Question for all you detailers... wax or clear coat?

Hey Fellas,

So I just waxed my truck the other day, and she looks great.
But when I run my hand over the hood, (mainly the hood, but all over the body), but it feels smooth with pits all over it.
I figure it is just because the previous owner probably never waxed it, but it is just the clear coat gone, and small pits all over.

What do you say?
Im just looking for some advice from people who know detailing, or paint.

Shall I just wax the truck 2x a month until it goes away?
Or should I look into a paint shop to get a few clear coats put on?

Any advice?

Cheers

 

have you tried the clay bar?

 

I have not...

what will that do?
I know it is good for getting stuff off the truck, but will it fill those pits?

 

Look into clay bars for removing smaller imperfections in the paint. It will leave it feeling smooth and glossy. I believe there's threads on here explaining in greater detail. Hope this helps.

 

dang....

2 minutes in, and 2 responses for clay bar.

thanks fellas,

appreciated

 

^^^ What they said.

Using a clay bar is very easy, not too time consuming, and it'll leave the paint smooth as a baby's bottom.

 

I just spent 4 1/2 hours clay baring and waxing. Worked in panels...

1. Sponged the panel w/ clean water then dried
2. Clay bar then wipe with micro-fiber
3. A VERY thorough pass of Meguiars Ultimate Compound applied with Mothers Power ball on my 18v Rigid
4. Spot application of M:UC or Scratch X 2.0 on problem areas w/more pressure and/or speed with the Powerball
5. Thorough wipe with micro-fiber (used only for the M:UC removal)
6. Used another Powerball to apply a coat of Rejex (aircraft grade sythetic wax)
7. Removed with micro-fiber (used only for Rejex removal)
8. Repeat #6 & #7
9. Finish beer and look at your hard work

This is what you end up with...

 

Dang

Thanks so much fellas

 

mcguires clay bar

 

After the clay bar treatment, then a polishing would be in order as well. Sounds like it needs a machine polishing, so instead of buying the equipment and going through the learning curve, I would find a good detailing shop and have them polish it. Note, I did not say a detailing shop, but a GOOD detailing shop (one that knows what they are doing).

 

Here's a how-to
http://youtu.be/yfEfLGL59GI

 

it's not rocket science, but that video gives a pretty good explanation of why you want to clay and how to do it

 

You can clay bar it, but I'd recommend polishing it. Nothing is going to remove surface contaminants better than polishing. Clar bar is a good step to take BEFORE polishing. That's what the pro's do. I know, I am one.

The pits in your clear are likely a combination of chips (low spots) and fallout (high spots). Clay bar / polish will remove the fallout (high spots). Unfortunately, the chips in your clear are there inevitably. Unless you want to get into serious polishing, in which case, hire a pro.

Get rid of the fallout, clay first, or polish. Then wax. THEN you'll see/feel the difference.

After I'm done with a customers' car, I'll throw a microfibre cloth on the hood... They're always shocked when it just slides right off.

 

PM Marioso, he does it for you at a decent price and he comes to you.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/so...-san-diego-mobile-detailing-carwash-20-a.html


Haven't used him yet since my truck is still so new, but I have seen good reviews about him...He has pics to prove it