Polishing Diamond Black Crystal

[jlanc20]

I was wondering what other guys used to polish theyre Diamond Black Crystal Metallic trucks? I have a dual rotary polisher but im a rookie at it. Ive watched alot of youtube videos and know the basics but with so many products out there im not sure what to use as far as pads go and cutting/polishing products. Ive read before that the paint on these trucks is pretty soft so i dont want to go too aggressive. My truck has alot of swirl marks from previous owner and a few light scratches so id like to fix those also. I do already have chemical guys C4 and P4 or whatever theyre called that may be wrong. Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[Cajun_]

my detailer used koch chemie yellow with the yellow pads

 

[Yankee Echo]

Like you I don't have a lot of experience using power equipment on my paint. That's why I chose Griot's. They try to make it idiot proof. Plus their products are outstanding. I'm hooked on the ceramic window cleaner and ceramic speed shine.

 

[Kinalyx]

First thing to do is do a test spot, make a 24"x24" spot that you use the least aggressive stuff you have, see if you are happy with the results, if not, go to the next level of product you have, ect... Once you are happy, it should give you an idea of what you are going to go with for the whole truck.

I highly recommend www.autogeekonline.net for TONS of information on detailing

 

[Cbty2050]

Autogeekonline.net has alot of info, ended up ordering some stuff from them to do my boat and travel trailer.

 

[Goldsy]

Polished mine yesterday. Chemical guys hex logic orange pad. 3D one compound.

 

[BowDown]

3D One and Koch Kreme pads with a G15 polisher.
3D One is very easy to use and forgiving, I top that with CarPro Reflex.
I recently bought some Rupes yellow & white pads and Scholl Concepts S20 to try as the Koch Kreme pads don't seem to last with the G15.

This is after a couple passes with 3D One and Buff n shine pads

​

 

[Alejandro_Andretti]

3D One and Koch Kreme pads with a G15 polisher.
3D One is very easy to use and forgiving, I top that with CarPro Reflex.
I recently bought some Rupes yellow & white pads and Scholl Concepts S20 to try as the Koch Kreme pads don't seem to last with the G15.

This is after a couple passes with 3D One and Buff n shine pads

View attachment 129023

View attachment 129024

​

You polish outdoors?

 

[BowDown]

You polish outdoors?

Yep

 

[AmericanRebelution]

If your truck needs paint correction, here is what I would recommend:
If you don't already have a polisher: Griot's Garage G9 random orbital polisher
Paint Correction: Griot's Garage BOSS Correcting Cream with a blue Lake Country pad
Polishing/Finishing: Griot's Garage BOSS Finishing Sealant with a black Lake Country pad

These products are easy to use with a little research. I do a little detailing on the side, and these are the products I use on customer vehicles as well as my own.

@jlanc20 - You are right: there are SO many products out there and many ways to "do it right". The above products/method is what has worked well for me but there are lots of other great products and lots of knowledge on this forum. If you have more questions on process, feel free to PM me.

 

[jlanc20]

thank you all so much!

 

[GARebel19]

Polished mine up for the first time last weekend. Clay bar the whole thing which by itself made a big difference. Polished using Chemical Guys TorqX polisher. Medium-heavy, orange pad and V34 cutting compound. Followed up with a wax.

 

[ferraiolo1]

Claybar, griots garage ultimate polish, then ceramic.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GARebel19]

So shiny.

 

[ws6guy]

I'm in the same boat on trying to figure out what to use as a first timer. I just bought a 2021 in granite crystal and it has some minor swirling but it looks awful at sunset when the light hits it just right.

I've just about settled on a G9 and to use 3D Speed or 3D One. Seems like people have good luck with orange pads with Speed but for One there seems to be a lot of good ones to use. Would the paint on Rams generally be considered hard or soft?

It's hard to get pics of the swirls but here are some shots.

 

[BowDown]

I'd consider it soft.
G9 will work, the difference is the throw which determines how much work the machine does over a given time. G9 has a 9MM throw while the G15 is 15MM. I'm looking for a G21 as that really cuts down on time especially when you have to do multiple steps.

3D One works very well, I think I prefer it over the Scholl Concepts S30. I had to re-pint correct after a not being happy with the sort term results of Avalon King ceramic coat (junk, don't buy) I used Rupes yellow then white with Scholl S30. The Scholl wasn't working as I would have liked so I switched to 3D One and cleaned up the swirls in one pass. I'm also not impressed with the Rupes pads, going back to the Buff n Shine maroon, light blue and yellow uro tech pads

 

[ferraiolo1]

Yeah the Avalon king didn’t really stand the rest of time. But I shouldn’t have expected too much for how cheap it was. Trying glossit tomorrow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ferraiolo1]

I had some decent swirling from a winter wash mishap. I did two runs on the truck. Used this pad and compound. This is before coating or wax

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Biggiehorn]

I had some decent swirling from a winter wash mishap. I did two runs on the truck. Used this pad and compound. This is before coating or wax

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looks amazing! I love that Griots Complete Compound. I have brought several motorcycle fenders and gas tanks back to life with that stuff. I know this thread is specifically discussing Diamond Black Crystal, so I don’t want to take it too far off course, but I have had awesome results using that compound. Always keep it in my lineup.

 

[HEMIJAKE]

I had some decent swirling from a winter wash mishap. I did two runs on the truck. Used this pad and compound. This is before coating or wax

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've had good luck with griot's compound. I did find that it left paint still a little dull though. I followed up with a lighter polish and that brought it back. All to be expected though when using a compound.