My first detail (Wordy and Pic heavy)

[matts13f150]

Here are some shots of my first detail on the truck. I only got the exterior done because it was hot and I got a little sunburnt. With the way my parking lot faces, I had to race the sun and add my protection on day two, so no wax this weekend. My paint was in pretty good condition, but this made a HUGE difference!
My process:
1) Wash with CG citrus wash
2) Iron X, agitated with a clean wash mitt
3) Clayed with Megs clay and QD (virtually nothing on the clay after the iron X)
4) Test spot with PB SSR 1. (My test spot looked perfect, it was amazing)
5) BFWD for protection
What I learned... You guys make perfection look easy. I busted my butt for this. The DA definitely gets heavy after a while. Even when you think you`re done taping, you`re not. I had to go back and do the door and tailgate handles. Water spots suck. Rinsing off dusting is mandatory. My process did not eliminate the small RIDS I found, and Finally, The effort is well worth it. Now on to the goods:

[matts13f150]

Now as I said, I did have some trouble with eliminating some RIDS... I used SSR 1 with a white pad... So I`m thinking either SSR 3 or 2.5 on just those spots with an orange pad to try and eliminate them. I also have some water spots that stayed behind. Any suggestions on making them gone? And of course it rained for all of 10 minutes a little after I finished, so a maintenance wash is already in order. I also had some wonky overspray on the roof that the SSR 1 took care of quite nicely.

[Pats300zx]

Excellent work !!

[glen e]

I learned a long time ago that due to this addiction, I could never satisfy myself. So I use other people to judge if I need to go farther. So my neighbors and friends chime in and tell me if it looks good. When they say it looks fantastic, I quit. Even though I see things that I could polish for another few hours. And my back thanks me every day since I learned this....

[tropicsteve]

nothing like a clean shiny truck.

[RaysWay]

Great first detail!! Detailing is tough work. Which polisher did you use?

[Klock]

Great job! Detailing is a lot of work, well worth it In the end!!

[mnehls86]

Now as I said, I did have some trouble with eliminating some RIDS... I used SSR 1 with a white pad... So I`m thinking either SSR 3 or 2.5 on just those spots with an orange pad to try and eliminate them..

Yeah the white pad and SSR1 won`t touch the deeper stuff so going more aggressive will definitely help. Of course you could try the SSR1 on the orange to try to get a little more but you still might need to step up to the more aggressive polish too. Do a test spot on one of the RIDS to figure out how to go about it and remember slowly work your way up from least aggressive.

Also the truck looks great!

[jtford95]

Looks great! Really a nice job for your first detail.

[512detail]

nice results. So did you have to drag a cord all across the parking lot or was there a close place to plug in?

[Stokdgs]

Beautiful Clarity ! Wow !

Yes, just as there is no "easy cord of wood", there is no "easy to Detail" job either, if you are going for maximum or near maximum results !!

But as has already been said - Yeah, it is So Worth It !!!

Your Truck looks Great !!! I had a Black Ford Truck once - should have never sold it...

Dan F

[Merlin]

I did have some trouble with eliminating some RIDS...I used SSR 1 with a white pad...
So I`m thinking either SSR 3 or 2.5 on just those spots with an orange pad to try and eliminate them.

I also have some water spots that stayed behind. Any suggestions on making them gone?

First off...GREAT job!

There are LOTS of pad/product combos. What DA machine are you using?
What backing plate size are you using? Meguiars DA 5 inch Backing Plate

You may wish to try the Meguiars 5" DA Microfiber Cutting Discs, with
the D300 Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction Compound for swirl & RIDS.

Water spots are easy...CarPro Spotless Water Spot Remover

[matts13f150]

Thanks guys!

I used the HF DA with the 6" backing plate that comes on it, I`m thinking a 5" plate is definitely on my shopping list. Yeah, I had to drag the cord behind me all around the truck, a little cumbersome, but I made it work. I think I need to make a little cart to drag around with me. The CarPro water spot remover is definitely on my list for my next purchase. Hopefully it`ll take care of those spots. This truck did sit on the lot for about a year before I bought it, so some of those spots are probably pretty old. I think the roof was the best progress. It was dull and hazy from the over spray and just generally being neglected. Now it pops like the rest of the truck! This weekend will be a maintenance wash and interior detail.

[mnehls86]

Thanks guys!

I used the HF DA with the 6" backing plate that comes on it, I`m thinking a 5" plate is definitely on my shopping list. Yeah, I had to drag the cord behind me all around the truck, a little cumbersome, but I made it work. I think I need to make a little cart to drag around with me. The CarPro water spot remover is definitely on my list for my next purchase.

Definitely get the 5" BP and the CarPro spot remover. The spot remover is a must in the arsenal. Also pick up a new orange pad to dedicate to windows with water spots. I just use a 6" Orange pad I had and folded it like a taco but a 3" pad might be easier.

[Merlin]

Do you have water spots on your windows?