New from Middle TN

[meanmike]

I'm from Hendersonville, TN. I've recently become very intersted in detailing cars above and beyone what I used to do. I also just recieved the PC7424 for christmas and just ordered some pads and supplies from Autodetailingsolutions on reccomendation from my local message board tennesspeed.net.

My daily driver is a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab. I've owned everything from a 72 Buick GS to a 2000 Mustang GT with twin turbos. I probably won't be posting much, but I do intend to do a lot of searching because there is a lot of info already here.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: New from Middle TN

Hi meanmike

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

You'll find lots of friendly and helpful people on this forum always willing to lend a cyber-hand!



List 'O Links

Many of the things we cover in our Saturday Classes are discussed and talked about in the threads found in the sub-forums of the Information Station


Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
How To Remove Swirls By Hand
How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX
Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line
Circles or Straight Lines?
Which LSP is Best for Light Colors
How to locate Meguiar's Professional & Detailer products in your hometown
How to tell when a Meguiar's wax is ready to remove - The Swipe Test
The Dual Action Counterweight "Controversy"
What are the Differences Between Meguiar's Waxes
What's the Deal with "Layering"?
Measuring Clear Coat Thickness
Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer
Glass Polishing...Deep Cleaning
NXT Tech Wax Cure Time
Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car
Colored Waxes - Do they really work?
PC + #83 not "Cutting" it! - The Limits of the Dual Action Polisher
What it Means to Remove a Scratch
Why Meguiar's Recommends Polishing Paint
A Lesson From White Paint
Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

[cmd]

Re: New from Middle TN

welcome to MOL have fun learning some of the bountiful detail info located here

[meanmike]

Re: New from Middle TN

Thank you. That looks like some good stuff.

I guess this might be as good a place as any to outline what I'll be doing to my truck. Most of this is off of reccomendation of Tungsten from here and my local forum. My truck is metalic silver. It sees plenty of road grime, a little mud from time to time and is generally a mess on the outside after a good rain. I'm not looking for the ultimate in shine, I just want the paint to stay looking good for a long time. I'm also interested in reducing the cleaning time.

1.) Wash with Meguiars NXT wash (2 buckets, brushes, MF mits, Grit guards etc.) It's a 4x4 with big tires and is usually covered in grit and grime, so washing can take me a couple hours to do it right. I dry it with the meguiars water magnet.

2.) lite touch up of removing bugs and tar then follow with clay (I've already done this a week ago, but ran out of time to do the rest)

3.) M83 w/ 7006 pad
4.) M9 w/ 8006 pad
5.) M21 w/ 9006 pad

On the interior, A good vacuuming, window cleaning and quick int. detailer all around. The interior stays relatively clean for a truck

The truck has 20" chrome wheels a 33" Nitto terra grappler tires that can take as long to clean as a small car. I use Meguiars Hot rims chrome wheel cleaner with a brush and follow up by dressing the tires and wheel wells with whatever dressing I have in the garage at the time.

I've also put my toneau cover on recently and need a good way to clean and protect it. Any ideas?

I've got a lot of meguiars stuff at my disposal, so if someone sees something that would be better suited give me more input.

PC buffer w/ 7,8,9006 pads
M21,26,9 & 83
DC1,2,3
Gold Class wax
NXT tech wax (liquid)
gold class leather conditioner
hot rims chrome wheel cleaner
Detailer line window cleaner
ScratchX
Quick detailer
Grey clay bars
Plenty of good microfiber towels for both paint and windows
NXT wash
Deep Crystal wash
Mothers back to black for ext. trim (I'm almost out, so I'll be replacing it with meguiars equivalent soon)
I generally use simple green as an all purpose cleaner, but from reading it seems to be a little harsh.

[BlueZero]

Re: New from Middle TN



I want to see photos! Sounds like a sweet ride. Some people notice hazing left with M83 or a 7006 pad. You might want to use the M83 on a 8006 pad. Or if the swirls aren't too bad, use M80 with the 8006. What color is the truck? Is your toneau cover fiberglass or fabric? I'm sure some of the guys and gals with more experience will jump in about the 7006 pad issue. I just figured I'd mention it.

Welcome to Meguiar's Online.

[meanmike]

Re: New from Middle TN

I don't have any really good pics of the truck right now. I'll post some if I get to work on the paint this weekend.

The toneau is fabric

The truck:



The mustang: I sold it not long ago. Can't decide on a replacment yet.



The mustang had everything under the sun. 6 speed, built motor, 31 spline axles. Young's Performance prototype twin turbo kit, Maximum motorsports suspension. 550hp to the wheels on 13lbs. of boost.

[Murr1525]

Re: New from Middle TN

Obviously cant see any swirls in the pic, but it looks like you keep it in good shape. You might find that all you need is #80 + 8006 pad, then follow up with #21 + 9006 pad.

The 7006 pad isnt really recomended to be used on paint with the PC. It can be used under a bonnet for removing wax.

I actualy apply Bug and Tar remover if needed before washing, let it soak a little, then wash the car. Seems a little faster for me. Dont know if you would find it faster, but maybe an idea.

If you wanted to have some fun, you could try the Nxt Metal Polysh on your rims.

I stopped using Simple Green a while ago as well, and have been using the All Purpose Cleaner ever since.

[meanmike]

Re: New from Middle TN

I bought the 6 pad kit from ADS, so I got two of the 7006 pads. I have few relatively deep scratches from a tree branch on the side of the truck and I'm going to try out those pads there, it may or may not work.

Usually the truck is so dirty that I can't even see the tar and bugs, so that's why I have to wash it first. There are definitely swirls in the paint, but it's hard to see them even in really good sunlight because of the color. I just want to get practice before I hit some friends cars with the #83. And believe me there is plenty of room to practice.

Is the NXT metal polish safe for chrome wheels? Usually all they need is a good cleaning, but a good protectant would be nice.

[Murr1525]

Re: New from Middle TN

Yup, the Nxt Metal Polysh is safe for chrome. Now if you used the cleaner every time, obviously it would remove the protectant. So you would have to judge if it is worth it or not.

I use the All Wheel Cleaner on my car, and I swear it leaves something behind on the surface as well, but maybe it is just me. Ever get that feeling with the Chrome Wheel Cleaner?

[meanmike]

Re: New from Middle TN

I use the All Wheel Cleaner on my car, and I swear it leaves something behind on the surface as well, but maybe it is just me. Ever get that feeling with the Chrome Wheel Cleaner?

Nope, it's squeaky clean after using it. I have to be very careful to get it all out of the cracks and crevices or it will run and leave a chalky area on the chrome. It may be an acid cleaner, but I've never checked. I only use it every few washings to get heavy brake residue and tar off the wheels.

[Murr1525]

Re: New from Middle TN

I should add that I meant something good is left behind, cause the surface feels so smooth and even my mufflers wash clean easily.

[gorin002]

Re: New from Middle TN

welcome to mol
man i love ram ram alll the way lalalalala.^-^