mwardncsu

iTrader: (1)

Want to keep the new truck looking it's best as long as possible so planning the following if I can catch a cooler day or two but interested in what others have done and found to work well...

- will do a paint correction to remove any dealer installed swirl options from the Ruby Red paint - two bucket wash, clay bar, two bucket wash and then compound with the Random orbital buffer with two levels of cutting compounds followed by an ISP wipe down
- apply a ceramic coating to paint - likely one of the OptiCoat products
- paint protection film to the front of the truck on painted surfaces and headlamps and maybe rocker panels (need to decide about applying to the chrome caps on side view mirrors and grill).

Interested in what products to use on the plastic bed rail caps and such a perhaps 303 Aerospace Protectant?

dalola

For my $.02, I would not be using any "cutting compound" on a new clear coat.

Clay bar for sure, follow up with a quality polish (I like Zaino Bros), and repeat as needed.

mwardncsu

iTrader: (1)

Well, I talking about a very mild compound followed by a polishing compound using a Porter-Cable 7424XP DA. Just the minimal needed to get the job done. Did this on a new Mazda 6 with similar multi-later red coat and it did an amazing job.

That car wasn't terrible but had light swirling. After the paint correction it was almost perfect - always good to start with as perfect as you can





After

02fx4dude

I've been using 303 for 15 years for exterior plastic and vinyl and it works great as cleaner and protection from UV. However I never liked the way it leaves streaks down the side of my truck from moisture condensation and rain. I tried Wolfgangs exterior trim sealant about a month ago for the first time. Pricey but a little goes a long way. After one month no streaking and still looks good. Seems to work pretty good on plastidip as well which I have quite a bit on my old Ranger.

Jazzy-Jay

Check out Ceramic Pro 9h. There are a couple of guys on here who had it applied on their trucks.

steve-f150xlt

Hey guys I'm also wondering if there is something good on the market. I have a 2016 f150 screw 5.0l special edition Oxford white with the SE graphics and wondering what I could have done to the truck to keep it looking beautiful, prolong the life as well as protect it a little from scratches and stuff like that, also wondering what most have done as to under coating or crowning and what works the best. Thanks

HacksawMark

Coincidence that I called an installer this morning about it. For the 5 year protection pkg, I was quoted $1,655. They would need the truck for 4 days.

mwardncsu

iTrader: (1)

The Opti coating I used two years ago is no longer sold to individuals - it did a great job of maintaining luster and water would bead even 2 years later with a rare washing. There is one with a shorter "warranty" still available which I bought it have not applied to my wife's Surburban - likely use that on the Ford - not paying $1500 or more to an installer to do so over a week - installing the Opti took an hour or two once I had all the rest of the paint correction done

Jazzy-Jay

Wow that's pretty steep, a local detailer quoted me $700 for the 5-year package and $1,000 for the lifetime package.

V8ray

I like menzerna power lock. The paint feels super smooth with it. Depending where you live it could last 6 months and it is cheap. Look for it in Amazon.