Clear coat question

In my opinion: Do Not Use a Buffer, unless you are very very very good with it.

Too much risk for very little gain. I only use the hands when waxing or polishing. It takes longer, but you have much finer control.

 

If you are applying wax, do it by hand. No need for a machine. A porter cable is a better machine with nearly ZERO chance of paint damage. Doesn't cost that much more.

Depends on what kind of buffer you are referring to, whether it's a orbital or circular. A porter cable, flex 3401, rupes are all safe to use. I started off with the PC and had zero issue. Never used a machine before. Then I went up to the 3401. Circular is a complete different animal.

To say there is very little gain has never used a machine. There is no way you can get swirls out of paint with by hand, it simply cannot move fast enough. Sure your vehicle will look good with by hand but pull it in the sun and see the swirls.

 

The secret ( don't tell ) is to Not Get Swirls in the first place! Suprise!

I have never had swirls in any of my cars that I bought new.

 

Really...you don't say....swirls are inevitable. No matter how much you minimize them, you still are going to get some. You are going to get imperfection in paint from debris that is in air. I know who would have thought that. Not to mention if you happen to be located in an area where road salt is used....ugggh.

Also, you said not to use A buffer. You didn't say don't use THAT buffer.

 

I ordered a 2015 Taco TDR sport V6, 4X4 two weeks ago. The dealer says they received acceptance from Toyota on the order but do not have a build/delivery date yet. How long have others waited for build/delivery? It's heck waiting for new toys.
Bill

 

I would not use ANY buffer to just apply wax. Then again I am not lazy.

 

If you read one of my previous statements, I said to apply wax by hand. There is absolutely no benefit to applying wax with a machine.

As far as your last comment...not sure what you are getting at. Quite frankly I prefer perfect paint. The area where I live as stated before uses road salt, so I do get swirls/ light markings during the winter. Which means correcting in the spring time. If you think a machine is for lazy, then try a Flex 3401 for a couple of hours. You will change your mind. Waxing by hand is much easier.

 

Since this thread is on the topic of our truck's paint and there is discussion of doing correction, have any of you considered using a top coating like 22PLE or Opti Coat 2.0 after correcting the paint (I.E. removing scratches and swirls) ?

If you don't know what these products are, I'd highly recommend looking into them if you're going to take the time to correct your paint, single stage or dual stage. Both products I use with my detailing business and it just depends on what the client is after when it comes to my recommendation. Both products have their advantages and disadvantages, but when it comes to protection they're both amazing.

The main difference between the products is 22PLE is semi-permanent (manufacturer claims it lasts 2 years) where Opti Coat 2.0 is permanent in which you never have to wax/seal your truck ever again.

For my client's who have work trucks but want them to look semi-clean/new all the time I always have them go with OptiCoat 2.0. For my client's with high end cars that want that show room finish, I recommend 22PLE due to the gloss it leaves on the paint and the fact that it last for around 2 years. After 2 years if they want something different they have that option with 22PLE.

My Tacoma is coated with 22PLE - after I picked it up from the original owner I did a full correction with a Porter Cable

$140 7424XP PORTER-CABLE Buffer Polisher, Car Polisher for Car Detailing, 6", Orbital, Variable Speed (7424XP)

7424XP using Meguiar's #105 & #205 along with Orange and White pads. Below is a picture from yesterday's rain storm and as you can see the product has fantastic water repelling properties as if I just freshly waxed/sealed the paint. I applied the product about 6 months ago in case you're wondering.

22PLE by Mark Popovac, on Flickr

Also here are a few shots of the paint 5 days after application. The material sheet states the product is fully cured after 5 days and that is when the shine will be at its peak. Needless to say I am very very happy with this product and client's all the time ask me how I keep "a truck" looking so shiny all the time.

22ple day 5 fully cured up close. by Mark Popovac, on Flickr
22ple day 5 fully cured by Mark Popovac, on Flickr

 

Looks great. I thought about a coating but I like detailing. Its a good hobby.

 

Thanks man.

Agreed, I do miss detailing my truck when it comes to the paint, but I left my VW R32 un-coated just for that reason and I always enjoy trying new products just to see how much marketing hype they are vs. actual results.

 

Never heard of 22pple before. Can it be purchased anywhere or is it a commercial product?

 

If I'm not mistaken, opti coat claims their product may not function well on a single stage paint

 

I have a hand applied clear coat on my 06,applied 5 years ago and the truck shines like better than new even when dirty.Cost me $230 Canadian and well worth it.

 

I have not found it local but you can get it on Amazon or your favorite detailing site. Search for vx1 22ple.

As for opticoat on single stage, it doesn't hold up as well as dual stage, that's true. However if the surface is prepped well in my experience it will last for years. 22ple would be better IMHO than opticoat on single stage.

 

I have a 2010 Taco with 32,000 KM and the Clear coat on the hood and roof are failing.
I am disgusted, the dealer says its past the 36 month paint warranty.

I am waiting to hear back from Toy Canada, but I am not hopeful.
I could have bought a cheap crap box, if I wanted this kind of poor quality.

 

In your picture. something odd is going on... Why is the clear coat failure in a perfectly straight line across the hood?

We are missing some facts.I have never seen clear coat fail in a straight line before.

 

former bug deflector or one of those fancy Wonderbra,s
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Yeah, I'm beyond 36k miles. In other words, SOL.

 

That is what I was thinking. Self inflicted damage.

 

You ain't kidding! I did a couple of candies. I will be honest that NONE of them came out right. It is so freaking hard to get that PERFECTLY even coat on top.

It is not impossible. Just highly unlikely. Even a DA generates heat. Stay in one spot too long and bang, clear is burnt.

I disagree. If you NEVER use an orbital, and always use a DA, how would you get swirls? Swirls are created by the way a orbital polisher spins. So if you never use an orbital, you never get swirls.