Maintaing New Paint

[kazuo]

Soo, I just got a shiny new paint job!

Now my question is, what are some of the first things I should do to protect the paint from evils such as sunlight, bird poop, etc etc?

I would assume giving it a nice waxing would help... aside from that, no clues here. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

Any hints, advice? Thanks <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[sxtasy]

In my opinion as a certified auto detail specialist the first thing you need to do with new paint is let it go through it's curing prosess for about 1 hour and for multi stage paint applications before doing anything else is................ Post some pictures so we can all go oooooooooooo <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> &nbsp;*ting*

hehe

[240 2NR]

Hold off on the carnuba can for a few months!!!! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>

Depsite what common sense would tell you, waxing your car after a fresh paint job is actually very bad for it. &nbsp;While at the surface the paint seems very hard, it's still curing underneath. &nbsp;You can &nbsp;wash it as much as you like so long as you use a quality soap and a very clean sponge.

[240racr]

DO NOT WAX THE PAINT!!!!!!

Paint needs to cure for a minimum of 30 days before you wax it. Waxing it can cause the paint to pin hole. Wash with a mild car soap like Mequires soft soap and don't use a wash mitt. Use a soft cotton cloth. You can use a glaze on the paint if you want.

If you get bird poop on it, wash it off immediately!

I am a certified Automotive Refinish Technician in case you are wondering.

[sxtasy]

oh, by the way, don't wax it for about 6 months and keep it out of the sun as much as possible. When you wash it use a nice soft cotton towel (not a schamoise) to dry it, they can leave scratches if there is any particles on the paint. Of course when you wash it do it by hand with a wool mit (again to prevent scratches) and use a high quality car wash detergent with carnuba wax, like Mcquires, and when washing and drying start at the top and work your way down so you don't pick up any dirt that could scratch the finish. And if you see ANYBODY so much as breath on your shiney new car, beat them within an inch of thier life as a warning to others <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'> . Oh yea and did I mention....... POST SOME PICS! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

[kazuo]

Ok,

Soo... one guy says 30 days, the other says 6 mos... they both say they're auto detailers. Brain hurts. Head go boom!

In any case, yeah, I suppose I can wait a month or two before I wax it.

Another question I had -- yanno how some cars have that really shiny, nice, glossy appearance to the paint? Is that due to clear coats or due to a good waxing? Or both? Or neither?

Just curious. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> In any case, thanks for the advice!

[kanekz]

I hear that a lot of the big name car wash detergent are really abrasive. &nbsp;I was told by a pro that instead of using soap all the time, hose the car down with water really good first and go over it with a wool mitt while watering again. &nbsp;Use soap maybe every other car wash. &nbsp;This is the best way to keep the paint from fading over time.

[240racr]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (sxtasy @ Aug. 13 2002,1:42)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">When you wash it use a nice soft cotton towel (not a schamoise) to dry it, they can leave scratches if there is any particles on the paint. Of course when you wash it do it by hand with a wool mit (again to prevent scratches) and use a high quality car wash detergent with carnuba wax, like Mcquires,</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
wool mitt's scratch! anything but soft cotton will scratch! I don't know why someone would tell you not to wax your car for 6 month, but to use a car wash detergent with "carnuba wax" in it.

Even though I did detail for a while, that is not what I said. What I did say, is that I was a certified Automotive Refinisher, AKA car painter. I went to school to learn how to paint. In that class I also learned how paint works chemicaly and how to take car of it and what to have customers do with thier paint after I paint the car.

30 days is a bare minimum for not waxing the car. 6 month is good, but it is boarded ling excessive.

[sxtasy]

I'm no actually a "detail specialist" that was supose to be a joke, and I meant after the 6 month "curing process" (wich a body shop told me that was the standard period for the paint to fully cure) to use the car wash with "carnuba wax". And I saw to use a wool mit to wash your car in an issue of Road and Track that they had an article on detailing. So if I gave out false information I humbly apologize. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/dozingoff.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':zzz:'>

[tnord]

did they wetsand it? compounds used? because if not, you can probably go ahead and do that. but yeah, an actual wax is bad inside of 30 days.

as far as the nice glossy finish question, if it was on a new car, that's because it's got good paint (audi has the nicest paint ever). if it was a used car that looked really good, it's probably from the owner taking care of it. in general, german cars have the best paint, and jap cars' paint sucks balls, not just initial looks, but it's easier to bring back when it starts to look like poo.