Truck Detailing

[ovrszd]

Looks sharp. I’m a do it yourself detailer. For me to buff out scratches, then put a coat of synthetic wax on, would take me the better of a day. Depending on the wheels, I’ve spent a couple of hours on them alone. Do the inside also, that’d take me 2 or 3 days, but I don’t put in an 8 hour day anymore. I’d say that looks as good as new or better!

Thank you David.

This is the first time I ever paid someone to detail my vehicle. I'm guessing he put in 30 hours. He might say more. Didn't ask. It had some normal use scratches. They are all gone. He completed taped off the vehicle to apply the Teflon coating so it wouldn't get on the rubber/trim. He applied it to the wheels and to the windshield. I will not comment on the durability because I have no history. In a couple years I'll post another thread with the follow up.

I use this truck to pull my GN with offroad buggies. Normal gross weight around 24K. I also drive it most days in the Summer for transport. It's got a pretty easy life and should last me for many, many years. I won't say it's the last truck I'll buy but it's in the top two.

 

[ovrszd]

Very nice pickup Richard. I like the headlights.

Thank you Mike. My friend installed them. They look modern and cool. They totally suck.

 

[dodge man]

People are often afraid of using a power buffer. They think they will burn through the paint. Unless you use a very aggressive pad and compound you won’t hurt anything. It’s surprising how you can get scratches out of the clear coat. My rule is if you can’t hook a scratch with your fingernail it will buff out.

I haven’t jumped on the ceramic and other coatings bandwagon yet. I suspect they are really good. I don’t think they are really just another wax but formulated with things that make them durable.

 

[oosik]

And the old shall once again become new. My 2018 Ram Power Wagon( the Taco Wagon). I wax it 2x a year. It only makes me feel good knowing that the wax will help protect the paint. One trip down my mile long driveway - it's either coated in mud or, later in the summer, a fine coating of dust.

OK - I looked at this picture again. Since this was taken - I've added mud flaps. So the mud is mostly contained within the wheel wells now. Summer dust - a different story.

 

[JDZ735M]

Nice truck @oosik!

 

[oosik]

I'm amazed how similar my Taco Wagon and ovrszd's 2002 Ram look. Even the paint color. There is one MAJOR difference. His 3/4 ton power stroke is designed to carry/pull large loads. The Taco Wagon is 3/4 ton but designed to be an off-road vehicle. It is rated to carry only 1800 pounds and pull around 11K. Long travel off-road suspension cuts into these abilities.

One last difference - mine is a whole lot muddier.

 

[Shutesbury]

Looks great. I don't 'detail' our truck and SUV, but used to use Nu-Finish once a year.

It was better than waxes, in my opinion, but last year we bought The Last Coat, a spray on ceramic coating.
It has held up all year, and better that Nu-Finish. Living on a dirt road, it's nice to see most mud/dust disappear after a good rain, because of The Last Coat.

There are a number of ceramic coatings out there... this one had a good price point, goes on easier than wax, and can be used on all plastics, rubber, dashboards, plexi instrument covers, etc., without streaking of being 'slick' like a silicone Armor All type product.

 

[oosik]

I'm just about finished with the semi-annual waxing of the truck. Just the hood and top remain to do. I'm trying Nu-Finish this year. Seems to work OK.

Maybe next year I will try something like The Last Coat.

 

[oldballs]

I've been wondering...........If e.g. Richard's grandson spent about 30 hours on the detail job.......what would such a job cost? I sounds to me that it would be quite expensive.....just wondering.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[ovrszd]

I've been wondering...........If e.g. Richard's grandson spent about 30 hours on the detail job.......what would such a job cost? I sounds to me that it would be quite expensive.....just wondering.

Cheers,
Mike

I paid him $600. For that he buffed out all scratches, no swirls. Then stripped the paint clean, opening all the pores. Then taped off the entire truck. Then applied the product and lightly buffed it. This included the wheels removing them to treat the inside too. Treated the windshield. Applied a treatment to all the rubber/plastic trim.