Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    44
    Post Thanks / Like

    The Ol` Beater Truck Gets Its First "Detail" (56k Safe...I Think)

    Well, why I can`t say I was trying to achieve the "ultimate detail and brightest shine", this weekend was the first time I`ve ever tried to detail my truck and see if I could awaken it from the depths of paint hell!

    Before coming to this site, this is what the truck always looked like:


    After spending a little time here at DC, I decided to go ahead and give the truck a nice bath. While that certainly removed some dirt, it just didn`t do much for the paint itself...still dull, faded, with lots of oxidation and blemishes:


    From spending some time researching, and talking with a few members, I learned about Meguiar`s ColorX product and decided I`d go ahead and give it a try. So, while it`s not mine, I was able to get access to a 10" orbital buffer (and garage!), and although I was in a hurry and didn`t have much time, I was able to lay down one application of the ColorX product.

    Well, it didn`t do a whole lot for the blemishes and stains (as you see in the above "before" pictures), and while I`m not sure or not if the pictures do it justice, everyone who saw it this weekend remarked about how much "more red it looked", and not "faded & dull":


    I apologize for the brief number of "after pictures" and overall low picture quality, but it started raining just a few minutes after I snapped these (see last picture).

    Overall, I must say that while the ColorX stuff couldn`t remove a lot of the things that plague the paint, it really surprised me with its ability to revive the color and make it look like normal automotive paint...not flat spray paint!

    Would you guys recommend that I try anything else? Will anything at least somewhat remove the stains, blemishes and other stuff (don`t really care that much about the scratches and dents...those just happen with a work truck)?

    I`m tired and going to bed...been a long weekend.

    -Jlells01.

    P.S. - How do you like the ImageShack thing? A friend turned me onto it and says that it`s the best compromise for dial-up & broadband while allowing you to see a small preview without having to download the whole thing...

  2. #2
    Pinnacle Detailing Owner GregCavi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Lake City, MN
    Posts
    2,883
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: The Ol` Beater Truck Gets Its First "Detail" (56k Safe...I Think)

    Nice job of reviving the paint. Before it looked dull and oxidized and it looks very clean now. Good JOb!

    Greg

  3. #3
    Whose yer DADDY!??!?!?!?! LastDetail's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Huntington Beach, Ca
    Posts
    563
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: The Ol` Beater Truck Gets Its First "Detail" (56k Safe...I Think)

    I agree with Greg, looks tons better.
    What was your prep?

  4. #4
    Swirls?!?! NNOOOOOOO!!!!! Big Leegr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    2,845
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: The Ol` Beater Truck Gets Its First "Detail" (56k Safe...I Think)

    Quote Originally Posted by jlells01
    P.S. - How do you like the ImageShack thing? A friend turned me onto it and says that it`s the best compromise for dial-up & broadband while allowing you to see a small preview without having to download the whole thing...

    I like it!

    As to the blemishes, Sometimes you need a more aggressive, dedicated product. ColorX is a 1 step "little bit of everything" type product. That means it`s not likely to be as good at any 1 particular task as a product dedicated to that 1 task, but the ColorX will do other tasks that the dedicated product can`t. It`s a trade off.

    What do you think the blemishes are from? I`ve noticed that on a mechanics car I did, his greasy/oily fingerprints on the trunk didn`t come off very easily. (Car hadn`t been polished ever; just waxed once or twice before, so some of the prints had been there for years.) Perseverance should pay off, assuming you want to put the time into the work truck. Try a dedicated polish first. If that isn`t strong enough, move to a mild compound. Try working on a small section first. That way you`ll see what works vs. what doesn`t without going over the whole truck.
    Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult!

  5. #5
    COME AT ME BRO JaredPointer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Posts
    6,643
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: The Ol` Beater Truck Gets Its First "Detail" (56k Safe...I Think)

    :yeah Good advice. My next suggestion would be getting deeper into the detailing scene and learning to use a machine like the PC in combination with stuff like Poorboy`s SSR1. It`s a little more advanced and costly, but the results will be much greater.

    The truck looks very nice. I think you did a fine job for the first time.
    I still don`t believe in grit guards.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    44
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: The Ol` Beater Truck Gets Its First "Detail" (56k Safe...I Think)

    Thanks for the kind replies.

    While I certainly know that my work is nowhere near DC detail quality level, it was really neat to see the paint take on some shine!

    Only prep work was a wash with some generic automotive-specific stuff with a follow-up of one ColorX application.

    As time progresses and I learn more, I believe I`ll be willing to try out other ideas (as JP pointed out), but before that, I`d like to see if I can do anything more with just the borrowed 10" buffer and some store bought products...

    Maybe another full coat of CX followed by a wax?
    Maybe try something like 3M Finish Restorer?

  7. #7
    Whose yer DADDY!??!?!?!?! LastDetail's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Huntington Beach, Ca
    Posts
    563
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: The Ol` Beater Truck Gets Its First "Detail" (56k Safe...I Think)

    If the paint is really been neglected you would definitly want to give it
    a good claying. It is a really inexpensive and easy process that will give you
    fantastic results. You can get a claybar wherever you bought the ColorX product. I would highly recomend it, you will be shocked by what you pull out of your paint.

 

 

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 16
    Last Post: 08-06-2014, 08:50 PM
  2. Seat cleaning on my winter beater "Luda"
    By RaskyR1 in forum Click & Brag -The Detailers Showcase
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 11-19-2012, 06:18 PM
  3. Gave the "beater" a quick clean up today
    By gmblack3 in forum Click & Brag -The Detailers Showcase
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 09-28-2006, 03:35 AM
  4. How many detailing sessions to make a "beater" look it`s best?
    By imported_NHBFAN in forum Car Detailing
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 03-31-2004, 06:21 PM
  5. Replies: 6
    Last Post: 10-15-2003, 08:32 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •