Detailing...

Just curious how often everyone details their trucks? What products do you use for interior/exterior? I've been using pretty much all of the products by Adam's Polishes and absolutely love everything they have. I by no means have any sort of affiliation with the company I just love their products. Started using them when I got my Grand Cherokee SRT8 mainly for their waterless wash (yes I know that sounds weird but it works), because in Texas we're in some pretty strict water restrictions.

I find myself detailing the truck at least once a week because it's easy to go over the truck real quick w/ the waterless wash & or spray polish and it prevents me from having to do a full wash on the truck.

What are you folks using?

 

I will keep those products in mind when I finally get to detail my truck. My truck is lucky to get it washed once in a while. Did I tell you that silver truck looks pretty clean even when they are dirty?

 

I get around to doing full inside details maybe once a month... I still need to do some exterior detailing but I need it to warm up!! I have a brand new buffer that I can't wait to try

 

Try twice a month at least. I have been using the Lucas products and am happy with them. I don't hand wash anymore. If it's bad I run threw the auto wash and quick wax when I get home. If not to dirty I just use the quick wax.

 

I also use Adams Products and I love them. I just tried the Rinseless wash and was amazed at how well it worked. I started using their products several years ago after I attended a detailing clinic at a local Chevy dealership that features the Adams Products in their performance store and uses them in their detailing shop.
I try to wash it twice a month and wipe it down with detail spray between washes. If I don't wash it by hand, I like to run it through a brushless car wash.

 

I just recently purchased some of their interior products which I haven't used yet. I'm sure they're just as great as their exterior products. Love that they always have some sort of special that they're running.

 

I try to wax two times a year, spring and fall. I try to wash whenever I have the time, usually once a month in the warm weather. It's freezing here now so I typically just spray it down at the car wash after it gets caked with salt from the roads.

I use Mequiar's high tech yellow wax and Mequiar's car wash. I hear a lot of great things about chemical guys detailing products but they are very pricey. I'm going to look into Adam's. Like many, I am very busy with work/kids/life and I drive the truck almost everyday so I can't put forth the effort I would like to with keeping her looking brand new.

 

During warm weather I hand wash both my wifes rig and my truck once a week with RainX wash and wax with carnuba beads, then clean raised letter tires and rims with Armorall tire and wheel cleaner. I also vacuum the interiors as needed and wash the windows. also clean dash and consoles with soapy water, then treat with Armorall protectant wipes. Then last but not least I wax with Turtlewax spray wax and detailer. Then I crack open a cold Labatts blue and sit on the porch and admire my handywork.

 

I use Chemical Guys line and love their stuff. Their polishes are great for bringing back finishes with no holograms. For this truck, I detailed it as follows: 1) Wash with Dawn Soap, strips the finish of any waxes or sealants. 2) Clay with their light duty clay 3) Wash with their auto wash (honey dew foam cannon) 4) Compressed air dry 5) One coat of M Seal Sealant, wait 30 minutes then second coat 6) One coat of their 50/50 wax, wait 24 hours and second coat. For interior I use Surf City Garage. Love their stuff. Chemical guys is a bit pricey but I only do the sealant detail once a year and wax every 3 to 4 months. A good way to tell if your vehicle needs waxed is to wash it, dry it, then take a clean microfiber and throw it across the hood. If it glides across the hood, your wax and sealant is still holding up, if it skids, it's time for a new coat of wax. For me living in Georgia and truck is parked outdoors all the time it usually lasts 3 - 4 months. Then once a year I use dawn and repeat the process. My Tacoma has 190k and still looks great. I'm ASE certified paint and body and work at a Hot Rod shop where we have multiple winners at Good Guys and other shows. At the shop we use 3M or Meguiar's products. Depends on the detailer and their preference. I just switched to Chemical Guys and really like it.

 

I tend to do a full detail on each of my vehicles once per year. and then keep them relatively clean for the rest of the year. By full detail I mean full clay-bar + hand wax.

 

I do a full detail 2 times a year. I have white trucks and the rail dust is very noticeable on them. I use a cleaner to get rid off the rail dust instead of a claybar then sealant and wax . I live in nj and salt is bad I'm winter so I do just before 1st snow and end of march after last snow. In between i hand wash and definitely in the winter spray off the under carriage with hot water. I was thinking of spraying under carriage down with diesel for winter to help prevent rust

 

I spray fluid film on the under carriage. It definitely makes a difference and last all winter. It's worth checking out. I buy a few cans and spray a good amount all over everything underneath except the brakes.

