Truck sitting for one year...how to bring her back?

[chevyaddict83]

Good morning all.....I just bought a 1996 Gmc pickup, that has sat for almost a year. I would like to bring the shine back into her life, and would appreciate a few tips on how to do that. Has a learcoat, but water spotting etc.....no access to a buffer, will be all hand work. Some scratches in paint too. Any tips will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Dave.

[Murr1525]

Re: Truck sitting for one year...how to bring her back?

Pretty straight forward really...

I would look at:

1. Wash - Gold Class or Nxt soap
2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay kit, extra QD bottle
3. Clean - SwirlX or Ultimate Compound as needed.
4. Polish - Optional, but Deep Crystal Polish is easy to use.
5. Wax - Nxt 2.0
6. Wax - Nxt 2.0

7. Maintain - Ultimate Quick Wax for after future washes, and QD for removing bird droppings, etc.

[chevyaddict83]

Re: Truck sitting for one year...how to bring her back?

Thank you very much for that. There will definatley be before and after pics in here.....

[chevyaddict83]

Re: Truck sitting for one year...how to bring her back?

actually,one more question. It is going to actually be in the 50's this weekend. Is that too cold for the claybar and waxing?

[Murr1525]

Re: Truck sitting for one year...how to bring her back?

Tough call.

If you can get in the sun, and avoid dampness, you could be ok.

Depending on how bad the truck is, you may find you want to wash and clay, then focus on a panel or two a day with the cleaning/polishing/waxing.

[chevyaddict83]

Re: Truck sitting for one year...how to bring her back?

I might have to hold off a bit longer. its gonna bounce between the id 40's/50's, unless i try it bit by bit.Thanks again!

[Murr1525]

Re: Truck sitting for one year...how to bring her back?

Even if it is in the 70's, you may want to work bit by bit. Cleaning up messed up paint by hand is tiring.

[chevyaddict83]

Re: Truck sitting for one year...how to bring her back?

That is true, very true. I might try and do the nose saturday, cab sunday, and the bed monday.

[agp56]

Re: Truck sitting for one year...how to bring her back?

If you have the major portion of each of those three days available, and the weather holds, the plan in post #8 should give you a MUCH better looking truck!

[chevyaddict83]

Re: Truck sitting for one year...how to bring her back?

I'm gonna try.....I am kind of glad my second truck hasn't sold yet. I might be able to keep her in the garage this weekend, to get the tin up to temp.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Truck sitting for one year...how to bring her back?

Good luck. Hope you get all you want done. We will need pics of your progress.

[chevyaddict83]

Re: Truck sitting for one year...how to bring her back?

Well, Puchased everything I need, but didn't get to clean it this weekend. Spent my time just turning the wrenches. Kid I bought it off of wasn't all there. Lowered a 4wd truck 6 inches. So had to reverse that whole process, and swap the tranny in it. But for 400$, with new brakes, and exhaust, I am happy. Hopefully next weekend.