Ok, so I am trying to get more knowledge so I can do better at keeping my vehicles clean and well maintained. I have always washed and waxed my cars, waxing every couple months or whenever I would notice the paint not beading up like it use to. I've used MF towels for a long time but never got into the fine details of how to BEST care for my vehicles.
I recently traded in my truck and bought a 2019 Ram 1500. After the test drive and I decided I wanted the truck they dropped it off at their other lot for inspection. Little did I know they were going to give it a 'full detail and make it show room ready' while it was at the other lot being inspected. I was going to let them know I didn't want a detail.
Either this weekend or the next opportunity I have I plan to correct the swirls that were put in and want to coat it. Overall I want to step up my detailing game.
It IS a truck and is used as such often. We have a small farm so I haul stuff frequently, it will see mud and dirt. I do not have a garage. So managing expectations, I want to keep it in as good of condition as I can knowing that it will not be perfect condition.
Up to this point I normally use Meguiar's products, most recently their 'Ultimate' line. I haven't found a soap I REALLY like, so I normally get something different every time I need some. I'd like to hone in on good products to keep on the shelf.
My dad has and loves the Adams kit with their 'Swirl Killer'. If needed I usually run over to his house and borrow his. He's all in on the polishes and compounds so unless I bring my own pads he doesn't want me using another brand compound or polish with his pads. So normally I just use his kit and give him money to replace what was used. I'd like to get my own at some point, possibly the porter cable.
So that's what I've used, and I know that what products to use is a highly opinionated subject.
For the use my truck will see, are there any products I should get/try? Is Meguiar's ultimate line fine to use? Something better? Good go-to soaps? I know once I coat it most of these wouldn't be used but I do have other vehicles that probably will not get coated. And then for keeping a clean interior, I usually use a cleaning wipe. Any advice there?
As for the ceramic coating, living in NC right now temps are in mid 80's to 90's during the day and without a garage I think I've settled on Cquarts classic. I'm going to get the 50mL to hopefully get 2 coats on the hood and roof and 1 coat everywhere else. If I have enough left I'll do the second coat on more panels. I plan to top with Gliss. I do have ample shade both in morning and afternoon so I was thinking I'd do the paint correction, wash, wipedown on one day and the next day do another wipedown to remove any dust and then coat in the morning when its still in the 70's.
So here's my plan:
Day 1:
Wash - Was thinking of using dawn + car soap to remove any oils/residue on the paint
Rinse
IronX
Rinse
Claybar
Rinse
Dry and wipedown with IPA (what ratio should I go here, possibly test an area with a higher ratio first and go from there?) Want to make sure to remove anything that dealership may have put on it
Day 2:
Wipedown again
Coat with cquartz classic x 2
Coat with cquartz gliss
The truck is a dark blue with metallic flake, Ram calls it Patriot Blue
View attachment 66803
Sorry for such a long first post! I've lurked the forums for a while and have already gained a lot of knowledge. Looking forward to learning more. Thanks in advance!!
I recently traded in my truck and bought a 2019 Ram 1500. After the test drive and I decided I wanted the truck they dropped it off at their other lot for inspection. Little did I know they were going to give it a 'full detail and make it show room ready' while it was at the other lot being inspected. I was going to let them know I didn't want a detail.
Either this weekend or the next opportunity I have I plan to correct the swirls that were put in and want to coat it. Overall I want to step up my detailing game.
It IS a truck and is used as such often. We have a small farm so I haul stuff frequently, it will see mud and dirt. I do not have a garage. So managing expectations, I want to keep it in as good of condition as I can knowing that it will not be perfect condition.
Up to this point I normally use Meguiar's products, most recently their 'Ultimate' line. I haven't found a soap I REALLY like, so I normally get something different every time I need some. I'd like to hone in on good products to keep on the shelf.
My dad has and loves the Adams kit with their 'Swirl Killer'. If needed I usually run over to his house and borrow his. He's all in on the polishes and compounds so unless I bring my own pads he doesn't want me using another brand compound or polish with his pads. So normally I just use his kit and give him money to replace what was used. I'd like to get my own at some point, possibly the porter cable.
So that's what I've used, and I know that what products to use is a highly opinionated subject.
For the use my truck will see, are there any products I should get/try? Is Meguiar's ultimate line fine to use? Something better? Good go-to soaps? I know once I coat it most of these wouldn't be used but I do have other vehicles that probably will not get coated. And then for keeping a clean interior, I usually use a cleaning wipe. Any advice there?
As for the ceramic coating, living in NC right now temps are in mid 80's to 90's during the day and without a garage I think I've settled on Cquarts classic. I'm going to get the 50mL to hopefully get 2 coats on the hood and roof and 1 coat everywhere else. If I have enough left I'll do the second coat on more panels. I plan to top with Gliss. I do have ample shade both in morning and afternoon so I was thinking I'd do the paint correction, wash, wipedown on one day and the next day do another wipedown to remove any dust and then coat in the morning when its still in the 70's.
So here's my plan:
Day 1:
Wash - Was thinking of using dawn + car soap to remove any oils/residue on the paint
Rinse
IronX
Rinse
Claybar
Rinse
Dry and wipedown with IPA (what ratio should I go here, possibly test an area with a higher ratio first and go from there?) Want to make sure to remove anything that dealership may have put on it
Day 2:
Wipedown again
Coat with cquartz classic x 2
Coat with cquartz gliss
The truck is a dark blue with metallic flake, Ram calls it Patriot Blue
View attachment 66803
Sorry for such a long first post! I've lurked the forums for a while and have already gained a lot of knowledge. Looking forward to learning more. Thanks in advance!!
