How to get more gloss?

[Alphonse]

I just clayed my new truck and waxed it using Ultimate Liquid Wax. It is smooth, slick and looks very good. If I use Ultimate Polish before the Liquid Wax, would it have more gloss? Keep in mind the paint is new, truck was built late August.

[Eldorado2k]

Re: How to get more gloss?

Just my opinion: If there's currently any swirls on the paint, yes.

If there's no swirls on your new truck, then I would have clayed & waxed, just as you did.

[The Guz]

Re: How to get more gloss?

A polish is intended to refine the finish after compound as well as imparting gloss. A lighter colored car (white or silver, etc..) don't get the pop like a darker colored car (black, red, etc..).

The care of the paint also plays a factor (swirls, rotary holograms...).

[Alphonse]

Re: How to get more gloss?

It is a new truck with no damage or swirls in the paint. BTW, it is white. Was hoping to get it a little more glossy but guess the white paint is the culprit here. It is shining but not looking wet at all.

[Nick Winn]

Re: How to get more gloss?

It is tough to get a deep or wet look on a light colored car but by all means a polish like Ultimate Polish will certainly provide a more high gloss to a white colored car.

White is actually not an easy color to work on because defects are hidden more easily than a dark color. We hate to say this but it is rare that a new car has no swirl marks that need to be addressed, it just takes some good evaluation techniques & lighting to see them. If the vehicle has light swirls marks, these are affecting the gloss on the vehicle.

Meguiar's Ultimate Polish is also considered a cleaner/polish, which means it has mild cleaning ability to remove light swirls. Light colored vehicles respond well to this cleaning ability as it works to brighten up the paint and produce a more high gloss.

Are you working by hand or machine?

[JET_Fusion]

The wet look on a silver car is tough. Way more likely than not the light colored car won't be able to match that of the darker cars. The trick for light colored cars is the surface prep. Also, experiment with different types of wax. I've found certain paints do better with specific waxes. The only other factor is the choice of lighting, but that's a different story.

[Alphonse]

Re: How to get more gloss?

Working by hand. I have a RO polisher but applying ULW by hand after clay bar.

[Nick Winn]

Re: How to get more gloss?

Working by hand. I have a RO polisher but applying ULW by hand after clay bar.

What type of Random Orbital?

[Alphonse]

Re: How to get more gloss?

Griot's

[Nick Winn]

Re: How to get more gloss?

Reason we ask is it is quite amazing how much a dual action random orbital polisher can really maximize the performance of a product especially when it comes to trying to produce a high gloss on a light colored vehicle. Working in Meguiar's Ultimate Polish, applied on a foam polishing pad, with your dual action polisher, would be our recommendation for a first step to try to obtain more gloss.

[Eldorado2k]

Re: How to get more gloss?

The wet look on a silver car is tough. Way more likely than not the light colored car won't be able to match that of the darker cars. The trick for light colored cars is the surface prep. Also, experiment with different types of wax. I've found certain paints do better with specific waxes. The only other factor is the choice of lighting, but that's a different story.

I couldn't agree more with this statement.^

IMO, surface prep/claying can be taken to its highest level when it comes to white colored vehicles unlike any other color.

Every tiny bit of bonded contaminants such as tar, iron deposits, grit, etc. shows up on white paint when viewed up close with the naked eye. I'm always way more critical during the waxing stage on a white car because any bit of debris or dust that falls on the paint while I'm waxing is noticable.

Here's an extreme example of bonded contaminants on a white colored vehicle.



And this is it after I clayed it and used Ultimate Compound w/ Megs Thin Foam Cutting Pad. 100% Clarity.



It's nice, but it's not quite as sexy as black or any other dark color even when it's completely perfect. It'll never be. It's main redeeming factor is being free and clear of contaminants vs. depth of color that can be seen on dark colored cars.

It really helps if you maintain any exterior trim as new/black as possible on a white colored vehicle. Same with the tires. The contrast between the black trim and white paint makes a big difference.

[Alphonse]

Re: How to get more gloss?

Reason we ask is it is quite amazing how much a dual action random orbital polisher can really maximize the performance of a product especially when it comes to trying to produce a high gloss on a light colored vehicle. Working in Meguiar's Ultimate Polish, applied on a foam polishing pad, with your dual action polisher, would be our recommendation for a first step to try to obtain more gloss.

Okay Nicholas, I have got the beast (3/4 ton diesel truck) sequestered in the garage and polishing still in progress. Easy for me to get the polisher out and run a panel or two with Ultimate Polish and then Ultimate Liquid Wax. I assume that the final coat of Ultimate Wax is to be applied by hand - please confirm.

[The Guz]

Re: How to get more gloss?

UW can be applied by machine or by hand. Personal preference.

White can still look good but you won't get that wow factor like a dark colored car. White needs the right lighting and the correct angle. Unlike a dark colored car which looks good from almost any angle.

Polishing does help. White if not maintained can have a dingy look to it. Just to give you an idea here are some examples of a similar car model in a light color and dark color to give you an idea of how different they look when polished.

Here's a comparison shot of my white Camaro and my dad's Camaro. Both have been polished with a nano glass coating applied on them.









Same thing with my silver Grand Prix vs my brothers red Grand Prix. The red just blows mine away in terms of gloss.

[Nick Winn]

Re: How to get more gloss?

Okay Nicholas, I have got the beast (3/4 ton diesel truck) sequestered in the garage and polishing still in progress. Easy for me to get the polisher out and run a panel or two with Ultimate Polish and then Ultimate Liquid Wax. I assume that the final coat of Ultimate Wax is to be applied by hand - please confirm.

Remember to apply Ultimate Polish in 2 foot square areas at a time at the max. Ultimate Wax can be applied with your D/A also with a foam finishing pad.

[Alphonse]

Re: How to get more gloss?

Remember to apply Ultimate Polish in 2 foot square areas at a time at the max. . . . . . .

I assume that is to avoid loss of lubricity while you are working it or wiping it off dry?