The sun isn't really the damaging part, it's the temperature of the body. It needs to be cold before washing or waxing or it will swirl. The deal with the sun is that obviously, if it sits in the sun, it will warm up the body. As for claying, it takes about 45 minutes on a SuperCrew, and waxing one coat about an hour to an hour and a half. The time for waxing is more for allowing it to dry. I would recommend claying even if new. I did my wifes caravan, and even though it's new, I could feel little dots when running my hand over it. You can try that on yours, but the claying isn't expensive. You can even buy the bars at Walmart.

As for towels, 100% cotton towels to dry or remove the wax. These can be purchased at Walmart or Kmart. I got mine at Kmart. They were only 2.50 each on sale. Just good timing. Don't buy the towels at the autoparts store that say 100% cotton. They really are not. The way to tell is see where they are made. Most will say Pakistan. I also purchased some Microfiber towels to see what the big deal is about those things, and I have to admit, they are seriously soft, but way to expensive. A little towel can be 12.00. Buy a good wax, such as Mequires or 3M, but most of us here prefer Zaino. It is good stuff.

Congrats on getting the new truck. The way I got to do my truck was to do the wife's Caravan first! :-)
She didn't say a word about me spending an entire Sunday cleaning them both up and detailing them. But, you could definitely tell a difference on the vehicles. The shine was awesome.

 

I bought USA made 100% cotton towels at WalMart. Bought 4 hand towels for washing and 4 bath towels for drying, polishing, etc. Didn't spend more than $15-20 on all of them.

jeffrich, I would highly recommend Zaino. The initial investment, both cost and time, is a little high but the return and maintenance is easy. Before Zaino I tried everything from Meguiars to Turtle Wax as well as those 'easy-to-use' one step or wax as u dry products. They all work okay but the easy to use stuff does not last very long.

The Zaino shine is unbelievable and it holds up well.

Check out www.zainobros.com for details. You have to mail order or find a local distributor for it but I tell you, you will not be dissappointed.

 

if you don't want to spend the extra money and time on zaino, but still want an awsome shine and great protection. get some liquid glass (www.liquidglass.com) its expensive, but is great stuff! before i switched to zaino, this is the only stuff i'd let touch my truck. Zaino is a step above LG, but its fine for a daily driver that you just want to look great and have good protection

 

Thanks for the great advice. I think I'll get the towels and the liquid glass now. I don't forsee too many free weekends coming up and it's dark when I get home after work. No garage to work in

I'll get the clay bar and zaino in the spring when there is more daylight hrs to do it after work. Hopefully regular washes to get the sand and salt off this winter and the liquid glass will keep the paint looking good until spring.

Right now if a weekend opens up I'd rather jump in and drive it somewhere

also I just ordered an Access limited toneau cover and a bed/tailgate mat that I'll need to install when they arrive.

 

I'll beat Josh to the punch here...post some pics of your cover and mat when you get them. We're pic ****** in this forum if you haven't already noticed

 

i think i'm rubbin off on ya bill...next thing ya know you'll be cleaning the underside of your truck, and your taillight housings when you get your L tails (the you know whats should be in by the end of this week ) and any other place you can't see, but still will polish it. LoL

 

Is there not any detailing towels Made in the USA?! I went to K-mart, Wal-Mart, Autozone, and O'Reilly's and I can't find any. I guess the ones I'm using now must be the Pakistany towels, after reading this thread I'm scared to use them anymore. Is there a website where I could find some towels that are 100% cotton and Made in the USA?

 

hmmm, maybe check out kmarts and walmarts websites and stuff???

does cannon or fieldcrest have a site you can order from? they are two of the top brands.

 

Yeah, Josh, I guess you are gettin to me. Of course I will clean the housings before the new lights but I won't do it again. I just know you will do that at least once a year especially now since you are a first prize winner!!

Congrats, BTW!

Harleyboy, try like a home store like Mervyn's (maybe Dayton-Hudson in your area) or Macy's or something. Maybe won't get them as cheap but you should be able to find them. You could also try the Walmart or Target websites.

I'm not sure but maybe Costco or Sam's Club carry USA made towels as well.

Good luck!!

 

Don't have any of those stores around but I think I'll try the net later, it's too late tonight! Doesn't Zaino have some kind of detailing towels?

 

Zaino doesn't sell towels. You can go to www.autopia.org, www.yosteve.com, www.premiumautocare.com.
Also see www.web-cars.com/detail


But...you should be able to find towels at Kmart and Walmart. They have them here in my area. I bought mine from Kmart. Just look for Fieldcrest/Cannon on the tag, it will say 100% cotton, made in the USA on them. I promise.

The above sites specialize mostly in microfiber towels. I ordered one just to find out about them and they are definitely soft. But they are way expensive. I'm going to stick to cotton towels due to the cost. I plan to buy the "Absorser" for drying to give that a try, but I currently use a 100% cotton towel. I typically use one towel to get the excess water off, and a second towel for detailing the final water. I use a third cheap towel to dry the wheels and tires.

 

I haven't seen any Fieldcrest or Canon towels anywhere around, just the Viking brand that are Made in Pakistan. I'm gonna check out these sites now!

 

Man, isn't Arkansas the home of Walmart!! You'd think you'd have them on every corner and they'd have the towels if my Walmart way out here in Calif does.

Anyway, good luck. You're bound to find them I'd think. Maybe I'll have to become an internet reseller

 

Bill? Lets start a business selling 100% cotton towels.

 

I've been goin everywhere I guess I'll just have to find some on the net. If Rick and Bill start selling them I might have to go through them!