Need Help With Detailing

[FTMike]

The paint on my 06 ram is starting to fade. Anyone know what I can do to bring back the shine? Products? Would I have to bring it to a detailing shop for a wet sand? Any info is appreciated.

 

[mperryz24]

Try a cleaner/wax first, before trying a more aggressive method like high speed buffing. Check into a DA polisher, it is hard to mess up the clear coat using that. Use Maguires and follow instructions. Your clear coat may be thinning out and would require repainting.

 

[FTMike]

Try a cleaner/wax first, before trying a more aggressive method like high speed buffing. Check into a DA polisher, it is hard to mess up the clear coat using that. Use Maguires and follow instructions. Your clear coat may be thinning out and would require repainting.

I'll give that a shot. Thanks for the info.

 

[Pull Ya]

IMHO on a truck that old I would go to a trusted detail shop and ask them to "measure" your clear coat and paint before you decide on what action to take. Depending on the thickness of the clear coat will determine what type of product(how abrasive) you can use. There is no doubt that you will need to use a buffer(maybe a Porter Cable 7424) to do the job. I always use the rule of thumb---"always start with the LEAST abrasive solution first". This will preserve what clear coat and paint you have left on the truck. DO NOT wet sand your truck before you know how thick the paint is!
Jay

 

[Kinetic]

To add what Pull Ya said, find out if the paint if single stage or two stage. Also, I wouldn't ever consider wet sanding OEM paint, especially older vehicles like yours. post up some pics with some good lighting so we can see what condition it's in.

To get it done correctly you'll definitely want to use a polisher, but what pad and polish depends on the condition and how much clear/paint you have left to work with.

 

[Krein]

Using a Clay Bar wouldn't hurt either

 

[Blackdodge2010]

Power polish it with Meguiars Ultimate Compound. Then polish it with Mequairs Ultimate polish. Finish off with a coat of Mequairs Next gen 2.0 wax. It will look great.

 

[FTMike]

Thanks for all the information. I'll try polishing it first to save money before bringing it to a detail shop. Unless I should bring it to a detailing shop first to see what they have to say about it.

 

[Kinetic]

Thanks for all the information. I'll try polishing it first to save money before bringing it to a detail shop. Unless I should bring it to a detailing shop first to see what they have to say about it.

You should have the paint measured to be on the safe side, much cheaper than having to repaint.

 

[Pull Ya]

While this is not about your truck in particular the discussion does show the importance of measuring the thickness of your paint. The people that are discussing this are professional detailers. As to your question, I agree that you should measure the thickness of your paint BEFORE you proceed with anything else.
Jay

https://www.autopia.org/forums/machine-polishing-sanding/189957-measure-paint.html

 

[FTMike]

While this is not about your truck in particular the discussion does show the importance of measuring the thickness of your paint. The people that are discussing this are professional detailers. As to your question, I agree that you should measure the thickness of your paint BEFORE you proceed with anything else.
Jay

https://www.autopia.org/forums/machine-polishing-sanding/189957-measure-paint.html

Will do, appreciate it.