Whats the best (within reason, i am by no means a serious detailer) way to clean my truck. I have a free day tomorrow so I am dedicating it to giving my black car a nice detail. Which products should I use to remove some fine scratches, and mostly swirls, without using a PC? Anyone got a step by step process?

 

Wash (with 2 bucket method-- search for this)
Claybar
Meguiars 3 step Deep Crystal System
Tire shine

Total time: 2-4 hours, depending on how quick you work
Total cost: $6 for Gold Class wash, $10 for a good mitt
$15 for clay kit
$18 for the 3 step
$6 for a good tire shine (Endurance Gloss price)

Very easy, follow directions on all labels, and you will be thoroughly impressed. Everything listed is availible at any auto parts store, WalMart, etc.

Dont forget befores and afters! Good Luck.

 

BTW-- for any scratches, get a tube of Scratch-X. Its great stuff, and dont be afraid to do 2-3 applications of it. It costs between $6 and $9 depending on where you go.

 

Does Scratch-X really work to hide minor scratches??

 

Scratch-X is kind of a half/half product.

One half of it will work to REMOVE the blemish whereas the other half will help conceal it.

Overall, it's a very good consumer product that typically performs like it's advertised...

One word of advice - don't expect miracles. If you have scratches that are felt by your fingernail or other similar 'deeper' scratches, this product - nor any other one on the market - will not work. The only way to repair that type of a scratch is with a lot of patience and TU paint or to let a body shop have at it.

For minor scuffs, scrapes, and very light scratching, it works quite well by hand (aside: I don't recommend using S-X with a machine as it tends to gum up quite rapidly).

-RP-

 

over all my paint for a 97 is in great shape. The truck is garaged all the time. I never allow it to get dirty and stay that way, and I dont drive it every day. To be honest, I am slightly obsessed with it and I baby the heck out of it.

But...I have some very light scratches on the clear coat around the gas cap area, they arent very noticible, but I know they are there. This sounds like a product that may be just what I am looking for. Thanks

 

The most you really have to loose is about $7 for a tube. I think you'll like it.

 

real quick- where can I find it? Local Autozone or some place like that? To be honest I havent seen it around in Connecticut, or I probably would have tried it....then again- maybe I just didnt pay attention

 

Any auto parts store really...and I believe Wal-mart carries it.

 

thanks man!

 

Like SJ mentioned... just about anywhere that sells 'wax stuff'. It's in a black tube - not a bottle.

 

I have to go by Walmart on the way home, so I will stop in and see if they have it.

This isnt like that old GS7 stuff is it (I may have screwed up the name). Remember those tv commercials? It would make scratches disappear like magic. I remember taking out my keys and gouging up the rack at Walmart and trying the stuff, it didnt even conceal the light scratches

Again, thanks for the help

 

It's 'slightly' better than the stuff that you mention...

 

http://autopia.org/forum/hall-fame/7...tml#post786235

 

Hmmm... Did you notice how the reviewer said NXT left a deep shine? Maybe its just me, but NXT finds me looking at a glassy shine more than anything...

Interesting, though...