New car - to seal or to wax?

[eyost]

Hi all,

Newbie here with a nine month old dark colored metallic paint car. Have a question regarding whether to use a paint sealant or wax on my new car. The paint is in great condition, no swirls or scratches. I plan on of course washing and then claying the car wonder what the next step should be.

I spoke with a very patient and helpful person at Autogeek and he gave me these suggestions to what he likes:

Wash with DoDo juice born to be mild
After claying, use pinnacle paint works cleansing lotion
Then, seal with Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant

Or
After using the paint works cleansing lotion wax with Pinnacle Signature Series II wax.

My past experience only involves hand waxing and am not familiar with polishes or sealants and how difficult they are to apply.

Pretty much looking for something that will protect and make the paint look really nice and have a fairly good life since I will probably stop working on the car in November as it will start getting cooler.

Thoughts and suggestions are greatly welcome.

Thanks.

[Sommy]

I did both on my new Mercedes. I used Blackfire sealant and topped it with Meguars carnuba wax. All products you can find at Autogeek.

[ssnobrakes]

Use a sealant and a wax.......Seal with the WGDGS then wait 1-2 days and wax with Wolfgang Fusion. Both are easy to use. Let the sealant cure for 30 minutes or so before buffing off. With the Fusion do one panel at a time and buff off right after you apply. Both buff off smoothly and easily. :props:

[oldgeek]

Yep, I used the WGDGS (on my new Mercedes) and followed with fusion the next day. That was in may. Since then, I've waxed it three more times! Not that it needed it, though. I just like to wax my new car...
Drink... Listen to classic rock... :-)

[eyost]

Use a sealant and a wax.......Seal with the WGDGS then wait 1-2 days and wax with Wolfgang Fusion. Both are easy to use. Let the sealant cure for 30 minutes or so before buffing off. With the Fusion do one panel at a time and buff off right after you apply. Both buff off smoothly and easily. :props:

Thanks for the information. Stupid question, but I assume it would be recommended to wash after the two days before waxing to get any road dirt off that may cause issues when waxing? I assume it would still be advisable to using the Pinnacle cleanser solution prior to sealing and then waxing? Any issues with mixing Pinnacle and Wolfgang?

Sorry for all of the questions but I am slowly learning. Thanks for all of the patience.

[drbobbybones]

Thanks for the information. Stupid question, but I assume it would be recommended to wash after the two days before waxing to get any road dirt off that may cause issues when waxing? I assume it would still be advisable to using the Pinnacle cleanser solution prior to sealing and then waxing? Any issues with mixing Pinnacle and Wolfgang?

Sorry for all of the questions but I am slowly learning. Thanks for all of the patience.

The only stupid question is the one not asked. That is what this forum is for--asking questions to people who have a lot of experience and creating community. I've learned a ton since I've been here (and I thought I knew a lot before :xyxthumbs: )

That said, I would do this with what you have:

- Wash
- Clay
- Polish (if needed)
- Pinnacle Paint Cleaner
- Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant

- Wait overnight or more.

- Use a waterless wash if you drove the car and it's dirty; otherwise, just go to:
- Wolfgang Fuzion

- Crack open a cold one

The last step is probably the most important :dblthumb2:

[drbobbybones]

One more thing--I bet you have more swirls than you think you do. Wash your car with some Dawn dishwashing soap and see what you have without any leftover wax filling up the swirls...

[eyost]

The only stupid question is the one not asked. That is what this forum is for--asking questions to people who have a lot of experience and creating community. I've learned a ton since I've been here (and I thought I knew a lot before :xyxthumbs: )

That said, I would do this with what you have:

- Wash
- Clay
- Polish (if needed)
- Pinnacle Paint Cleaner
- Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant

- Wait overnight or more.

- Use a waterless wash if you drove the car and it's dirty; otherwise, just go to:
- Wolfgang Fuzion

- Crack open a cold one

The last step is probably the most important :dblthumb2:

Thanks for the info. I haven't purchased anything yet, so feel free to recommend something that you may feel is better. Washing with Dawn scares me to death as I would think it would damage the finish. And if I have swirls, what would be the best to handle that?

So many options, it's like a candy store. And yes, the cold one will be well deserved at the end.

Thanks again.

[drbobbybones]

Washing with Dawn scares me to death as I would think it would damage the finish.

