Chemical Guys has amazing products. I have never used anything like it. We have their torque cannon, use their wash, waxes, and interior detailing chemicals. Simply amazing. Vehicle stays cleaner much longer and does not get dull.

My wifes vegicles are both black. Company has amazing customer service also.

 

Ended up going white and magnetic two tone. My last two vehicles were black and I swore to myself I'd never do it again. Even though I went with a low maintenance color, this beast is a huge undertaking to clean properly. I need a step ladder to access everything. Anyways, once a year I claybar and hit my vehicles with Griots Garage carnauba wax. I highly recommend the YouTube channel ChrisFix for all your detailing needs. Very informative and easy to follow.

 

I've been detailing my vehicles myself for a long time. Have a shadow black exterior myself. I've been a big fan of Zymol waxes, as you apply them in your palm by hand. She's received two coats of Titanium wax since Labor day when I took delivery. First coat was the 2nd day I had it. Important to get it on there early as it provides a protective layer against sap, bugs, road grime etc, It's a enzyme, and reacts with O2 to create an extremely hard and durable layer of protection. With that being said, I've been impressed with The Chemical Guys line of products, along with Meguires Ultimate lineup. Synthetics have been introduced and exterior protection is evolving. Ceramic coatings are really impressive, but a bit pricey and for the true detailing enthusiast. As much as these trucks cost, it's really not too bad for anyone wanting to protect their paint and glass.

I have my tried and true favorites from many many years of taking care of my vehicles. No matter who you pay to do it, no cares about your stuff more than you do. Here's my list of products for all surfaces and the necessary tools to make them work.

Microfiber: Chemical Guys Workhorse 24" x 16" (3 pak color coded)
5 Gallon Pails: (2x) Any (Soap & Rinse)
Foam Cannon: Fasmov Foam Cannon (need pressure washer)
Wash: Chemical Guys Honeydew Snowfoam
Drying: The Absorber (XL)
Clay Bar: Mothers Clay Kit
DA Polisher: Harbor Freight 69924
Cutting/Buffing/Polishing Pads: Chemical Guys Hexlogic 6" Buffing Pads
Compound: Meguires Ultimate Compound (major correction)
Polish: Meguires Ultimate Polish (swirls and clear coat correction)
Waxes (DA): Meguires Ultimate Liquid Wax (final step (synthetic))
Waxes (hand): Zymol Titanium
Quick Detailing: Meguires Ultimate Waterless Wash & Wax
Water Spot Remover: Stoner Hard Water Spot Remover
Glass: Stoner Invisible Glass
Wheels: Eagle 1 Wheel Cleaner
Tires: Wesley's Blech White
Dressing: Meguires Hot Shine Reflective
Leather: Lexol Deep Leather Cleaner
Rubber/Vinyl: Armour All Multi Purpose Cleaner
Tire & Wheel Brush
Step Stool (for the forward roof and upper windshield)

If you're serious about applying product to vehices as large as these trucks are, or correcting any blemishes that come along, get a DA polisher. If you're not making a living at detailing, the Harbor Freight DA polisher is fine for the weekend warriors applying/correcting twice a year. Of course a Torq, Porter Cable or Flex are more of an industry standard, but the latest HF DA polisher is fine. Just make sure you get the newly upgraded 69924 model as they have changed the backing plate and it's actually usable. At 20% off, you can pick it up for $56. Grab orange, blue and black 6" foam polishing/cutting pads as well. If you decide to go the DA route, you must start with a clay bar. Mothers 200 gram set is the best value out there. Our new trucks will rarely require 3 step correction, with the deepest cutting compound, unless you have an unfortunate incident. Usually just a polish and a wax, or just a wax with newest paint.

If you own a pressure washer, a foam cannon speeds up your detailing process. You can soap the entire vehicle within 2 minutes in 1 move, and it's as thick as shaving cream. A PH neutral soap (any of the Chemical Guys) will allow you to take your time washing. Always wash in straight lines, from top to bottom. The Fasmov foam cannon on Amazon is just as good as the name brands priced 4-5 times higher. The two bucket method is the only way to go, especially with a black or dark exterior. I use The Absorber to dry. It's a synthetic chamois, and I've had the same one for 10+ years. They make an XL version now, but my original is still in fine fashion.

