Protecting paint finish on a new vehicle

[VEX]

Just ordered my new pickup for the new business. Got a good deal on a metallic black one but I know keeping it clean will be tough.

Any recommendations on prepping the paint finsh to help me keep it clean and easier to clean up?

Used supaguard and diamondbrite before which were ok but as it's a new business I'm not willing to pay for it this time.

What do the PH massive recommend?

V.

[Mattt]

How far do you want to go?

Do you just want a sealant, or to fully detail it?

DIY or Pro?

[andy86]

hello mate
the supaguard stuff is pretty good but the next best thing i find is the autoglym super resin polish and resin hardener. cheaper then the supaguard stuff but works just as well.

[Deva Link]

VEX said:

Used supaguard and diamondbrite before which were ok but as it's a new business I'm not willing to pay for it this time.

You can generally buy the kits on eBay for next to nothing. I've used DiamondBrite on a couple of cars and it's dead easy to put on, but do try to keep it off any unpainted plastic / rubber.

[VEX]

Ideally I want to protect and then make it easy to clean / polish up each time.

Thanks

V.

[Deva Link]

If you polish over paint sealants then I imagine you'll just take it off.

I think they do make a difference - bird muck etc comes off easier. Don't know how long they'd last though.

[AndyMI16]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Isn't there an epic thread somewhere about a guy who bought a Toyota Hi-Lux and went to town on the Detailing straight from the Garage ?

The level of 'detailing' befitted an Enzo IIRC

L200 Steve - one of the original detailing legends, sadly no longer active on DW.

Some of the long term stuff is enjoying a new popularity at the moment - AQuartz has had good reviews, as has GTechniq's long term stuff which AFAIK is pro use only but well regarded.

I will be heading this route when my daily driver eventually gets replaced and I mgiht even use on the toy as my days (and nights) of spending endless hours polishing are pretty much over - young family and busy job have seen to that.

Over the years, I've not found a "bad" product when the winter comes and whilst donning my flame retardant suit would say that IMO Collinite is not significantly better than many other waxes or selants when it comes to protecting against the mucky months - for a while now I've simply accepted that the car will stay relatively horrible for some months and be washed when it's mild enough - freezing water on a sloping driveway can't compete with making snowmen with the kids I'm afraid!

[diesel piston]

VEX said:

Just ordered my new pickup for the new business. Got a good deal on a metallic black one but I know keeping it clean will be tough.

Any recommendations on prepping the paint finsh to help me keep it clean and easier to clean up?

Used supaguard and diamondbrite before which were ok but as it's a new business I'm not willing to pay for it this time.

What do the PH massive recommend?

V.

With out going to massive expense and something you can easily apply yourself (approx every 6 months) Gtechniq C2 takes some beating.
Stays cleaner and washes easier.
http://www.gtechniq.com/shop/3s-for-cars/exterior-...
Or a more expensive and durable sealant have a look at Nanolex products
http://www.nanolex.de/en

[VEX]

diesel piston said:

With out going to massive expense and something you can easily apply yourself (approx every 6 months) Gtechniq C2 takes some beating.
Stays cleaner and washes easier.
http://www.gtechniq.com/shop/3s-for-cars/exterior-...
Or a more expensive and durable sealant have a look at Nanolex products
http://www.nanolex.de/en

Thanks DieselP.

Looking at all the reviews for the C2 from gtechniq and ordered a full set of their Winter....Whatever Kit, a wash mitt and a drying towel.

Any recommendation on a good cleaner to use with this when using the C2 as a QD?

Managed to get the detailers who will be preping the truck before I take delivery to agree to apply it for me, for a case of beer or a few beer tokens.

will post up how it works.

Thanks again

V.

[diesel piston]

VEX said:

diesel piston said:

With out going to massive expense and something you can easily apply yourself (approx every 6 months) Gtechniq C2 takes some beating.
Stays cleaner and washes easier.
http://www.gtechniq.com/shop/3s-for-cars/exterior-...
Or a more expensive and durable sealant have a look at Nanolex products
http://www.nanolex.de/en

Thanks DieselP.

Looking at all the reviews for the C2 from gtechniq and ordered a full set of their Winter....Whatever Kit, a wash mitt and a drying towel.

Any recommendation on a good cleaner to use with this when using the C2 as a QD?

A bit of a bargain that, its all good stuff. http://gtechniq.com/shop/3s-for-cars/kits/winter-w...
A cleaner, do you mean what to wash with ? You can use a normal car low PH shampoo, personally I use ONR then dry off using the C2 QD

[VEX]

ONR is mentioned a few times. Is it a brand or an acronym?

Thanks again.

V

[diesel piston]

VEX said:

ONR is mentioned a few times. Is it a brand or an acronym?

Thanks again.

V

Optimum No Rinse, good stuff, safe and well thought of, no fannying on with hosepipes
http://www.optimumcarcare.com/onrwns.htm

[VEX]

Wrong thread post. Update later

Edited by VEX on Monday 29th November 10:05

[daveR6]

As mentioned, C2 or something like Nanolex will provide excellent durability.

Apply and watch the beading from your window for many months......

[VEX]

Well, had the truck for about 3 weeks now and very impressed with the gtech stuff. Need to order another kit though and it all went coating a very large pickup and canopy.

Beading is amazing off the bonnet and watching the beads start to group together and then run off even when parked on the drive is hours of fun!

Applied c1 & c2 last weekend in actual freezing conditions and it when on and came off with no issues at all. Now watching beads in the window as well.

Top stuff, highly recommend.

Thanks to all who posted

V

Will post up before and after cleaning pics when I get round to cleaning it.

[diesel piston]

VEX, I forgot to ask which pickup you bought, I`ve had a 2.4d Hilux,3.0td Rodeo and a 2.5TDCi Ranger and looking to get a VW Amarok next year.

[VEX]

Had a ranger, but that went back to the old company.

This new one is a rodeo Denver max and I actually prefer it. Running around 30mpg already on an engine with on 800 miles on it.

V.