Yearly Buff

[AndrewDugas]

Good Afternoon All,
Still new to the forum and spring is coming, so I figured I would double check my logic. I drive a 2013 Ram that is white. It's the express model, so it's my work truck that doubles as my "nice" car. This proves one great conundrum. I want to keep my truck looking fairly nice, for a driver. But, it sits outside year 'round and I use it as a truck. So, I have some marks on the paint (mostly light swirls, not too much of a compound swirl, and a mark on the hood from where a cat decided climb up it).

As I said, I try to keep my truck clean and swirl free, I use the two-bucket wash method and microfiber drying towels. But, I still get swirls (such is life). I would like to do a yearly/bi-yearly buff of my truck. I was thinking of using Meguiar's clay bar, followed by Meguiar's Swirl X, followed by Meg's NXT Tech Wax 2.0. I have a Porter Cable DA buffer. White Lake Land CCS pads for the swirl x, and Red CCS pads for the NXT. I figure speed of 4-5 for the swirl x, and 3-4 for the NXT.

As a yearly buff (keeping in mind that I try to do tuneups on my wax when possible, PA winters are a bit of a hindrance) how does this sound to everyone?

Thanks in advance for any input!

[The Guz]

Re: Yearly Buff

Sounds like a good plan to me.

Swirls are going to happen especially on a daily driver. Continue using your 2 bucket wash and you limit the amount of them. Also using a spray wax in between will extend the life of your wax as well as making your truck look good.

[LS1BERLINA]

Re: Yearly Buff

Sounds like a good plan. I also have become really fond of the cleaner waxes as a timesaver between full details, they work great keeping nice paint in good shape with little effort.

[AndrewDugas]

Re: Yearly Buff

Thanks for the advice, guys! I have limited garage access, so my chances to buff are limited. I appreciate the re-enforcing thoughts. If I limit my washes, is there anything I can do in between to get things like bird dirt or even little bits of road grime off of the paint?

[AndrewDugas]

Re: Yearly Buff

Sorry, I misread what you said, Guz. I should not be reading posts when I first wake up. Again, thank you both for your advice!

[MTLian]

Re: Yearly Buff

Step 1 - buy a porter cable 7424xp or the Meguiars DA polisher
step 2 - get two backing plates: 5 inch and 3.5 inches.
step 3 - get some cutting pads, at least orange cutting

And then panel by panel

step 4 - wash and clay
step 5 - go over section with Ultimate compound and an orange pad
step 6 - apply a durable sealant to protect the nice swirl free paint. You could polish before but I find that ultimate compound finishes so nicely, I don't use a polish.

The dual action polisher is the only way to enjoy a nice, swirl free car (and nice clear headlights). The rest is just waxing over damaged, scratched or imperfect paint. It can take a pro 16 hours plus to fully get rid of all the swirls and get the paint perfect so don't even think about working by hand unless you wanna spend weeks trying to get it done.

[The Guz]

Re: Yearly Buff

Step 1 - buy a porter cable 7424xp or the Meguiars DA polisher
step 2 - get two backing plates: 5 inch and 3.5 inches.
step 3 - get some cutting pads, at least orange cutting

And then panel by panel

step 4 - wash and clay
step 5 - go over section with Ultimate compound and an orange pad
step 6 - apply a durable sealant to protect the nice swirl free paint. You could polish before but I find that ultimate compound finishes so nicely, I don't use a polish.

The dual action polisher is the only way to enjoy a nice, swirl free car (and nice clear headlights). The rest is just waxing over damaged, scratched or imperfect paint. It can take a pro 16 hours plus to fully get rid of all the swirls and get the paint perfect so don't even think about working by hand unless you wanna spend weeks trying to get it done.

He is good to go as he already has a porter cable and pads that will work with the products he has in his possession.

[drumdan]

I have a mini "survival" kit I take with me, especially to my gf's condo. Included in it, is SwirlX for the polishing step as well. After claying, I've found the SwirlX very effective in removing defects, and leaving the finish ready for pure polish, or wax. NXT is a great choice for the final step! I've heard about durability issues, but never experienced them. I've always had excellent results with NXT.

In my kit, I have Gold Class for the wax, and a bottle of Cleaner Wax just in case I'm feeling lazy. I definitely should include NXT.

[AndrewDugas]

Re: Yearly Buff

I was super impressed with NXT when I used it right before winter last year. It seemed to hold all the way up to February. My original detail of my truck actually did include Ultimate Compound on a white CCS pad. I just fear that using it yearly will cause me some burn through headaches down the road. I haven't detailed my vehicles for years, so I'm just really out of practice. My ram is the first vehicle with gloss to the paint and no major rust issues that I've owned since 2007. (College and Tech school out a serious crimp on my finances.).

Thanks again for all of your input. I did also get a smaller set of CCS pads in the same color, just to get into the nooks and crannies on my truck. Like above the d

[AndrewDugas]

Re: Yearly Buff

I was super impressed with NXT when I used it right before winter last year. It seemed to hold all the way up to February. My original detail of my truck actually did include Ultimate Compound on a white CCS pad. I just fear that using it yearly will cause me some burn through headaches down the road. I haven't detailed my vehicles for years, so I'm just really out of practice. My ram is the first vehicle with gloss to the paint and no major rust issues that I've owned since 2007. (College and Tech school out a serious crimp on my finances.).

Thanks again for all of your input. I did also get a smaller set of CCS pads in the same color, just to get into the nooks and crannies on my truck. Like above the door handle, b-pillar, and front and rear bumpers.

[DetailGk]

Re: Yearly Buff

I feel your pain. I'm also in the Northeast and use my truck as a DD. You may want to consider coatings. I went with opticoat, and when/if I buff every year, I won't be removing any of my clear coat. As a bonus, you get more protection from road salt and can use touch less washes in the winter when it's too cold for a 2 bucket.