What did you do to your Ranger today?

[Whiplash]

I connected the last 4 wires from the switch to the installer box to make my newly installed Lux Rock lights operational....I got close to finishing last week, when it started raining and I called quits....

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[TVRangerSTX]

As far as a clay bar removing paint...

If using a clay bar, with proper lube, and proper pressure (just enough to hold it on the paint) it should be removing only stuff that is "sticking out" of the paint. And we are talking microscopic "sticking out".

When I use clay on customers cars, I foam the car, rinse it, wash the car, dry it, and clay in small sections. Using plenty of lube - if you think you're using enough, use a few more sprays. And literally use barely enough pressure as to keep the clay on the surface. If you're unsure of what that means, start on a window.

There are also lots of clay options - I buy the plain old clay bars and tear off little hunk, use them and toss them. I believe @AzScorpion uses a clay mitt. Use what you're comfortable using.

Also, there is a difference between fine, medium and heavy clay. I never reccomend anyone use medium or heavy clay if you're not going to polish your vehicle.

Above I ask what micro fiber you're using - if you're using a "quality" microfiber and it is grabbing while wiping - the paint is still dirty and needs a decon using clay as above, or you could try a chemical iron remover... Plenty of options out there they all do the same thing, they stink, turn purple and only remove iron deposits....

Thanks John, I don't know what brand microfiber, I have several colors and sizes, probably generic, so I took some pictures. Apparently all synthetics. You're a detail pro, I see. I'm just a half-fast detailer. I can probably do better if I put more effort into it. When younger my dad used to make fun of me, that I spent more time fussing with my cars and motorcycles and not enough time enjoying them!

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Thanks John, I don't know what brand microfiber, I have several colors and sizes, probably generic, so I took some pictures. Apparently all synthetics. You're a detail pro, I see. I'm just a half-fast detailer. I can probably do better if I put more effort into it. When younger my dad used to make fun of me, that I spent more time fussing with my cars and motorcycles and not enough time enjoying them!

I dabble

I have a bunch of those generic microfiber towels. I use them for certain tasks.

If you have the budget check out some towels from "the rag company". (they also offer larger quantities, maybe you could get a few folks together and buy a case)

I really wish more of y'all lived close to me...

One thing I try to be better at understanding is that not everyone wants perfection. Some just want those water beads, some want it to "just not look dirty" while others want to be able to see the hair folicals in the reflection of the door. I am far from the best, I am far from being able to do this as a full time job, but I try and share some of what I've learned - sometimes from my mistakes (don't ask how I know heavy clay and not enough lube is bad news bears).

I wonder if there would be any value to reaching out to some of these detailing companies to see if they would be willing to offer a discount or whatever y'all do here for sponsorships.

 

[subquark]

Spent money I didn’t have, on something I didn’t need.

Mouse Rescue of America is glad you did. =D

 

[subquark]

Thanks John, I don't know what brand microfiber, I have several colors and sizes, probably generic, so I took some pictures. Apparently all synthetics. You're a detail pro, I see. I'm just a half-fast detailer. I can probably do better if I put more effort into it. When younger my dad used to make fun of me, that I spent more time fussing with my cars and motorcycles and not enough time enjoying them!

Wow, great words of wisdom from your dad! =)

 

[subquark]

Apart from a small half-inch clear coat scratch near a bed rail from a dump run that seems to have rubbed itself out (probably by another dump run), here's the first exterior scuff from backing too close to my trash cans in the dark.

The graphene on the body still looks shiny, despite there being a decent dust layer from mulched leaves and a few rain showers. The graphene was fantastic on the windshield last night as I drove on the highway in the rain - really beads up nicely.

Hmm, now that I see this pics, I can see the blue of the recycling bin on the second shot, looks like this may just buff itself out when I crash through some other stuff!

 

[JTMASS]

At long last I have new wheels and tires. Just put these on about a week ago. Got the ROW Ranger Raptor wheels from Levittown Ford Parts and grabbed some Falken Wildpeak AT3W 265/70/17 from the local Ford dealer. Used my points to save a bit of money too.

Looks meaner. Feels like it rides a touch higher. A little road noise from the tires is present but it doesn't bother me at all. Much better look overall and they perform better AND they'll double as winter tires. I regret my decision not to go for the Tremor so this soothes that regret a bit.

 

[WhiteRangerDanger]

Filled Pepper up with gas ($3.99/g) and did a 303 graphene detail today bc she recently had a bath (did a full 303 graphene nano spray coating a bit ago). I'm not really impressed with this stuff. While it feels pretty smooth to the touch, microfiber drags on it. Always thought this was odd. Yes its shiny, but I still see some fine scratches. No fault of the "coating", but I was sad to see quite a few paint chips, so I'll have to break down and buy some touch-up.
I guess you have to start with a perfect surface, it won't take any minor goober, fly specs, etc off like wax does. Your choices are either some modern marvel petrochemicals, and this one also contains isopropyl alcohol, or you have real wax products, like carnuba. I've never used a clay bar, and probably never will, just seems counterintuitive. I'm convinced it removes paint, and there's only so much paint!

While I'm bitching, my "aa wireless" Android Auto wireless thingy hasn't been working right. I bought it to avoid plugging my phone in the truck, and half the time it won't connect, or...I'm driving along and it stops working, going back to Ford nav and radio?. I updated the app, to 2.1.0, but it's still not always working. Very frustrating, and I'm wondering if this is happening with anyone else??

Never heard of the wireless app...hmmn...I want it

 

[WhiteRangerDanger]

I connected the last 4 wires from the switch to the installer box to make my newly installed Lux Rock lights operational....I got close to finishing last week, when it started raining and I called quits....

