What & how much do I need....

[mwardncsu]

Just purchased a new 2016 F-150 Crewcab and want to paint correct to remove any "dealer installed swirls" (though it does not appear too bad at present - at least perhaps until I get a wash and strip any polish that's on it) and/or water spots and then protect the paint with CQuartz. On a past vehicle I used OptiCoat 2.0, so I'm familiar in general with the process and going the CQuartz route this time and have a number of questions on quantities and product....


I live in NC and it's August - which means hot & humid - I plan to do this in the garage as much as possible, though with the size of the truck and the single-car garage doors (double-car garage) I'll be a bit constrained with space. So, with these environmental conditions, I am assuming I should use CQuartz vs. CQuartz UK - correct?


I have my favorite polishes for the paint correction and will wash, clay, IronX, polish, Eraser - but looking for advise on how much Iron-X & Eraser will be needed and the most importantly how much CQuartz for this size truck (as well as how many micro-fiber towels and applicators I should plan on) - it does have the double-panel moon-roof and a sprayed in bed-liner, so those surfaces are reduced ,but there is still a large hood and a lot of door & rear panel area.

Also, I have 20" aluminum wheels (not the "PVA-like" wheels) - are these recommended to be coated with CQuartz or something else?

What product goes on the chrome - I assume DLux is what would be recommended for any of the exterior plastic surfaces.

Are two coats of CQuartz recommended? If so, my assumption is that 50 ml won't be enough - so how much is?

Finally - I plan to get a self-healing paint-protection film applied to the hood, front-bumper areas, etc - how long after applying CQuartz should I wait until having the PPF installed? Should I have PPF installed 1st, and then do the CQuartz? Apply the CQuartz, then the PPF and follow-up with a coating on the PPF?

thanks!

 

[DARK HORSE]

___

Hello mwardncsu, and welcome to CPF! As to your questions (see below);

Just purchased a new 2016 F-150 Crewcab and want to paint correct to remove any "dealer installed swirls" (though it does not appear too bad at present - at least perhaps until I get a wash and strip any polish that's on it) and/or water spots and then protect the paint with CQuartz. On a past vehicle I used OptiCoat 2.0, so I'm familiar in general with the process and going the CQuartz route this time and have a number of questions on quantities and product....


I live in NC and it's August - which means hot & humid - I plan to do this in the garage as much as possible, though with the size of the truck and the single-car garage doors (double-car garage) I'll be a bit constrained with space. So, with these environmental conditions, I am assuming I should use CQuartz vs. CQuartz UK - correct? Yes, I would recommend CQ Original, in this case.


I have my favorite polishes for the paint correction Don't know if you have tried Essence yet or not, but this would be a great time to do so, my absolute favorite, bar none, especially in a case like this. and will wash, clay, IronX, polish, Eraser Be sure to IronX first, then clay (it will make claying way easier.) - but looking for advise on how much Iron-X & Eraser will be needed a 500ml bottle of each would be sufficient. and the most importantly how much CQuartz for this size truck 50ml should be more than enough for two coats, I do a lot of trucks and SUV's and always have a bit leftover. (as well as how many micro-fiber towels and applicators I should plan on) you'll probably use 7-8 of these http://www.carpro-us.com/microfiber-towels/carpro-suede-microfiber-16x16-10-pack/ (I also like to do a follow up wipe after the 16"x16" suede with a BOA MF towel, this ensures that I have wiped off all residue and have left no high spots) and most of thesehttp://www.carpro-us.com/microfiber-towels/carpro-suede-microfiber-applicator-4x4-10-pack/ - it does have the double-panel moon-roof and a sprayed in bed-liner, so those surfaces are reduced ,but there is still a large hood and a lot of door & rear panel area.

Also, I have 20" aluminum wheels (not the "PVA-like" wheels) - are these recommended to be coated with CQuartz or something else? Either CQ or DLUX will work well, personally I prefer to use DLUX on most wheels, this style included.

What product goes on the chrome If you are talking about bare chrome, then I would use CQ.- I assume DLux is what would be recommended for any of the exterior plastic surfaces Yes, you are correct..

Are two coats of CQuartz recommended Yes, 2 coats are what I do? If so, my assumption is that 50 ml won't be enough - so how much is? 50ml should be enough, with a bit left over.

Finally - I plan to get a self-healing paint-protection film applied to the hood, front-bumper areas, etc - how long after applying CQuartz should I wait until having the PPF installed? Should I have PPF installed 1st, and then do the CQuartz? Apply the CQuartz, then the PPF and follow-up with a coating on the PPF? Have the PPF installed first to be absolutely sure there won't be any adhesion issues with the PPF! Also, If it were me I would use Reload over the top of the PPF instead of coating it. But that's my personal preference.

thanks!

Again welcome to CPF, feel free to stop by the "Say Hi" forum and introduce yourself.

