Aston Martin DB9--First Wax

[Monk]

I have a friend that just got one of these in black. I asked him if it had had its first coat of wax, and he said not yet. If I do this for him, I was kind of thinking a hand wax and removal with the DA, or possibly DA wax and DA removal.

I obviously don't want to do any damage to this awesome machine. If it has any swirls I am not going to touch it at all.

Here are my questions--

If the finish is brand new and has never had anything applied to it, do I need to use the #80 before I wax it? If so, I would be afraid to use the DA to do anything besides remove my wax application given my lack of skill and the value of the car. However, I would feel comfortable using 80 by hand, if that accomplishes anything besides sore muscles. (I would wash it first, and tape it off)

If it has had a "sealant" applied by the dealer, can I just wax it, or do I need to remove this with a cleaner? Is sealant "removable"?

To summarize, if it is swirl-free, I would be willing to apply 80 and wax on by hand, wax off with DA and Meg's bonnet/7006. Otherwise, I will just admire his car--but it would be a rush to put my hands all over this car.

[Mike Phillips]

As soon as you can, look at the finish in bright sunlight. If it's perfect, then apply a coat of wax using the W-9006 foam finishing pad on the dual action polisher on the 3.0 setting and then remove using a bonnet over a W-7006 pad on the 5.0 setting.

If it has swirls, take a picture of them with a camera and point them out to the owner. Then polish out the paint using the M80 Speed Glaze using a W-8006 foam polishing pad on the 4.5 to 5.0 setting and remove, and then follow with the above waxing steps.

Call me cynical, but I'd bet you a bottle of NXT Tech Wax that it has swirls in it.


Basically follow the steps outlined here skipping the M83 step.

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

[Monk]

Mike--I'm sure you are right on the swirls, even though car is 72 hours out of the dealership.

So far I have been a failure at swirl removal on my own new black car, so I don't think I am ready to move up to the AM DB9 quite yet--but I'll be happy to practice on something from your garage.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Monk

So far I have been a failure at swirl removal on my own new black car, so I don't think I am ready to move up to the AM DB9 quite yet--but I'll be happy to practice on something from your garage.

You've seen this correct?

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12015

It might be a while before we come back to Florida...

[Monk]

"You've seen this correct?

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sh...&threadid=12015"

No but I have now, and have signed up. 3.5 hour drive (each way) is well worth it.

[MB///HRV]

Without a doubt, be sure to go over the car with the owner and point out any swirls scratches etc, even take pictures before you start always good to have before and afters. It may sound crazy but when you get into toys with that large of a price tag you don't want to leave anything to chance. My guess is the dealer prep fellas already put swirls on it. This car was never washed after pickup from the dealer only 2 weeks prior. M3 . I would say clay, M80, and 2 coats of #21 (or nxt if you don't have #21) In the chance that the finish is absolutly flawless, #21 or nxt x2 would probably suffice.

[Monk]

To be clear, this is a client of my regular work/ job., which is unrelated to anything on this forum. I just want to wax his car as a friend, and dont want to damage anything.

[Monk]

Very nice work on your M3.

[MB///HRV]

Unless its a mirror finish with zero swirls, it would be pretty hard to do damage.

[Monk]

Did you get that M3 down to swirl-free, or is there still some in there?

[MB///HRV]

Thanks for the compliment! Swirl free - yes. However the finish had a couple barely noticeable deeper marks that I brought to the owners attention and he felt they were fine. I have quite an eye and tend to notice every little detail.

[Monk]

MB--Here are swirls on a 1939 Bentley that went for $399,600 at auction this weekend in West Palm Beach: