Suggestions for First Detail of New Car

[27k4D5b]

Hi, I just picked up a new 4Runner in Blizzard Pearl. I have a few questions about which products/processes I should use for the first detail. My goal is to preserve and protect the paint.



I've dabbled in a bit of detailing before (a long while ago) and my thoughts on what I should first do were: a) wash with dish-washing detergent, b) claybar process, c) wax, d) sealant. The wax and sealant would be Meguiars #20 and #26. I'm open to any product suggestions.



Second, there's a paint chip on the read of the vehicle that needs to be deal with. The dealer handed me off some paint chip repair stuff upon discovery but I'm going to hold off on using it until I have the opinion of a few others.



Here's some pictures of the vehicle and the paint chip:

 

[Accumulator]

Hi, I just picked up a new 4Runner in Blizzard Pearl. I have a few questions about which products/processes I should use for the first detail. My goal is to preserve and protect the paint..

Welcome to Autopia!



While there's certainly nothing wrong with just using the Meg's 20/26 that you have now (though I'd skip the #26 on silver), I'd use FK1000P instead. The way the FK1000P lasts and, more importantly, sheds dirt, is *really* something. It's quickly eclipsed most of the other LSPs ("Last Step Products", i.e., waxes and sealants) on my shelf for use on silver, and that's saying something.



I'd pick up a bottle of somebody's All In One product, it's just handy stuff to have even if you don't use it as a "base" for your LSP. I guess the old standard Klasse All In One is hard to beat so I'd go that route. Good (and easy) way to clean paint and leave a little protection; think of it as an incredibly good cleaner-wax.



Any way I could talk you into doing a decontamination system instead of the clay? More effective IME, and basically just as easy as doing a few extra washes. I'm a *big* proponent of using such systems for a truly clean-slate approach. Here's a link to one such system: Finish Kare Paint Decontamination System, auto paint cleaning system, de-contamination solution

Second, there's a paint chip on the read of the vehicle that needs to be deal with. The dealer handed me off some paint chip repair stuff upon discovery but I'm going to hold off on using it until I have the opinion of a few others.

I can never get chip touchups to match all that well with silver (I always have a few silver vehicles so I'm kinda experienced here) but maybe you'll have better luck. For something that small I'd use a really little artist's brush (maybe a size 000/"triple-oh") but plenty of people would just use a toothpick.



At least that chip is small...don't turn it into a *bigger* issue by trying to smooth out the touchup in an aggressive manner.

That means that, IMO, wetsanding the touchup smooth would be opening a big can of worms unless you're experienced at such stuff, so maybe you oughta look into the "Langka Blob Remover" system (sorry, no link handy, but a google will bring it up). Or touch the chip up with something from DRColorChip (ditto on finding it) instead of using the dealer's stuff.



Or just let the touchup be a little blob of touchup paint that only you will ever notice. I've left a few touchup like that and after a while I got used to them and now they no longer bother me (well, not too much).



Going by your pix, I wouldn't worry about doing any priming/rust converting/etc. prep, I'd just use the paint. But if you do have some rust converter on hand, then sure, use it for the primer.

 

[Striker]

I see you mention FK1000P a few times for a durable LSP Accumulator. Is it something that I can use over Zaino?

 

[Accumulator]

Striker- I really don't know as the only Zaino stuff I've ever used are Z16 and ZAIO. FK1000P works fine over ZAIO, and I'd *guess* it'd work OK over Z2/Z5/etc. but I just don't really know. If you like the Z-look you might not like how FK1000P might change that. I dunno....I guess I see it as an either/or choice as I'm not really into combining/layering my LSPs.