Truck Detailing

[ovrszd]

Looks sharp. I’m a do it yourself detailer. For me to buff out scratches, then put a coat of synthetic wax on, would take me the better of a day. Depending on the wheels, I’ve spent a couple of hours on them alone. Do the inside also, that’d take me 2 or 3 days, but I don’t put in an 8 hour day anymore. I’d say that looks as good as new or better!

Thank you David.

This is the first time I ever paid someone to detail my vehicle. I'm guessing he put in 30 hours. He might say more. Didn't ask. It had some normal use scratches. They are all gone. He completed taped off the vehicle to apply the Teflon coating so it wouldn't get on the rubber/trim. He applied it to the wheels and to the windshield. I will not comment on the durability because I have no history. In a couple years I'll post another thread with the follow up.

I use this truck to pull my GN with offroad buggies. Normal gross weight around 24K. I also drive it most days in the Summer for transport. It's got a pretty easy life and should last me for many, many years. I won't say it's the last truck I'll buy but it's in the top two.

 

[ovrszd]

Very nice pickup Richard. I like the headlights.

Thank you Mike. My friend installed them. They look modern and cool. They totally suck.

 

[dodge man]

People are often afraid of using a power buffer. They think they will burn through the paint. Unless you use a very aggressive pad and compound you won’t hurt anything. It’s surprising how you can get scratches out of the clear coat. My rule is if you can’t hook a scratch with your fingernail it will buff out.

I haven’t jumped on the ceramic and other coatings bandwagon yet. I suspect they are really good. I don’t think they are really just another wax but formulated with things that make them durable.

 

[oosik]

And the old shall once again become new. My 2018 Ram Power Wagon( the Taco Wagon). I wax it 2x a year. It only makes me feel good knowing that the wax will help protect the paint. One trip down my mile long driveway - it's either coated in mud or, later in the summer, a fine coating of dust.

OK - I looked at this picture again. Since this was taken - I've added mud flaps. So the mud is mostly contained within the wheel wells now. Summer dust - a different story.

 

[JDZ735M]

Nice truck @oosik!

 

[oosik]

I'm amazed how similar my Taco Wagon and ovrszd's 2002 Ram look. Even the paint color. There is one MAJOR difference. His 3/4 ton power stroke is designed to carry/pull large loads. The Taco Wagon is 3/4 ton but designed to be an off-road vehicle. It is rated to carry only 1800 pounds and pull around 11K. Long travel off-road suspension cuts into these abilities.

One last difference - mine is a whole lot muddier.

 

[Shutesbury]

Looks great. I don't 'detail' our truck and SUV, but used to use Nu-Finish once a year.

It was better than waxes, in my opinion, but last year we bought The Last Coat, a spray on ceramic coating.
It has held up all year, and better that Nu-Finish. Living on a dirt road, it's nice to see most mud/dust disappear after a good rain, because of The Last Coat.

There are a number of ceramic coatings out there... this one had a good price point, goes on easier than wax, and can be used on all plastics, rubber, dashboards, plexi instrument covers, etc., without streaking of being 'slick' like a silicone Armor All type product.

 

[oosik]

I'm just about finished with the semi-annual waxing of the truck. Just the hood and top remain to do. I'm trying Nu-Finish this year. Seems to work OK.

Maybe next year I will try something like The Last Coat.

 

[oldballs]

I've been wondering...........If e.g. Richard's grandson spent about 30 hours on the detail job.......what would such a job cost? I sounds to me that it would be quite expensive.....just wondering.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[ovrszd]

I've been wondering...........If e.g. Richard's grandson spent about 30 hours on the detail job.......what would such a job cost? I sounds to me that it would be quite expensive.....just wondering.

Cheers,
Mike

I paid him $600. For that he buffed out all scratches, no swirls. Then stripped the paint clean, opening all the pores. Then taped off the entire truck. Then applied the product and lightly buffed it. This included the wheels removing them to treat the inside too. Treated the windshield. Applied a treatment to all the rubber/plastic trim.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

Nothing beats having a nice shop and room to fit things inside. My trucks are under cover with no salty roads and no hot sun when unused. They look like new and it all comes back when I trade or sell. Top dollar every time.

I’ll just drive mine ‘till the wheels fall off, then put the wheels back on and keep going.

 

[Big Barn]

I paid him $600. For that he buffed out all scratches, no swirls. Then stripped the paint clean, opening all the pores. Then taped off the entire truck. Then applied the product and lightly buffed it. This included the wheels removing them to treat the inside too. Treated the windshield. Applied a treatment to all the rubber/plastic trim.

That sounds about right. A shop would charge north of $1200 for a job like that.

 

[5030]

Nothing beats having a nice shop and room to fit things inside. My trucks are under cover with no salty roads and no hot sun when unused. They look like new and it all comes back when I trade or sell. Top dollar every time.

Where my '97 F350 diesel resides as well. Never seen snow or salt and no rust either. It's one of the sought after OBS models too. The engine isn't under the firewall like the later ones so it's much easier to work on. Don't have to remove the cab to work on the engine, not that I ever have. Reliable as a rock. Sits on a Battery Tender all winter inside and warm. Been offered 25 for it. Not for sale.

 

[MossRoad]

I’ll just drive mine ‘till the wheels fall off, then put the wheels back on and keep going.

Last October I drove mine and the wheel came off!

Lucky it didn't kill anyone in the oncoming lanes as it passed me, crossed the left lane, the deep grass median, both opposite bound lanes, and the other deep shoulder.

Scary!

 

[ovrszd]

That sounds about right. A shop would charge north of $1200 for a job like that.

Having never "bought" something like this I cannot speak for whether he gave me a "family" discount or if this is his normal rate.

He's going to do my wife's Grand Cherokee and my TJ Wrangler next. Don't know a price for them yet. I'll post when he has them done.

 

[dodge man]

I’d say you got the family discount.

 

[Big Barn]

I’d say you got the family discount.

Oh yes. Without a doubt.

 

[Jstpssng]

It would be worth paying that once in a while. No matter how clean you try to keep it there's always seems to be road dirt and other junk that works it's way under the seat and console. He did a really good job for you. If you hadn't told us the year I never would have guessed that it's that old.

 

[NoTrespassing]

Wife's "new to us" 2019 Edge ST has an appointment for 5 yr. coating in July. Guy is good and booked solid 4 days per week until then. $1450 for the works, inside and out.

 

[oosik]

I am working on the spring waxing of the Taco Wagon. Only the top of the cab remains to be waxed.

Just a passing thought. If I had spent - $600 or $1200 or $1450 to have the Taco Wagon detailed - it would ALL be lost on the return to the house here. Right now there is a 150 foot muddy section on my mile long driveway. Come this summer - one pass down the driveway results in a fine layer of silt and volcanic ash on any vehicle coming this way.

I spent $10 for a jug of Nu-Finish and three hours of my time to get it shiny again. Heck - I even plan on using the Shop Vac on the interior.

The Taco Wagon will never be detailed. It will get as clean as I can do though.