benefit from complete detail but skipping polishing phase?

[Onehate02]

I believe my paint's in very good condition for a 2004, garage most its life from previous owner, my question is if I were to strip wash/clay the whole truck and skip the entire polishing process and go straight to quick sealant, glaze and americana will that still make a dramatic improvement?

I don't have many swirl marks if at all, and it's a dark grey metallic. I have all these products except the porter cable and polishes/pads, should I wait to do all this labor on the truck until I get these products to correct the paint?

[egott_91]

If you're happy how the condition of the paint is, there's no issue with skipping polishing. You will benefit with the protection the quick sealant will give you and the gloss from the glaze and Americana

[Fit08]

I believe my paint's in very good condition for a 2004, garage most its life from previous owner, my question is if I were to strip wash/clay the whole truck and skip the entire polishing process and go straight to quick sealant, glaze and americana will that still make a dramatic improvement?

I don't have many swirl marks if at all, and it's a dark grey metallic. I have all these products except the porter cable and polishes/pads, should I wait to do all this labor on the truck until I get these products to correct the paint?

 

Well, you're doing a strip wash and clay that's good, but I would maybe use reveve before applying wax/sealant if you're not polishing. You could also do just a quick FMP.

[Onehate02]

good point, i was just trying to eliminate hand polishing until i purchase the porter cable kit but i'm sure that would help dramatically. i wanted people's opinions on whether it would be worth it to do all the work i plan on (clay/sealant/glaze/paste wax) without doing a polishing step... so u think i might as well do one more step hand polishing with revive or fine machine? although i do want to fully correct my paint so it's flawless, i have no experience with machine polishing and am waiting to finally order my 7424pc kit

[DaveVY]

I think it is worth it!

 

Most times just doing the strip wash, clay and then sealant/wax will leave the car looking much better than it did before.

 

I have seen a couple approaches to claying

1) Very light pressure, just gently gliding across the surface.

2) Using pressure to almost scrub the paint with the clay.

 

I personally don't like the scrubbing approach but it can be ok IF you are polishing immediately after. Since you are not polishing now then be sure to use the light pressure approach, just just gently glide the clay across the surface and be sure to fold it routinely so that the clay doesn't introduce any marring.

 

Have fun! And be sure to share photos!

 

[FlyingDakota]

Well, you're doing a strip wash and clay that's good, but I would maybe use reveve before applying wax/sealant if you're not polishing. You could also do just a quick FMP.

 

This is what I did with my Dakota. Can't say enough about the Revive followed up by wax. Of course I started with the strip wash and clay. Was very happy with that.

 

Now, our black Pontiac is a different story. I ended up going all the way to the severe swirl remover. It looked like the car was covered in a giant spider web. Looks great now but that was a lot of work even with the PC. Still not perfect but that is because of some complimentary rock chips found on something that has been driven.

 

If the paint looks as good as you say your steps would be fine. In the end, it is all about what looks good to you! Have fun.

[Onehate02]

Thanks again guys! I took the advice on hand polishing with revive before sealing the paint, you guys are convincing me I might as well to bring out the extra shine since i'll be doing so many other steps anyways haha, so I just ordered the shr/revive hand polish combo.

My reason for tackling the whole truck by hand is that the paint does not have much noticeable swirling at all, and although I'm no professional when it comes to diagnosing paint, I believe it's in great condition and I can't justify forking out the $250 for the 7424pc kit if the paint doesn't need it. Also, thank god the truck's a lowered single cab else I would think twice before tackling such a big job.

Will report back with pics in the next couple weeks once I receive all the rest of my products!

[Fit08]

good point, i was just trying to eliminate hand polishing until i purchase the porter cable kit but i'm sure that would help dramatically. i wanted people's opinions on whether it would be worth it to do all the work i plan on (clay/sealant/glaze/paste wax) without doing a polishing step... so u think i might as well do one more step hand polishing with revive or fine machine? although i do want to fully correct my paint so it's flawless, i have no experience with machine polishing and am waiting to finally order my 7424pc kit

 

Now that you are "thinking" of maybe a FMP I would go for. I've found when you do any polishing the paint goes to a whole new level.

 

I'm even going to go to a recommeded step of reveve after all the polsihing to clean up oils left from polshing so the final step wax/sealant can have a very clean surface. I heard on dark paint this reveve helps.

[XQIZT]

Welcome Alex!

One thing that I have found is by strip washing and claying, you might reveal some paint imperfections that were hidden by other products, so just keep that in mind.

 

Revive continues to amaze me as a hand product. If your paint is swirl free to your satisfaction, Revive just pops in a little bit more before adding a glaze/wax combo.

 

And once you see that detailing isn't a chore, but rather something you enjoy, you won't mind re-polishing later if necessary.

[gencoupe3dot8]

Once the addiction truly grabs hold of you I think you will have to fork over the dough for polish/polishers...

 

From a purists standpoint one is never satisfied to cover up or minimize scratches, swirls, RIDS or other defects... one simply must pursue paint perfection...

 

So, of course you can be satisfied with your paint as is, and use Revive and mayeb even BG to help cover minor defects.... but to be a true addict you will need to pursue perfections, even if that means just using FMP to add that "perfect touch", followed by BG and Amerciana to add that "glow"

 

Of course we must all follow what our wallet, time and sig others allow for...

 

Happy detailing,

Mike

[gencoupe3dot8]

And of course...

:worth: