What did you do to your Ranger today?

[Philvarah]

Well maybe I need to find Bullet Liner as an option. The video was dated.

Looks like nearest dealer to Denver is Colo Springs...

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[Jbrubakerjr]

Looks like nearest dealer to Denver is Colo Springs...

One about 11 miles from me in Canton, GA

 

[subquark]

What did I do to my Ranger today? Well, I clay bared it and good wax job. ?

How did you find doing the clay bar? And what did you use?

Looks like a lot of work but it also looks like I could get rid of the zillions of tiny oak tree sap dots on mine.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

How did you find doing the clay bar? And what did you use?

Looks like a lot of work but it also looks like I could get rid of the zillions of tiny oak tree sap dots on mine.

Its not that much work...

After you wash the truck use a quality fine clay bar, with plenty of lube and just let the clay glide over the surface. Don't apply a lot of pressure to the clay, because it will scratch/Mar your clear coat.

I use a piece of clay that is about as big as four fingers and flatten it about the diameter of a hockey Puck... You'll feel when it starts picking stuff up, just turn it and mix it in on occasion. If it drops on the ground, toss it. It will pick up literal rocks from the ground that will make you regret it....

You can also use a chemical decon - I use iron-x... It stinks, and turns purple when it picks up iron deposits, but it's just spray it in dry, clean paint or wheels let it work for a few minutes and spray it off.... (I generally wash the vehicle again when I'm done deconing, but I'm extra)

 

[Jhbryaniv]

I should also note, that you don't have to clay every surface... Only clay the surfaces that don't feel smooth.

You can also clay the windows if you want - I do on occasion.

Claying won't fix everything, but it'll get rid of some of the contaminates, but it won't (always) get rid of things like water spots...

And Claying can scratch or damage the clear if the vehicle is dirty before starting....

 

[subquark]

I should also note, that you don't have to clay every surface... Only clay the surfaces that don't feel smooth.

You can also clay the windows if you want - I do on occasion.

Claying won't fix everything, but it'll get rid of some of the contaminates, but it won't (always) get rid of things like water spots...

And Claying can scratch or damage the clear if the vehicle is dirty before starting....

Thanks, I'm going to give it a try and follow all your advice! =)

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Thanks, I'm going to give it a try and follow all your advice! =)

Start on an area the if it gets scratched you're not going to cry... Like the roof....

Edit: or a friend's car lol seriously though, clean the vehicle, use plenty of lube and don't push the clay into the paint (you're not scrubbing with the clay)

 

[AzScorpion]

How did you find doing the clay bar? And what did you use?

Looks like a lot of work but it also looks like I could get rid of the zillions of tiny oak tree sap dots on mine.

David try using a clay mitt. They're much easier to use and cover a larger surface. Plus if you drop it you can just rinse and continue on where as a clay bar is ruined once dropped. Do the "baggie test" which is while the truck is wet take a plastic sandwich bag, put your hand inside and rub the panel you're about to clay. If it feels gritty then clay that panel, once done re-test with the baggie and repeat until smooth.

I use a speed detailer (any will do but of course I use 303 ) for lube and spray it on the panel very liberally, more is better. Then take the mitt and go over it lightly in an up and down or side to side motion, just don't go in circles. Don't use any pressure just let the mitt do the work. It's really easy to do and following this it's hard to damage the surface unless you either apply to much pressure of use to little lube. I used about a half a bottle of speed detailer (probably to much but better safe than sorry) and it took me under an hour to clay my Ranger.

Here's the clay mitt I use. Once done just rinse it off, let dry and store in the package it comes in.

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-contaminant-removal-mitt/

 

[Jhbryaniv]

David try using a clay mitt. They're much easier to use and cover a larger surface. Plus if you drop it you can just rinse and continue on where as a clay bar is ruined once dropped. Do the "baggie test" which is while the truck is wet take a plastic sandwich bag, put your hand inside and rub the panel you're about to clay. If it feels gritty then clay that panel, once done re-test with the baggie and repeat until smooth.

I use a speed detailer (any will do but of course I use 303 ) for lube and spray it on the panel very liberally, more is better. Then take the mitt and go over it lightly in an up and down or side to side motion, just don't go in circles. Don't use any pressure just let the mitt do the work. It's really easy to do and following this it's hard to damage the surface unless you either apply to much pressure of use to little lube. I used about a half a bottle of speed detailer (probably to much but better safe than sorry) and it took me under an hour to clay my Ranger.

