Truck Detailing

[TOXIC]

I don’t know if there are any who are as picky as me about their truck/vehicles but just in case there are, I wrote up a review of a 303 product I decided to try since I trust 303 on my boat and vinyl and have been using it for years.  I am no way affiliated with 303 and I ordered it off Amazon just like everybody else.  My truck is a 2016 Silverado High Country and prior to trying this new product my twice a year routine was to:

1. Claybar

2. Polish

3. Sealer

4. Wax

5. 303 Aerospace Protectant on tires.

I've used different products and I always apply by hand except for the 303 and I apply that every other month.    I will reapply wax every 3 months.  When I saw that 303 came out with a new “all in one” product that is supposed to last for 1 year and better than ceramic, I decided to give it a shot.  

Here is the initial review of the 303 Graphine coating.  I did the entire truck last week.  Paint, glass, chrome, vinyl and rubber.  All exterior.  42 degrees partly sunny.  

Product has a strong solvent smell but absolutely zero cleaning ability.  The truck was washed last week and was covered outside.  We had some rain and snow.  There were some water spots on the truck and the 303 turned them black without removing.  I had to go over the truck with a damp towel to get it spot free.  I tried multiple application methods.  The recommended way was to put the product on the microfiber applicator and then spray the surface.  The goal is to spread the product evenly on the surface without the applicator soaking it up.  It is ready to remove when it beads up.  On my white truck it is very noticeable because the product is a charcoal grey.  Applied this way,  it was pretty difficult to remove by hand.  Reminded me of traditional sealer that I use.  I opted to apply liberally to the applicator and spread thinner but still evenly.  You will need 2 removal microfiber towels, 1 for initial removal and 1 to finish buff.  If you leave even a trace of product, it will show up black like a scuff mark.  Any dirt or bug or tar will show black and that is why I would recommend claying before application.  My truck was clean but not clay bar clean.  Glass was pretty easy and removal was easier. Chrome rims, grill and running boards were a bit trickier.  Just when you think you have all of the product off in a couple of minutes black streaks would show up.  Rims had some blowby from 303 protectant I put on my tires and this product would not remove it.  I will end up cleaning and redoing the rims.  Vinyl bed rails, bumper steps, side steps, splash guards and tailgate latch were easiest.  

Overall, the proof will be when I drive in the rain and weather to see how it protects and lasts.  That will tell me if having my arms feel like spaghetti is worth it.  This product applies like a sealer.  Not as easy as a paste or can wax so it better be worth the extra work.  I'll report back.
 

 

 

There was some melting snow on the truck today and I am pretty satisfied with the water beading.  
 

[A-Jay]

Nicely Done Sir ~ ! 

Thank you for the review. 

 And as a supplemental fyi - I have been very happy with these to products

for the trucks AND the Boat ~ 

A Synthetic Clay ~

https://www.amazon.com/Griots-Garage-10691-Synthetic-Brilliant/dp/B072HHT8NF/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Synthetic+Clay&qid=1612556530&sr=8-3

 

And a ceramic detailer ~ 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N8GBHTS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

A-Jay

 

 

[TOXIC]

3 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Nicely Done Sir ~ ! 

Thank you for the review. 

 And as a supplemental fyi - I have been very happy with these to products

for the trucks AND the Boat ~ 

A Synthetic Clay ~

https://www.amazon.com/Griots-Garage-10691-Synthetic-Brilliant/dp/B072HHT8NF/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Synthetic+Clay&qid=1612556530&sr=8-3

 

And a ceramic detailer ~ 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N8GBHTS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

A-Jay

 

 

Thanks.  I have a buddy who lives in Michigan and is a true car nut.  He just did a frame off restoration on a 55 Chevy.  He recommended the new clay mitt over my synthetic non abrasive clay bar.  He also has every product that Meguiars has ever made but he uses mechanical application unless wet sanding and I prefer to keep it hand applied unless I need paint correction.  

[A-Jay]

2 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

Thanks.  I have a buddy who lives in Michigan and is a true car nut.  He just did a frame off restoration on a 55 Chevy.  He recommended the new clay mitt over my synthetic non abrasive clay bar.  He also has every product that Meguiars has ever made but he uses mechanical application unless wet sanding and I prefer to keep it hand applied unless I need paint correction.  

Yup ~ 

When the truck's not heavily soiled (just dust/pollen)

I'll spray foam the whole rig with a load of soap & use that 'sponge' clay to wash the vehicle.

Saves a step.  

A-Jay

[TOXIC]

Just now, A-Jay said:

Yup ~ 

When the truck's not heavily soiled (just dust/pollen)

I'll spray foam the whole rig with a load of soap & use that 'sponge' clay to wash the vehicle.

Saves a step.  

A-Jay

Do you have to re-wax after?  Anytime I clay, I follow it up with wax.  

[A-Jay]

1 minute ago, TOXIC said:

Do you have to re-wax after?  Anytime I clay, I follow it up with wax.  

Yes

A-Jay

[Dirtyeggroll]

Looked pretty hard at the graphed spray. Ended up concluding it wasn’t for me based on a fair amount of video before /after reviews. Interested to see how it turns out for you. Thanks for sharing.

[Jigfishn10]

Thanks for sharing. I actually enjoy the process of keeping my vehicles detailed unfortunately I don’t have that kind of time. 

Usually it’s a thorough cleaning, polishing and wax in the spring and fall. Maintenance is a rinse and a Meguiar’s Quik Detailer once or twice a week. 

I suppose once I get more time on my hands I can devote the time b/c I really do enjoy the process. 

Please report back, very interested in your findings.

[TOXIC]

28 minutes ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

Looked pretty hard at the graphed spray. Ended up concluding it wasn’t for me based on a fair amount of video before /after reviews. Interested to see how it turns out for you. Thanks for sharing.

What did you not like about it?  My only real complaint so far was that it was hard to apply and remove.  

[A-Jay]

While I always wipe my boat off (usually at the ramp) right after I pull it,

when there is open water, if my truck AND boat are super clean / detailed,

it always means there's massive wind and I can't FISH ! 

Other wise it's usually just one or the other

A-Jay

[Dirtyeggroll]

17 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

What did you not like about it?  My only real complaint so far was that it was hard to apply and remove.  

There was a specific video review where they compared it to a ceramic spray and the graphene coated was much harder to clean than the ceramic spray coated. And the fact that the color of the graphene spray is artificial, in other words, they dye it black and the color is not a product of the effective chemical makeup, just turned me off. I was really excited about it prior to that. I could still be swayed. Was hoping it’d be a good option for at least the boat.

[Bird]

I'm overboard when it comes to PM and cosmetic care and surprisingly it's annoying to some. Idk

Use a lot of Aerospace products for tires, interiors and even rub down the entire exterior of RV every 6 weeks with 303 UV protectant. 

 

The previous RV that I sold literally looked brand new with the continuous use of 303, absolutely no fading.....stuff works. 

 

Order there products by the gallon and goes on the boats as well. 

[jimmyjoe]

14 minutes ago, Bird said:

surprisingly it's annoying to some.

 

   Don't let that bother you. There's always going to be someone who's annoyed by something you do ...... or something someone else does, or whatever. It's just the nature of the human race.

   They say it takes all kinds. That's wrong. We've GOT all kinds, but it doesn't TAKE all kinds.   ???     jj

[TOXIC]

22 hours ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

There was a specific video review where they compared it to a ceramic spray and the graphene coated was much harder to clean than the ceramic spray coated. And the fact that the color of the graphene spray is artificial, in other words, they dye it black and the color is not a product of the effective chemical makeup, just turned me off. I was really excited about it prior to that. I could still be swayed. Was hoping it’d be a good option for at least the boat.

I see your point.  I watched the review video on AutoGeeks and never got the impression it was hard to remove.  Well, it was.  Might be better with a buffer and a polish pad but I prefer to do my vehicles by hand.  As for the dye it was annoying because the product was so hard to remove but I really didn’t look into why it was grey.  Good info.  

[throttleplate]

i let my wife wax our car while i vacuum the house and wash the dishes.

[Jigfishn10]

On 2/5/2021 at 3:27 PM, A-Jay said:

Nicely Done Sir ~ ! 

Thank you for the review. 

 And as a supplemental fyi - I have been very happy with these to products

for the trucks AND the Boat ~ 

A Synthetic Clay ~

https://www.amazon.com/Griots-Garage-10691-Synthetic-Brilliant/dp/B072HHT8NF/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Synthetic+Clay&qid=1612556530&sr=8-3

 

And a ceramic detailer ~ 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N8GBHTS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

A-Jay

 

 

Hey bud, my boat came in finally and before I drop in the water I’d like to get protection on it. The 2 products you posted, you said you use on the boat?

Do you do all “hard” surfaces with it or just where gel coat?

About how long does your boat take to detail and I’m assuming you’d probably need like 70* weather to do it in?

The dealer wants way too much to do this, so now I’m in education mode.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks man 

[A-Jay]

11 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Hey bud, my boat came in finally and before I drop in the water I’d like to get protection on it. The 2 products you posted, you said you use on the boat?

Do you do all “hard” surfaces with it or just where gel coated?

About how long does your boat take to detail and I’m assuming you’d probably need like 70* weather to do it in?

The dealer wants way too much to do this, so now I’m in education mode.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks man 

Yes - fair weather makes the process better and if you're applying a ceramic coating, it need to sit for 24 hours and stay dry.

The clay is to help pull impurities in the paint out and I do it before I polish & wax the truck & the boat.

The other deal is a ceramic 'Detailer'.  I use it after the boat/truck have already had a ceramic finish applied - so this is for a wash & wax between total coatings.  spray yhe detailer on the washed and wet truck/boat & wipe it dry.

Refreshed the coating a bit - has great water beading properties and is cost effective.

I used it last week to wipe down all my rods.

My actual ceramic coating of choice - and there's a million of them now is this one 

https://www.amazon.com/Griots-Garage-10978-Ceramic-22oz/dp/B084F4DC92/ref=sr_1_2?crid=N3IHTVUBZPYE&dchild=1&keywords=griots+ceramic+3-in-1+wax&qid=1613170580&sprefix=griots+cerem%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-2

 

Easy to apply - goes on & off without a hassle and there's very little chance of any hazing .

Super durable.. I use both ceramic product on every hard non-porous surface  on the exterior of the boat & the truck EXCEPT the Truck Windshield.  Windshield wash will cause streaking I'd rather not deal with.

Hope that helps.

A-Jay

[Jigfishn10]

Yes, helps a lot. 

Looks like I gotta go shopping.

Thanks again.

This thread couldn’t have come at a better time. Thanks for posting @TOXIC.

[TOXIC]

Thought I would dredge this back up since I am back from Okeechobee and did a quasi wash on the truck.  By quasi I mean I took it to the manual car wash and used the pressure wand to spray it off.  I used no mitt or anything else to remove road grime bugs and salt spray from my round trip Virginia to Florida adventure.  Bottom line I was impressed at how the road grime and pretty much everything came right off.  The only thing that didn’t was some road tar from a stretch of road I had to travel 4 times when getting there and coming home as well as 1 day when we trailered back north to launch.  I will hand wash here pretty soon and that will tell me how easy the tar comes off.  I’m ready to give it another test and hook the boat up to head back if anybody wants to finance the trip and lodging at Rolands.  ??

[Jigfishn10]

I’m glad you brought this back as well. It’s slowly getting warmer around here and getting to that time when I clean up our vehicles. This reminder will get me in product purchasing mode. 
Thanks again 

[Columbia Craw]

If you have a product to remove silica base water spots from glass,  throw it out.  I need a remedy bad.

[TOXIC]

Ok final verdict on the 303 product.  I applied it February 5th did one trip to Florida, one pressure washer rinse no mitt or soap and today I went out and bucket washed the truck.  Disappointed is an understatement.  Absolutely zero water beading on the roof and hood.  Reminds me of when you need to wax again.  Sides and tailgate beaded well but obviously those are not exposed to the sun and you get the same result with any cheap wax.  I might be willing to give it another try if it wasn’t so dang hard to get off my white truck.  I’m going back to my old faithful routine of wash/clay bar/polish/seal/wax twice a year and wax every 3 months.  

[Harold Scoggins]

The only stuff I allow to touch my paint...

[TOXIC]

2 minutes ago, Harold Scoggins said:

The only stuff I allow to touch my paint...

Griots makes a fine product.  The only thing I do different,is that I don’t use anything buffer related to apply or remove product.  

[TOXIC]

All is right in the world now.  My OCD is off..  I couldn't take the fact the 303 Graphine was a bust and I had zero water beading on the hood and roof..  Of course it's ready to rain buckets but I don't care.  All sealed up for at least the summer.  Maybe a couple more coats of wax but that's just insurance.  I’m off for lake St Clair next week so it will get some road miles and more bug splatters.  The first product from Klasse that I used has a chemical stripper so I got to skip the clay bar.  Turned out good.