The "Impossible" Happened: Purchased a Brand New Car... Never researched how to properly care for the paint!

[Ohio Detailing]

That car was painted well more then 90 days ago most likely... wax away!

DOH! Now I am going to HAVE to check for the 'date of manufacturing/assembly' sticker somewhere on the car to see how long it has been. So... as long as the car was built and finished on or before Sunday March 20th 2010, I'll be good to use a sealant, glaze, and wax topping right?

PS: Please see Page-3 for the other replies to all of your great posts!

 

[Ohio Detailing]

I agree with Scott.

Cars only go downhill in their appearance value when neglected over time. You're questions is the idea behind,

"Find something you like and use it often"


Your brand new Jeep came with enough UV protection in the clear layer of paint to protect the pigmented or basecoat layer from fading or failing. Your job is to take care of the clear layer and preserve it. Additional UV protection provided by a wax or paint sealant won't hurt, but the primary protection for the basecoat will come from the UV protection in the clearcoat, so take GREAT care of the clear coat by keeping it clean and sealed with either a quality wax or paint sealant and the paint should last and look good over the service life of the car.

If a car is going to be parked outside 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, instead of relying on a wax or paint sealant to maintain a show car shine, plan on washing, using spray detailers and applying your favorite wax or paint sealant more often than you would a car you don't care about.

Find something that applies easy, wipes off easy and leave a great looking finish and then use it often...


I'm a fan of orange colors and especially like the Sunburst Orange, in order to maximize clarity to really bring out the full richness of color go with any of the Pinnacle waxes, if you're going to wax often then shoot for top of the line and get Pinnacle Souveran.

You'll love the way the paint looks after using this wax and it has to be one of the easiest waxes to apply and remove and that makes using it often a cinch.

Congratulations!


:xyxthumbs:

You have always been the man - ever since my first stumble across the Meg's forum a long time ago... I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT YOUR AMAZING GUIDANCE AND CONCERN Mike!

So, Souveran (can that be the liquid version from Pinnacle, since we're on a budget? Paste Pinnacle Souveran Paste Carnauba Wax is Brilliant on Red- Awesome on Black! Souverän™ is hand poured, one container at a time, and boxed with an vs. Liquid Souveran Finally Liquid Souveran Wax achieves the Pinnacle of Perfection. Liquid Souveran Carnauba Wax has the ease of a liquid wax with the protection and) is the best option for the top coat over the sealant (and perhaps a glaze), but what about a sealant (and a glaze if you can offer a good option please)?

Also, what is your take on when it is safe to use a sealant, glaze, and wax on a new car? I will check with the manual, but a large contingent of the members seem to think I have the green light on starting the paint protection process.

As far as the Souveran - is that a carnuaba heavy product? I have always like the ease of application AND removal of carnuaba, not to mention the results!

Once I get a good paint sealant and glaze suggestion, maybe I can take advantage of today's final Father's Day sale on AG

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

My suggestion is:

Once you have confirmed that your paint is ready for protection (I'm willing to bet that it is), wash and clay in preparation to machine polish the car with XMT 360, Poorboy's Polish with Sealant, Meg's D151 or a similar product (SO easy to use, polish till it's gone and move on). Even though the paint is so new and hopefully swirl-free, it can surely benefit from a finishing polish. Not only for looks but also to ensure a good surface for your protection to adhere to.

I have found XMT 360 to be an excellent base for carnauba wax and I imagine it would be great for sealant followed by wax, that would be 3 layers of protection. I say just skip the whole idea of a glaze. Glazes are intended to temporarily fill and hide imperfections, not how you want to start off IMO.

Try out Autoglym HD paste wax, it's only 35$ at Walmart. Great durability and beading/sheeting. I either use it, or tell someone to use it, everyday.

 

[Ohio Detailing]

AH Shopping List

- Car Wash: PDP Hawaiian Shine
- Clay Bar (new car softness): ??
- Gloss Enhancement/Paint Maintenance: Diamondite Spray Clay
- Paint Sealant (by hand): ??
- Pure Polish (no cleaners) (by hand): ??
- Wax, Top Coat: Pinnacle Liquid Souveran
- Spray Wax: PDP Body Gloss
- Wax Enhancer: Duragloss Aquawax (or) Pinnacle Crystal Mist
- Quick Detailer (highest gloss): ??

Note: I purchase my car-wash solution from a local retailer, because it is silicon infused and performs better than any wash I have ever used.

 

[Ohio Detailing]

My suggestion is:

I say just skip the whole idea of a glaze. Glazes are intended to temporarily fill and hide imperfections, not how you want to start off IMO.

EXCELLENT point about the glaze! I edited my above shopping list to reflect the change; I posted the shopping list in order of application to the paint

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

AG Shopping List

- Clay Bar (new car softness): Griotts, best price per oz
- Gloss Enhancement/Paint Maintenance: Diamondite Spray Clay you can try the drying technique your inquiring about! Let us know. :xyxthumbs:
- Paint Sealant (by hand): WG DGPS, DP Poly coat, Menz PL, etc.
- Pure Polish (no cleaners) (by hand): Megs scratch-x, any Menz/WG finishing polish ...get a polisher and use XMT 360
- Wax, Top Coat: Pinnacle Liquid Souveran get a paste wax and just pick a spray to maintain it
- Spray Wax: PDP Body Gloss "^"
- Wax Enhancer: Duragloss Aquawax (or) Pinnacle Crystal Mist "^"
- Quick Detailer (highest gloss): try a sample of Poorboy's Spray and Gloss, FK 425, and another of your choice

Note: I purchase my car-wash solution from a local retailer, because it is silicon infused and performs better than any wash I have ever used.

