How are you maintaining that Granite Crystal Metallic and keeping it pretty?

[dm6]

It's been a while since I had a new car. I guess I tend to keep them much cleaner and maintained when they are newer and then at some point I get a little lazy, just go to the car wash on occasion, etc. So anyways, with this new one on the way, I just wanted some advice on how you guys wash or wax or whatever you do to keep them up. I probably won't want to take it to a car wash for a while so what do you guys use to wash it with? And what type of brush or mitt? And then do people still wax them or is there something better? You can tell I haven't waxed my cars in probably 7 or 8 years I do plan to keep it garaged all the time so that will help. Just some good general upkeep advice would be appreciated from the start.

 

[richnlauren]

Tech Shine. Pricey but worth it.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Surf2snow1]

Do this:
Post in thread 'What did you do TO your RAM today?'
https://hdrams.com/forum/index.php?threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-ram-today.1987/post-92400

 

[1651Naismith]

Ceramic coat. Do it while it’s still new and before your paint gets swirl marks and chips from regular use. The polishing step for wax, sealant or ceramic will be much easier and take less time. I made the mistake of waiting 5 years to ceramic my Hellcat garage queen and was blown away at the swirl marks and imperfections in the paint despite being babied and foam washed / spray waxed regularly. Took a whole day to polish that vs a half day on the new truck (very light polish only).

The advantage of a quality ceramic coat is it will last for years (2-3 for DIY, longer for the pro grade) and repel the elements better than a regular wax that lasts a few months. A sealant will be better than a wax, but not as durable as a ceramic. Naturally, the ceramic coats are more expensive and require a few days of being garaged to apply and cure. This is why many folks opt to have a detailer do it.

After a lot of research, I went with CarPros. UK3.0 on paint and plastic, Skin on the PPF, and Gliss as the final coat. For maintenance, I’m going to stick with CarPros wash and maintenance products. For washes, I strongly recommend a foam cannon. The less you touch the paint, the better. Use a leaf blower or air compressor to dry it If you can. A quality drying microfiber for where and when you need it.

At the end of the day, it is like most things — do what is right for your situation, budget, skill set, and desire. Mine is parked outside and I was willing to invest the time, energy, and money to do the ceramic. Frankly, having a couple of weekends in the garage with my car and new truck was therapeutic. A regular wash and simple spray wax is better than most folks treat their vehicles. Regardless of where you end up on the spectrum, I like the Griots Garage products. Can order from their site, Amazon, or most automotive chain stores carry Griots. They have also come out with their ceramic spray on wax and detailed, but I haven’t them. Lots of videos on their site as well. Adams has good videos as well.

Some pics attached.

 

[Epsilon Plus]

Granite is one of the best dirt hiding colors of vehicle I've ever had.

That said, mine is currently covered head to toe in industrial paint overspray from idiots at work. It will be going in for a long clay process, probably a buff, then a paint seal. My detail guy doesn't recommend wax in Phoenix as he says it pretty much melts on the clear.

Pic of hood for sad feelz:

 

[PMJohns]

Wash it with Meguiars - every so often I run it through a commercial car was and select the very best. My last Chrystal Granite was 5 years old when I traded it in on my new Chrystal Granite.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Do this:
Post in thread 'What did you do TO your RAM today?'
https://hdrams.com/forum/index.php?threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-ram-today.1987/post-92400

Please don't.

That isn't a thread that's appropriate to ask how to questions like this.

The intent of the thread is literally in the thread title.

 

[dm6]

Ceramic coat. Do it while it’s still new and before your paint gets swirl marks and chips from regular use. The polishing step for wax, sealant or ceramic will be much easier and take less time. I made the mistake of waiting 5 years to ceramic my Hellcat garage queen and was blown away at the swirl marks and imperfections in the paint despite being babied and foam washed / spray waxed regularly. Took a whole day to polish that vs a half day on the new truck (very light polish only).

The advantage of a quality ceramic coat is it will last for years (2-3 for DIY, longer for the pro grade) and repel the elements better than a regular wax that lasts a few months. A sealant will be better than a wax, but not as durable as a ceramic. Naturally, the ceramic coats are more expensive and require a few days of being garaged to apply and cure. This is why many folks opt to have a detailer do it.

After a lot of research, I went with CarPros. UK3.0 on paint and plastic, Skin on the PPF, and Gliss as the final coat. For maintenance, I’m going to stick with CarPros wash and maintenance products. For washes, I strongly recommend a foam cannon. The less you touch the paint, the better. Use a leaf blower or air compressor to dry it If you can. A quality drying microfiber for where and when you need it.

