What to do now?

[62veedub]

So, I have a black granite metallic Chevy Silverado. The detail shop I went to recommended Klasse. When I picked up the truck, it looked great! During the first washing the water beaded up nicely. After it was dry I could see some of the old swirl marks and micro scratches. It still looks great, just not as good as before.

Now, I am on a 600 mile round trip road trip. The front of the truck is covered in bug guts. I am afraid that when I get home and wash the truck and remove the bug guts, that the Klasse will be gone on the front end.

I really feel the truck needs to be polished then sealed and waxed. Did I waste $300 at the detailer?

Should I start from scratch with Megs products?

I don't have a DA, yet...so all work I do is by hand. Please help!

[Murr1525]

Well, wax/sealants are meant to be a sacrificial barrier to protect the paint. So if it protected the paint, then great... but $300 is a lot just to wear off.

It would be cheaper to buy a few Meguiars products and do the detailing yourself if you have time. Even then, if you end up having to use a Bug/Tar remover to remove bugs after a long trip, the Meguiars products would be removed. But at least not $300.

So yeah, if that what you want to do, we can recomend a few products and processes to look at.

[62veedub]

Time is the problem for me right now. After the wedding and honeymoon next month, things should slow down.

Since the Klasse hid the majority of my defects,would I be able to get away with a light polish?

What can I use to protect the front end an will work with the Klasse that is still on the rest of the truck(assuming that the front end will be bare after bug removal)?

[wifpd4]

I'm unsure of compatibility with Klasse, but Meguair's Ultimate Wash and Wax Anywhere is great for bug removal. It's a wash and wax. It will remove bugs and may fortify the Klasse until you have time for more extensive work. It's available just about anywhere.

[Murr1525]

Since the Klasse hid the majority of my defects,would I be able to get away with a light polish?

A polish or cleaner/polish would almost certainly remove the wax that is left, so not the best idea right now.

What can I use to protect the front end an will work with the Klasse that is still on the rest of the truck(assuming that the front end will be bare after bug removal)

UW&WA gets good reviews for that. A wet fabric softener sheet never hurts.

If it is clean, you could apply any wax or cleaner/wax. UQW would be a good quick option.

[Please Wash Me Detailing]

Wash it then a spray wax of your choice

[62veedub]

Made it home tonight...collected just as many bugs on the way back! I will give it a good washing tomorrow night and then a coat UQW, then go from there. Thanks for all the advice! I can see a complete strip, polish, and wax coming up late September! Need to work on those swirls!

[Mark Kleis]

Made it home tonight...collected just as many bugs on the way back! I will give it a good washing tomorrow night and then a coat UQW, then go from there. Thanks for all the advice! I can see a complete strip, polish, and wax coming up late September! Need to work on those swirls!

Quick tip: When removing dried bugs it is best to take a few microfiber towels and soak them in the car wash solution and then place them on the effected areas and allow to soak for 1-2 minutes. Remove the towel and then use your wash mitt and the bugs should VERY easily wipe away. If they do not come right off, soak longer and try again. Be very careful not to grind them into the paint because some bug guts can scratch the paint.

[62veedub]

I started at the back of the truck and left the front for last. When I got close to the front I hosed off all of the large particles then let it soak. About 98 percent of the bugs came right off! I then let it soak more while I washed the hood and windshield. I was very surprised to find that the bugs did not stick as bad as it looked. This weekend I will wash again and apply UQW and see how she looks.