Hi all. I think I need a litle help here, as I'm pretty new to the detailing scene. I have a new 03 emeranl mist green sedan and have been using the Meguiars Medallion series of products. So far I've been really happy with them, but today after I washed the car I checked it with my hand inside the baggie. Low and behold, I felt lots of grit! I tried using the Medallion Paint Cleaner, but no luck removing the contamination. Guess I'll have to clay bar the car and it's only 3 months old (but never garaged).

Question is this: how long will this 'wax' protect thefinish and prevent the buildup of contamination? Will Zaino's product offer superior protection?
Thanks for any help.

 

Even a brand new car will have paint contamination due to rail dust, salt, sitting on the dock, etc.

All polymer sealants such as Zaino, Blackfire, Crystal Guard, etc will outlast any wax product and offer superior protection. Will it offer more shine will always be up for debate, but there is no discussion when it comes to protection.

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http://www.anythingbox.net

 

If this wasn't on the car when new, I would be willing to bet it's tree sap, before doing all that work, try one area with some 91% rubbing alcohol, then re-wax or whatever you are applying to your car! It could just work![img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]


Brilliant Silver/Graphite '04 Sedan

 

afr0puff,
I'm taking my G back to the dealer this week for them to address an "overspray" issue on the finish, you seem to be knowlegable with this stuff, you think they'll be able to get rid of it, I got it off the glass with a razor blade, but obviously, can't use that on the paint, LOL!


Brilliant Silver/Graphite '04 Sedan

 

Thanks for the info. I've got the Zaino kit on my Christmas list, so I'll have to wait until then to try it. After I first waxed the car, I ran my hand over it (not in the baggie, however), and it felt really smooth. Is it possible for contamination to get into the finish, even though I keep it waxed, and wash it every week?

 

garywh,

you have to ensure that the surface is contaminant-free *prior* to any protection that you add to it. people usually clay the car as a prep. afterwards you can do the baggie test to make sure you've achieved the appropriate results. if you're satisfied, then go ahead and start w/ the sealants/wax.

abq_g35

i'd try to clay it first and see if you can break some off yourself. if not, then it can be buffed/sanded out

 

It is virtually impossible to keep your paint contaminant free for extended periods of time. That is why you should clay every year. I clay every six months since the G is my daily driver including salty winters and it gets parked outdoors without a cover a lot. Do not clay around christmas!! It must be over 60 degrees if you plan to clay. Don't clay in direct sunlight either.

If you are going to a dealership to have them fix your paint, ask about their process. If they will take a buffer and polishing compound, I would go elsewhere. When I picked up my car, i refused to have the dealership prep the car. A lot of times, the dealership will bring in an an outside detailer to work on your paint if it is giving your problems. If that is the case, then I would go with the dealership only if they will cover the cost. Otherwise, skip the middleman and go directly to the detailer yourself.

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http://www.anythingbox.net

 

My G came like this from the dealer, I noticed it right away on the glass, and took it back, but the salesman had no idea what I was talking about, so they better be covering it, I am not going to pay them for this! My car was pretty much already prepped when I got it, it was in the showroom!


Brilliant Silver/Graphite '04 Sedan

 

Thanks for the feedback. Perhaps the mistake I made was in assuming since it was 'new' it was contaminant free. Although it felt fairly smooth to my bare hand, I didn't do the baggie test. I've since noticed that the baggie really enables you to feel a lot more small pieces of grit.

At this point, guess I'll wait for the Zaino kit, then clay and start out right.

 

The average dealership will spend 30-60 minutes prepping a car for the showroom. They rush through the whole thing and are very careless. I'm not even a professional detailer but it would take me 6+ hours for just a bare minimum showroom prep.

Regarding the plastic bag test... 95% of people out there do not know about this. Ignorance is bliss my friend. Wasn't life simpler when you didn't visit car forums and learn stuff? I know mine was.

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http://www.anythingbox.net

 

Yep, it's funny how critical my eye has become in the last several months. I can no longer consider taking my car to the local car wash, even though this is an upscale area with lots of high end cars.

 

hehe,

actually, my eye kept focusing on the damn swirls. my obsession only grew, when i learned that you can really remove them.

i'm w/ you 100% afr0puff. the downside is that i'm being asked to detail all of my relatives cars (currently doing my father-in-law's m5).

 

Actually I'm wondering what exactly causes the swirls? I've been using cotton terry towels for the past three months on my emerald mist senad, and so far, so good. Wonder if the polyester in the microfiber towels can actually scratch if they get too dry?

 

afr0puff,

Alright, I am one of those newbies and can only imagine what the baggie test is. Is "class" in session?

G35_XTC

 

Well, here's what I found out. I originally thought my car surface was pretty smooth, being only three months old and all, and running my bare hand along the flat surfaces. After I placed my hand in the baggie (saran wrap also works), I could feel way more more bumps and grit than I had ever imagined.

It seems that the baggie increases the sensitivity of your hand. My warningis this: Don't do this unless your'e ready to clay bar your car. Who said that ignorance is bliss??