Howdy Fellas. Well I made it to 29 Palms Cali, and holy cow not much for trees or green around here (besides us lol) Anyway, the sand drifts around here, and besides learning to always leave my windows up (came outside in the morning to find 1" of sand on my dash and all over the inside of my truck lol) I have also found that the wind and sitting in the sun destroys the paint around here. One of the insurance companies (one which I do not have nor care to have) even includes a MC ordered new paintjob every two years due to the fact that we have no choice as far as where we are. The sand out here blows and destroys paint older vehicles out here are down right nasty lookin' and no one around here cares enough as they normally sell the vehicle once the paint starts to go. What kind of measures should I take to protect my truck?! The week I got here, I did a wash, clay bar, scratch x, and a coat of NXT 2.0 (didn't have the time or energy for more) But what else can I do?! Thanks for your help!!
~Phil
"Semper Fi"

 

Every time you wash it, use UQD to help boost the polymer protection of the NXT. "Wax" it frequently.

 

Keep it covered!!

- NCSU

 

Covered is great - but what do you do when you have to drive it when it's windy?

 

Would cover it, but the cover doesn't fit right (tool box and hi-lift jack) and it will blow away, takes forever to do with the wind blowing, and the dang thing is lifted so its a PITA. That and I would have to take the twin stick CB antenna's off the box each time along with the radio antenna, AND THEN cover the sucker. Then in the morning reverse that process. Dang that's a lot of time lol. Anyways where can I get UQD, or is that Universal Quick Detailer? Man Its been a long time since I was in the detailing forum.

 

Sounds like your paint might be in for a rough time. If you can't keep it covered, or parked indoors, you might just want to settle on a new paint job when you relocate next.

As far as QD's, I like the stuff from Adam's (http://www.adamspolishes.com/c-11-detail-spray.aspx)

Good luck!

- NCSU

 

down at 29 Palms huh ? they let you fellers out to go play in johnson valley ??

Also, have any inside scoops on the take-over of Johnson Valley ???

As a way to protect it from the sand ? No hope my friend. I have been down there, and that sand kicks up, it can be like a sand blaster. I have seen windshields destroyed cuz of it.

I know they make this clear plastic protectant film. Dune runners use it over there lights/windshields and some of the fancy cars use it over all/most of the vehicle during test drives and transport, to help eliminate rock chipping and other road wear. This is the only way I have heard of people protecting their paint:
http://www.tintworks.net/paint.htm
Everyone I knew that used that or something similar, was using it for a short time, not living there for a long stay like what you got going. Might have to re-apply it after sometime, but definately worth looking into.

 

Good call MT. I think 3M makes a film protectant, but I think it's more of just a bra style, not for the whole vehicle.

Their site has some info on this, might be worth checking out.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...gard-PPF/Home/

- NCSU

 

I don't know who my buddy talked to, but they went down there to run the Hammer Trails and a bunch of other BS. He didn't want his big purdy tow rig gettin all messed up, so he got his truck covered. It wasn't cheap by any means, but not one ding or scratch in the original paint.

 

Hmmmm Thanks guys, NCSU those are all great help, just not really a way to 'fix' the problem. I have a feeling that these are all unfortunately too expensive for a lonely budget lol. I guess I'm just going to have to give her a super detailing every two weeks or so. It is very much like sand-blasting, unfortunately. I am guessing I'm just going to have to try my best. Quick question though, when there is a bit of sand/dust on the truck should I continually wipe it off, or will it act as a bit of a shield towards it? Even if it would just help a little bit i'm at a loss lol.
Now Merc-Tech I have not heard of this Johnson valley take-over lol, you probably know more than we would know, and if they are building a new base there, we probably would be told, untill the day after we were supposed to move there nah jk, but seriously I don't know of anything going on. We have a 150 mile range overnight, and a 300 over the weekends and a lot of the guys around the barracks have jeeps and quads, go ridin' the dunes all the time. I can't get any toys until I get back next September, thats fine w/ me though I am thinking, a nice R600 when I get back
~Phil
"Semper Fi"

 

UQD = Meguiars Ultimate Quick Detailer. Should find it at Wallymart or Autozone.

 

Lucky for me that UQD is in my OCD back behind my driver's seat lol! I didn't even put 2 and 2 together. Man that bag o' tricks is awesome holds all the usual quick OCD stuff perfectly (HUSKY bag) and that 40/60 split in the back gives just enough room with that one seat up to put the bag, my jumper box, and my CD case lol. All my buddies here think i'm already nuts with how clean I keep at least the inside lol, it drives me up the wall, people around here leave their windows down, and their dashes are covered in a thick nasty sand...grrr besides that one day (and had a freek out when I opened the door) I skipped my usual Monster, Gatorade run at the PX to clean the inside of the sucker, I was almost late to formation haha
~Phil
"Semper Fi"

 

off subject, but brother, your right next to one of the best, nicest area's for 4-wheeling and just pure scenic joy. Places to camp out, hang out, watch the sunset. Some cool wildlife (those turtles are protected, don't mess with em ! ). The "Hammer trails" are also out there, best rock crawlin in the world !! Here check out this vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCqseKbFLlM

Love it down there. The Marines were discussing taking over the area, but have since showed they are willing to look elsewhere. Lost of things are going on, and surrounding this, and I am a member of a very active club involved. Just wondering if it was something that was openly being talked about amongst the soldiers.

BTW, thank you for your service. Its appreciated more then my typed word can show you. You have nothing much admiration and respect from me.

 

1st off MercedesTech, I would like to thank you for your support. Our job would be simply a job if it wasn't for having strong willed supporters of what we do. Thank you again!

Secondly, I actually have the King of the Hammers video in my truck right now in my HU lol. I was watching it the other day when we had to watch a Genny run to make sure it got all the coolant out (some idiot MTM guy put 5 gal. of coolant into the fuel tank) so after some fuel tank draining, low pressure line draining, High pressure line disconnect purge, and new Fuel/Water Seperator, we had to run it (man it was not happy) and we watched that in my truck. A lot of commentary in that video, but a good video none the less! None of the Marines mention anything about that area, havn't heard anything yet, but I'll ask my buddies who wheel a lot. I stopped taking my truck under anything 'abusive' don't like having my daily driver down. I was planning on getting a Jeep but I wouldn't get to use it much between now and when I leave in Feb. we have pre deploy training for a month next week (long field op) and field ops every other week (nxt one on Sunday, till Thursday). When I get back and have some cash though, I think a 600 Raptor, and most definitely a GSXR 600 are gettin' a trailer and ones getting the bed lol. Then I can actually get into some of this stuff!

Thanks again for all who support, it really does mean the world to us knowing we are backed so well!

~Phil
"Semper Fi"

 

You've got more support than the media lets on. You guys don't have to do what you do, that makes your service that much more valuable. God Bless and stay safe!

- NCSU