Is it pratic to expect a dailey driver to stay scratch free

[sugarbear]

OK guys/girls I am new at this and wanted to know if it is possible or at least pratical to keep your car/truck scratch free. I have been working for several weeks trying to get my 04 Dekota (flame red) scratch free. My truck is outside 24/7, and a daily driver. I thought that I had it under control. I did the following: Wash with NXT car wash, Clayed with Quick Clay/QD, washed with NXTcar wash, DC #1 (with PC), #9 (with PC), #7 (with PC), and NXT X2 (with PC). When I finished I had minimum scratches left and I was proud of the look. A few days went by with me using QD one day and FI the next (trying to see which one I liked the best). I used a Calf. Duster prior to QDing and micro fiber towels (Sam's Club 12 for $8.00). To my surprise the sun hit the truck just right and it was loaded down with scrtches and that was the day I got very discouraged. So one more time I asked is it pratical for a newbe like myself to expect to keep his truck clear of scratches.
P.S. I have enjoyed the great amount of knowledge you guys/girls have shared with me through my reading your posts.

[Mike Phillips]

Hi sugarbear,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Keeping a car's finish, (or a truck or S.U.V.'s), is only possible by either never driving it, or continually maintaining it.

Even show cars exhibit scratches in the form of cobweb-effect if not maintained constantly. Your vehicle's finish will always look it's best immediately after you apply and remove your LSP and then back away and admire the results. After this, your results will tend to diminish as time goes by and the vehicle is touched or exposed to wear and tear of daily driving environments.

We purchased a brand new Honda Pilot with a black finish, (clear coated), it always looks great right after I have waxed, but even after one car washing, the results of the previous work will have diminished to some degree.

The results you achieve with antibody's car wax or polish will tend to get worse and worse with time and exposure to wear & tear, not better and better.

(That's one of the reasons I like NXT Spray Wax, I can quickly restore that just waxed look in about 15-20 minutes.

Mike

[tguil]

Sugarbear,

Howdy and welcome.

Before I start, you may not have removed all of the micro scratches and swirls in your truck. Try using DACP #83 immediatley after claying. It's the best preparation product available. Period. Then apply the NXT.

1. The minute you take your truck out on the highway it is going to get dusty. Enjoy it for as long as possible without touching it.

2. Don't use a California Duster or a QD to get the dust off, especially if your truck has been outside overnight. (Lot's of folks will disagree with me on this.)

3. Wash your truck freguently using a high quality car shampoo. Use a cotton Chenille wash mit. Dry your truck with high quality microfiber towels. Not the Walmart variety.

4. QD or use NXT Spray Booster after you wash your truck. Use high quality microfiber polishing cloths to remove the QD and Spray Booster. If you use the Spray Booster use a foam pad to apply it.

I live on a gravel road. The only time my black Hemi looks perfect is immediately after I wash and detail it. BUT most of the time it looks better than 90% of the vehicles on the road dust and all.

Tom