Where to Start?

[allbizns]

Hey guys new here to the forum. please excuse me if this is posted somewhere on the forum and I missed it.
I am looking for some advise on where to begin on two of my vehicles. My truck is a 2012 Ford Raptor Ingnot silver that has some Matte graphics on it, my wife just picked up a Ibis White 2014 Audi S5 for Christmas. Both vehicles are kept inside. They are used less than DD but when they are used we use them hard. I guess the question is where to begin to get these cars back to looking new. Would my best path be to start by washing with Iron-X, clay bar, polish with essence then either cquartz or take the easy way out and hydrafoam? Then would I just maintain wash with reset and then finish off with some reset. Also what would you recommend to or not to use on the matte graphics on the truck. I would not mind something that would shine it a little I currently use Adams VRT on them, It can be a little streaky or blotchy at times. Also the black plastic hood vents have grayed out slightly what would be the best product on them. Sorry for the long winded questions and thanks for any help.

 

[Merlin]

Hey guys new here to the forum. please excuse me if this is posted somewhere on the forum and I missed it.
I am looking for some advise on where to begin on two of my vehicles.

My truck is a 2012 Ford Raptor Ingnot silver that has some Matte graphics on it, my wife just picked up a Ibis White 2014 Audi S5 for Christmas. Both vehicles are kept inside.

They are used less than DD but when they are used we use them hard. I guess the question is where to begin to get these cars back to looking new.

Would my best path be to start by washing with Iron-X, clay bar, polish with essence then either cquartz or take the easy way out and hydrafoam?

Then would I just maintain wash with reset and then finish off with some reset. Also what would you recommend to or not to use on the matte graphics on the truck.

I would not mind something that would shine it a little I currently use Adams VRT on them, It can be a little streaky or blotchy at times.

Also the black plastic hood vents have grayed out slightly what would be the best product on them. Sorry for the long winded questions and thanks for any help.

OH boy...lots of questions...let's start at the top.

It sounds like both vehicles are a light color (pics would be helpful)
I like depth and warmth of dark and bright and shiny on light colors.

"Getting them back to looking new." What would you like to accomplish?
Are you talking "clean" or would you like to improve to look and finish?

If you have never done a paint decontamination then Iron-X and "clay".
I'm a big fan of the Decon towel rather than a clay bar. You'll need lube.

After a pre-wash is done then you can inspect the vehicle for correction.
NOTE: a detail pre-wash & a two bucket wash maintenance wash are different.
I've found that Essence with the Rupes 21 and Megs mf discs works wonders.

Whether you use CQuartz or Hydrofoam is up to you. I prefer the protection of CQuartz.
After that it's a two bucket method with Reset. CQuartz and Reload and you can't go wrong.

Reset for your regular 2BM wash followed with a wipe down with Reload & they should be fine.
You may need to do a Iron-X snow soap 3-4 times a year depending on how you "use them hard".

For faded black trim I use a product combo. Shine Supply Trim Coat Black and Dlux.
The Shine Supply Trim Coat Black has a black dye that puts the black back in faded trim.
I then apply CQuartz Dlux Plastic & Rubber Coating on top to "seal in" the TC black finish.

There are probably many other thoughts and suggestions from folks on here. I hope this helped.

 

[allbizns]

Merlin, thanks for the tips. Yes I am defiantly looking to enhance the appearance of both vehicals not just clean them sorry about that. Sometimes my fingers move faster than the words in my head lol...
I would rather do the C QUARTZ treatment over the hydrofoam to be honest though I'm just a little intimidated by the process. The more videos I watch the more I believe I will give it a go. I figure no need to do all that prep work and then decide later to coat and have to do it all over again.
One more question the black on the textured metal running boards of the truck are faded out as well can I apply the Trim coat black and then Dlux to them as well or would it be best to trim coat then C QUARTZ thanks again for the advice. I will try and get some pictures up.

 

[Merlin]

Do you have a Dual Action (DA) Polisher?

My first choice would be CQuartz.

Not sure on the textured metal...
Can you post a pic?
What material is it?
Metal, Plastic, Rubber etc.?

 

[allbizns]

Yes I have a flex 3401 with a 3" and 5.5" pads. I will try and get a picture of the running boards but they are metal with a textured type paint or powder coating on them it is hard as concrete.

 

[Merlin]

Yes I have a flex 3401 with a 3" and 5.5" pads.
I will try and get a picture of the running boards but they are metal with a textured type paint or powder coating on them it is hard as concrete.

I personally do not use the Flex 3401 with Megs mf discs.

I did a little research and I found this for you from another 3401/Megs mf disc user.

Flex XC 3401 VRG has its RPM’s specified for each speed settings.
OPM’s are a little bit tricky as manufacturer uses its own reference guidance.
Megs mf discs are designed to perform best around 4,800 OPM so it would be setting 2.5 on Flex.
6” MF cutting disc may work best on a 3401 as this machine is quite powerful
The 6" Megs mf disc size is recommended for polishers with forced rotation.
Forced rotation and MF cutting disc offer great cut but micro fingers are absolutely flattened.
It is necessary to use compressed air or bug sponge to remove spent product as it clogs the disc pretty quickly.
It is recommended to use just medium to medium high down pressure (not heavy nor moderate) with the 3401
Change discs often. you will probably need at least two discs for one vehicle. In some cases, I have used eight or more.

1) Much faster cut and defect removal with the Flex XC 3401 VRG than a typical DA
2) Fewer passes may be needed to reach the desired final results
3) Excessive disc cleaning needed after every section pass due to increased force
4) Only medium to medium high down pressure needed
5) Speed should be kept on lower settings – 3.0-3.5 for Flex XC 3401 VRG and Megs MF cutting disc as Step One
6) Speed should be and 2.0-2.5 Megs MF finishing disc as Step Two,
7) On softer paints some experimenting may be needed (like using MF finishing disc instead of MF cutting disc)
8) 6”-diameter discs are needed making it more difficult to work in tight spaces
9) No holograms, no swirls, just like when using regular D/A polisher

Short Version: 6" mf discs, slow machine speed, lighter down pressure and clean discs often

Please any folks that use the Flex 3401 with Megs mf discs and Essence please chime in...

Waiting on running board pics...

 

[allbizns]

Here is a picture of the running board. My wife has the truck at work today and I couldn't get a pic of the actual truck. Hope this helps.