^edited^

 

[Ohio Detailing]

^edited^

Thanks A4! I have a polisher, Makita (rotary) but have only used it perhaps 15 times over the last five years, and don't feel comfortable enough with it to apply products to a brand new vehicle that I will be paying off for years to come, haha! I am really looking for the best solutions for hand applied products, sealant/polish/top wax. For the pure polish, I never knew Scratch-X was a pure polish - I don't think I need anything as aggressive as that since the car only has a few miles on it and the paint looks pristine even in the harsh fluorescent lighting at gas stations etc.

What about this for a pure polish that can be applied by hand to really add depth before applying the final carnuaba top coat?: http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-finishing-polish.html Although... I was looking for something that did not have any abrasives at all, Meg's product has micro-abrasives. I guess all Polishes have some cutting strength though, right?

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

Thanks A4! I have a polisher, Makita (rotary) but have only used it perhaps 15 times over the last five years, and don't feel comfortable enough with it to apply products to a brand new vehicle that I will be paying off for years to come, haha! I am really looking for the best solutions for hand applied products, sealant/polish/top wax. For the pure polish, I never knew Scratch-X was a pure polish - I don't think I need anything as aggressive as that since the car only has a few miles on it and the paint looks pristine even in the harsh fluorescent lighting at gas stations etc.

I really urge you to try XMT 360! The other day I had a friend (who was scared to try polishing for the first time) do a section of his car with my flex 3401. He did the whole car laughing "Ha! ...and I was scared". Seriously, it's so easy to use and will probably help with rotary skills because it's so easy. I know the paint is new, but it will add gloss and protection. Hell, I'll send you a couple ounces to try out... if you change your avatar.

What about this for a pure polish that can be applied by hand to really add depth before applying the final carnuaba top coat?: Meguiars 205

Yup, that's the "pro" version of scratch-x... I think

 

[Ohio Detailing]

Hell, I'll send you a couple ounces to try out... if you change your avatar.

Yup, that's the "pro" version of scratch-x... I think

Done

Now... I have to be honest with you - I'm just not going to put the Makita on the new Patriot. Aside from the fear factor of burning a brand new clear coat and the subsequent cost to follow the screaming and yelling to fix it, I have never been able to buff with a rotary without burning some of the plastic window seals/trim, and the dust and splatter it creates and spits all over the windshield is insane!

I know I just need to tape off certain sections, use less product, and some other tips that would cut down on my aggravation - but I am truly looking for a shopping list to put together that is comprised of hand-applied top-of-the-line products that will yield the highest gloss AND paint protection/maintenance since I am starting from Square-1 with this vehicle and I won't be able to park it in a garage unfortunately.

 

[CEE DOG]

Hell, I'll send you a couple ounces to try out... if you change your avatar.

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: That's the ticket! Just needed a little incentive!

 

[Ohio Detailing]

Updated List (please make corrections as needed)
Question: Can Klasse High Gloss Paint Sealant be used like Klasse All-in-One for mixing one cap full in with car wash solution to add gloss and lift dirt more effectively, or can only All-in-One be used for that?
Question: Since my vehicle is new, would a mild/soft clay be better suited for my finish rather than an aggressive bar or a bar that doesn't let you choose (like Griot's)?

- Car Wash: PDP Hawaiian Shine + 1 cap full of Klasse High Gloss Paint Sealant (QUESTION - see above please)
- Clay Bar (new car mild-softness): Griot's Garage Paint Cleaning Clay (QUESTION - see above please)
- Gloss Enhancement/Paint Maintenance: Diamondite Spray Clay
- Paint Sealant (by hand): Klasse All-in-One (1x) topped w/ High Gloss Sealant Glaze (2x) Wait 12 hours between each application of both products, and avoid moisture while curing, and use PDP Supersol before application to strip all wax
- Pure Polish (no cleaners): Meguiar's Show Car Glaze
- Wax, Top Coat: Pinnacle Liquid Souveran, Pinnacle Signature Series 2, PDP Fantastic Finish (carnuaba paste), PDP Wonderseal (liquid carnuaba), PDP Tech Wax, or Meguiar's Gold Class Carnuaba Plus Premium (Hi-Tech Yellow Wax) Liquid (or paste) Wax
- Spray Wax: PDP Body Gloss
- Wax Enhancer: Duragloss Aquawax (or) Pinnacle Crystal Mist
- Quick Detailer (with no wax and highest gloss): Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Synthetic Spray Detailer (aka: Ultimate Quick Detailer), or Wizards Mist and Shine

THANKS
PS: Obviously... I'll be choosing ONE product (aside from Klasse All-in-One topped with High Gloss Sealant Glaze) in each category to keep things nice and simple/streamlined, the products I listed beside each heading only represented what I believe would be the best from reviews and experience for my vehicle.