Paint care: what is best?

[GM Guy]

hey guys,

I havent ever really had a truck with good paint, so I am kinda dumb when it comes to proper waxing and detailing, so I had a few questions:

first question: is it bad to wax if you have paint chips from gravel?

second question: is it harder on the paint to only wax once a year than to not wax at all? if so, then is it better to use the once a year wax (Nufinish? IIRC)

third question: Is it best to leave it alone if the clearcoat is peeling?

fourth question: is the clay bar necessary?

any input on products is appreciated.

I have used some mothers stuff in the past. is it good enough?

if waxing with paint chips is a big no-no, what is a good brand of kit, or system to touch up paint?

any input appreciated, thanks!

mods: please move to maintenance if you think it fits better there.

 

[dka99burb]

Can't really help you. I miss my Dakota because of it's paint peel. I had a good excuse to not care. The burb has paint; so now I'm having to remember how to care again....:rolleyes5:

 

[GM Guy]

found this on the mothers website. good enough info? http://www.detailguide.com/index.html

I dont like the time they want me to invest in the fleet though, seems like they are a little self supporting there.

 

[schiker]

I would say this is one of those subjects that could be a long discussion and can vary greatly on opinions and strategies.

IMO and its an avg opinion not a show room presenter the best thing for maintenance is a regular wash with a car soap. Wax depends on your overall strategy. There are pro and cons. Wax can make water bead and can cause the sun to burn with the beads acting like individual magnifing glasses if they just bead up. But a good car soap is important. Something that is not too harsh and won't attack finish. I usually use a middle of the road price brand. Then its in technique. Good rags thick soft terry cloth and rich lather turning rag over and rinsing rag and truck often to keep from smearing dirt and grit. Wash top down a little over 3/4 way in small sections leaving the lower half for last. Just use a lot of common sense. Rinse off as much dirt as you can and wash gently small areas at a time. Turn rag often etc. Go back and hit dirty lower areas last.

Then it really depends on level of detail. Wax there are many varieties from natural carnuba to polymer. Nufinish is a polymer iirc and not a bad choice in my opion for an avg guy. Its going to make it easier to wash and keep clean. Soap is only going to remove the top coat of dirt and oxidation. Again then it depends on paint what level of cleaning is needed. Things like road tar, bugs, and other stuff is going to need a specialty cleaner wax or clay bar etc or you are going to "polish" wax and seal them in. Cleaner waxes or clay bar are basically very fine abrassive cleaners so use accordingly. A cleaner wax might be mild and a buffing compound or clay bar is going to be stronger. Take care around trim and read directions. Then use a protectant wax like Nufinish or what ever you like to shine up the paint and make future cleaning easier. But the key is mild car soap to remove road film and bugs that attack paint IMO. Dust and dirt I don't think are that awful bad on paint just looks bad. Road film of salt, exhaust residue, bugs etc are I think is what is hard on paint. But the hardest is plain ole sunlight damage and age.

IMO what makes a truck look better is attention to detail and clean the trim, chrome, and areas that contrast like the mirrors, wheels and wheel wells etc.

Its a bit funny but if I keep a clean windshield, dash, floor mats, and steering wheel the truck feels much cleaner than it probably is. I like Turtle wax ice total interior care for just about anything inside. Outside I use a vinyl protectant. Last time used a Mothers brand conditioner. It seemed to work pretty good.

I think a polymer wax over paint chips are a good idea as it might help seal the paint edges and protect the metal some. Clear coat that is peeling is going to be hard to hide or make look good without some effort or professional tactics of heavy cleaner wax or compounding with polisher etc????

 

[schiker]

Here is a forum deticated to detailing... http://www.autopia.org/forum/forum.php

I don't have that much time or too critical about keeping my truck super clean but found it looking for ideas on specialty cleaners. For the most part I am fine with avg cleaners, waxes, and polishes at Walmart, Autozone, Oriely's, Advanced etc. But there are some better products for $$$.

I like 303 spray for UV protection of rubber and plastics. Turtle Wax Ice Total Interior Care for inside. Murphy's oil soap for general vinyl cleaning. Tuff Stuff for heavier cleaning.

 

[GM Guy]

thanks for the input!