Getting a high shine from white paint

Does anyone have any tips or tricks to getting a high shine from a White paint job?

 

Proper washing, decontamination and polishing are the most important things. Sure, a good wax / sealant / coating will add depth and protection, but the prep work is where it's at.

As proof, I offer a pic of my 2014 Super White Tacoma taken last fall when she turned 100,000 miles.

 

Not a Taco but you get the idea.

 

These both look fantastic. I’ve ordered a 7” buffer and all the pads and attachments. I’ve used Meguires for years and am considering a ceramic. Hope I don’t scree up my paint....lol

 

What type of "buffer?" Random Orbital (Griot's, Porter-Cable, etc.), More powerful DA (Flex, Rupes) or full rotary (DeWalt, Makita, etc.) The reason I ask is that a full rotary in inexperienced hands will create a Delorean in pretty short order.

 

I use a Torx DA polisher . Always hand wash ,clay bar and sealant and wax . 2008 ,126000 miles

 

Welcome to TW

 

Thanks for the information guys. I ordered a TPC Variable speed 7” polisher/buffer. I’d always been told that clay bars were for damaged or oxidized paint. Mine is a 2019 and I keep it pretty clean all the time but I’ve never had a solid white vehicle. If the clay bar will help then I am game to try it.

 

It very much will. Since there is no clear coat on the white color (single stage paint), be very careful with the polisher.

 

I will and thank you for the tip about the clay bar. I never knew the situation about no clear. I’ve talked to some of the guys at work and they’ve all said as long as you don’t apply a ton of pressure while using it and keep the buffer moving at all times it will clean it like new.

 

Clay bars are for removing surface contaminants from paint. Even new / well cared for paint can have surface contaminants imbedded in it. Then again, I've seen some pretty old paint that was pretty much contaminant free. It just depends on the environment your paint is exposed to. Of all of the detailing tools I've used, clay has the most misinformation floating around about it. Some folks seem to think it's a total cure all. Used correctly, it can do some wonderful things. Just remember that every time you clay, you're marring the surface somewhat by dragging those (now removed) bits across the surface. The surface may feel better, but it may actually have more marring in it that needs to be polished out.

 

Mostly correct. The other variables you need to be aware of are product, speed (RPMs), and pad. If you get too aggressive with any of them, you can still do some damage. Remember, least aggressive method (and variables) first.

 

Not exactly correct. The white has the clear mixed in with it. It’s not quite the same as older cars that had single stage paint. I treat this white as I do my my speedway blue truck.

OP is that polisher an orbital or DA? You might be in for trouble if it’s a rotary.

 

As others have said.....prep, then prep and prep some more! haha

Purple Power Vehicle and Boat wash is very good to clean a surface before doing a full detail. It strips waxes and greases very well, so it is not recommended for maintenance washes.

It will help immensely to do a decon before using a clay bar. You can use something like CarPro IronX, which is great. But awfully pricey. You can get Meguiars Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner locally at most parts stores that will also accomplish the same job and is paint safe. Clay bar....not much to say here. They all work well as long as you have good lubrication (like Optimum No Rinse as it has no fillers or waxes or ADG Wipeout). Make sure to use on that is a "fine texture" as yours is fairly new and after a decon there shouldn't be too much leftover.

Knowing you like Meguiars, I would recommend M205 or M210 (210 is the updated version) and M105 or m110 (110 also the updated version). These are usually available through some local parts stores as well, especially the ones that cater to body shops. Also make certain you are using the correct pad with each and having 3-4 pads for each is recommend. As the pad builds up with compound it needs to be swapped out or cleaned, usually after 2-3 panels. Many people use compressed air while the pad is rotating to clear off the polish after each 2'x2' section.

As for making white "pop".... There isn't much of a magical product that will make it like a ray of light. I like Jescar Power Lock ( ) and then topped with Collinite 845 ( ). If you google that combo you'll see some very impressive results and lasts at least a year if maintenance washes are kept up. Though there are newer products out there that work very well also.

After that there are multiple ways to help keep that shine and add a little protection to extend the life of whatever sealant is used. Meguiars D156 is fantastic after a wash ( ) or P&S Bead Maker ( ) is good too. Lately I have been using American Detailer Garage Wipeout (waterless wash ) mixed with Valor (spray sealant ) about 50/50. That works very well when it's not dirty enough to bust out all the washing equipment and just need to dust it off or get some random grime off. ONR and Wipeout are very similar products, are very versatile and goes a VERY long way as the dilution ratio is very high.

For Microfiber Towels I highly suggest The Rag Company (https://www.theragcompany.com/)!!! World class towels at very good prices! My favorite towels are the Everest for waterless washes and spray on application. The Miner which is great for polishing off waxes, sealants, wipedown and generally a great all purpose towel. And finally the "Blue Glass Towel" (https://www.theragcompany.com/premium-korean-blue-glass-window-towels/), this towel will save your life!! Well, not literally...but if you struggle with streaks on glass, this is the cure! They have a good tutorial on their site for washing the towels as well...follow those rules or you'll ruin your nice towels.

Sorry for the rambling! Hope this helps some people out.

 

Thank you TacoFergie. That was an extremely detailed (no pun intended) response but exactly what I’ve been looking for. Very valuable info and please, ramble anytime. I used to keep all of my vehicles like new and show room shined on a daily basis. This truck is the first a Brand a New truck I’ve had in a very long time, I recently had hip replacement surgery and have been stuck inside in my recliner. It’s been sitting idle out in the driveway for over a month. I had my garage prepped and cleaned out so I can start keeping it inside again. Wanna give it a car show type cleaning before I start driving it again and it sounds like all of this is gonna do the trick. Thanks again.

 

No problem!!! A friend of min just had hip surgery (shes 30) and my wife had a lower back fusion (at 32 years old, both are in the medical field too) a while ago, I feel for ya!!! Hope it's all going well!

Have you looked into ceramic coatings? I haven't used any yet as I just don't sufficient garage space for my DCLB to fit and cure. I can't close my garage door since my garage is only 20x20. I would love to do a ceramic coating, but with my wash habits I don't know if it would really be that beneficial for me. I only put about 10k on a year and clean the truck every 7-10 days. My "maintenance" washes are actually just waterless washes most of the time since the truck doesn't get very dirty, usually just dusty or some some road grim. My maintenance wash is pretty simple.... A 32oz spray bottle (I like the ZEP High Output since it has a wide base and wide mouth oupening) with ADG Wipeout 32:1 mixed with ADG Valor at about 50/50. Spray the panel down with a mist over the whole panel, usually 2-4 sprays, grab an Everest towel, wipe down the panel with light pressure from front to back (not circles, this can create swirls no matter the washing or drying process) starting at the top of the vehicle and then with a Miner towel just buff it off.

It has served me very well for a while now close to 2 years. With this process I am not only cleaning the truck but adding a layer of protection. That's why I'm not sure that a ceramic coating would be for me as I am essentially topping off with a protective layer almost weekly.

 

Also, I don't know if you are on Facebook. But there are a couple really good pages on there to search or for great info as well. "Detailing 101 by Autogeek" and "Detailing for Money". The later is more for people that have a professional detailing business so I don't get too involved but there is a ton of real world information with mostly very experienced detailers on that page. Detailing 101 can be like a typical FB page with a share of trolls and know-it-all's but there are a good amount of members that are very experienced as well, just have to weed out the info.

 

Thanks for the tip on the FB group, I just searched and joined. As far as Ceramics I have looked into them and heard how great they are but also how bad they can be if you don’t apply them properly. Still researching those. the chemical guys.com have a newsletter and some how to news and videos as well so I am doing a lot of research now before I spend a lot of money just buying stuff to find out that I don’t like it.

 

You'll find quickly on those pages that Chemical Guys is not very respected and often talked down on. They do make some decent products, but for the price there are better out there. AutoGeek or Detailed Image has tons of sales all the time and carries mostly products that Pro detailers use. I'm not trying to talk trash about CG, but their products aren't as good as they were 4-5 years ago. Many times if you compare CG to a similar product from Meguiars, ADG and others you will get more product and higher quality for the the same or less cost. It also seems many CG products are now Ready To Use (RTU) which can be convenient, but compared to others that are concentrates you are simply paying for more water. Plus with dilutable products you can make it stronger or weaker for your application, this is especially useful for All Purpose Cleaners and Degreasers.

Again, use what makes you happy! Just like a true whiskey lover...you paid for it, drink it how you like it!

As you can see, it's a pretty slow day at work. haha

 

I was the same way with ceramics. But after the first application you will see that are just as easy as a sealant to use.