Tips for after paintjob.

[JtpLLC]

Car was painted last week at a paint shop. I have a 2003 350z that was done blue. I'll post up some photos when I get out of the office.


Any how Its been two weeks, I'll wait another 2-3 weeks before I paint it. I'm going to let it cure a little longer. I live in Florida so its usually hot and has been fairly hot and sunny lately.


Any how these are my steps I plan to work on when I do start.

1. Clay
2. M83
3. M80
4. M7
5. Wolfgang Fuzion Carnauba Polymer wax

I'm using a Portercable buffer with

2 Lake Country Orange pads
1 Lake Country Orange pad
2 Lake Country White pads

I'm thinking of using the orange with the M80, M83 with the white pads or visa versa, orange being a little more aggressive then the white. Then I'll use the Gold pad with the M7. I'll then Finnish the deal with the WFC. Not sure how many of you guys have used it, I really like it over anything else I've used.

But please give me your input on what pads to use, buy, with what--etc. I also have minor swirls due to the wash after the paintjob from the bodyshop but its not a big deal there roughly a 4 out of 10 so they will be cake to remove.


Let the discussion begin!

[scapegoat]

why ????

[Please Wash Me Detailing]

Are yoi going to sand the orange peel first?

[JtpLLC]

There is no orange peel the shop already sanded what needed to be done. I'm now going to remove minor swirls and then wax to seal the paint.

[WeekendGlaze]

Are you using flat pads or the hydro-tech pads? It's always best to use the least aggressive pad you can to get the job done so whatever you are using start the lightest and see what works. That looks like a great line up to use though, I'm sure it will make that car look beautiful!

[WeekendGlaze]

Correction, the white is definately a flat pad so thats what you are using. I would start with the white pad and see how well it works first with the cleaner and if it doesn't work as well as you want, bump up to orange. Then use the white for your glaze with little to no pressure.

[JtpLLC]

Im going To start with the white pad but the orange pad isn't as heavy as a cutting pad as many might think.
Anyone have any suggestions to what wax cleaner i can use on my car. Also how long should i wait before doing a entire treatment on the car? Do you think the car has had enough time to breath or shoud it sit for some more?

Also any pad suggestions vs my type of lake country? I'm using the porter cable too by the way.

Correction, the white is definately a flat pad so thats what you are using. I would start with the white pad and see how well it works first with the cleaner and if it doesn't work as well as you want, bump up to orange. Then use the white for your glaze with little to no pressure.

[Michael Stoops]

Generally speaking, we recommend waiting 60 to 90 days to let an aftermarket paint job outgas and cure before waxing. If your body shop has told you something specific with regard to this then go by what they tell as they should know these things for the specific paint they used. Polishes, cleaners and compounds from our Mirror Glaze Pro line are fine for now as they are all body shop safe, but using a wax or sealant at this time may not be the best idea since the respray was so recent.

Without seeing the condition of the paint, and without knowing how this aftermarket paint is going to respond to any input, it's very difficult to make a product and pad recommendation. We would start with something pretty mild - either M80 or M205 and polishing pad, using light pressure and moderate tool speed to start. Do the always recommended test spot first and see how much improvement you make when going easy at first, then step up as needed.

[JtpLLC]

Michael so technically steps 1-4 are fine to do but I'd rather play on the safe side and say I'll wait 60-90 days before I do anything I rather be safe then sorry. Even if the paintshop said I could wax today but I'd prefer to go by your advice because you know what it does long term--not short term to make a customer happy by saying yes wax today and then in 7 months my paint then begins to peel and crSSDack.

Question---My wife brought her car through a touch free car wash. Which sprayed wax on the car---it was a 8$ carwash that was touch free wash which I nearly killed her for doing. Do you think that sealer will damage the car?


Should I apply a wax cleaner before I prep the car?

Generally speaking, we recommend waiting 60 to 90 days to let an aftermarket paint job outgas and cure before waxing. If your body shop has told you something specific with regard to this then go by what they tell as they should know these things for the specific paint they used. Polishes, cleaners and compounds from our Mirror Glaze Pro line are fine for now as they are all body shop safe, but using a wax or sealant at this time may not be the best idea since the respray was so recent.

Without seeing the condition of the paint, and without knowing how this aftermarket paint is going to respond to any input, it's very difficult to make a product and pad recommendation. We would start with something pretty mild - either M80 or M205 and polishing pad, using light pressure and moderate tool speed to start. Do the always recommended test spot first and see how much improvement you make when going easy at first, then step up as needed.

[Michael Stoops]

Any wax that may have deposited via a touchless wash is going to be fleeting at best. I wouldn't worry about it one way or another, just go with the process and products we've discussed and you'll be good to go.