Is it just me?

[Hookedup87]

I have a 2018 Big Horn Ram 1500 QC 5.7 in PXR, which is the color code for black granite metallic I believe. It amazes me how easily it is to scratch this paint. I wash with two buckets, use my back pack blower to dry it, and am very careful overall. I finally got fed up and spent a whole Saturday with my machine and corrective waxes and got it perfect. No swirls, no scratches. Literally within days I could see little scratches again. Was it the wind that scratched it, did I stare at it too long and the force of my stare scratch it? Anyone else having this sort of trouble with this paint code or others? Is it something I’m doing or not doing? I know I’m a little OCD, but it’s getting ridiculous.

 

[joelmic]

Both my past black Rams were the same way. It's kinda just the way BLACK is, it reflects everything.
I'm a big believer in foam cannon and let that be the first thing you spray on... sit, rinse off, then spray again, this time now using your soapy mop and 2 bucket system

 

[bcbouy]

not just black,my 2021 red pearl p/w is the same.i think they just have really soft clearcoat on ram trucks.i waited too long to apply my ceramic coat,now i have to do way more of a paint correction first

 

[Graygoose]

Have you had it ceramic coated?

 

[joesstripclub]

Have you had it ceramic coated?

This. Ceramic coating is the best thing I've done for my vehicles' finish. No swirl marks on my truck since I coated last year.

 

[Burla]

Before you wash with two bucket method, you spray the surface with 16:1 or 16:2 onr/water, it takes about 1/2 a bottle. I'm thrifty, so I use 16:1, but if swirls are that much of a worry use 16:2. I also use this in the bucket, but if you want you can use soap, you just have to rinse if you do. It's about lubricity, foam cannons can work but of course are difficult with local authorities lately. Anyhow, this work just as good and produces no foam, it is emulsified polymers and is used by most detailers I know of. A few still use bulk warner chems because of cost, but most now went to waterless and never looked back. I use absorber or chamois to dry. Avoid wax and go to new ceramics. I use ceramic after every wash because I don't rinse, so a micro fiber and my ceramic gets anything I missed. Sometimes chamois doesn't leave perfect surface, so again this is when final stage of process sets the mark.

My trucks lives outside 24/7, he's a stud, and is 11 years old, no swirls. A couple of scratches yes, even bad ones where I side swiped a building, lol. But no swirls.

 

[Graygoose]

Agreed, I have done the Griots 3-1 on my Jeep, but had my blue Charger done professionally, and was the best finish for as long as I owned it.

 

[heefageLA]

Ive had three black vehicles... Never again.

 

[Burla]

I use griots 3 in 1 thanks to ram member U&A, it is so incredible it is hard to believe imo. The one thing is it does have nuba, and if we are only talking about swirls, straight ceramic would be better when truck sits in sun. But, most of that risk with nuba is how you wash it, if there is proper lubricty soaked in, embedded contamination from being baked in is less of a risk. I still say get griots, but even cheap simonize will work w/o nuba. I like my green juice though, i will admit that, the extra nuba makes it a little nicer.

 

[Burla]

Agreed, I have done the Griots 3-1 on my Jeep, but had my blue Charger done professionally, and was the best finish for as long as I owned it.

Professionally done and they couldnt even dry it for ya?

 

[Graygoose]

Professionally done and they couldnt even dry it for ya?

those pics were like a month after, heres right out of their shop.

 

[BobG]

So I have a 2018 Big Horn in the same color (granite black metallic). I have a couple of show cars and always have used the same product and the same procedure with terrific results although it can be a little labor intensive, especially the first time. So what I do is first wash the vehicle twice with blue Dawn dishwashing detergent. This takes all grease and wax off then I clay the vehicle to get imbedded imperfections and dirt off the finish. Then wash it again. Then I start the waxing process by using Zaino Brothers products. First, you put on Z1 which is a wax locker. You wipe it on and do not take it off. Next you use the proper wax, for a clear coat paint in your case. Put it on the entire vehicle and then take it off with a 100% American cotton towel. I always put three coats of this wax on over a few hours, not immediately one after the other. Finally I use a spray "wax enhancer" that really brings the metal flake out. Spray it on one section at a time and wipe it off before moving on. It is so slippery at that point that if you lightly toss a towel on it, the towel will keep right on sliding right off the vehicle. I use the lock once a year and the wax every 3 or 4 washes, but use the enhancer after each wash. Since I discovered this process back in 1999 I have used nothing else on any of my cars, trucks, and motorcycles. If nothing else, I suggest you go on their website and do some research. I am sure there are many good products out there, but this is the system I use so I can only speak for it.

 

[jerm53]

I have a 2018 Big Horn Ram 1500 QC 5.7 in PXR, which is the color code for black granite metallic I believe. It amazes me how easily it is to scratch this paint. I wash with two buckets, use my back pack blower to dry it, and am very careful overall. I finally got fed up and spent a whole Saturday with my machine and corrective waxes and got it perfect. No swirls, no scratches. Literally within days I could see little scratches again. Was it the wind that scratched it, did I stare at it too long and the force of my stare scratch it? Anyone else having this sort of trouble with this paint code or others? Is it something I’m doing or not doing? I know I’m a little OCD, but it’s getting ridiculous.

I have a delmonico red 2019 warlock and i have the same issue, the paint jobs on all mopar and jeeps suck..

 

[Tracy in IL]

Previous experience with dark colors of all shades is why I only buy white vehicles now.

 

[Hookedup87]

No. My truck is not ceramic coated. I do spray a siO2 spray every month of so. McKees hydro blue I think. What is that Griots 3 in 1 you guys are talking about?

 

[Hookedup87]

Ok. I checked it out. Looks like a ceramic spray wax you can do yourself. You guys have had good results with it?

 

[Burla]

great results with griots, sprays as easy was water. Easy to use and long water beading as in many months.

 

[sirdumpsalot]

how much does it cost to get ceramic coating?

 

[Hookedup87]

Thanks Burla. I’m gonna try it.

 

[CanRebel]

how much does it cost to get ceramic coating?

Depends where you live, the place doing it, and how long they 'claim' it will last.
In my area, company that normally does it for 'high end' cars. They do great work.
Charge about $900(Canadian) for 2 years for my Truck. And prices goes up for longer term.