Washed/Dried/Waxed - What a Job

CapitalTruck · October 9, 2006

I spent the day off today washing/drying/waxing my 04 Silverado Ext. Cab. It isn't easy waxing a white truck I tell you. d**n job almost killed me. I'm still using Nu Finish (I've been using it for years now). Anybody else have luck with it? I like it because it seems to last a pretty long time.

rogue_rob · October 10, 2006

I think my truck is still white..... I haven't washed it in so long I don't remember haha.

I've been waiting to wash it and I plan on using Ice from turtle wax on it. I have used it on my bike and it looks pretty good.

kssooner · October 10, 2006

My truck is black but it hardly ever gets washed. I live on gravel roads so it takes all about of an hour or two for it to get dirty again. However it needs a good wax job and I just haven't gotten the energy yet (it seems like a huge job). But "Ice" from turtle wax is a great product.

CapitalTruck · October 13, 2006

Never heard of Turtle Wax's "Ice". I should look into that the next time I wax. Like I said in the email, prepare to use about 3-4 hours to wash/dry/wax. I'll try "Ice" next time around.

My truck is black but it hardly ever gets washed. I live on gravel roads so it takes all about of an hour or two for it to get dirty again. However it needs a good wax job and I just haven't gotten the energy yet (it seems like a huge job). But "Ice" from turtle wax is a great product.

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Mertz · October 17, 2006

Throw a clay bar treatment and another wash & dry cycle in and tell me how you feel! Had to do mine last weekend, had about 12-15 little rust spots starting up. The clay bar took them off pretty well thank God, I bought the truck new less than a year and a half ago. Looks purdy again though, so it was worth it!

Dana_15 · October 17, 2006

Nu Finish isn't bad, but if you haven't clay bar'd your truck yet its highly recommended. High quality paint sealants such as Zaino or Klasse (what I use....has a very mild polish in it also) last along time also. I hear ya on the wax job taking awhile, my crew cab is a pain, I can barely reach the center of the hood and I need a ladder to do the roof......but its worth it!

rjirvine · October 17, 2006

I Havn't tried nufinish, but I do like the mcguires 1-2-3 step process. It makes my truck paint really shine. Of course, a clay bar is a must if you're serious about your paint. Just don't drop it!

rjirvine · October 17, 2006

Opp's I meant Mothers....

CapitalTruck · October 17, 2006

Well, that settles it, next time I'll be buying a clay bar.

rjirvine · October 18, 2006

The way I use a clay bar: I wash the truck and then rinse it. then use the soapy rag to wet the surface, and rub the clay bar. use firm but not rough pressure, turning, kneading it frequently. Keep the surface wet & soapy and run your hand behind it to feel any protuberances on the surface you can't see. When you're done wash the surface off, then rinse and apply your favorite wax. You'll love it!

firefighteremt3100 · October 18, 2006

The way I use a clay bar: I wash the truck and then rinse it. then use the soapy rag to wet the surface, and rub the clay bar. use firm but not rough pressure, turning, kneading it frequently. Keep the surface wet & soapy and run your hand behind it to feel any protuberances on the surface you can't see. When you're done wash the surface off, then rinse and apply your favorite wax. You'll love it!

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Couple questions on there. I bought the Mothers Clay Bar kit. I know someone will chime in and say read the directions. But since I didnt open the box yet, Ill ask anyway.

First, do you run the bar back and forth, or in a certain motion? Circular/side to side/another way?

Second, what do you use to wet the surface. I've heard some people use water, some people use some spray detail. Any help would be appreciated.

And am I right in assuming this is the steps one should take:

Wash, Dry, Claybar, Wash, Dry, Wax/Seal?

I also have to use a "Swirl Remover" in there somewhere. Would this be the correct order?

Wash, Dry, Claybar, Wash, Swirl Remove, Wash, Dry, Wax/Seal?

Thanks. Never claybared before. Just dont want to mess up the surface.

rjirvine · October 18, 2006

no... it's wash, rinse, put soapy water on, claybar, wash again, rinse. The soapy water helps the claybar slide without scratching, you don't want to rub in on dry. If the surface does get dry, just put more soapy water on it, It won't hurt. You'll get the hang of it in no time. You'll be amazed at the crap it brings up. If you've ever used Zaino products, they will tell you to claybar/wax the vertical surfaces up and down and the hood roof etc front to back.

SLPR_04 · October 18, 2006

i used a claybar for the first time this past weekend, and i am sold on it. i have been telling anybody i can about it. i have a '04 ext. cab sierra summit white and the outcome was unbelievable. IMO white is one of the hardest colors to get a high gloss reflection out of. after the claybar treatment all i can say is WOW!!!

the overall time i spent on it was about 3.5hrs. i went about it like this, wash/dry, claybar, wash/dry, wax, wash/dry. i used good ole dawn blue dish washing liquid on the "first" wash to strip the wax off to help the claybar out a little. when using the claybay i used a back and forth method with an overlap on each pass. the amount of pressure you use with the bar depends on what you are trying to remove. i used the "Mothers claybar kit", and used the spray detailer that came with the kit to keep the bar lubed. i don't guess it matters what you use to keep the bar lubed. then to seal it all in i used Meguiar's NTX synthetic wax. all i can say is that it was worth every bit of time i spent on it.

jhm · October 18, 2006

My truck is black but it hardly ever gets washed. I live on gravel roads so it takes all about of an hour or two for it to get dirty again. However it needs a good wax job and I just haven't gotten the energy yet (it seems like a huge job). But "Ice" from turtle wax is a great product.

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My truck is also black and I will never buy another. Hardly even worth washing, only stays clean for a few miles. I had black cars but for some reason I don't remember them getting dirty as quick. Aerodynamics?

Nappers · October 18, 2006

I used the Mequires Clay bar and used the quick detalier spray that it came with. I washed, dryed, clayed I went back and forth as not to add any swirl marks that I dont need. Use microfiber towel then used the cleaner wax that it came with then waxed it with NXT wax, looked good as new if not better 2000 GMC Yukon.

Have fun.

Aaron