When to use P21S cleanser?

[tlsrmw]

When is it too soon to use P21S Gloss Enhancing Paintwork Cleanser?



I have a 2003 Acura that I`ve owned for about 5 weeks. I`m not sure how old the paint is, but I bought it new (8 miles on the odometer) and I`m thinking it`s probably 3 months old (a month or so in transit, a month or less at the dealer and 5 weeks with me). Recently my car sat underneath a tree that dropped acorns onto the trunk lid during a rainstorm. The acorns left a spotty brown residue that I can scrape off with my fingernail without any resistance. The marks are too numerous to use my fingernail to clean my trunk, so I bought the P21S to clean it before waxing. However, the bottle says the product is "best for" paint jobs at least 6 months old. Naturally, I thought I`d ask the experts before I did anything.



Can I use the P21S now?



If not, what can I use to remove the marks?



On another front, I washed my car yesterday evening and woke up this morning to find that a bird liked the finish. (Funny, that never happens with my wife`s 12 year old Volvo.) How do you remove the bird dropping without leaving any residue that can be harmful to the paint?



Thanks all.

[Bill D]

I prepped my new car myself on the day I got it. One of the last steps in my detail was the p21s GEPC. It even removed some rapgard residue left on the car. You can definitely use it now.

[tlsrmw]

Thanks Bill and ej.



Bill, can you tell me what your new car regimen is? Thanks.

[Accumulator]

tlsrmw- Welcome to Autopia. Your acorn-spots sound like a textbook example of what clay is for. I`d use clay (probably during the wash step) rather than overwhelming your P21S cleanser (which is GOOD stuff).



Also, use of a claybar (and/or AutoInt`s ABC system) on a new car is a good idea. Especially if your car is light-colored, embedded ferrous contaminants (such as "rail dust") can cause rust-blooms if they aren`t removed. I *ALWAYS* clay and ABC my new vehicles- no more rust-blooms.



It is NOT too soon to use the GEPC on your paint. The "6 month" bit is primarily concerned with non-factory paint (repaints). Factory paint is pretty much ready to polish/wax/etc. as soon as the vehicle leaves the factory. If there was any subsequent paintwork (at the dealer, point of import, etc.), then that`s a different story and you SHOULD consider waiting.



Many people, myself included, use a QD and a MF (or a cotton swab/ball) to remove bird bombs. Just be careful so you don`t scratch the finish- besides any dirt that might be on the finish, remember than bird bombs themselves often contain abrasive grit. A good sealant (like Klasse SG or Zaino) can provide a little added protection- the bird bombs have to eat through the sealant before they get to your paint and scratches you inflict might (hopefully) be in the sealant instead of in your paint.

[Bill D]

tls, surely,



I second everything Accumulator said above.



Here`s what I did on my black Audi: Wash with p21s shampoo ( I think this is similar to "C" in the ABC wash system), optional: clay next--in your case defintiely do so, GEPC, AIO, SG. I have about 9 coats of SG so far on the car. I did this the day the car came home from the dealer. For a new car you`ve had for a little while now I would carefully inspect the finish for any light scratches or swirls. If they are present I would go with 1z paint polish since I`ve heard so many fantastic things about it especially for black paint. I`ll be getting some soon. I do have 3m PI III MG at the moment. After the 1z you could still use the GEPC or move right onto to the AIO/SG. All depends how long you want to be out there polishing :)



Hope this is helpful.