Hey Mike,
I have a 1994 Mazda Miata which I have recently resprayed in 2k basecoat clear coat.
It normally lives outside and after giving it a wash its not quite as glossy after I had painted it.
It it possible to get it looking as "wet" as it is when I wash it before it dries?
After I dry it the paint looks a shade duller then when it does with water, is it actually possible to get that kind of shine on paint or am I being too fussy?
Thanks Mike!
1. How long has it been since you had the vehicle re-painted?
2. If longer than 2-3 months, then you need to make sure the Paint is level again, like it was directly after the re-painting.
3. When the paint is completely level, that is almost the maximum gloss you can get, when scratches begin, the gloss levels start diminishing. The light is reflecting off of the flat paint and from each side of the scratch, so is not uniform any longer, thus a Paint Correction to make the surface as level as possible.
4. Slight Polishing is possibly needed to re-level the surface
5. You have several processes that can slightly increase the gloss once you paint is perfectly level
a. If you choose to go with a Coating, that will give you several years likely of protection while increasing your gloss, however your need to maintain it will drastically go down compared to further options
b. If you choose to just use a Sealant (yes recommended even if going with choice C) that will provide 4-6 months of protection and increase gloss very slightly. But, can be layered if desired but will allow a person to utilize their OCD
tendancies so they can constantly touch an add products to the paint.
c. Carnauba wax ---- will give you about 4 weeks of protectant and usually used as a short term topper for a good sealant. This will maximize the gloss, likely the same or better than a coating will, but heat will diminish quickly the
product. After several car washes the carnauba will also be diminished and need replacing if desired. Hotter it is, the smaller amount of time the carnauba lasts. However, nothing better for a Concours event or car show. So if you
want the car to look its best, then this product will contribute to that. The Carnauba can also be used as a topper for Coatings, and will give it a bit of depth and warm glow.
Coatings are great and give high gloss levels without a doubt. But are difficult at the same time when it comes to needing a paint correction down the road, which almost any car will. Coatings also now have maintenance products that can be used during the lifetime of whats on the car. I fiddle too much on my specialty cars, so putting a coating is counter productive to my OCD need to fiddle. Also, I wont put a coating on a collector car or future valuable car due to the possible issues that coatings can bring. Removing a coating is a tedious process, but that is for another discussion.
If you don't want to fiddle with your paint constantly, then a coating is likely your best bet after making sure the paint is level and polished. This will also provide the highest gloss without constant additional additions to whatever is protecting the car.
Hope this helps.
