The Carwell product looks very interesting. I use the Mothers Back to Black. It's meant for plastics, but it works well on the frame as well. Y'all mentioned washing the truck in the horizontal direction (which I do as well) but how do y'all wax the truck? Do y'all use circular motions?

 

I wax in the same general direction also, just got to keep turning the rag so it polishes off the haze, then buff with a clean rag.

 

Absolutely.

I use it when ever I want a really good detail job on my truck. The wheel wells look better than new. I have a black truck, so nasty looking wheel wells really detract from shiney black paint.

 

Clean all non metal parts with good degreaser (simple green, etc.) then use 303 Aerospace Protectant on all non metal parts. My wheel wells front and back and all trim look better than when I bought the truck.

 

yup...keeps the plastic liner looking real good!

 

undercoated body, cleaned and scuffed frame and painted w/gloss black (rattle can style).

 

Did the rattle can thing on my 93 S-10 (5" lift 33's...cool little truck). Took off the bed, stripped the frame and suspension to bare metal and painted...looked awesome and held up well for the 4 yrs I owned that truck....but the overspray on the cab was horrible, some how it got under the tarp I had taped down to seal it off.

Don't think I'll ever risk that again. Looking for some simple ideas to clean the frame up and keep it looking new or maybe I'll just let it go.

 

Mark another vote for tire foam.
Works good on the plastic i nthe engine bay as well.. Just dont get any on the belts. This is my '97 dakota and the frame still shines. It only lasts 2-3 weeks then you gotta do it again. You can even spray it over dirt and it looks good.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/img_po...r_id=232114403

--Hop

 

sorry guys , IT dont matter if you go in circles or straight lines when you wash or wax . If your getting any marring in the finish YOU USING THE WRONG PRODUCT. If you want to really get them out and keep them out go to the Mequiars forums I am NOT saying for you to use their products but there is a wealth of info there from Pro Detailers some who do cars for commercials and Mega buck show cars.

Here is a shot before and after of a hood I use a xenon bulp light to highlight the swirls . These are not filled in like with wax or polish they were removed by using a Porta cable DA buffer and Maqiuiars # 83 dual action polish followed with #80 speed glaze and NXT wax

on the frame I would us a product called Protectall or a tire shine

 

Springer, thanks for the headsup on the meguiars forums, I'll have to check that out. As for washing and waxing in one direction or circles, it doesn't help prevent it, but straight line just makes it a bit less noticable depending on the angle of the light. Swirl marks will always have light hitting them in a direction to make them visible.

Nice before and after shots.

 

Just go to JOST garage in Wall across from SeaBreeze Ford, ask for Perry, they did every truck I had since 1980, total rustproofing & undercoating & the touch up for you on an annual basis, i"ve taken all my trucks on the beach, rust was never an issue, the frames always looked new when I got rid of them.

 

newfy, thanks for the tip. I too spend time on the beach (IBSP) and would love to also keep this truck for a long time, the rust proofing is something I've been seriously considering.

If you want to see my truck with the leveling kit, just drop me a pm.

 

2nd what Springer said,,,But. Save yourself some money, go to Lowe's and get the Porter-Cable 7336SP when it's on sale for $100.00 instead of $300.00 for the Meguiar's (which is basically the same tool). Do buy the Meguiar's pads and plate though.