RedlandRanger
Moderator
Are you using the Armor Shield IX or the spray and hose off product? (I think it was from Meguiars?)The hybrid ceramic is working well for me as well.
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Are you using the Armor Shield IX or the spray and hose off product? (I think it was from Meguiars?)The hybrid ceramic is working well for me as well.
There is no question that your truck looks beyond great. My truck (magnetic) whenever it arrives will be only used about 5K miles/year or so and always garaged. I haven't gotten anything new in years and in the long interim have been satisfied with a quick detailer to gloss up my old Lexus which still has after 16 years a like-new gloss. So lots of products have passed me by and I don't imagine I would use a ceramic product, let alone a clay bar. Old and lazy I guess, and I would never pay $500 to have it professionally done either. BUT it is great to know what is out there and results just in case This is a really great site! Thanks for taking the time to do your posts.Took a crack at applying the Armor Shield IX today.
Not sure how good a job I did, as I only used 1 bottle, and expected it to take more. ( I didn’t do any of the inner part of the bed ).
It looks pretty slick though...
This is my biggest priority as well. I'm a little leery of this product since it seems too easy - seems too good to be true. Wondering how well it will actually protect vs a real ceramic coat. I will be really interested to hear how it works for you. Please keep us updated on how it performs against brush.My biggest priority is defending against scratches against the brush while on the trails.
I plan to keep my truck for years (car payments suck - I need to get my money's worth lol) so if the truck gets some bruises while doing things that it was intended for I'm okay with that. A true ceramic coat/clear wrap will undoubtedly provide better protection, but for $15/bottle and ease of application? I'm willing to make that trade.This is my biggest priority as well. I'm a little leery of this product since it seems too easy - seems too good to be true. Wondering how well it will actually protect vs a real ceramic coat. I will be really interested to hear how it works for you. Please keep us updated on how it performs against brush.
I'm the same - I kept my last Ranger for 14 years. My last Ranger had scratches down the side - I could hide them with some "scratch hider" and while it lasted it looked really good, but it wasn't permanent. One of the reasons I got the white - it shows those scratches less. But in the end, it is a truck and it is going to get scratched up. I'm just trying to limit it as much as I can.I plan to keep my truck for years (car payments suck - I need to get my money's worth lol) so if the truck gets some bruises while doing things that it was intended for I'm okay with that. A true ceramic coat/clear wrap will undoubtedly provide better protection, but for $15/bottle and ease of application? I'm willing to make that trade.
For sure, I'll update periodically! Planning to hit a local ORP this weekend so we'll see how it holds up
Actually that's a really good idea - I might do a DIY on that. Agreed that they're absurdly expensive...the only thing I'm bummed about the XLT is that you don't get the LED headlights. Someone looked at Ford parts to do a Lariat headlight swap and it came out to $3200 or so...it's crazy!I think I am going to wrap my headlights and tail lights in some sort of protective film, though. Both the headlights and tail lights are REALLY expensive if I had to replace them (tail lights are like $1200 a piece!).
I have the Lariat so my headlights are crazy expensive, but I think even the XLT lights are pretty insane. Spending a few $$ to try and protect them is money well spent I think. Scratches are one thing, but broken plastic is another. Funny anecdote - I remember many years ago when my uncle was complaining about a rear taillight for his car (Buick maybe?) cost him something like $25 and he thought that was ridiculous... My how times have changed....Actually that's a really good idea - I might do a DIY on that. Agreed that they're absurdly expensive...the only thing I'm bummed about the XLT is that you don't get the LED headlights. Someone looked at Ford parts to do a Lariat headlight swap and it came out to $3200 or so...it's crazy!
$25!! Haha and I bet all you needed was a Philip's screw driver...I have the Lariat so my headlights are crazy expensive, but I think even the XLT lights are pretty insane. Spending a few $$ to try and protect them is money well spent I think. Scratches are one thing, but broken plastic is another. Funny anecdote - I remember many years ago when my uncle was complaining about a rear taillight for his car (Buick maybe?) cost him something like $25 and he thought that was ridiculous... My how times have changed....