Dawn is definitely safe for paint. As long as you wash your car safely (two bucket method, soft mitt/sponge), any swirls you see are truly there and have been hidden by whatever LSP you have on now.


And if I have swirls, what would be the best to handle that?

Thats a much more involved question. It depends on the type of paint you have, the type of polisher you have, the type of compound/polish you have, and the type of pads you have.

Check out: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/28505-use-least-aggressive-product-get-job-done.html

There is a ton more on this subject, and reading up will definitely help you. Good luck!

[arack]

I would reccommend Opti Coat. It is the most durable coating ever made.

[eyost]

Dawn is definitely safe for paint. As long as you wash your car safely (two bucket method, soft mitt/sponge), any swirls you see are truly there and have been hidden by whatever LSP you have on now.



Thats a much more involved question. It depends on the type of paint you have, the type of polisher you have, the type of compound/polish you have, and the type of pads you have.

Check out: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/28505-use-least-aggressive-product-get-job-done.html

There is a ton more on this subject, and reading up will definitely help you. Good luck!

Yep, this afternoon I took a look at the car under bright sun and I see some fine swirls (thank you car dealer for improperly waxing the car). I don't have a polisher and would be more than likely hand applying it. I'll take a look at the link above, but any recommendations on something I could hand apply to help with the swirls?

Thanks again!

[drbobbybones]

it's really, really hard to polish clearcoat by hand. You need a lot of elbow grease (and I mean A LOT), and you need a lot of time. When I polish using a dual action polisher, it still takes me about 4-6 hours at least to get the paint to sparkle.

If you do insist on doing it by hand, you could try something like Meguiar's #81, but you're gonna be sore afterwards.

Meguiars #81 Hand Polish Body Shop Professional Hand Polish enhances shine as a final step before wax application. (http://www.autogeek.net/meghanpol.html)

[eyost]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I imagined it would be a lot of work. The Porter Cable DA polisher is more in my price range so I am thinking about going with that and then still using the Pinnacle Paint Works Cleansing lotion to see how that works for the condition of the paint, unless you think there is a better option. I am also not sure to which pad to try first. I read the link and like the statement to go with the least aggressive approach first.

I'm also a bit intimidated as I have not used a DA polisher before and I don't want to tear up the paint.

New car and it has these marks. Arghh.

Thanks for all of the help.

Ed

[Mike Phillips]

I'm also a bit intimidated as I have not used a DA polisher before and I don't want to tear up the paint.




Hi Ed,

Completely understand the thoughts of making a mistake, been there done that. It's really not that hard though...

It's not that hard, in the below live broadcast I show a 15 year old boy how to machine polish

Live Broadcast Video - 1965 Plymouth Valiant - Extreme Makeover (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/49293-live-broadcast-video-1965-plymouth-valiant-extreme-makeover.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1436/1965Plymouth034.jpg




And in this one I show a 21 year old girl how to machine polish

Video & Pictures: 1965 Fastback Mustang - Gtechniq EXO Show Car Makeover! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/53807-video-pictures-1965-fastback-mustang-gtechniq-exo-show-car-makeover.html)

Trista working with the rest of the team to machine polish this 1965 Mustang Fastback 2+2
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1511/TristaBuffingFortheFirstTime001.jpg


Trista removing swirls on a show car...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1511/TristaBuffingFortheFirstTime002.jpg



And in this one I show a 80 year old man and a young lady and here boyfriend how to machine polish for their first time...

Video and Pictures - Two 1967 Camaro's - Show Car Makeovers! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/51175-video-pictures-1967-camaro-ss-1941-plymouth-coupe-show-car-makeovers.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1465/CamaroNight001.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1465/CamaroNight002.jpg


PLUS you have everyone on this forum to help you along the way...

:)

[eyost]

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the reply - and not only from THE man!

I'll take a look at the video tonight when I get home. I hope to get started on this fairly soon as the weather is getting cooler and I am a real wimp under cold temps.

I have been considering the Porter Cable as it fits in my budget and I notice that there is a special with choice of five different pads. My car is nine months old and the paint is pretty sound except I can see some slight swirls when viewed under bright sun. I read where you indicated to use the least aggressive approach first. Any favorites as to polish and pads? I would assume with a new car I could use the DA polisher for appying wax or would it be best to do it by hand?

Thanks for all of your information both written and videos - I have been enjoying them and have learned a lot!

Ed