 

[mwardncsu]

Thanks for the info - very helpful. Good point on the PPF - I applied OptiCoat before PPF on my last car and there where a few places, mainly on smaller,painted plastic surfaces that they had a hard time getting to adhere to. I guess I was just concerned that if I removed the PPF later that there could be some diff in the look of the paint - but I guess that's when you paint correct and reapply

Appreciate the info again!

 

[mwardncsu]

Started the path...... dual-bucket wash last night with Dawn dishwashing soap to help strip any existing wax (I'm sure there are other products I could have used, but I had this in the cabinet , then dried with my electric leaf blower, then sprayed Iron-X, rised & dried, and then clayed.

I was very surprised how little color I got from the Iron-X - now the truck is "ruby red" so it would make seeing it tough, but even with rubbing in with a sponge I got no color on the sponge - then when I was done claying my claybar almost looked new - very little contaminants were picked up in the process (and yes, I was folding it over each panel). The truck is overall in really good shape for being 6 months from build to delivery - I thought for sure after getting it washed down with Dawn and IronX / Clay that I'd see some "true colors" that perhaps were being hit by a polish, but nope, it looks pretty good other than a bit of "orange peel" to the paint from the factory. I'm not sure where the truck say for 6 months between build and when I purchased it but it seems it was not attached by the dealer's bucket wash brigade.

There are a few areas with some micro-scratches / swirls that need attention - and I'll give the whole truck a once-over with a light polish just to take care of any minor imperfections, water spots that remain, etc... then I'll be ready for Eraser and applying CQuartz.

I am taking the truck to the tint & PPF shop on next Wednesday, so I'm going to hold off applying CQuart to the hood & front corner panels where the PPF will be installed - but if time allows I will probably go ahead on the doors and rear corner panels and roof - then come back - hopefully a quick wash & maybe another clay will have it back ready to apply CQuartz on those panels.

thanks for the advise above and I'll post up some pics once done....

 

[DARK HORSE]

Awesome! Can't wait to see some pictures!!

 

[mwardncsu]

I dropped a email over to Corey, but figure I'll post the questions here as well... a few last minute questions as I finalize my plan of attack!

Hopefully will be finishing up paint-correction tonight and maybe have time to wipe down with Eraser.

Next Wednesday I have an appointment to install Paint Protection Film on various areas of the truck (partial hood, bumpers, headlights, partial fender, etc). My thoughts were to go ahead and apply CQuartz to the panels which will not receive PPF- either tonight or Sunday evening (will be away over the weekend)- and let the truck sit in the garage for 24+ hours before taking it to the shop for PPF - then when I get it back do a wash of those panels, a quick Eraser wipe and apply CQuartz to those panels to finish up.


Is this a wise plan, or should I just complete the paint correction & wait to apply the CQuartz in one pass after getting the truck back from having the PPF installed?


Also - I'm planning 2 coats and then apply Reload - what timing should I use between these? How quickly do I apply the 2nd coat of CQuartz and then when should the Reload be applied after the 2nd coat?

 

[mwardncsu]

Finally got a weekend to get this done..... wife was away on a "girl's weekend" so I spent a good chuck of Saturday and Sunday going through the motions.

I had previously washed, IronX'ed & clayed the truck - with very little color coming out and little dirt on the clay- the truck was surprisingly clean and in good shape compared to other vehicle's I've taken delivery of. Much of the delay getting this done was related to getting the PPF installed - and then installed due to some issues with the material - and it looks like its' going back to have at least the hood redone again - but it was time to get this done.

Saturday I started around 9 or so I think - washed, dried, clayed - found that the roof of the cab was pretty dirty - guess that had not gotten attention at the dealership or elsewhere , used my PC7424XP and Meguires Micro-fiber pads & the polish for the pads - the paint was pretty much swirl free so I didn't anything too aggressive here. When that was done I removed any polish remains with CarPro Eraser and called it a Saturday - off to dinner with the kids.

I was up early on Sunday ready to get started until I saw the fog - was doing most of this in the garage but was worried about the humidity in the air from it so I did not get started until 10:30 or later. Two coats of CQuartz ceramic paint protection coating and then a coating of Reload. I used a FULL 50 ml bottom on the truck - I had ordered a 2nd bottle "just in case" but did not open it - just wrung the last bit out of the applicator as I got to the last panel I'l save the other bottle for my wife's Surburban or my daughter's Civic. Hi the plastic & chrome with DLux.

Ran out of steam to pull the wheels in order to clean and polish those - so they will have to wait for another weekend. But I did get her out into the sun for a quick photo-shoot....

A few reflective pics in the (messy) garage...

and then on the gravel driveway....

Glamor Shots!

Finally - the gravel driveway in the upper left is my nemesis with respect to keeping our vehicles clean - especially their tails....

 

[DARK HORSE]

Very nice, thanks for sharing!

 

[Merlin]

Beautiful work!

Beautiful truck!

 

[mwardncsu]

Thanks guys....