Paintjob maintenance

[Silverback]

Well the paint on the Taco is in dire need of a good clay-bar and waxing. Sitting outside, trail scratches and just neglect have left it looking like I have a satin finish paint job.. which would be cool if it was really what I had.

I have a Craftsman 10" buffing machine, but it really doesn't take out blemishes in the paint, it just saves my arm when I apply and remove the wax. So I looked into a Makita or Milwaukee 7" buffing machines.. very nice! But they are designed for the professional... not me. I'm sure that after using one I would be looking into the price of a new paint job.

So that led me to Google and I found this.. http://guidetodetailing.com/buyers-guides/car-polisher-buyers-guide/ Basically the new 6" random orbital machines that are supposed to remove blemishes as well as the other stuff.

So based on their recommendation and other reviews on the web I ended up ordering the Meguiar's G110v2 from Amazon, along with 4 different applicator pads.

Has anyone used anything like this before? Any recommendations on wax or polish. I have some nice 3M brand polish and wax, but I am willing to try something designed for this machine. I'm not looking for a show car finish and don't expect me to pull out the Armor-All for the tires anytime soon. I just want to protect my paint.. and if possible, get rid of some trail trophy's along the way.

So.. post up your waxing secrets, paint care secrets, etc here.

 

[drew02a]

LOL, our first Armor-All thread.

I've used Meguir's headlight restoring stuff on the Mustang's headlights and the 4Runner's backup lights. Worked unbelievably well.

 

[Silverback]

hey hey.. Not Armor-All.. paint job maintenance.. protecting your investment. Not dolling it up to sit in front of Old Navy.

 

[drew02a]

hey hey.. Not Armor-All.. paint job maintenance.. protecting your investment. Not dolling it up to sit in front of Old Navy.

Agreed... still the first of it's kind.

 

[AlienXtx]

LOL, our first Armor-All thread.

I've used Meguir's headlight restoring stuff on the Mustang's headlights and the 4Runner's backup lights. Worked unbelievably well.

I was thinking the something...

I've used the same stuff before and it does work good.

I also just washed my truck with microfiber cloth and dish washing liquid...

 

[Silverback]

My paint is like 600 grit sandpaper.. I shit you not. Its bad. It has overspray on it... dirt.. birdshit.. last time I washed it was before mothers day. Dishwashing soap might be the answer to part of it. Can you run that through a pressure washer?

 

[Silverback]

To be clear... I'm not asking what brand of tire shine works best ok. So you can just delete that post about how you compared 17 different tire shines and found brand X to be the best.

 

[drew02a]

My paint is like 600 grit sandpaper.. I shit you not. Its bad. It has overspray on it... dirt.. birdshit.. last time I washed it was before mothers day. Dishwashing soap might be the answer to part of it. Can you run that through a pressure washer?

You know I've only washed my truck once since I've owned it right (rinsing doesn't count).

 

[AlienXtx]

I'm sure you can, it really does work well. My paints is pretty fucked too, but that is expected with a black truck...

 

[taco4x4rar]

I think the paint on my truck is just far beyond saving. At this point it is only there to keep the rust at bay

 

[AlienXtx]

To be clear... I'm not asking what brand of tire shine works best ok. So you can just delete that post about how you compared 17 different tire shines and found brand X to be the best.

Roflmao!!!

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Admitted Apple users & now a detailing thread... not quite full homo, but its getting there...

 

[Silverback]

Well I hope to make the paint last a little while longer. So I do plan to start taking better care of it. Although if it was really ef'd up I would have an excuse to get it painted how I'd like it.

 

[Silverback]

Admitted Apple users & now a detailing thread... not quite full homo, but its getting there...

LMAO.. nice one! Metrosexual maybe? LOL

 

[taco4x4rar]

 

[TacoXpo]

Well I hope to make the paint last a little while longer. So I do plan to start taking better care of it. Although if it was really ef'd up I would have an excuse to get it painted how I'd like it.

I'm still waiting for that one!!!

There are days that I think of rattle can with no clear coat and then wax. I had a small dent that I did this with and it looks great! Probably the nicest part of the truck right now. :o Just if the truck was 20 years old I could justify that. Think how nice it would be to come home from a brush/desert cat claw trip. Do a light spray over the affected areas. Get the buffer out and go over it and before your eyes! - Clean truck with no sign of scratches! I just have a hard time thinking about doing that on a late model truck!

 

[yotarob]

It's all good Sean, I have washed my Taco at least 10 times in 5 years. Buffed it once, last year. Used Andy's craftsman buffer.

 

[Silverback]

It's all good Sean, I have washed my Taco at least 10 times in 5 years. Buffed it once, last year. Used Andy's craftsman buffer.

You don't have trail trophy's on your Taco though.

 

[taco4x4rar]

You don't have trail trophy's on your Taco though.

Yea that'll buff out

 

[Silverback]

Most do with the proper tools... Your bedside will buff out with some new sheetmetal.