 

Thanks I will look into it

 

I started using Adams products after I bought my Corvette, going to some shows and asking those guys what they were using on their cars.
I bought myself a Porter Cable

$139 7424XP PORTER-CABLE Car Polisher and Buffer, 6", Orbital, Variable Speed (7424XP)

7424XP polisher, pads and every kind of swirl remover, sealer and wax possible.

I got so good at it that a couple of the guys paid me to do their cars too. It's a little different story on the Tundra....there's a lot of sheet metal there and it's harder to get to everything. Shoot, the hood on my Tundra is higher than the roof on my Corvette.

I did do one side of the bed on my truck after I bought it since it was full of white-ringed water spots. It must've been parked next to a sprinkler at the dealership for a while.

 

Ordered the fluid film today.

 

Thanks mototundra

 

Anytime. Before I traded my Taco in there was a good amount of surface rust on the underside. After I bought the Tundra I wanted to do everything I could to prevent that from happening. I did some research and saw this stuff.
I am such a believer because I sprayed fluid film on the underside before the first and second winter. Prior to the second winter II took my time more and made sure to get as much as I could and I noticed a small area I missed the first winter, and there was surface rust there. For that reason I really believe in this stuff.

If you keep your truck in a garage, after you spray the truck, your garage will smell like fluid film for a few days, and the cab will until you air it out while driving.. Also any fluid film that gets on the exhaust will smell once the exhaust gets hot.


I still spray the exhaust and everything. It doesn't bother me, but for people sensitive to smells I would keep it outside for a few days after spraying.

 

I bought a package with 2 gallons ,upgraded the gun, and picked up the 360 nozzle. Plan on doing both the DC and the single cab. The single cab is going to used for plowing so I am going to coat the begeeezas out of it. . when I get it in, I am going to hit you up for some more advice on it maybe I did see a couple of videos on utube seems pretty straight foward

 

You have the complete setup! I do my best with the rattle cans, but plan to get the kit for next year.

I wear old beat up dickies and eye protection. I start with the underside, starting at the front and work my way to the back. Dont forget the inside of our rear bumper. I try to cover as much as i can, as long as its not on the brakes. I try to stay away from spraying directly on any eletrical connections. I will spray it on a rag and wipe those areas. After I do the underside I will do the fender wells.
Then I spray things around the house haha.. the hinges on my screen door, interior door hinges, etc. It works great for squeeks that need lubrication.

 

I plan on using it for other things as well if I have enough. Have to do my DC and single cab both 8' bed. Going to try to get inside of nfab steps.

 

I used to hit mine with WD-40 but now I want some of this stuff. Sounds like a good idea. Although I don't deal with salt I still love to prevent any rust. I do go to the mountains quite often in the winter time.

 

I sound like a fluid film stockholder...
Wd-40 is a degreaser, and does work good for rust prevention, I use it on the exhausts of my dirt bikes, but this stuff is thicker and actually leaves a film, in my opinion is will protect much longer

 

At this point it doesn't sound like a bad idea to buy a little stock in that company.
I forget which one it was but WD-40 makes a few different mixtures now specifying for certain applications. If I'm not mistaken lithium, and silicone spray. I did buy them and some suggest for a long-term storage, to spray it on your gardening tools farm equipment etc.

 

It already arrived. Just got home and saw it on my steps. I will take a few pics In a
little while

 

OK here is the package 175$ to the door in 1 day of ordering. 2 gallons fluid film upgraded gun so you can attach the 360 nozzle. 1 can of spray with 360 attachment 2 bottles for gun. Pour spout for gallon can into paint jar. Oh yeah, a cool 70's style hat and key chain. Hope i am not wasting my time and money but i guess it is worth a shot. From everything you told me and from utube sounds like a no brainer. I guess the next posting will be on the final product after sprayed on the truck. Going to use my gas powered air compressor that i use to blow out lawn sprinklers. I can regulate the pressure and it definately produces enough cfm.

 

Doesn't look like a complete kit to me.
It should come with at least 4 bottles of beer.

 

Picked up the tyveck suit and hood, glasses . going to due the DC today will up date with pics later

 

That hat though!!! I love it haha.

Let me know your thoughts after the winter, it won't let you down!