product I used worked better than they described...

the leather products are the same as the King Ranch stuff..the Ford parts guy told me that...and some ford car care products are DG also...this info came from the Ford parts guys at the dealership...just passing what was told...

hope this helps you a bit

Al
 
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This stuff looks very promising as becoming a major staple in my business. I just need to see the prices for the gallon sizes.

Thanks man for the help.
 
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