Here's the clay mitt I use. Once done just rinse it off, let dry and store in the package it comes in.

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-contaminant-removal-mitt/

you ever use optimum no rinse (ONR)?

I use it for everything, in varying concentrations for from a rinse less wash, interior cleaner and clay lube.

I forget the actual ratios, but for basic all purpose cleaning and lube it's like 1 tablespoon per gallon or something ridiculous like that....

https://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

 

[subquark]

David try using a clay mitt. They're much easier to use and cover a larger surface. Plus if you drop it you can just rinse and continue on where as a clay bar is ruined once dropped. Do the "baggie test" which is while the truck is wet take a plastic sandwich bag, put your hand inside and rub the panel you're about to clay. If it feels gritty then clay that panel, once done re-test with the baggie and repeat until smooth.

I use a speed detailer (any will do but of course I use 303 ) for lube and spray it on the panel very liberally, more is better. Then take the mitt and go over it lightly in an up and down or side to side motion, just don't go in circles. Don't use any pressure just let the mitt do the work. It's really easy to do and following this it's hard to damage the surface unless you either apply to much pressure of use to little lube. I used about a half a bottle of speed detailer (probably to much but better safe than sorry) and it took me under an hour to clay my Ranger.

Here's the clay mitt I use. Once done just rinse it off, let dry and store in the package it comes in.

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-contaminant-removal-mitt/

Thanks for the link and I think I have an email coupon from Gold Eagle for free shipping. So you use the mitt with the Speed Detailer! Ah, I was thinking you use it with a soaped up truck.

I spray the Graphene directly into my applicator for no over-spray but you spray the detailer on the panel. Hmm, I shall give it a try.

Thanks!

PS - Kate will, undoubtedly, go bananas with a clay mitt! =D

 

[AzScorpion]

you ever use optimum no rinse (ONR)?

I use it for everything, in varying concentrations for from a rinse less wash, interior cleaner and clay lube.

I forget the actual ratios, but for basic all purpose cleaning and lube it's like 1 tablespoon per gallon or something ridiculous like that....

https://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

I never tried the ONR but I use to use all of Optimums products before changing over to the 303 Graphene. I've heard others say it's a great product and works great as a clay lube too.

I was using the Optimum spray wax followed by the Opti-Seal which works good but I just couldn't get anything longer than 6 months out of it here. Once I switched to the 303 Graphene and the Graphene detailer I can get a sold year and it's still beading water like the day I first applied it.

There's so many great products out there now and everyone has their own routine. I just use a pressure washer and farm cannon which is fun to use. We don't get a lot of rain out here (except for this year) so my truck stays pretty clean. Most times it's just dusty so I foam it, let sit for 3-5 minutes and rinse.

 

[AzScorpion]

Thanks for the link and I think I have an email coupon from Gold Eagle for free shipping. So you use the mitt with the Speed Detailer! Ah, I was thinking you use it with a soaped up truck.

I spray the Graphene directly into my applicator for no over-spray but you spray the detailer on the panel. Hmm, I shall give it a try.

Thanks!

PS - Kate will, undoubtedly, go bananas with a clay mitt! =D

You can use it with the soap (or ONR as John said above) but the speed detailer gives you more "slickness" and less chance of scratching the clear coat.

Yes spray the panel down then clay. Baggie test until smooth.

Kate will love it because she can use the whole bottle and it's really not going to waste.

 

[subquark]

You can use it with the soap (or ONR as John said above) but the speed detailer gives you more "slickness" and less chance of scratching the clear coat.

Yes spray the panel down then clay. Baggie test until smooth.

Kate will love it because she can use the whole bottle and it's really not going to waste.

haha, you know Kate all too well and I must thank you again for turning both of us on to these great products.

She's waited till she's 70 to splurge on a car and these products all help deepen her enjoyment of it. She really enjoys detailing her car. =)

 

[subquark]

Start on an area the if it gets scratched you're not going to cry... Like the roof....

Edit: or a friend's car lol seriously though, clean the vehicle, use plenty of lube and don't push the clay into the paint (you're not scrubbing with the clay)

Good tip, unfortunately, I do have some acorn dents, so the roof will be the spot (I'm so short, I'll never notice anything up there!). =D

 

[Bob902]

Good tip, unfortunately, I do have some acorn dents, so the roof will be the spot (I'm so short, I'll never notice anything up there!). =D

The synthetic clay bars and mitts are the way to go. Just did my truck yesterday.

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