Due to a color mis-match my hood has been repainted by the dealer. How long should I let it cure before I clay and wax the car for winter weather?

 

if the hood is freshly painted, there is no need for claying.. Claying is only to remove crap that is embedded into your paint over time.. with new paint you shouldn't have to.

The paint should cure in 48 hours. then go ahead and wax it.

 

Thanks for the quick response, it's appreciated!

 

The day after I bought my Rx8 some idiot turned on his sprinklers and by the time I got to it the sun had already baked the water into the paint. Even though it's been washed several times in the last few weeks I can still see the faint waterspots. Is using a claybar the only way to get it out?

 

A clay bar will remove the water spots with out a problem. So will Zaino Z1.

No matter how smooth you think the surface is on a fresly painted or brand new car off the show room floor, claying will still benefit you. After claying the surface, the surface will be be even smoother.

 

what about swirl marks on dark paint? is there a zaino product for that?

 

Use Z5 for that. Depending on how bad they are will determine how many coats you use.

I have a black-8, and my swirls are starting to fade away finally. I used this

Dawn Wash, Clay Bar, Zaino Wash(Z-7), Z-5 (wZFX),Z-6, Z-5 (wZFX),Z-6, Z-2 (wZFX), Z-6.

From now on, I will do Z5, Z6, Z5, Z6, Z2, Z6 whenever I zaino the car. The reason that I use Z2 to finish is because it is optically more clear than the Z-5, and using the two coats of Z5 seems to make a VERY noticable difference in the swirls (damn the dealer for giving me that complimentary sanding... er I mean detailing).

Anyways... after my last bout, I have one of the shiniest damn cars on the road, and with just a Car Duster my BLACK car has stayed clean for 2 weeks now (yep amazing huh?).

Slavearm

 

slavearm....

if your at a point where you'd like to get the tad better shine from Z2 but want some more effects of the Z5, mix Z2 and Z5 50/50.

 

Exactly why my workorders always say NO COMPLIMENTARY WASH!

Service writer thinks it's strange until I tell him how much time and effort goes into the Zaino process. I don't need their harsh detergent or reused wash rags.

 

I love Zaino (Been using it for 7 years) but the Z5 swirl remover doesn't work very well.

To get out swirl marks, you need to use a good polish/glaze. I recommend Poorboy's SSR2. For best results, invest in a Porter Cable random orbit polisher. Worth every penny!

 

Most body shops uses a clearcoat that cures within 24 hours. You may not need to clay a brand new paint since it's been wetsanded and polished. Feel your paint, if it's gritty then go ahead and use a clay.

 

I agree... it takes a lot of Z5 to get out the swirls. I have 8 coats now, and only major swirls are left, and even they are not as noticeable.

Slavearm

 

Remember....

Z5 is non abrasive. It will not "remove" the swirls. It merely fills them in. If you clay the car or decide to wash it with Dawn the swirls will re-appear.

 

I agree with the dawn statement, but I am not so sure about the clay barring. I don't dawn when I claybar, I use a Z7 mix with water to lubricate the clay. I havent noticed swirls coming back after clay.

I think I am going to have mob works beautify my car when I get them to do my ings kit. Hopefully that will remove all the swirls.

Slavearm

 

Your right too Slavearm. I typed that wrong. Claying does remove some polish, but if you have multiple coats of polish your most likely safe.