Polish New Truck?

[spenpet]

Good morning all! I am new to the forum, so if this is on the wrong place, please let me know.

 

I have never polished a new truck before. I usually just give it a good wash then wax...

 

My question is, should I polish my truck prior to waxing? I know polishes typically have a slight abrasive material...I wasn't sure if that was more for oxidation or just to really clean the vehicle.

 

Anyway, I have one of those McGuire's DA power systems...So I already have the product, just didn't know if it was worth the time on a new ride.

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

[OldBlue61]

Being black, you might want to think about clay barring it first, then polish with a good carnuba-based wax. Don't use a cleaner wax on a new paint job - it SHOULDN'T need it. The clay bar should clean up anything you have in the paint, then a good carnuba wax, and you should be all set.

 

At least, that's what I've always done, and always had good results.

[TJay74]

It all depends on how the paint looks. If the truck is new and the paint has never been washed with a brush at the car wash or ran thru one of those automatic car washes that use brushed then I would say the paint probably doesn't need to be polished. You can take a fluorescent light and run it over the paint, if you can see micro scratches then you might need a polish.

 

Here are the steps though:

 

- Wash vehicle

- Clay bar vehicle

- Polish vehicle

- Seal the vehicle

- Wax vehicle

 

Those are the steps I go thru when I do our vehicles.

[cbrsilv15]

Check out a lot of videos with Adam's polishes. They are very informative and you can learn a lot. Once you look into paint correction, there's a lot to take in. With your vehicle being black, it's even harder to maintain a scratch/swirl free finish.

 

 

 

 

Here's their website. Summit Racing also carries their products.

 

http://adamspolishes.com/

 

I have well over $1k in products in my garage. Lol!

[spenpet]

I'm not familiar with a sealer? here is what I have...I have always been nervous about using a clay bar...I feel like i am going to grind the particulates into the paint...maybe I've just been too scared to try...

 

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G55107-Power-System-Kit/dp/B00A4ABF8W

 

the wax is a synthetic and the polish says its a pre-waxing glaze, is this the same as a sealer?

 

**I have never sent through a car wash, but dont know if the dealer did...I have hand washed it twice**

[dsr611]

I have always been nervous about using a clay bar...I feel like i am going to grind the particulates into the paint...maybe I've just been too scared to try...

 

 

You're scared to use a clay bar, yet ready to hit it with the DA kit? You need to use the clay bar system prior to any waxinig, polishing, buffing, etc. The clay bar system removes all contaminants from the paint surface that will cause scratches (even a brand new, straight off the lot vehicle has contaminants on the paint surface that will cause scratches)

[spenpet]

You're scared to use a clay bar, yet ready to hit it with the DA kit? You need to use the clay bar system prior to any waxinig, polishing, buffing, etc. The clay bar system removes all contaminants from the paint surface that will cause scratches (even a brand new, straight off the lot vehicle has contaminants on the paint surface that will cause scratches)

i have not used the DA kit...i said that is what i have...i got a claybar kit...so we'll see how that goes...

 

but at the root of my question...i dont think was ever answered...

 

after i wash (and now claybar) do i need to polish this before i wax it? again, this is a new paint job...wasnt sure...

[spenpet]

It all depends on how the paint looks. If the truck is new and the paint has never been washed with a brush at the car wash or ran thru one of those automatic car washes that use brushed then I would say the paint probably doesn't need to be polished. You can take a fluorescent light and run it over the paint, if you can see micro scratches then you might need a polish.

 

Here are the steps though:

 

- Wash vehicle

- Clay bar vehicle

- Polish vehicle

- Seal the vehicle

- Wax vehicle

 

Those are the steps I go thru when I do our vehicles.

i would say i cant see any micro scratches or swirl marks at all with the naked eye...dont really have a flourecent light to check though...

[cbrsilv15]

It's up to you. Some people are fine with just washing, clay and wax. Personally I prefer a sealant. Polishing takes time and that = money. You can use the light from your phone or even the sun. Lol. Use a light at night and you'll be surprised how many swirls you really have.

[spenpet]

It's up to you. Some people are fine with just washing, clay and wax. Personally I prefer a sealant. Polishing takes time and that = money. You can use the light from your phone or even the sun. Lol. Use a light at night and you'll be surprised how many swirls you really have.

Thanks. I hope there isn't much considering its new... But get it. Whenever I can get 4 hours to work on my truck, I plan on giving it the works... Wah, clay, Polish, wax (well I guess technically my liquid wax is actually a sealant)

 

At the end of the day, it's a truck... My goal is to keep it as nice as I can as long as I can... I'm not as concerned about keeping it looking like a show truck for 10 years... I go hunting and other things so it isn't going to be perfect... Just want to do what I can to protect it as well as I can.

[cbrsilv15]

You'll be amazed how many swirls there are from the dealer. It all comes from improper washing techniques. Good luck and enjoy the shiney ride when it's done!!