Making Dark Metallic Paint Shine

K

kxlexus

New member
I have a 2013 Ram truck. The paint color is called Maximum Steel Metallic. It is a very dark paint. Depending on the light, it can look dark blue, black, dark grey, or charcoal. There is a LOT of metallic in the paint. I want the paint to look like a mirror and the metallic to pop. What would be the best products to use to make this happen? I am alright spending money on premium products but at the same time, I don't want to waste money either.



Thanks
 
Read through the machine polishing section, get yourself a good DA polisher, pads and polishes (I use Optimum, HD and Meguiars but there are other good options too) and properly polish your paint (after washing and claying, of course). Then pretty much any wax or sealant is going to make your paint look good.
 
Thanks for the reply. I bought a PC 4724 and an assortment on Lake Country CCS pads. I have washed and clayed the truck once, followed by a coat of Griots Garage Best of Show Wax. Will polishing make much difference on a new truck that has no noticeable scratches? I will do it if it will help. I want the truck to look like a mirror. Are any of the products better than the others for making a deep reflecting pool shine?
 
Machine polishing will make a significant difference.



For a "mirror finish", though, you need to understand what that entails. For most eyes, just after machine polishing and coating you will call it "mirror finish". To me "mirror finish" entails sanding the paint flat, then polishing to perfection. Note this is not for the novice (I would argue not even for the amateur!). Further, you need to understand the paint and process used for the Ram, amd whether or not the base coat has orange peel as well as the clear coat. Research wetsandig and understand the surface of the paint and how it relates to wetsanding.



You can get close to "mirror shine" by a gew other methods, like using denim pads.



Also understand that ince you wetsand your paint's life is reduced. Your need for perfect washing methods will increase. For a truck I wonder how acheivable the neccessary care can be. One drive through brush or a field or a workzone and all the effort is gone, not to mention you will not be able to polish out any new scratches.



Cliff notes: machine polish and have fun, call that your "mirror shine", be happy :)
 
KX, welcome aboard! I'll 2nd what has already been said about proper polishing with a machine. From experience, I can recommend 1Z Glanz Wax to achieve the look you describe.





Glanz_Wax_a5.jpg




Enjoy :)
 
I would head on down to your local Home Depot, Lowes or hardware store and pick yourself up a halogen worklight if you don't already have one.
 
First step is a good polishing, even on what looks like perfect paint. Then its off to Zaino Z2, nothing looks more like a mirror, to the point I won't use it on dark colors because I hate that look.
 
kxlexus- Welcome to Autopia! The paint on your Dodge sounds very similar to the Granite Metallic I had on a Yukon. It really is all about the polishing...what looks OK in most lighting will be *FAR* from the level of finish that'll make it look its best.



I used different LSPs (Last Step Products) on the Yukon, and the look/etc. that I liked might not be right for you. But it was simply amazing what a huge diff the final 5-10% of polishing made.



BTW, I utterly despise Griot's BOS wax, I think it looks crappy on most finishes (and I went through numerous bottles of it trying to like the stuff). On the Yukon, I used various things, but I got the best protection and durability from Collinite waxes and FK1000P paste sealant (both of which I'm still using on my current vehicles).
 
Obviously everything said on polishing is your primary concern. Having said that...



Usually mirror look relates to sealants more than waxes. That would make in my (limited compared to others here) experience the combination of FK1000p or CG jet seal as LSP (2 hands each) with a top up of FK146 on every wash quite close to what you are looking for.



In any case good luck with your effort.
 
Ch96067 said:
Obviously ... That would make in my (limited compared to others here) experience the combination of FK1000p or CG jet seal as LSP (2 hands each) with a top up of FK146 on every wash quite close to what you are looking for..
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The FK1000P as an acquired taste for me on that particular paint. I thought I'd hate it (not enough depth, too "sealant-shiny") but I ended up liking it, and it got compliments like I never expected...complete strangers all :bow about how my years-old daily-driver SUV looked!



And yeah, the FK146 worked out well as a post-wash QD over the FK1000P on that particular paint, I ended up using it more than FK425.
 
LSP should be the least of your worries. Attack the polishing first, that is the most significant contributor. Sealants can go on and come off at the drop of a hat, relative to polishing. It is a big vehicle, gonna be polishing for a few days :)
 
Dan said:
First step is a good polishing, even on what looks like perfect paint. Then its off to Zaino Z2, nothing looks more like a mirror, to the point I won't use it on dark colors because I hate that look.
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Klasse SG is the winner in that department, looking down the side of a black car with Klasse SG the color seems to disappear.
 
Scottwax said:
Klasse SG is the winner in that department, looking down the side of a black car with Klasse SG the color seems to disappear.
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Yeah, forgot about KSG. Probably the last thing I'd use on black.
 
Except ksg does not like to be wiped off ;)



I would not use it on anything but hard paint, and use a qd to aide removal. It is a pita compared to newer sealants imo, although its longevity is outstanding (like zaino too).



Maybe the OP should consider a coating?



But back on topic, polish polish polish!!
 
Actually, it sounds like OP doesn't want to polish, if so, NXT has a mirror look on black, not as good as KSG or Z2 but, it looks good even on less than perfect paint.
 
Oh, I am ok with polishing. Be glad to do it. I was just asking if it was necessary given the newness of the paint. I already have some M205 polish. If it will add to the shine I will get something else and use that too if necessary.

I am not afraid to work or spend money to get what I want. I just don't like doing unnecessary work or wasting money
 
kxlexus said:
I was just asking if it was necessary given the newness of the paint.
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Maybe more reason to do it given the newness. Do the plastic baggie test over a couple panels. Tell us what you find.
 
I clayed and waxed the truck 3 weeks ago. It shined up nicely, just not the "Show Car" shine I am trying to achieve.
 
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