I like... so purdy!!

 

[subquark]

I connected the last 4 wires from the switch to the installer box to make my newly installed Lux Rock lights operational....I got close to finishing last week, when it started raining and I called quits....

Looks great and looks like the mothership has landed - some serious lights!

 

[subquark]

As far as a clay bar removing paint...

If using a clay bar, with proper lube, and proper pressure (just enough to hold it on the paint) it should be removing only stuff that is "sticking out" of the paint. And we are talking microscopic "sticking out".

When I use clay on customers cars, I foam the car, rinse it, wash the car, dry it, and clay in small sections. Using plenty of lube - if you think you're using enough, use a few more sprays. And literally use barely enough pressure as to keep the clay on the surface. If you're unsure of what that means, start on a window.

There are also lots of clay options - I buy the plain old clay bars and tear off little hunk, use them and toss them. I believe @AzScorpion uses a clay mitt. Use what you're comfortable using.

Also, there is a difference between fine, medium and heavy clay. I never reccomend anyone use medium or heavy clay if you're not going to polish your vehicle.

Above I ask what micro fiber you're using - if you're using a "quality" microfiber and it is grabbing while wiping - the paint is still dirty and needs a decon using clay as above, or you could try a chemical iron remover... Plenty of options out there they all do the same thing, they stink, turn purple and only remove iron deposits....

Kate like's Luxury Microfiber for their huge drying towels:
https://luxurymicrofiberstore.com/products/sucker

And The Rag Company for their waffle towels (especially for windows):
https://theragcompany.com/products/standard-waffle-weave

And then for general washing and use, we tend to have a mix of super cheapo Lowe's ones and some "better" quality ones.

I'm not picky on what I use, she is.

I once washed my truck with the single stretch-on one that was on a stick (I did rinse it a few times in a bucket with a grate, I'm not that much of a heathen). But horror of horrors for only using one on the entire truck! =p

 

[Ranger_Pawl]

At long last I have new wheels and tires. Just put these on about a week ago. Got the ROW Ranger Raptor wheels from Levittown Ford Parts and grabbed some Falken Wildpeak AT3W 265/70/17 from the local Ford dealer. Used my points to save a bit of money too.

Looks meaner. Feels like it rides a touch higher. A little road noise from the tires is present but it doesn't bother me at all. Much better look overall and they perform better AND they'll double as winter tires. I regret my decision not to go for the Tremor so this soothes that regret a bit.

Looks great!

I Can't put my finger on it, but for some reason I REALLY like your truck. ?

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Kate like's Luxury Microfiber for their huge drying towels:
https://luxurymicrofiberstore.com/products/sucker

And The Rag Company for their waffle towels (especially for windows):
https://theragcompany.com/products/standard-waffle-weave

And then for general washing and use, we tend to have a mix of super cheapo Lowe's ones and some "better" quality ones.

I'm not picky on what I use, she is.

I once washed my truck with the single stretch-on one that was on a stick (I did rinse it a few times in a bucket with a grate, I'm not that much of a heathen). But horror of horrors for only using one on the entire truck! =p

I'm sorry, we can't be friends anymore.

Please feel free to lose my phone number.


LOL

 

[P-38Ranger]

Elbow Pad.
I told myself I was gonna give my left elbow six months to toughen up. I have finally given in and added an elbow pad to my drivers door panel. I am left-handed, and this pad serves both as a rest during driving, and to my surprise, when I use my elbow to fling the door open, then after releasing the latch. I never knew I did that until it felt much better.

I love the very early post of somebody adding vinyl along the this crazy bare hard plastic, but I need a full quarter inch of neoprene padding that I got off Amazon.

I smiled mentally because my 95 F150 I got after selling my 86 ranger had a very obnoxious corner where my left knee rested that I had to pad.

I'm not a wimp. I just wanna be comfortable when I'm driving, and as an engineer, I find solutions.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Kate like's Luxury Microfiber for their huge drying towels:
https://luxurymicrofiberstore.com/products/sucker

And The Rag Company for their waffle towels (especially for windows):
https://theragcompany.com/products/standard-waffle-weave

And then for general washing and use, we tend to have a mix of super cheapo Lowe's ones and some "better" quality ones.

I'm not picky on what I use, she is.

I once washed my truck with the single stretch-on one that was on a stick (I did rinse it a few times in a bucket with a grate, I'm not that much of a heathen). But horror of horrors for only using one on the entire truck! =p

real world though . . . now that I am on my laptop.

wash media - https://theragcompany.com/products/the-cyclone-ultra-wash-pad

Exterior drying towel - https://theragcompany.com/collections/exterior-detailing-towels/products/the-liquid8r (I love the different sizes it comes in, I use the largest most often)

Exterior panel prep - scrubbing towel - https://theragcompany.com/collections/exterior-detailing-towels/products/edgeless-300

Coating buffing towel - https://theragcompany.com/collections/exterior-detailing-towels/products/the-eaglet-350

for glass or applying the qtechniq spray I use a towel that is soft and fluffy like the eaglet 350 on one side, and tighter knit pearls on the others side, like the edgeless 300. Apply with tighter knit side, and buff with the soft fluffy side.

yes, microfiber can get pricey - but when you're talking about a >40K vehicle is 20 bucks on towels really alot?

I also have a small assortment of brushes to get in the crevices along doors, windows and fuel doors. Before I start a vehicle, I always look inside the fuel door, that is a good indicator of how well the vehicle is maintained. If the inside of the fuel door is black and gunky filled, no matter what the owner says, they don't get their vehicle detailed on the regular.

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