Hey everyone, winter in MN has been tough on my truck whether it's rocks or salt. Now that we're finally getting a whiff of spring, I'm looking to do a full detail on my truck. The first thing that's going on are the paint chips. On my right front side of my hood, there are a handful of paint chips...on the other side, zero. I can't really explain it, but for whatever reason that side is taking a beating. I'm kicking myself for not doing the clear bra when it was brand new but will now be doing it after I do a touch up and paint correction. So my question is...is it worth the 700+ to have someone do it or is doing it myself worth the extra work (had the auto armor stuff done for a grand and wasn't impressed)? For anyone that's done it themselves, any tips? Any preference in materials/chemicals? Also, if anyone in Minnesota has a recommendation for a good detailer, feel free to PM me. Ideally, if it wasn't going to cost me an arm and a leg, I'd pay someone to do it all, but not too many places do it all for one thing, and if they do, they're ridiculously expensive (like $1500-2000 expensive). Anyway, thanks in advance for any advice.

Also, if I were to DIY, I'd be looking at using (and let me know if I'm making a mistake) the Griot's Garage Best In Show kit (comes with everything you need for paint correction). I've also looked at BlackFire Midnight Sun and Pinnacle.

 

 

I would suggest reading through the detailing section on here. There are a few guys that post a ton and helpful information including the basic steps your looking for to see how to properly wash and correct your paint. I know i learned a lot.

The only down side is that it caused me to buy a bunch of better products and a nice porter cable polisher.

 

Right side? Sounds like you passed a salt truck spreader?


Where in mn are you? I live in western wi but work in North st Paul. We have a great company at my shop that installs ppf. They are called Finishing touch. They also do amazing pdr

 

Not much you can do about the paint chips, now that they're there either live with them or get panels repainted. Some PPF guys may tell you tell repaint before applying the film. I believe once repainted you also have to wait a certain amount of time for ther clear to fully cure before applying PPF.

That being said, I've always detailed my own cars. Its sort of therapeutic for me. The equipment and chemicals definitely add up but worth the investment. I go the following route:
Wash with pressure washer/foam canon
If I'm claying the car, I don't bother drying after washing
Nanoskin the entire truck. They have pads where you can clay by hand and pads that attach to DA polishers. I use both.
For paint correction, I use HD Cut+ from 3D products along with a Flex polisher w/microfiber pad or orange pad.
For polishing I like CarPro Reflect with a white pad
If I apply wax, I actually like Collinite. Can be applied by hand quite easily.
If i'm not applying wax I will go the route of ceramic coating, more time intensive but worth it.

For detail sprays I use Pinnacle Liquid Crystal Waterless wash concentrate & CarPro reload.

I have more abrasive compounds depending on the condition of the paint but this is where experimenting with what works for you pays off. What I mentioned above has been what seems to work for me.

 

For paint chip repair take a look at Dr. Color Chip. I've used it on a few cars and had good results. The color match has always been good and for paint chips its one the better DIY routes out there. I do have a kit for my truck but haven't used it yet, I do have a couple of small chips. I will when the weather warms a bit and I do a complete detailing. I've moved on from waxes to coatings, they have worked well for me on a number of vehicles. I normally take about one week to do a complete detail from paint correction all the way to multiple layers of products. Its not for everybody but I love the results.

 

Yeah, the paint chips really get to me. I'm really wishing that I would've spent the $$$ back then rather than having to deal with this now. I got a couple of quotes from places a couple of friends recommended to do the touch up, paint correction, full front PPF, and ceramic coating and

The one place quoted me:
$1500 for full front (hood, fenders, bumper, mirrors, headlamps, etc.) with SunTek PPF
$1500-1800 for touch-up + paint correction + ceramic pro w/ lifetime warranty.

He admitted the touch-up isn't ideal but noted that with a full paint correction, PPF, and Ceramic Pro, it will most likely be completely invisible to the naked eye.

In the past, I've done my own paint correction but feel like I haven't done the greatest job (but it wasn't terrible either). I'm just not sure if $3300 is worth it. Is Ceramic Pro all that it's cracked up to be? Or should I take my chances getting a consumer product and doing the paint correction, PPF myself?

 

I'm out towards St. Cloud, thanks for the tip. I'll look them up!

 

I do detailing from home as a side business and try to follow the industry (and pricing) fairly closely.
I would say the price you were quoted is a little above average, but not overpriced. Price is very location dependent for many services, so I would get quotes from several places to get your local average.
As for the work, I wouldn't recommend trying PPF your first time on your new truck. It takes a lot of practice to be good at it.
The paint correction, chip repair, and ceramic coating you could definitely do yourself.
Read the Ceramic Pro warranty. It's really not much better than consumer coatings and it requires an annual "checkup" (which you pay for). I would say just get some CQuartz and top it every few months with CarPro Reload.
As someone else mentioned, look to Dr. ColorChip for your chip repairs.
Do the paint correction first, then chip repair, then PPF, then coating.