At the end of the day, it is like most things — do what is right for your situation, budget, skill set, and desire. Mine is parked outside and I was willing to invest the time, energy, and money to do the ceramic. Frankly, having a couple of weekends in the garage with my car and new truck was therapeutic. A regular wash and simple spray wax is better than most folks treat their vehicles. Regardless of where you end up on the spectrum, I like the Griots Garage products. Can order from their site, Amazon, or most automotive chain stores carry Griots. They have also come out with their ceramic spray on wax and detailed, but I haven’t them. Lots of videos on their site as well. Adams has good videos as well.

Some pics attached.

Those look amazing, but I don't want to go and spend even more money getting it ceramic coated, PPF, etc. Now if there is some sort of sealant or something I can put on myself, that is another thing. I guess I figure my last truck has been garaged a lot but has been sitting out the last 4 years and I haven't waxed it or anything in that time (just take it through the car wash and something get the best wash there) and it looks pretty good for not doing much to it. I dont really want to take this brand new one through a car wash yet so was just looking for good ways to wash and care for it on my own. I mean, I used to just wash by hand with a mitt and some car wash soap and now in doing some search, I see tons of different soaps, spray foam, etc. and don't know where to begin now!

 

[Brutal_HO]

If you don't want to pay for ceramic coating, I've been pretty pleased so far with turtle Wax Hybrid Ceramic Spray.

 

[BroKV]

If you don't want to pay for ceramic coating, I've been pretty pleased so far with turtle Wax Hybrid Ceramic Spray.

How often do you us it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Surf2snow1]

Please don't.

That isn't a thread that's appropriate to ask how to questions like this.

The intent of the thread is literally in the thread title.

Huh? I linked a post that was completely relevant to the thread? Why wouldn’t that be appropriate? Please PM if you want about it, but this is 100% the way to handle the OPs ask.
Edit: if you’re referring to “Post in thread 'What did you do TO your RAM today?'” That’s the forum’s doing, not mine. I just posted the link so he could see it. The forum added that comment, not me.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Huh? I linked a post that was completely relevant to the thread? Why wouldn’t that be appropriate? Please PM if you want about it, but this is 100% the way to handle the OPs ask.
Edit: if you’re referring to “Post in thread 'What did you do TO your RAM today?'” That’s the forum’s doing, not mine. I just posted the link so he could see it. The forum added that comment, not me.

Sorry I misunderstood and thought you were telling him to post in the thread.

I don't recall seeing "Post in thread" coming from a linked post, were you on Tapatalk by any chance?

 

[dm6]

Sorry I misunderstood and thought you were telling him to post in the thread.

I don't recall seeing "Post in thread" coming from a linked post, were you on Tapatalk by any chance?

Do you think this thread should be moved (or maybe a new one started and made a sticky) to the Exterior section? Maybe it would be useful to have a sticky about how people care for the exterior of their trucks.

 

[bfs673]

There's a great Youtube channel "Scott HD" who specifically tests all sorts of spray waxes, ceramic coatings (DIY and Pro), trim protection / restoration, etc.
Check out Scott HD Here

I can tell you, that price does NOT always mean better quality.
There are many sprays that can last for months.

 

[renagade69]

I use the Black Fire Paint Sealant. Apply 2 cotes 24 hours apart. It works great on my Granite Metallic. I used it on the last Ram I owned for 10 years. It lasts about a year for me with light use.

 

[CdnHO]

If you don't want to pay for ceramic coating, I've been pretty pleased so far with turtle Wax Hybrid Ceramic Spray.

Yup, that is what I use. Works great and is easy on and easy off. See Project Farm YouTube channel for some testing he did that included this stuff. Pretty interesting.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Yup, that is what I use. Works great and is easy on and easy off. See Project Farm YouTube channel for some testing he did that included this stuff. Pretty interesting.

Pan the organizer is a fan as well.

 

[AZ Sooner]

It's been a while since I had a new car. I guess I tend to keep them much cleaner and maintained when they are newer and then at some point I get a little lazy, just go to the car wash on occasion, etc. So anyways, with this new one on the way, I just wanted some advice on how you guys wash or wax or whatever you do to keep them up. I probably won't want to take it to a car wash for a while so what do you guys use to wash it with? And what type of brush or mitt? And then do people still wax them or is there something better? You can tell I haven't waxed my cars in probably 7 or 8 years I do plan to keep it garaged all the time so that will help. Just some good general upkeep advice would be appreciated from the start.

I got my truck Ceramic Coated within 300 miles of owning it, but I had it done on my 2012 Dually before it got totaled. Well worth it, so much easier to clean, no more waxing, and the place that does it here in AZ has an 8 yr warranty. I had the entire truck done with Ceramic Coated , windows, suspension, and wheels.

 

[TROYHASABIGHORN]

Ceramic it, pay the money it is something that is worth the invest on a new truck 100%. nothing compares to a ceramic coated vehicle.