In between washes, it's hard to beat Mequires lastest Ultimate Waterless Wash & Wax. You can get the dust off the truck quickly and it makes it super slick. It smells awesome as well. A $10 bottle would probably last 2 seasons. If you let hard water dry on the glass or chrome, Stoner's Water Spot remover will make quick work of them. Their Invisible Glass has been a streak free glass cleaning (tint safe) industry standard for a while. I spray the tires with Wesley's Bleche White and the wheels with Eagle 1 Wheel cleaner. A dedicated wheel/tire brush is a must for brake dust removal. If you hate brake dust accumulation, The Chemical Guys Wheel Guard Max Coat works wonders once applied. It alows you to hose off brake dust without scrubbing, or minimal effort if a long time between wheel washings. I dress the tires with a new favorite. Meguires Hot Shine Reflective. It's kind of expensive, but phenominal. There are dressings half the price, but this stuff lasts and looks awesome, even at night.

Inside, I love Lexol Leather Deep Leather Cleaner. Smells great, and you don't end up with super slippery seats. I use Armor All Multi Purpose for the doors, dash and Weather Tecs. I'd say that covers just about everything. I've found WalMart has the cheapest prices on most above. Amazon and Chemical Guys for the rest. A step ladder is a must for the upper windshield and roof above front doors. You can reach the rear of the roof from the bed. A microfiber wash mitt or sponge and telescopic wash mop are a necessity. An Xl microfiber drying towel is nice as well. They hold 7x times their weight in H20, and require less wringing. That's about it. These are trucks, but mine is a daily driver and doesn't "work" as much as some on the board here. I try to keep it in show room condition all the time, and take pride in it being spotless.

SD

 

I did at first notice it was a bit tough to take off and was not hazing as well as I expected. After talking with a buddy he told to try getting my applicator a little wetter and using less wax. I did and it worked well I give it about 10-12 min to dry and notice a lot nicer haze and the removal is easier. I apply with one rag (micro-fiber from pep boys) let it haze the wipe clean with another rag then final lite wipe with yet another comes out like glass. Haven’t had an issue with swirl marks yet (except for plastic on B post) researching best solution prior to jumping into something. Also I’m considering purchasing one of those soap applicators to soap up entire truck to get top layer on grit off prior to washing. Any experience with them?

 

No, actually thought I was pretty **** about cleaning my truck until I read some of these posts, I feel pretty inadequate now, lol. I try to spray as much surface dirt off as I can with hose, keep my micofiber mitt clean and hope for the best. It gets some swirls by the time its due a waxing but the black wax takes care of them. The B pillar posts drive me nuts, the black wax helps but it was swirled bad from day 1, not sure there is anything to get rid of it all.

 

I used to spend a lot of time keeping my truck, bass boat and the wife's car super clean and polished. The older I got the less I saw it as a necessity. It finally dawned on me that I only have so much time on this earth and decided there are better ways to spend it. So, now I give the stuff an occasional hand wash and a once a year wax with some Meguiar's.

White is a good color for me.

 

I have a black 2017 f350 dually. Right away had it buffed and coated with Opticoat pro plus. Wash with Optimum No Rinse. Still not bullet proof but sure helps keep out the swirls and scratches. Takes a while to wash but the results are worth it.
Couldn't afford a truck and a Corvette so I bought the truck and promised myself that I would take care of it like it was my Corvette....although it's like washing 3 Corvettes......

 

I always say that "black isn't a color, its a part time job". This post is proof of that. Your truck definitely is Standing Tall.

 

All the vehicles I've had, have been white until now. The wife got a Tungsten Metallic Tahoe and I liked that color, so when I got my SD, I went with Magnetic. Time will tell if I stick with that color for 20+ years, too!

 

You and me both. I think I’ll grab a bottle of the black wax and try 2 panels side by side. The issues I had with other black waxes specifically surf city garage was when it get on plastic it stains white even after hitting it with back to Black the ultimate does not give me that issue. Ive got so crazy I got one of those racks that sits in the bottom of your bucket as to not contaminate your mit with dirt from bucket and I wash in the machine my mitts after every wash.

 

Wow! We pretty much have the same truck. I'm going to follow your method and use the products you mentioned as it seems like it's worked perfectly on your SD. My truck won't get much "work" either so I'm trying to treat it as good as possible. It was between a Z06 and a truck but I figured my family will get more use out of a truck and I'll hold off on the Z06.

 

I don't have issue with the Harbor Freight buffer, but you should be aware that it weighs a ton and will wear you out. I also really like the Porter Cable because it is virtually impossible to burn through your paint.