How to preserve finish

[anonymous1977]

I just bought a f150 around a week back in antimatter blue and want to preserve the finish. I live in NJ. Can someone advise whether I need to get a wrap or something like a ceramic coating or anything else that can preserve it? A cost efficient solution that lasts would be appreciated. Also I don't believe I can DIY this since my garage is not accessible for my vehicle. I see a number of ads popping up for $599 ceramic coating. I have read PPF on front and ceramic coating for rest of vehicle. How would I go about finding a shop that does both if that's the general direction? How long does it last and how much does it cost?

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[mxwrk]

PPF, then ceramic coat over the PPF would be ideal however it will be very expensive. Most local Southern California estimates for full PPF wrap are $8000-$12000, and are good for about 10 years if maintained properly. You could totally PPF the front end, but i've seen examples where the paint will fade differently on those panels due to their UV protective qualities. I decided to just ceramic coat the truck and will never use wax again. I found a reputable mobile detailer who came and did paint correction and applied "5 year" ceramic coat. I swear all I do is power wash it and touch up wipe, and its spotless. So much easier to keep clean. The detailer comes back every 6 months to give it a proper wash and apply some type of booster to keep the ceramic coat in shape.

 

[Antimatter22]

I think PPF the front end is probably the best thing you can do to protect the truck, especially if you drive on the highway frequently. I PPF'd the entire truck but that was super expensive and I probably wouldn't do it again. I'm currently looking around to get my wife's new SUV PPF in the front and ceramic coated.

From my research while looking up PPF for my truck companies usually provide services for PPF, ceramic, and tint under one roof.

Pricing varies a lot so just call around your area and read reviews online about the companies.

 

[FORDTEXAS]

a little over half of my truck is wrapped in paint protection film. sh*t wasn’t cheap but it’s still holding up good lol.

 

[HOTRODTIM]

Picked up my 2023 RCSB 150 a couple of months ago and knew living in Florida that protection from UV rays was a priority. After pricing the dealership and figuring it would be wiser to do myself I purchased R1 ceramic product.
Easy to apply on any new vehicle paint and holding up well. Along with dark tinting windows and the Oxford white color paint and with the new coating I couldn't be more satisfied.

 

[Calson]

I use truck covers on my truck. I have a full truck cover and a cab only cover. Most of the time I use the cab only cover that covers everything forward of the bed.

https://www.amazon.com/EzyShade-10-...prefix=truck+cab+cover,automotive,175&sr=1-16


Carnauba wax and some elbow grease is as good as any other solution. My truck supposedly had a special outer coating applied by the dealer and he wanted to charge my more than $500 for it. I told him to remove the charge or I was not going to buy the truck as it is a gimmick no different than the "special" undercoating service sold to the gullible for decades.

 

[Graygoose2021]

Ceramic helps alot.

 

[Deleted member 22921]

I use Meguiars Gold Class car wash.

Then I use Meguiars Ultimate car wax.

Outstanding products. The water on my 2021 F-150 SuperCrew FX4 is still beading nicely from the Meguiars Ultimate wax that I applied to it last May 2023 (over a year ago),

And my truck has never been garage-kept. It’s been parked outside every day since I purchased it new back in March 2021.

 

[Ricksc]

Keep fishing as you have done on several of your post. Then repost under another title. Do what you feel is best for you. Stop fishing and follow what’s been suggested in your previously posted threads

 

[fmdog44]

Keep it clean and waxed like I have been doing for 60 years with no paint failures. Paint protection products are basically the same. One thing I always did was apply two coats.

 

[anonymous1977]

Keep it clean and waxed like I have been doing for 60 years with no paint failures. Paint protection products are basically the same. One thing I always did was apply two coats.

The following is the process I use. Do you recommend any changes?

1. I wash the tires with turtle wax tire cleaner
2. I then wash the truck and then apply turtle wax soap via foam cannon and then use microfiber cloth to clean it. I then wash away the foam
4. I use a leaf blower for remaining water
5. I then use a turtle wax wax and dry to wipe down the truck
6. I then use an invisible glass window cleaner for all glass
7. I then use tire shine to polish the tires

Is there an in-between waxing step missing above or does #5 cover it?

 

[fmdog44]

The following is the process I use. Do you recommend any changes?

1. I wash the tires with turtle wax tire cleaner
2. I then wash the truck and then apply turtle wax soap via foam cannon and then use microfiber cloth to clean it. I then wash away the foam
4. I use a leaf blower for remaining water
5. I then use a turtle wax wax and dry to wipe down the truck
6. I then use an invisible glass window cleaner for all glass
7. I then use tire shine to polish the tires

Is there an in-between waxing step missing above or does #5 cover it?

Looks good to me

 

[Calson]

A good quality carnuba wax will minimize oxidation of the paint as it blocks the air/oxygen. When I get a nick in the paint I do a touchup with clear nail polish which is a lacquer.

All the aftermarket coatings are designed to part owners from their money. They have never been shown to prevent UV damage that has been a problem for metallic paint jobs for many years.

Truck covers also help to protect both the paint and the interior of the truck. I use one that covers only the cab and hood area for this purpose.

 

[Ricksc]

Park it in the garage and don’t drive it

 

[EricR]

We had our truck done with ceramic (System X) just under 2 years ago. It works great and the truck has a deep shine.

You take it back once a year for a touch-up treatment.

Some will cringe, but TBH we just run it through a good quality tunnel carwash and the ceramic is holding up great. The truck comes out looking nice.

The ceramic is so smooth and slippery I'm convinced it helps prevent scratches from trees and shrubs when we are off road.

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