. . anything when you live on a dirt road.

 

I have to agree with you... and I've seen a BOAT LOAD of pictures from the detailing sites that I frequent...

Lighting, as always, has a lot to do with how the photograph will turn out but, as one can see, this one *REALLY* turned out...

RP

 

White is not bland. White is pristine. It makes every other color (black trim, the blue oval, and red tails) and (to an extent) even chrome "pop". As long as it doesn't have a ladder rack and and lettering it doesn't look that intitutional either. A friend of mine siad "don't get white, it'll look like a county truck", but I'll easily set it apart with tasteful mods, and a careful maintenance.

 

Dark stone shows everything too

 

white and lighter silver vehicles are by far the EASIEST to keep clean...

having owned black, silver (titanium), dark blue and white vehicles...

 

Silver is definately best. I have a white work van, which I keep very clean, and it is a P.I.T.A.
I've also had black before. Looks great when clean and new. But give it a couple of years and it looses "luster" and dosen't look so "clean" when the sunlight hits it directly.

 

A three-post long post and not a word?!? LOL! Sure am glad I dumped that time into that post... ha! I'll go cry in the corner now. HAHAHA!

 

Hey Rockpick excellant posts,I enjoy reading this stuff more than the tuning forum.I have a couple of questions?I know very little about detailing and would like to know if there are any good books out there worth reading.I am about to get my rod painted with a PPG colour and what would be the best way to keep it in pristine shape.My truck I am also **** about and would like to know more on ways to keep it looking good.Thanks!

 

I can tell you first hand that from owning two black vehicles, it is extremely hard to keep clean! Silver is by far the easiest to keep clean.

 

rpk - thanks for entertaining me. LOL!

What you've asked is an open ended question that would be tough to answer in another 3-post post.

I'd highly recommend checking out some of the more prominant detailing message boards and reading up. Additionally, feel free to email me if you want. Again, I don't know it all but, I really try to stay up on this stuff and FREQUENTLY 'beta-test' products that are coming out... although, the stream of stuff, more recently, seems to be more of a trickle. LOL!

Here are a few of the 'good ones'...

www.autopia.org
www.meguiarsonline.com
www.detailcity.com


There are others but, those are the main three in my opinion. Additionally, you'll note several of the same folks posting at all three of them... so, pick and choose information.

As for books, I don't know of any really good ones out there. I've actually kicked around putting something together along those lines...

RP

 

Thanks Rockpick will check out those websites.A book wouldn't be a bad idea,you could put me down as a buyer.Detailing for Dummies

 

My vote for the second hardest to maintain is red, as you especially have to stay on top of the waxing or it will develop this "white haze" look on the finish. It may happen with other dark vehicles, but I tend to notice it more on red cars/trucks.

Although I really like dark color vehicles, I tend to lean more toward lighter colors because of the upkeep in cleaning them.

I have owned two white vehicles, & I don't think they are too hard to clean, but they are harder to get the color to pop out. (BTW, nice looking Navigator...did you do the work RP?)

White can look a bit bland at times, but with the right mods you can really turn a white truck into a nice looking vehicle. IMO, a white truck looks really nice with some chrome.

BTW RP, thanks for the info shared on the polishers. I have been debating on getting one for some time, but I guess the uncertainty from never using one and the fear of messing up the paint has kept me from making the puchase. After reading your post, I may have to make an investment in one of the dual-action polishers.

 

My Deep Wedgewood Blue.. is damn hard to keep clean.

 

I totally disagree that white is hard o keep clean. The only time you know white is dirty (when dusty) is if you swipe a wet sponge aross it. Black, blue, green, etc. all show dust. At leats white still has some vibrance. Darkl colors get dull in a hurry. Yes, saly can make anything look like !@#$%. I have black now, and it will probably be the last black vehicle. We bought my wifes car just before my black truck. It's black, too. I get it both ways. Next time, I'm going bright red or arizona.

 

I agree with you RP that no matter what you have its how you take care of it makes it how easy or hard to keep clean. I've notived people with black vehicles just seem to keep them cleaner than most. Now clean and good looking don't go hand in hand it just an observation. I like how you mention no matter the color it takes the same amount of time to take care of them. I specifically won't buy a white or silver or light car because you get no satisfaction for keeping them shinny. You work on a dark vehicle all day and step back that baby looks good, real good. You work on a silver or white and it will also look good but it just doesn't pop considering the time you just spent on it.