What do you use to do this? I'm washing today so Auto Zone is about the only place I can use to buy the products, but I'm wondering what are the best products. I really did it wrong yesterday (before really reading about this) and now have water spots because I didn't dry the truck.

Also, I just bought this truck last week, so should I have to wax it so soon?

I've read about several products on here (Zaino, LG, Klasse), but have never seen them locally (guess I'll check again). I'm really just looking to do a wash, dry, and quick wax or something today.

 

My local auto zone didn't use to carry LG but, it does now. Check for it again as I believe it's a corporate chain and not an independently owned and operated type of store... unlike NAPA or something like that.

Good luck.

RP

 

yeah, I found it this morning. It's not in a bottle like Eagle One or Meguiar's. It's in this metal bottle that almost looks like it would be paint thinner, not wax. I'm going to have to go through the forums again. I know I saw where someone told about the best products to bring out that wet shine on black. Even though I just bought it, I found some swirl marks this morning. So I guess I'm going to have to look into repairing that also.

 

Black Truck, yes it's a tough one. I have a black F-150 ext cab. First black truck I have ever owned. When it's clean it looks great, but it's hard to keep it that way. Especially here in Georgia during the summer when it seems to rain just a little bit every day. Not much but just enough to keep my truck dirty.
One thing I live by. If your not gonna spend the time to wash your black truck and dry it really good then your better off not washing it at all. To me, the dirt looks better than water streaks. I use 2 buckets when washing, dirty water and clean water. I use a sponge. Some people will disagree but to me it's easier to make sure that I have all the little dirt particles out of a sponge than a wash mit. I check it every time. To dry it I use an Absorber i got at WalMart. Use the Absorber to do the big job, then come back with a soft cotton towel to get the left overs. If you have an extended cab make sure you open the small side windows and get the water out of them because water will run down after it's dry. Also blow the water out from the door handles and from bechind the mirrors as this to will run down after it's dry. Then let the truck sit for about an hour before you drive it so all of the hidden water will dry and not cause streaks.
For waxing, I have tried Meguires, Zaino and LG. I like LG the best. Zaino and Meguirs are good but I just like the LG a little better. It really does bring out the black. I have 3 coats on now and will continure to use LG. Yes, it's about $18 a bottle but it will probably last me about a year. I wax about every 2 months. I don't mind paying $18 for a good product. If you use LG wash your truck with Dawn to strip off the old wax and then put about 2 coats on as a base and then about every month or so as you like. Good luck with your truck!

 

yes, that's many of the exact problems I have here in Mississippi. I cannot get this truck dry. Over the past couple of days, I have washed it 3 times trying different methods to get rid of water spots. Chamois dry with a terry towel finish dry seems to be the best, but that's not that good. It just makes the water spots smaller. And I have all kinds of streaks running down the side of the truck from different cracks.

I'm going to try LG next weekend.

 

cant Dawn hurt your clearcoat? i heard that itll strip wax and hurt clearcoat,but i dont know if that true or not. In order to get a really good shine, should i strip off old wax and apply somethin like ziano, meguiars, or cherry wet wax, or will it shine just as much w/o removing old wax?
Patrick

 

do a quick search on this because I don't want anyone listening to me, but I have read that Dawn and vinegar can be used to strip wax. No one said anything about it hurting the clearcoat.

Properautocare.com has some detailing tips also.

 

I have a black truck and the trick is to use good stuff. Only use dawn to strip old wax, otherwise use a good car shampoo..
Use a large microfiber towel to dry with.. they are incredible and you can get large ones from JTInternational at a very good price. You want the waffleweave to dry with.. Tom's email address is jtintern@hotmail.com..
you will also want to visit this forum, it has the best info on detailing your vehicle..
http://autopia.ws/index.php
they also sell an online detailing guide that is very complete and inexpensive..
also try www.griotsgarage.com a little pricey but top of the line items...
If you are like me and a bit lazy, then I would suggest investing in a Porter Cable polisher.. costs a little over $100 at Lowes but well worth it due to the time and labor savings..
good luck
Dana

 

to add to my prior post that you should get some QD (quick detailer) use it after you wash, before you wax and again after wax and in between washes... really makes a huge difference on black vehicles..

 

so you use the QD before you wax?

 

I do use it because it makes the waxing go easier and helps clean up any waterspots, etc on the car.. it doesnt take long and some people just dont do it.. its a personal preference.. but if you are only washing and not waxing, then definitely QD..
Dana

 

thanks. I'm still looking for opinions on what I should do about wax. Right now, I have a black truck with 550 miles on it that has been washed 3 times. I'm looking for a combination of protection and shine since I live in 100 degree weather here in Mississippi. From what I've read, Klasse SG, Liquid Glass, and Meguiar's No. 26 are all good, but I'm hesitant to order because I'm not a professional detailer. It will increase the chance of error if I get one that requires a lot of prep work. If someone could take a look at what I have here and suggest a good product, I'd like to buy it today so I can put it on this coming weekend.

 

the Meg's 26... unless you want to order online.. you will get all kinds of opinions but you may want to look at
http://autopia.ws/forums/showthread....8&pagenumber=1
there is a wax test out there that ranks the different waxes..
but the Megs is highly regarded and easy to find..
I use Griots Garage Best of Show Wax, but you have to order it online...
Dana

 

subnet_rx ,

You can't go wrong with LG. Their is no prep work except washing with dawn and drying your truck really good. One thing that LG does suggest is to let your truck bake in the sun for a few hours after you wax. This is what I did:
Try to pick a day that it doesn't look like it's gonna rain for a day or two. I know this is hard to predict but some people have said that the LG can streak a little if it ges wet right after you wax it. If it does streak you just have to buff it again, no big deal.

1. Wash truck with Dawn to strip old wax.
2. Dry the truck completely and let it sit for about an hour.
3. Apply 1 coat of LG. I applied with a soft wax applicator I got at AutoZone.
4. Let it sit for a few minutents. Like 10 min. or so.
5. Remove wax with a soft cloth. I used a white t-shirt.
6. Let the truck sit in the sun for about 3 hours to "bake."

I waited about 3 days and applied another coat of LG.
I thought is went pretty well. As for the Quick Detailer. I use a Quick Detailer from the "Wax Shop." I got it at Advance Auto Parts. It seems to work pretty well. Some of the others I have used seemd to streak pretty bad and were kinda oily.
I will continue to use LG because it is easy to use. You don't have to go through some 12 step process with 6 different bottles of stuff and I get a good quality shine.

 

one last question. I've read a lot over at autopia, here, and properautocare. This site is the only one that really pushes LG, so after all of this reading, I think I'm going to go with Klasse.

My question is, with a truck that come off the assembly line in 4/02, should I use AIO with the SG? Or just the SG?