Paint Protection

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Paint Protection

to mol. with the above posters. Learn the Meguiars Steps and your well on your way to a "show car shine". Good luck.

[d.mopar]

Re: Paint Protection

TO MOL!!!!
with everyone. you will soon learn with meguiars that nearly everything revols around the 5 basic steps. when u come to understand them better u will take each step into even more detail. example....

1)wash
2)clay
3)cleaning-(paint cleaner)(scratchx)
4)polish
5)wax
6)maintain


u will also find that some of the steps can be allterd.

for example.......just to name a few

1)wash 1)wash 1)wash
2)clay 2)clay 2)clean(paint cleaner,scratchx)
3)cleaner wax 3)colorx 3)polish
4)miantain 4)maintain 4)wax
5)maintain


it all depends on wat u feel like doing in ur time and wat u really need to do. as u can see depending on the conditions of ur car u can alter things. i hope this info was helpful.

[TrufflePig]

Re: Paint Protection

don't stress about it to much.

just fro now on take really good care of it.

you'll be happy with your results when your hard work pays off.

ALL THE BEST!!!

[lexus5544]

Re: Paint Protection

Then this will scare you - I used a wash rag with soapy water and dried with a towel. I've never had a car this picky about what you use on it.

I figure this is the time to start with this one. Rather than making a ton of mistakes (1 down), I'l get the right advice and right equipment now.

Thanks for the links and the shopping list. Doesn't seem like a $70.00 start up would be that much for long term savings.

[OhioCarBuff]

Re: Paint Protection

Beth,

I don't mean to sound like a Meguiars salesperson here, but I only let meguiars brand applicator pads, terry cloths, wash mitts, microfibers, etc touch my paint. One time I used another companies brand of terries and noticed swirl marks in the pattern I buffed after doing a ton of work. On another occasion I bought another brand of microfiber- and it wasn't exactly inexpensive, well same thing happened but even worse, almost immediately after using it on the hood I could see swirls in the pattern I had just buffed.

[CWM3]

Re: Paint Protection

Welcome to MOL!

I would first recommend that you don't take it back to the dealer. Probably do more harm than good, or so I've read.

Go buy yourself the following stuff:
2 buckets (w/ grit guard if possible) (clean "rinse water"/ soapy water)
Some Megs Car Wash (NXT, Gold Class)
Megs Clay System
Deep Crystal Step 1 - Paint Cleaner
Scratch X
NXT Wax or Gold Class Wax (liquid or paste)
Some tire stuff and interior spray (optional, but why not go all the way?)
Absorber or Water Magnet to dry
MicroFiber Cloths used to remove product
Applicator pads (little yellow foam ones)

Start by washing, then clay, Scratch X, DC#1 followed by two thin coats of either wax above. Simply follow the instructions on the bottle and be amazed. Initial payout is going to be around 70 bucks (maybe) but this stuff is worth it.

Good luck, post pics and read these boards. TONS of useful info here.

[TrufflePig]

Re: Paint Protection

WELCOME TO MOL!!!

Hope you enjoy your stay.

Okay so on to the car. COngrats on the purchase. PICS PLEASE!!!

So you want to keep it clean and keep birds away. both can be difficult and time consuming. but well worth it for the results you'll get.

First, instead of just washing the spot, why not wash the entire car. it'll look better.

are you doing this all by hand?

machine polish?

Did you apply scratch-x to the area where the bird paid a visit? that should help. bird deposits can etch the paint if left on for long periods of time that's why i carry an MF and bottle of QD with me for emergency's.

grab some scracth-x and an applicator pad and work in small sections say 10 x 10 or the area where the bird dropped. put a lot of passion (elbow grease) behind your work and then wipe off with an MF. you might have to go at it two or three times to ge the results you want.

since you have a black car, and seeing how you already now that all the imperfections show up 1000 times more, you might be best to schedule yourself some detailing time every week. even if its a quick wax. i'd also look into getting your self some Meguiars #66 as your car may be scracth sensisitive and M66 is great for that.

you are best to read the following links to further help you out.

The 5-Step Paint Care Cycle.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain

How To Wash Your Car using the Two Bucket
Method
How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car
What it Means to Remove a Scratch
How to Avoid Swirls and Holograms?
How To Remove Swirls By Hand

these should all help you out.

any other questions you can feel free to ask away or PM.

all the best.

[lexus5544]

I recently purchased a 2007 EOS and along with the 101 other things the dealer offered a paint protection addon. I declined as I didn't figure anything could protect the car as long as they were claiming.

I have noticed how every the car tends to scratch or swirl very easy. I noticed a few scratches and marks in the paint right away and the dealer has agreed to deal with them, but I myself have caused one when using a very soft cloth.

A bird paid the car a visit on the hood and rather than washing the entire car I washed this small spot. You can now clearly see in the paint a swirl and what look like scratches where I cleaned it off. I don't like swirls.

The car is black so everything shows a 1000 times more than on my previous white car, but I'm still pretty sure this isn't normal.

Any advice would be VERY much appreciated.

Thanks
Beth