Imagine if human skin showed fingerprints...

[myk]

Hey guys.  My car's been out of the body shop for about a week now.  Along with the dazzling new paint I'm starting to discover just how easily fingerprints and other impurities show up on the car; it didn't help that I've taken the car to 2 car shows/cruises in one week and people clearly can't keep their hands to themselves.  I'd rather my girl get fondled and pawed by strangers instead!  I was about to take a microfiber and some quick-detailer to the car but out of curiosity I looked into this online and I've been reading that newer, modern paints and sealants are water-based, delicate and can be easily damaged by the wrong waxes, cleaners, soaps, etc.  I also read that many microfiber towels are made of polyester and polyamide which will swirl and otherwise damage these newer, weaker, water-based paints.  According to certain websites I read that 100% lambswool products should be used on these weaker paint systems.

So what're your guy's thoughts on this?  What do you guys use to detail your cars if they have newer paint?  Does it matter?  Is there any truth to microfiber towels being potentially damaging to newer paint?  Should I go back in time and have the car painted with lead-based paint?  Again, thanks in advance...

[lukedukem]

back ni 2001 i got my 84 ford truck re painted and the guy told me never take it to a high pressure sprayer and to use cheese cloth to wash it. not sure what the cheese cloth thing ment but i've heard it before. hope it helps
luke

[Silver R/T]

Are you sure your car was painted with water-borne paint or is it just your guess?

[Silver R/T]

Do not pressure wash your car, hand wash only and don't ever dry wipe it

[Ghoste]

First I've heard that about microfiber towels and waterborne paint.  Not saying it isn't true just saying that its news to me.

[Cooter]

Trust me MYK, you DIDN'T pay for that "Water born" sh*t to be put on your car. That sh*t costs a bundle in TIME to prep.

I'm pretty sure bodyshops are on a "Volunteer" basis right now with that Sh*t and it is SH*T!!! Your car woulda been in the shop about 10 more weeks with water born paint due to time.

Takes about 6 times more time to paint and the CLEAR COAT that goes over top of the water born pigment color is good ol solvent based. I don't think you have anything to worry bout.

[myk]

'Coot I just read about that also.  Goddamn me for not being 100% sure about the paint but I coulda sworn the shop said it was water-based paint.  I could call and ask but........Happy 4th of July everyone!  Lol.

Ok how about this: is it necessary to properly wash a car before applying quick-detailer?  Have I been mislead into believing that quick-detailer is a short cut to keeping a car properly clean between genuine washes?

Edit:  Uh....I'm assuming that the little specks of black splattered all over the sides of the car are from the  blap-blap-blapitty-blapping Harley and the 4 door Impala something with the open exhaust that parked beside me?

[twodko]

Here's the delio MYK.........they touch and paw your girl she won't be you girl after that. I know you were just being facitious.  

To the best of my knowledge licensed shop can't legally shoot oil based anything in Cali. Guys that do side jobs spray oil base for sure but you need to nail down your shop on this and find out what kindo paint was used

My car was shot with AutoColor water based paint. The reason I know this is because when I asked for some touchup paint they told me you can't "touch up" water based like you can oil.

I let my car sit in my garage for a month before we took it out, painter's recommendation for a thorough paint cure. They also said to wash it with a light water spray and wash juice made for modern paints. I use Magquires car wash soap, rinse lightly but well and dry it lightly with a real chamois pre wetted. Afterwards I blow out any
water under all the trim and gently wipe that off. As far as Instant Detail stuff, its fine BUT buy the best
CaliforniaCarDuster. Go over the car lightly top to bottom shaking it out frequently with this and then use the
shine stuff according to it's directions. Use only top brand stuff too like Magquires or Mothers. The shop also told
me never use a buffer on water based paint. They said if the finish needs a buff to bring it backnto them or to a
detail shop that knows what they are doing..........body shop recommendation for one is a good way to go if your
shop is too busy to do it. It's been two years now since our paint job and it looks as good as day one from the
shop.......doing what they suggested. I'm sure you do already but don't hesitate to politely TELL


people to keep their hands off your car.
Let us know what your shop says, what they recommend and WHY. Finally real chamios are great as are clean terry cloth and 100% cotton tee shirt material......again my shops advice.

and 100% cotton tee shirt material.......again what they suggested.  

[myk]

Wow great post, thanks 'TwoD.  Yes, I will definitely have to get in touch with the shop.  They actually kept the car for an extra month for the exact reason that you stated.  I'm fine with the water-based paint, even though it sounds like kid stuff, I just want to know how to take care of it.   As for the California Duster, I never knew that was safe for cars.  I mean, it's dirty and it stays that way and I'm expected to continue wiping across the car with it; to me it feels like brushing with an uncleaned toothbrush or something.  Can you actually clean California Dusters?  In any case I now have something new to learn about, and maybe this time around the Charger will stay nice looking and I can atone for letting it rot all those years ago.

PS: I look at women like the money I spend on them: they come and go and it isn't worth getting attached to either...

[Dino]

I can see them using water based base but clear?  I would want the good old solvent based clear so it'll hold up but for the record, I've been out of body work too long so for all I know the water based clears are just as strong, I simply do not know.  Be sure to ask the body shop if the clear is water based.  If not then it really doesn't matter what's under it.  It's the clear you clean and polish.

That said, never polish a freshly painted car.  Actually, never polish a car that doesn't need polish.  You only use it when paint is scratched and/or faded.  For everything else you use soap and water and protect it with wax, that's it. 

How long did they bake the paint? 

[twodko]

Sage advice Dino. MYK, with Cali dusters you gently brush the light dust off the car working top to bottom. I shake out mine ever couple swipes. You don't want to dust a real dirty car especially with fresh paint......must be gently washed. I think you can wash these Cali duster........contact Cali dusters to be sure.

[J.Bond]

Water bourne paint is usually the first stage (colour) Clear is acrylic urathane. When they started changing out the paint lines to water based I too was surprized that the clear was not changed out at the same time, why do one and not the other?. If your car was done base/clear,no worries, no differant than the famlies daily driver, again common sence, buy good quality wash and wax products.

[68blue]

Lead has been out of paint for a long time so no help there. I've worked with water based clears on a lot of other production items and they always have different look than solvent based materials.

[myk]

I want to thank all of you for your input.  My next step is to touch base with the body shop and determine what products were used.  They too said to only use the highest quality products and to avoid wiping or even covering the car if there was significant amount of dirt on the body.  I don't know how long they baked the car but they did keep the car prisoner for one extra month after it was shot to help in curing it. 

Exciting stuff!

[Dino]

I want to thank all of you for your input.  My next step is to touch base with the body shop and determine what products were used.  They too said to only use the highest quality products and to avoid wiping or even covering the car if there was significant amount of dirt on the body.  I don't know how long they baked the car but they did keep the car prisoner for one extra month after it was shot to help in curing it. 

Exciting stuff!

1 month is a good start.  3 to 6 is better.  The good ole fireball in the sky is a great paint curing device as well so park that puppy in the rays when you can!

[doctor4766]

I'd rather my girl get fondled and pawed by strangers instead!  So what're your guy's thoughts on this?  

Yeah well I guess if you're looking for a volunteer I'll put my hand up....

[Dino]

I'd rather my girl get fondled and pawed by strangers instead!  So what're your guy's thoughts on this?  

Yeah well I guess if you're looking for a volunteer I'll put my hand up....