Normal guy car cleaning…

I don’t pretend to be a dude who is even a little bit competent working on cars…but I do enjoy doing the little stuff with the truck. That said, I picked up a used 19 off road over the summer…and…It’s black. More than anything I want to get it to that showroom, mirror black finish but I’m not sure if it’s something I should tackle myself.

I’ve never clay barred or used a polisher and I’m scared to do more damage than good.

Any advice on steps for normal dude black truck detailing?? Is there a simpler process I should consider or should I go full blown wanna be detailer mode if it’s low risk? I work a crazy schedule so my time is limited too…maybe a few hours a day on the weekend…

Thanks guys.

 

Claybar is a great idea, it takes a long time but gets all of the contaminants out of the paint.

Polishing is risky, you shouldn't learn how to do it on a black truck worth 45k lol.

 

I don’t know anything about detailing.
But I did clay bar my old Honda Civic.
It was black too. It took FOREVER.
But the results were great.

You have to reapply wax afterwards.
And I bought the Meguire’s 3 stag kit.
It took a full weekend.

Was it worth it?
Looks wise - Absolutely.

However, I’ve never done it again.
It was monotonous, and once you start you’re committed.

I use my truck as a truck.
I run it through the car wash when it’s dirty.
And I try to hand wax it once or twice a year. The last few years, it been once

 

Exactly what I thought. So would the steps be wash, clay bar, wash, wax?

 

Yeah I’m the same…I keep the truck clean but I use it too. And I always thought a good car wash was the “touchless” one

Maybe it’s worth paying someone to do it once the right way and then maintaining it lol

 

It’s enormously critical to wash BEFORE you clay bar, or else you’ll get bits of grit in the clay bar and drag them all over the paint. The clay bar will remove paint contaminants that washing will not.

You can wash again after clay bar if you like. Or at least rinse and dry before you apply wax or sealant.

 

You could try wash it, dry it, clay bar, then I like meguiers cleaner wax. Just try it on a fender or door panel and see if it's the result your looking for. If not then ask around for a reputable detail shop. Might be worth letting a pro get the truck polish up then just maintain it. Wife had a 2011 black Tacoma beautiful when shined up but always dirty lol

 

In Arizona, Midnight be a good time to try it. A temperature where the water doesn't dry before you get a chance to pick up the drying chamois.

 

Lmao for sure. Probably need to wait a couple more months.

I love the black truck…it is always dusty out here and if it rains all bets are off. Just a lot of maintenance. I’m thinking the best bet might be to get it done right and then work on maintaining it. In the meantime I can probably manage the wash, clay bar and wax part…you guys suggest a wax or something that’s fool proof?

 

I’m a avid detailer of my vehicles but the color black is the toughest color to maintain. My advice to a beginning detailer, do a panel at a time. Also if you’re nervous about burning through the paint, practice with hand buffing.

 

I use Griots products.

 

I

I worked the month of April this year down there, drove 6 days a week from Glendale to Tonopah so weekend I would hit the car was by 9 AM, couldn't believe how fast the water dries! Between the warm temperatures and dry air I guess.

 

Hahah it’s still nice in April too…in August the water dries before you can wipe the car down yourself lol

 

Find a nice shaded area or start your detail first thing in the morning.

 

The problem with the idea of paying somebody to do it once, then maintain it doesn't really work with detailing. I'd focus now about learning to safely wash and more importantly dry the truck after a wash. You're going to want to invest in decent microfiber towels/mitts (The Rag Company) and a "drying aid" to use when drying. Black shows everything which is why you want to be careful every time you touch the paint. Like claying, it's pretty much a guarantee you'll put fine scratches even with great claying technique. Don't just clay the truck because the internet says so, you generally should be planning to polish to fix the marring left by the clay process. You also generally don't need to clay every square inch of paint either. Usually contaminants are at worst at the front, bottom and rear of the vehicle. When the paint is clean and dry feel the surface with your fingertips and feel how smooth it is. The contaminants clay removes will likely be so small your fingers won't feel them. Now put your hand in a thin plastic sandwich baggie and see if you feel the bumps, these are where you will need to clay.

As for which wax/sealant/coating to use there are MANY of them and nearly all of them work well.

 

Exactly. If you’re going to clay, you have to at least polish and wax.

 

Some great advice abound here!
I've even done the cleaner wax before any clay bar then followed with the wax again.
Also great info about doing damage with the clay if not careful. I know now not to try and use the same piece for very long. It can definitely pick those contaminants up and scratch. Awesome advice, and I've seen your post in the detailing thread.

 

If anyone is close to Iowa I would be happy to help with a detailing clinic.

 

Using a wax before the clay bar is a waste of time and money given that the clay bar removes the wax. Wash, dry, clay bar, wash, dry and then wax or seal.

You can also apply iron solvent and tar remover after washing and drying but before clay bar if needed, but you’ll have to wash those spots again before the clay bar. Use a quality clay bar lubricant for it to work best.

 

First. I only use Griots products. They’re very easy to use. Don’t waste your time with a clay bar. Get a “fine” synthetic clay mitt. You can use with a good quality wash and does not nearly take as long and your hand will love you for it. If your not familiar with how to use a DA polisher and the polishes and pads. I wouldn’t learn on your new black truck. Take it to a good detail shop and ask what it would cost to do a decam and single stage paint correction it may be worth the cost. Then it’s just taking care of properly going forward.(black is pia but looks great when mirror smooth) Detailing is fun if you have the patience to learn and it’s not nearly as hard as you might think. Take some classes you might find you become addicted like some of us. Congrats on the truck and good luck.