Hi Will,
:welcome: To Autogeek Online!
Even though your truck is new, spend some time making sure your finish is clean and as defect free as possible. Good surface preparation followed by a finish polish will give the sealant or wax that extra glow.
If you're looking for a product that will provide long term protection and shine, take a look at Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0. This is an easy to apply hard coating that won't wear off in time like sealants and waxes.
Of you haven't already, do yourself a favor and buy a dual action polisher. You simply can't compare the ease and consistency of this to doing everything by hand. This is one of those times where doing it by hand isn't better.
Foam Pads
To simplify pad usage, I've given a
generic usage of pads and products. The great thing about foam pads is you can mix and match pads and products until the results satisfy the user.
Compounding
Compounds or aggressive products are generally used on firmer pads, Yellow, Orange, and Green.
Polishing
The White and Gray pads are generally used with polishes.
Sealants & Waxes
Blue and Red foam pads work nicely for applying sealants and waxes.
These are a very good choice of pads for the Porter Cable stye dual action polisher..
Basic steps in order are:
- Wash
- Clay
- Paint Correction & Polish
- Seal
- Wax
Here's some great information that will help you if you need it.
I prefer to put my own package together.
Sealants
Wax
Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0
Again: The key to a sparking defect free finish is in the surface preparation. Even if it's just using a quality paint cleaner, the finish must be clean and free of oxidation and other airborne contaminates.
- Wash
- Clay
- Polish
- IPA
- Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0
If you review the application instructions, including some of the videos actually showing applying
Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0, take your time and you'll be shocked at how gorgeous the finish looks....
Optimum Technicion Applied
[video=youtube_share;Yyo_-UA8yM4"]Opti-Coat Application Methods - YouTube[/video]
