Just did buy a 2004 fx4 it is black and a clean truck for that year...When I got home with it first thing I did was washed it as it was very dusty and dirty then I waxed it buy hand and turned out great...Once I was done with it the paint felt good and smooth..Would it hurt to clay it later on in the year once it gets closer to fall? I used meguiars Cleaner Wax Liquid forum on it this time...Next time I am gonna use my buffer and maybe different kind of wax......For those of you that have a black truck what kind of wax have you had good luck with? Would it hurt to clay it in the fall?? My 01 was rusting in spots and I'm trying to avoid that with this truck

 

Meguiars brought their war wagon to the Barrett Jackson show on saturday, so I picked their Clay Bar and new "Black Wax" formulated for dark paintjobs. It lays easy and comes off pretty easy also. For $12, the wax is a good deal. I used to use Pinnacle Souvern, but its a PITA to lay down and take off.

I also clay bar'd before waxing and it definately helped, I know it seems labor intensive, but its actually quite easy.

 

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.do?q=36777


oh yeah, and get a clay bar kit.....mothers, meguiars, etc...whomever.

 

Recently I have been using "clay alternatives".

The least expensive is the Nanoskin Autoscrub Speedy Prep Sponge – Fine Grade


"The Nanoskin Autoscrub Speedy Prep Sponge is the first step to achieving smooth, glossy paint. It’s imperative that you remove above-surface contaminants before you polish or wax. Above-surface contaminants include paint overspray, bugs, tar, rail dust, industrial fall out and more! By removing said contaminants, you create a smooth foundation that will allow a wax, sealant or coating to form a much stronger bond. The cleaner the surface, the longer your wax, sealant or coating will last."

"The Nanoskin Autoscrub Speedy Prep Sponge is arguably the best investment you can make in detailing supplies under 15 bucks. This durable sponge can be used, abused, washed and reused over and over again. How many times have you heard someone say that about a clay bar? None! The Nanoskin Autoscrub Speedy Prep Sponge lasts considerably longer than a traditional detailing clay bar thanks to its unique construction. What’s more, if you drop the Nanoskin Autoscrub Speedy Prep Sponge on the ground, simply rinse it off with water!"

For me I like the towel but for most folks the cost is a bit steep at $60 retail. The Sponge is only $12.95 retail. That is a huge savings for the same decon technology.
That is almost half price of the cost of a clay bar. Most clay bars run $20-$30 a bar. Durability differences Towel 50-100 cars, Sponge 15-30 cars, clay bar 3-5 cars.

USE: Keep the paint wet! Be sure and use plenty of clay lube that has a lot of lubricity. Go back and forth. Go front to back and top to bottom. Do not go in circles.