wax on, wax off

nadams · July 2005

Yeeaaaah... Started out yesterday washing the truck and vacuuming it. Then today decided to strip the old wax off and rewax 'er. That polishing compound is a real **** to work with... takes FOREVER. All told, I went over my truck 4 times today, all with little round sponges and applicators. Here's the finished product of all my work!

I wish I'd taken some before pictures, so you can see the improvement. Basically, the hood and the tops of the fenders, doors, and bedrails were all clouded and nasty from the sun. This cleaned it right up! I do think it would've been worth $65 to have someone else do it, but it was too horrible bad, and it only cost me like $10, plus my time.

This was my first time doing the exterior detailing on this truck. First time doing any detailing ever, actually. I don't think it turned out too bad for being 11 years old (the truck, not me)

VR3 · July 2005

Man that is SHINEY. Having done similar tasks like that - I know you spent alot of time on that! I have spent in excess of 7 hours detailing a car. Its fun with good results!

Looks GOOD dude!

Mike682 · July 2005

That truck is in great shape

You did a very good job on it...nice and clean

nadams · July 2005

Thanks guys... btw, before anyone asks, I didn't "tire shine" the tires because it drys out the rubber in the sidewalls and makes 'em crack... I avoid the stuff as much as possible. Though I'd imagine the truck would look nice w/ shiney black tires

steveinaz · July 2005

Beautiful area you live in!

madmax · July 2005

Come on now, detailing means details. Get those wheels cleaned up! Use Wesleys Bleach White on them and they will look MUCH better. A coat of clear tire shine would be nice too.

madmax

aaharvel · July 2005

god that reminds me i need to wax my a4. All that dirty snow from last year gave it a beeeeeaaaaaaaating.

bknauss · July 2005

nadams - where in PA is that? Looks like the Lancaster area....

ND13 · July 2005

Great job, nadams.

For all of you out there that are planning on trading a vehicle in, at anytime, do yourself a "HUGE" favor and either detail the vehicle yourself or spend the $75-125 for a professional job. That small "investment" will get you anywhere from $500 to $1500 more of an allowance. I know, that's my business. When I take a vehicle on trade, if it's a wholesale piece, I send it out to get detailed before I let the wholesalers see it. That $100 usually gets me, at least $500 of profit and sometimes much more. Just a little tip for everyone to have in their arsenal. Another tip is to not be so combative, it only makes the dealer want to really stick it to you. Contrary to popular belief, in today's highly competitive auto market, most dealers will make you a fair deal if you help them help you.

The day of the crooked car dealer is passing very quickly, just too much info available to everyone, plus shadiness will always come back to haunt them.

nadams · August 2005

bknauss- it is the Central PA/Bloomsburg area. It's pretty nice

ND13- I'll believe you on that. I personally think my truck looked like crap before... it actually looked like the paint was fading, when all it was was the wax getting white. If I were looking to be a potential buyer of a vehicle, I would be willing to pay more for a car that _looks_ like it's in good shape, as well as _being_ in good shape.

Anyway, I gotta get back to my vacation..

nadams

F1nut · August 2005

The truck looks great, but I love the farmhouse and barn. My kinda place.

Anytime you want to do my van, say the word.

michael_w · August 2005

mmm shiny.... but geeze ya skimped out on the mudflaps??? Just messin with ya, looks good.

SCompRacer · August 2005

What about dem jambs? Around the latch striker and rubber bumper?

Nice job. :cool: Lots of work there. I used some diluted Armor All on my tires. Gave them a rich black look with a dull sheen cause I don't like my tires shiny.

wax on, wax off

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