Calling all Diamond Black Crystal Owners!!

[MidnightRonin]

If I missed this info on a search I do apologize ahead of time. The YouTube videos and opinions are endless, however, what are you guys using to keep our gorgeous black crystal rams as scratch/swirl free as possible. I know avoid the automatic washes with the spinning sandpaper and other basics. I'm more after, clay bar, wax, polish, brand, etc.....thanks for all ahead of time!

 

[Brrryan]

Your best defense against scratches/swirls will be proper washing/drying techniques. Read into the two and three-bucket methods with grit guards, then safe drying techniques. While ceramic coating will help, there really aren’t any miracle products to prevent damage after you get your paint corrected to a spot you’re happy with.

 

[z0n3]

I decided shortly after purchasing mine that I was going to ceramic coat it. I took 3 days to do paint correction, polishing, decontaminating and applying gtechniq CSL. For my general washing technique I use the two bucket method only. Haven’t taken it through any car washes. Still looking into adding a sealant such as P&S beadmaker but haven’t made the purchase yet.

 

[MidnightRonin]

My biggest regret was not applying a ceramic coat! I've been looking into the two bucket method! And that sir, is one gorgeous looking truck!

 

[lawlavigne]

I haven't done any type of two or three bucket methods. My usual routine is a rinse with the pressure washer then a foam cannon coating using McGuire's Gold class car wash. I use 4 microfiber gloves that I have soaking in a water bucket that I use to wash while the foam is dripping. 1 for each side of truck, 1 for hood and grill, and one for top and tailgate. Then I rinse with pressure washer and use a blower to help with the drying process before using drying towels. I follow it up with a ceramic detail spray Tec582. It's good on it's own but even better as a keep up with a ceramic coating.

 

[Biga]

I'm not overly delicate with it but I do avoid automatic car washes, hand wash every 1-2 weeks and I wax it with Migiaurs Ultimate a few times a year. No scratches a almost no swirl marks after 20,000 miles

 

[MidnightRonin]

I haven't done any type of two or three bucket methods. My usual routine is a rinse with the pressure washer then a foam cannon coating using McGuire's Gold class car wash. I use 4 microfiber gloves that I have soaking in a water bucket that I use to wash while the foam is dripping. 1 for each side of truck, 1 for hood and grill, and one for top and tailgate. Then I rinse with pressure washer and use a blower to help with the drying process before using drying towels. I follow it up with a ceramic detail spray Tec582. It's good on it's own but even better as a keep up with a ceramic coating.

I've been exploring the foam cannons.....there is just so much out there to include the buffing machines and such.....the research is endless lol

 

[MidnightRonin]

I'm not overly delicate with it but I do avoid automatic car washes, hand wash every 1-2 weeks and I wax it with Migiaurs Ultimate a few times a year. No scratches a almost no swirl marks after 20,000 miles

No scratches and almost no swirls after 20k miles is definitely a product statement!

 

[Fatherof3]

I'm not overly delicate with it but I do avoid automatic car washes, hand wash every 1-2 weeks and I wax it with Migiaurs Ultimate a few times a year. No scratches a almost no swirl marks after 20,000 miles

This is what I use too , you can even apply it in direct sunlight .

 

[Jtr]

No swirl and marring here. About 10k miles. I'm always changing up my technique depending on the weather and time of year, but recently it's a good power wash, throw Wolfgang uber rimseless concentrate into bucket, put in about 10 microfibers and let them soak. Then use the towels to lightly wash top to the bottom, leaving the bottom panels for last. I then have a spray bottle with the mix of Uber rinseless and carpro reload (kind of like a detail spray) and use that as a pre dry agent. Considering I don't have rain and don't get any heavy dust on the truck, I'll maintain the truck with that detail spray maybe up to two weeks. I have recently moved to the turtle wax spray ceramic line with fantastic results and get about 3 months of good beading with one treatment. Carpro reload seems to play well with the turtle wax spray so it is a good maintainer.

Rinseless or waterless wash freak some people out but if it's done right, you won't be adding possible contamination any more than if you did the two bucket method. Just make sure to have plenty of microfiber towels on hand!

 

[5thGenRebel_AMK]

Definitely want to do a polish (light compound) regardless of if you don’t think you have swirls or not, especially with black paint. It will make your paint mirror-like. My preferred method is clay bar, polish, paint sealant, then whichever wax/top coat product you like for ease of use and shine. I do this twice a year. In between, I just do maintenance washes and Adam’s h2o guard and gloss as a drying aid on everything. I use Adams line for everything and have had great results. I’m not on the ceramic coating hype train since I enjoy detailing. To me, ceramic coating is something meant for someone who wants their paint protected, but then don’t want to touch it for a while. True Ceramic coating doesn’t bond with itself after it’s applied, so you can't spot correct anything if you get a scratch etc. you’d have to take it all off. So for me, I enjoy the detailing process and use different products to get the same good looking and protected end result! Detailing is truly an art and I’m still learning a ton

 

[Danny_TheHouseCook]

Definitely want to do a polish (light compound) regardless of if you don’t think you have swirls or not, especially with black paint. It will make your paint mirror-like. My preferred method is clay bar, polish, paint sealant, then whichever wax/top coat product you like for ease of use and shine. I do this twice a year. In between, I just do maintenance washes and Adam’s h2o guard and gloss as a drying aid on everything. I use Adams line for everything and have had great results. I’m not on the ceramic coating hype train since I enjoy detailing. To me, ceramic coating is something meant for someone who wants their paint protected, but then don’t want to touch it for a while. True Ceramic coating doesn’t bond with itself after it’s applied, so you can spot correct anything if you get a scratch etc. you’d have to take it all off. So for me, I enjoy the detailing process and use different products to get the same good looking and protected end result! Detailing a truly an art and I’m still learning a ton

Looks great.

 

[5thGenRebel_AMK]

Looks great.

thank you sir!!

 

[jloops]

Ceramic coating

 

[jugshead00]

I've started using a product called The Last Coat and a micro fiber rag works great to remove the few water spots that are left after drying

 

[z0n3]

I've started using a product called The Last Coat and a micro fiber rag works great to remove the few water spots that are left after drying View attachment 50848View attachment 50852

What did you use to tint your tail lights? Or are those factory for blackout package?

 

[jugshead00]

What did you use to tint your tail lights? Or are those factory for blackout package?

The dealer sprayed the tail lights for me before I picked it up. They sprayed them on the inside of the lens

 

[AmericanRebelution]

Use your wash mit in straight lines, not circular motion. Wash in the direction as the wind sweeps your truck as you drive (if that makes sense). And don't let your 6'6" 320 pound buddy lean against the side of your dirty truck with his hunting jacket on...doh!! haha

 

[Truckguy]

To add to all the great advice you all should look into the new turtle wax seal and shine as a protectant with their spray wax or their ceramic spray wax. Many YouTube videos on them. They have made a huge turn around. The seal and shine is like p&s bead maker but lasts longer.

 

[5thGenRebel_AMK]

To add to all the great advice you all should look into the new turtle wax seal and shine as a protectant with their spray wax or their ceramic spray wax. Many YouTube videos on them. They have made a huge turn around. The seal and shine is like p&s bead maker but lasts longer.

Really?? I honestly always just want to laugh whenever I hear turtle wax products being brought up but I should definitely give them a second look!! Lol I’ve been seeing members talking about this product a lot.