Detailing questions

[CGCampbell07]

Hi all i am starting to look into detailing my 18 yr old truck and wanted some opinions on how to polish the truck from start to finish. I know i need to wash and dry the vehicle then use maybe ironx/claybar to remove any other particles off the truck. After that to fix any scratches i believe i need to use a compound then a polish? I am currently looking at the Ceramic coasting mega bundle which comes with alot of the items that i need just wanted to make sure i do each step in the correct order.

 

[fdresq4]

:welcome:

Can you tell us what kind of vehicle? Clear coated or single stage paint? Do you have a D.A. Polisher?
Can you provide some pics?

With regards to scratches, it would depend on how deep they are, are they minor swirls...
Start by using the least aggressive product first, a polish. Then, if that isn't working, try a compound. My concern would be how deep your finish is after 18 years.

 

[CGCampbell07]

:welcome:

Can you tell us what kind of vehicle? Clear coated or single stage paint? Do you have a D.A. Polisher?
Can you provide some pics?

With regards to scratches, it would depend on how deep they are, are they minor swirls...
Start by using the least aggressive product first, a polish. Then, if that isn't working, try a compound. My concern would be how deep your finish is after 18 years.

Its a 2000 ram 2500 and its clear coated, i posted a recent photo of my truck maybe about a year ago after a nice clean wash. overall the truck is in good shape but with swirls and some scratches over the years it has 371k miles on it. So i just bought the Ceramic Coating Mega Bundle and i also have the CarPro Fixer compound so i can just do a nice clean detailing on it.Overall this is my guniea pig vehicle as i do want to get swirl marks out of my wife's 2012 Camry. What is a D.A Polisher?

 

[The Guz]

Its a 2000 ram 2500 and its clear coated, i posted a recent photo of my truck maybe about a year ago after a nice clean wash. overall the truck is in good shape but with swirls and some scratches over the years it has 371k miles on it. So i just bought the Ceramic Coating Mega Bundle and i also have the CarPro Fixer compound so i can just do a nice clean detailing on it.Overall this is my guniea pig vehicle as i do want to get swirl marks out of my wife's 2012 Camry. What is a D.A Polisher?

A DA Polisher stands for a dual action polisher.

It sounds like you will be doing things by hand. That takes a lot of work so be ready for a tough task. Also be aware that there are limitations by hand. You may be able to get the light defects out but moderate to heavy swirls will still be there. This is where a dual action polisher comes into play. It helps to remove those deeper defects as well as making it easier on the body.

Technically one wants defect free paint prior to using a ceramic coating. If you are happy with the look of the paint then go ahead and apply the coating.

 

[CGCampbell07]

A DA Polisher stands for a dual action polisher.

It sounds like you will be doing things by hand. That takes a lot of work so be ready for a tough task. Also be aware that there are limitations by hand. You may be able to get the light defects out but moderate to heavy swirls will still be there. This is where a dual action polisher comes into play. It helps to remove those deeper defects as well as making it easier on the body.

Technically one wants defect free paint prior to using a ceramic coating. If you are happy with the look of the paint then go ahead and apply the coating.

Thanks i believe i have a dual action polisher. Bought something from lowes a porter-cable sander/polisher 4.5 amp. i just wanted to makesure my steps are in the right order as it gets confusing really quick as their is compounding, polishing, ceramic coasting, clay bar and so on. I want to practice on my old truck so i can perfect my technique and do my wifes car and when its time redo my 2015 ram which had cquarts put on it.

 

[The Guz]

Thanks i believe i have a dual action polisher. Bought something from lowes a porter-cable sander/polisher 4.5 amp. i just wanted to makesure my steps are in the right order as it gets confusing really quick as their is compounding, polishing, ceramic coasting, clay bar and so on. I want to practice on my old truck so i can perfect my technique and do my wifes car and when its time redo my 2015 ram which had cquarts put on it.

The porter cable is a good polisher. I still have my 7424XP.

You always want to start with a test spot with the least aggressive pad and polish combo.

But the typical steps are

1. Wash

2. Chemically decontaminating the paint with an iron remover. I personally spray this on the dirty surface so it’s not diluted by the water. But can be applied over wet paint. This is optional but I would recommend it.

3. Clay to mechanically decontaminate the paint

4. Compound. If necessary based on the test spot

5. Polish

6. Paint prep with CarPro Eraser

7. Coat

8. Maintain