Paint care, wax and clay

[LSMITH]

I washed and waxed the truck today, have it looking really nice. Afer I had washed it and could not get the roughness out of the paint with the cleaner waxes etc I bought some Meguires Quik Clay . This stuff is great. You spray on the Quik Detailer spray to lube the clay, and rub it out. It is not abrasive in any way, it is just sticky enough to pull the garbage out of the paint. I takes a lot less time than you would think too. Followed the clay with the Meguires Step 2 Polish, and then the pure carnuba Step 3 Wax. It looks like the paint is 6 inches deep and wet, great stuff.



If you get acid rain or industrial fallout on the paint and can't get it out try the clay, it works.

 

[azcummins]

Meguiar's is the bomb... I only use their stuff on my truck.

 

[JLinder]

Same project today

Did my truck yesterday, and the gf's car today. Used the mother's clay magic and step 2 polish and carnuba wax on both rigs. I've read about how great clay is for years, but always thought it was to much work. NOT! It's not much work for the results you get. Only downer is now with all the crap out of my paint, I noticed how many rock chips I have. The Dodge Silver doesn't seem to be very durable paint to me.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Hey thanks for the tip. I just got most of my truck re-painted and I'd like to keep it looking as nice as possible. Thanks

Chris

 

[Chipstien]

Re: Same project today

Originally posted by JLinder

Did my truck yesterday, and the gf's car today. Used the mother's clay magic and step 2 polish and carnuba wax on both rigs. I've read about how great clay is for years, but always thought it was to much work. NOT! It's not much work for the results you get. Only downer is now with all the crap out of my paint, I noticed how many rock chips I have. The Dodge Silver doesn't seem to be very durable paint to me.

Flame red isn't much better. I need to get a set of stainless rockers panel because there are so many chips in the paint.

 

[lschultz]

Those clay bars are #1. If you want one of the better waxes try KLASSE. I read about it under the detailing section in VWVortex. So I decided to try it. Use it on the NB and just did my daughters car Saturday. The KLASSE is Acrylic protection made in Germany and its not that expensive. Use the Klasse All-IN-ONE first and then the High Gloss Sealant Glaze. It goes on easy and comes off easy. I used it on my truck too.

 

[Fireman]

Zaino

Try Zaino Bros. Polish I haven't found anything I like better. Look on the net at www.zainobros.com



Fireman

 

[Idaho Native]

Ditto Fireman56... superb product!

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Idaho Native

Ditto Fireman56... superb product!

Psssst wanna make some money?



My cable modem is up and down all weekend so i just got your email tonight.

 

[lgibson]

I am thinking about going to Zaino myself. I used there products before and they work pretty good. I really like Zymol, but I am spending about $250 per good cleaning 4 to 6 times a year. I now have over 140,000 miles on my truck and a lot of it is gravel roads. So I have a lot of rock chips. With all the rock chips and scraches I don't see spending as much as when it was new. I will continue using their leather care.



I stay away from Mequiar's. It states on there label aviod skin contact. It is all chemicals, and I get a headache just smelling it. Zymol is recommded to be put on with your hands.



I heard a lot about the clay bar and got one to try. It did not pick nothing up. I have always used Zymol's HD cleaner. I used it and then did the clay bar and the clay bar was just as clean as it was when I first used it. It worked good on my 76 Jeep though. Next time I will clay bar the truck and then use the HD cleaner and see the results that way.



When I get my truck repainted then I will go back to nothing but Zymol. Some people don't care for it, but I think they are using the stuff you get at Wal-Mart, or not using it correctly. Go to their website and look around. http://zymol.com

 

[DHatfield]

I clay bared my truck, polished and waxed it with Mequir's about three weeks ago and looks great.

 

[1tuffram]

Where are you guys finding the Meguirs clay bars?? Every place I look sells a lot of Meguirs products, including some of the professional line, but I have not found the clay bars yet. How much is the clay bars running?



I have found a clay bar kit at Wal-mart by Mothers for around $14. Has anyone used it? I'm not familiar with Mothers products so don't know if it's garbage or not. I usually use Meguirs professional line of products.

 

[LSMITH]

Originally posted by 1tuffram

Where are you guys finding the Meguirs clay bars?? Every place I look sells a lot of Meguirs products, including some of the professional line, but I have not found the clay bars yet. How much is the clay bars running?



I have found a clay bar kit at Wal-mart by Mothers for around $14. Has anyone used it? I'm not familiar with Mothers products so don't know if it's garbage or not. I usually use Meguirs professional line of products.

Mothers is great stuff, just as good as Meguires in most cases in my opinion. I paid $10 for the Meguires clay bar kit at AutoZone.

 

[JR2]

Check out these guys... . www.griotsgarage.com/index.jsp



I just spent three days doing my truck. . clay, polish and wax.



I could not believe all the scratches... chips, nicks dings etc on my truck. Now I know I need fender flares and new bumpers. .

 

[JLinder]

In my case I had to order it.

I couldn't find any clay bars in town, so I had my favorite parts store order it. I had it the next day, and with shipping it only cost me $16.



Might be an option if nobody has it.

 

[DBazley]

Rock chip resistance

I hear a lot of complaints about rock chips here, and no doubt it's partly due to lack of fender flares, wide tires or tailgating gravel haulers !



