Need some (a lot) of advice

Wave

Wave

New member
I have spent hours going over a lot of the post on here and doing searches to try to find answers to most of my question. I am trying to come up with the right procedure to use when detailing my truck. I use to start at the top and work my way down and the tires would be the last thing I did. Oh, and I only used one bucket…

I’m not looking for a show truck finish, but I want it to be clean and I also want to do what I can to protect the paint (painted two years ago). I’m willing to spend 6-8 hours if need be. I have a 1998 Toyota Tacoma, 2wd, single cab..






1- newb question-what is the difference between polish and wax?
2- In the sun, you can see swirls in the paint, I have used “swirl remover” by Megauirs, but I had to put it on by hand. Am I ok to use a very abrasive swirl remover? SSR2.5 then SSR1? (with a PC, which I am reading up on proper use now)
3- I have horrible water spots on the windows! I have tried everything from Eastwood that didn’t involve a buffer. However, since I’m looking into a PC, I can try something more abrasive, any ideas?

I know this is long, but thanks for the time. I apologize in advance if all the questions have been covered before. Thanks again for any help.

Dylan
 
Welcome Wave! First off nice looking truck for being 8 years old.

#1- A polish (to me) is an abrasive or chemical product that will clean or contain abrasives to correct defects. A wax is just a product that will put protection on your vehicle. Polishes are your Swirl Removers.
#2- SSR2.5 and SSR1 will be an excellent choice to polish your paint using the PC and polishing pads. Just be sure to search on the right way to use the 2.5 (working it in long enough and right amount of product to use, etc.)
#3- Not sure what will work on the windows- maybe Poorboys Pro Polish? Or even the 2.5 or 1. Someone else will have to help you with that.

I would add clay to your kit aswell and do that after your washing stage. You'll also benefit from buying several microfiber towels aswell. Hope this helped you out a little.
 
I will definitely be adding clay to my kit. I have never used it before, but it seems like it is a must in order to do a thorough job. When using clay, what is your exterior procedure? Do you wash the vehicle then clay, but don’t dry?

Thanks
 
I usually wash, flood the surface with an open hose, clay with lube and then dry with a WW microfiber towel. Then I usually follow up with a QD of some sort to clean up and left over clay and then move on to polishing and waxing.

If you want to, you can wash the car, clay, wash again and then dry if that works better for you.
 
I am assuming you used Rhodite for the windows from Eastwood? I have had good luck using the rouge by hand;however, the attachment pad for a drill is not expensive and will be much more effective. Very easy to use and will not take you much time.
 
Thanks for the responses.

I guess my main question, when it comes to claying, is if you rinse/flood, then clay, do you run the risk of waterspots? Or does flooding prevent waterspots?

I'm not sure I have tried Rhodite for waterspots. I used a three step process and it really cleanded my windows, but I still had the waterspots. I will definately look into the Rhodite.

Thanks
 
If you're concerned about waterspots you could wash, dry, then clay using a QD as lube. I use this method and after I clay a panel I simply wipe off the remaining QD with a MF towel.
 
Mikeyc said:
If you're concerned about waterspots you could wash, dry, then clay using a QD as lube. I use this method and after I clay a panel I simply wipe off the remaining QD with a MF towel.
Click to expand...

I like this idea a lot! I looked into and I think I may use soapy water in a spray bottle instead. Thanks for the ideas!
 
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