I am going to pick up my true blue FX4 supercrew tonight . My question is how long should i wait before polishing/waxing . Does the paint still have to "cure". Also what is the best polish or wax to start off with on this color any suggestions or other products that you guys recommend to keep the true blue looking its best..

 

It's ready to go...

If it had been to the body shop, you'd need to ask about your paint being catalyzed but, it's a standard that all vehicles are catalyzed off of the line.

As for wax/polish etc... there are oodles of great products. Some like Zaino... Some like Meguiar's NXT... Some like Mother's... Some like Poorboy's... some like...

The trick is to find something that YOU like and use it often.

RP

 

Thanks for the info...So many good products i read about in here..I guess i have some decisions to make....

 

RockPick is the local waxing guru. (As is Boss 429)

But I think the more important questions are: How much time are you willing to spend on washing and waxing and how often. Also how much money are you willing to shell out for cleaning products?

Zaino and Meguiars NXT are polymer waxes and will last longer then conventional (carnuba) waxes. But they cost more (Zaino is a lot more then NXT).

Do you want show quality or enthusist quality on a daily driver? Or just some protection from the elements? Tell us what you want and there will be more info then you can shake a stick at.

This is my True Blue with NXT (don't mind the tires)

 

No need to wait to wax a new car -- go for it!

Actually, the advice I usually give people regarding new cars is to never let the "goons" that work in the dealer's detail department get within 10 feet of your new ride! All they're likely to do is rinse the dirt off the vehicle, and introduce about a billion swirl marks in your new paint! (Especially with a color like True Blue.)

If you're buying the truck off the lot, it's probably too late, but if you ordered the vehicle, you can usually take possession of it before the dealer has had a chance to wipe their sandpaper - er! - wash mitts over the paint surface!

When I purchase a new car, I usually special order it, and part of my purchase agreement is always that I get the car with NO DEALER DETAIL WORK BEING DONE!!!

Just a bit of advice if it's not too late, and you're serious about keeping your paint in the best possible shape!

 

dd has a great point there...

I'd highly recommend asking the dealership to forgo the typical 'dealership prep'.

While your dealership may be totally different, a good amount of problems are introduced to vehicles during this stage in the purchasing experience.

The problem is grossly underpaid 'car jockey' types that are also tasked with the 'clean-up shop'. Recently, I've partnered with a small lot here in my home town to do some of their detailing on the weekends. While I've not sold my soul to their sales manager and have agreed to do 'cheap work', I have come 'way off' of my typical price per vehicle for what I'm doing.

I don't expect to get rich but, I do plan on growing a customer base with the work as it will be an 'upsell' for the dealership and I will be allowed to leave contact information in the vehicle. In a small town like mine, the folks buying the vehicles from this lot will be locals which is precisely my target market...

I degress...

As long as you're versed in proper washing techniques and are utilizing good products (technique is 95% of the battle IMO), you're going to, probably, end up with a better end product...

Just FYI!

RP

 

I could tell you the horror stories I've seen at work...guys washing just sold $50,000 Navigators, black ones, with scrub brushes and buckets, but I don't want anyone not getting any sleep at night. Forgo the dealer prep if it's not too late.

 

Definately keep them from washing your truck if they haven't already. Mine was a dealer swap and had just a very few unwashed bugs on the hood and windshield when I took delivery. Hence me searching out help and then I found this site.

My first post on March 20th of this year when I first found and joined this site was

"I've just purchased a 2005 Ford F150 Supercab, Its a dark red almost maroon with Arizona Beige on the bottom. Are they still using clear coats these days? Also I would appreciate the best wax/polish recommendations. I want this beauty to last!"

To which the first answer was from RockPick.

Now as many will tell you the search button is your friend however I would estimate at least 90-95% of us here are dedicated to keeping our expensive rides looking great.

I'm a big fan of Meguiars NXT products. I use them for every application they provide for.

 

Absolutely do NOT let the dealer touch it with anything…

I have a Lightning so it has that special SVT treatment when you take it in for anything which includes a free courtesy wash. Needless to say I rarely ever take it in for anything unless it is something I can not do.

When I got a state safety inspection I told the service manager to NOT let anyone wash it, just inspect it and give it back thank you. Luckily I was being the normal **** ***** I always am and stayed right next to the truck. After the inspection they “tried” to take it to the wash bay, idiots…

Zaino is a great polish as is NXT, but Zaino is not any more expensive then any other great brand of polish/wax. You can get a good 6 months of protection from Zaino, whereas with NXT I have read many post that state you can get a month or so of good protection and a buddy of mine uses it and that’s about what he gets. However, he owns a Chevy and they have crappy paint compared to Fords so who knows…




The first thing that brought me to Zaino was the fact you put it on by hand and take it off by hand and you get an awesome shine, equal to or better then the other great brands on the market. With Zaino even if you use a buffer you will not get anymore of a shine then not using a buffer to begin with.

However, Zaino is not available in stores. You either have to purchase it from a distributor or buy it online. I have always bought it on line and never had a problem. But if you want a product you can get in your town then Zaino is not for you. Here is there website if you’re interested in looking further into it:

Zaino’s webpage

 

01XLT - Zaino is also coming out with an SMR product as well - there's some details/review over at roadfly.... comparable in functionality to PS21 GEPC - can be used by hand or machine... They seem to be really stepping it up lately with the new products....

 

Mike,

I just got done last weekend using the new Z2 Pro and Z8 detail spray and was absolutely blown away. I really didn’t think it was possible to improve on the shine, along with durability, of the original Zaino but they succeeded…

As far as Zaino coming out with a SMR product that can be used with a machine that would be great, to at least continue to add to their arsenal of quality of products but for now it won’t be for me, at least not using a machine to apply and/or remove it.

Maybe one of these days I’ll take the course that RockPick offers on using buffers etc. and how to properly use them, correct pads etc. Sounds like a great course that for $100 you stay at his house for a week. They put you up in a nice room, bring you breakfast in the morning, feed you lunch and then every night a BBQ and in between all that RockPick teaches you many new techniques. And to top that off he actually allows you to practice on his new King Ranch…

 

Jimmy Jones offered the same thing in the late-70's down in Guyana....

I've had my PC for awhile now and if you're careful, it's pretty idiot-proof.... there's lots of detailed instructions on how to use it at some of the detailing sites... (Autopia, Detailcity, etc, etc....) If you're not at the point you need one yet, more power to you!

 

RockPick Jones, uhmmmmm

Nope, no swirls in the paint. It has been hand washed and polished from the day I bought it new. I did NOT let the dealer touch it. I gave specific (nicely) orders to not do ANYTHING to the truck. He even asked if they should remove the plastic on the seats, I said NO, please, NO DON’T TOUCH!!!