I did have the Dodge factory accessory molded flap kit installed, and it has helped significantly. I avoid driving behind dirt / gravel hauling semi's like the plague! [Not easily done on southern California freeways, they're always there !!]



Another overlooked helpful suggestion: consider trying a synthetic/ teflon / polymer sealant product instead of Carnauba wax.



Among the best are: Liquid Glass, Racer's Edge, Polyshield, Perma Plate (Dealership only) and Perma Shield Finish Guard System.



The reason is simple: They add a strength to the finish that waxes can't, actually adding a polymer/teflon synthetic coating that adds significant scratch & chip resistance. My experience in this industry has been that this is a big plus for those who have discovered the difference.



I've talked with innummerable users of those products that have noticed this advantage over regular type Carnauba or Parafin waxes.



TDR members can view a special offer in this regards, by viewing the Classified section for the "Perma Shield Finish Guard System" in ad # 2991, under "Vendor Promotions/ Group purchases" titled "Finish Guard for your Dodge" or looking for those other fine products where you can find them.



David

 

[dresslered]

Bazley-

The way you have to plug this product every chance you get, I would NEVER consider it on my finish! What's the matter, trying to justify your $35 TDR membership fee on your marketing expense report!

 

[DBazley]

Better read it, again

I take it that most can read information, evalutate it and come to their own conclusions.



You obviously think that most folks are only "in it for the money", and not interested in promoting better knowledge. I'm sure that's correct about some, but not all.



Observant folks will note that I offered several suggestions and named several other products, ours last.



My point was to offer another viewpoint that has much support behind it:



THERE'S A BETTER WAY THAN WAX for protecting finishes ; many other products prove this point (ie folks using Carnauba but complaining about rock chips have a distinct need to hear another option. )



If folks understand that critical point, and ignore what we offer, they will be the better for it!



Ergo, I don't mind mentioning some of the competetive products I know I've heard massive support for, and testimonials in favor of. It will help others to know their names, so I mentioned them.



[After 14 years in this business, the knowledge & experiece I've gained is significant and I'm happy to share it, regardless if some misunderstand my motive. That you suspect others of being incapable of having an interest in promoting knowledge to the general benefit of others INDEPENDENT of personal gain is revealing. ]



Nevertheless, to my knowledge, none of those fine products & companies I listed are offering "special offers" to TDR members, hence my low key mention of the special, minus hype or heavy handed language. If what I said prior interests folks, then they can note well, and see those other products, or perhaps view our offer.



I guess this highlights the major difference between us : I welcome new information, regardless of the source, as long as I know the source and evaluate accordingly.



David

 

[dresslered]

It seems as if some of the newer members have lost site of what the TDR is all about? It is a club of friends helping friends. I know of so many members that would bend over backwards to help someone out with a problem. Many of these people even sell products themselves. However, they are never trying to force feed them on anybody. I would gladly buy from a "friend" even if it weren't the cheapest price in town just for their basic honesty and friendliness. Other members, however, seem to only have one agenda, their pocketbook! How many of your posts have already been removed for the very reason I suggest?

 

[DBazley]

Good point, have you considered.....

David, you make a very valid point, for sure.



One key feature of this site (most group sites could also say so) is "friends helping friends", but is that it's sole pupose ?



Is it not just as true that it's also "giving & receiving good cousel & accurate information to and from others with a common need & goal", plus the sense of comradarie from sharing similar tastes in trucks?



Have you considered the economics that also drive this? Would this website or TDR magazine exist if not for vendors who pay good money to support it via banner ads, links & magazine display ads?



Perhaps so, but they'd probably have to charge $ 250 a year for a subscription & site access!



As a long time TDR member (1997), but prospective new vendor, I have a need to guage what acceptance may be for our products as we simply don't have the ability to purchase display ads in the magazine without any way to "test market" first.



TDR site admin obviously understands this, as they offer site "Classified Ads" to prospective new vendors, before they start the magazine ads, helping new vendors to test product offers, as well as for members benenfit.



Once I understood this, I have tried to make any post informative, inclusive (mention other products & their merits) & let others know the special offer for TDR members, which is, BTW well above & beyond what we already do for our existing customers.



Also consider that many TDR folks are willing to consider claims if they are able to hear them, and so the free exchange of information is a benefit, not a negative.



I also have been totally above board that I'm a member/vendor, in that I include in my signature, so others can take what I say with that in mind.



I'm confident that folks are well able to judge for themselves, and when we begin to run banners, display ads, etc, they'll hopefully have more to consider about the matter.



Dave, your words mark you as a profoundly loyal person, as you said :



I would gladly buy from a "friend" even if it weren't the cheapest price in town just for their basic honesty and friendliness.



That is admirable and my goal is to have us, in time, to have that kind of reputation with TDR members. It sure would beat the heck out of being in the other category you mentioned:



Other members, however, seem to only have one agenda, their pocketbook!



That's not my only agenda, for sure. But it would be equally foolish to conclude that it's no consideration at all, given that vendor underwriting supports all else that goes on here.



My goal is to become a full-fledged supporting advertiser for the site & magazine, which in turn will help insure the Turbo Diesel Register site & magazine's continued existence !



Sincerly,



David Bazley