Ford Raptor Forum

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2012 SCREW, Magnaflow Exhaust, Rigid Duallys, HID headlights, Rigid 20" E-Series, Smith's Ultimate Bed-liner and Undercoat.

You can really jack your paint up if you don't know what your doing with a cat bar though, right?

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The UAV (Urban Assault Vehicle): 2010 Tux Black 6.2, Top Perch, ADD Stealth Bumper, Rigid 40" E Series, Vision X Solstices, Volant Cold Air Intake, Blue SVT Vent, Dumped Magnaflow Magnapack

I use ICE by turtle wax on my truck about every two weeks. It works amazing and you can even use it on your plastic and makes it shine like new. Easy to put on and easy to take off.

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GvegasRaptor
2012 Screw
Greenville NC

I used a paint sealant last year for the first time and I will swear by the shit now. It makes keeping a black vehicle clean so easy.

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If by "don't know what you are doing" you mean not washing the car first, or not using enough lubricant, or using a dropped piece... Sure I guess you can. But typically you clay prior to polishing.... So any micro marring the claying may add will be easily removed by the polish.

The point of claying is to get the surface free of any and all contaminants that my get ground into the paint during the paint correction process. Dirt on your polish pads is a bad thing. Asking for holograms and swirls.

Also... For new vehicles, you will find the paint is typically just covered in rail dust that should be removed.

I clay the paint and the glass at least once per year. Usually twice.

The Baggie test is the best way to see if your paint needs to be clayed. Stick your hand in a plastic bag and run it across the surface of your freshly washed paint. Feel all bumpy and gritty? You need to clay! Theres something about the bag that amplifies the feeling of the contaminants/fallout on the surface.

For a a daily driver, a good sealant is exactly the right approach. You may sacrifice some shine but it wont be noticed by anyone but you.

I use a sealant on my dd's and then follow up with a glaze and wax as toppers after the sealant has cured.

I also use a spray sealant on top of the above listed products on the front clip of the truck when I travel to easily wipe the bugs off with waterless wash.