The Cal-look Lounge

Hi everyone .

I'm after a little advise . My 67 has just been painted by Custom Motor Bodies ( Jicks Bodyshop ) . And very good it is too !

Gradually putting it back together , but its getting lots of little light surface scratches . I can scratch it with my finger quite easily !

Is it just a case of letting it properly harden over time , or getting some good coats of wax on ?

If so , what wax do people use ?

Thanks , Rob

needs to be fully hardened but then a clear bra might be an option? basically a big clear plastic sticker that normally goes over the front of the car but you can have it all covered if needs be?

Have a chat with the chap who painted it and see how long he recommends to leave it full harden/cure before waxes ect just to be safe, and he'd probably know a few good waxes ect to use too i'd bet, detailing can get proper anal though  ;D

How long has it been? The paint should be cured in a few days. You can test that in an inconspicuous place with your fingernail. With a clear coat you really don't need wax, but why not?

This is why 10-15 year old cars are all dull.  Given regular wax jobs will keep them glossy.

Hi there Rob!

Direct gloss 2k can stay slightly soft for months and months after painting... There's a big difference between "curing" after baking etc and fully hardening.....it will stay softer and more susceptible to light scratches etc much more than a clear coat which acts as a barrier, which direct colour doesn't have...
I'd just be super cautious with it, some good wax will certainly help... And now is probably as good time...., it's best not to wax for a couple of months or so on new paint..I quite like Meguires Mirror Glaze 16..... Although it's all a matter of preference really...... Once you're done assembling get it over to us and we'll give it a good buff/polish.... Which is always a good move after 6 months or so anyway.
Give me a shout tomorrow if you want to chat it over.... Don't forget I need your address too to post the decklid catch!

Cheers mate!

Jick

My 71 van still has shiny paint, especially the sierra yellow bottom part, and it's 44 years old. When I bought it there was wax in every crack so I think it was well cared for wax-wise.
I thought you were supposed to not wax a new paint job for a certain length of time, but I'm not sure what that would be.

it seems to be generally agreed that it's best not to wax fresh paintwork for around 2-3 months..... Also car covers etc, even the soft/sweatshirt type material ones are best avoided for at least that length of time....

Uh oH

Rob, did you see that?

 it supposed to be finished 6 months after painting :o  Best get your finger out then :D


cheers Richie

Thanks for the helpful replies ...except for Richie . I'm waiting for my axles !!

I'm sure the little scratches will buff out , it would just be nice to not have them in the first place . Paint is about 4 months old now , I gave he bonnet a wax the other day with some meguires wax .

Got it covered with some old bed sheets now , just got to be careful I guess .  Being careful is not one of my virtues !

Thanks , Rob

You say you can scratch it quite easily with your finger. That is not normal. If your paint job is a few months old it's not going to get any more durable. There could have been a problem with the hardener when mixing the paint?
Try the fingernail test, press your thumbnail into the paint and see if it leaves a line. Then try the same thing on your POS car you drive every day with a factory paint job. The result should be the same, NO LINE IN THE PAINT.
I've always used Liquid Glass wax, an oldschool one that has worked fine. I like that it's just one step and cleans and waxes in one shot. http://www.amazon.ca/Liquid-Glass-LG-100-Ultimate-Polish/dp/B0002JMIEK

Hang on a minute , I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea .

The paint is not soft , I cannot make a line with my fingernail . I am absolutely over the moon with the job done by Custom Motor Bodies , and having had 4 cars painted in the past all by different people , I can honestly say this is by far and away the best .

My Wife's beetle was the same . It would get very light scratches , only visible when you get the right angle , from almost anything touching it . Thinking about it , its probably settled dust and grit getting rubbed in . They polished out easy enough and has had plenty of coats of wax since .

I was simply curious as to how everyone else went about looking after fresh paint . I've never been this bothered before , but thats cause I've never had a paintjob as good as this before !

Cheers , Rob

That's one benefit of crappy paint. I don't mind leaning a rake against the car when in the garage. I would wax the hell out of it like gramps did. Spring and Fall like the good ole days.

Haha , yeah , having really good paint is certainly a novelty round here . Best order some more wax !

Rob ..don't cover it up..let it breath ...trust me..

Ok Simon , covers are off now , cheers !

do you think I should wax more , or leave that too for now ?

Rob

hi Rob, I would leave it or as long as possible, let all the solvents escape..