Taking care of new paint?

[IAmTodd]

I just got the front end of my Explorer painted, Friday before Christmas. What is the best way to wash it? I washed it once and just used a wet rag because my dad told me to. But I'm not too crazy about doing that again! How long should I wait before using soap on it again?

 

[88vert]

I would say you are fine to use soap now.I would hold off on the wax

 

[XPLORIN]

be very careful. i work at a body shop. you should just wrinse it for a couple of weeks and go over it with a shammy. after about a month or so you can use soap. preferably a car soap. whatever you do, donot use wax for at least 6 to 8 months!! it will eat through the clear coat!!

 

[IAmTodd]

Thanks for the info, I'll just wait till the end of the month before washing with soap.

 

[MONMIX]

Make sure your shammy is CLEAN !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[96XSport]

Meguiar's makes a VERY gental car wash shampoo and conditioner. Its name is Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo and Conditioner.

It made my car look like a fresh coat of wax was laid down!

 

[Goonbery]

First of all, you shouldn't use a WAX period! You should use a polish on your car if you really care about how it looks and protecting the paint.

As for waiting 6-8 months, that's b.s. By that time your paint will have all sorts of nice swirls and scratches that could have been prevented with proper care.

Check out this site, www.zainostore.com

That is the only thing I use on my cars and it protects the paint better than anything out there. I used this on my '99 Ram Air Trans Am and my '99 Hugger Orange Camaro SS which was 1 of only 3 produced ever! The paint on those cars was flawless year after year.

Zaino doesn't wash off like waxes do, you just apply coat after coat and watch the shine get deeper and deeper. It also contains UV protectant so that it keeps your paint from fading.

I would recommend the Z1, Z2, Z5, Z6, and Z7. A bottle of each lasts me over a year and that was polishing my cars at least twice a week.
Jeff

Oh yeah - DON'T use a shammy either, they have oils on them that don't work so well with your paint. You want to use 100% Cotton towels, make sure they are made in the USA not anywhere else. Fieldcrest towels are one of the recommended brands. They should cost you a decent amount, ~ $15 - 20 a towel. Then make sure you cut the edges off and wash them with only liquid detergent.

 

[beast]

i had my car repainted black last summer, they told me not use soap for 2 weeks and not to wax it for 6-8 weeks, i listened, and it worked out fine, still looks good, and i am so far avoiding swirl marks on the nice black paint the best I can

 

[jr91X]

I just painted my X with a friend with a custom airbrush paintjob and all I have done for 4 months so far is wash it gently with car wash soap. It has gone wheelin' and thrashed in mud already a few times and the paint still looks great. The only nicks are from a-holes in parking lots.

 

[IAmTodd]

Zaino might be good stuff, but there is no way that I'm spending the $$$. I just can't justify it. With the amount you have into it, you could just get it painted every few years. Not for me buddy. I'm gonna stay away from polish for now. I'll just wait till Summer to make sure its good.

 

[aldive]

I strongly recommend Zaino products as well.

 

[Bill Kemp]

If your looking at the cost per application of Zaino it is not expensive. If you also factor into the equasion the longetivity compared to wax it is cheaper if you keep your veh. polished. If you just do it "once in a while" it probably doesnt matter what you use.
Zaino will last longer, look better, take less effort applying & protect your paint as well or better than wax.
Per Sals instructions I waited 2 weeks after painting to use Zaino. No problems. Much of what you hear about waiting months before waxing applies to softer paint they used many years ago. And remember Zaino isnt wax.
IMO if you want your veh. to look great all the time use Zaino.

 

[aldive]

.... also, if your time has any value, Zaino is your best friend.

I can Z2/Z6 my entire 4 dr Explorer in about 30 min; try that with wax.

 

[IAmTodd]

PAYPAL- devers@kiski.net Accepting Donations to the Zaino fund. There ain't no way I can afford it.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Another alternative is Klasse twins. $40 includes 2 microfiber applicators. Great protection, depth, and durability!!