JasonATL
07-16-2005, 05:07 AM
I have a new black car (6 weeks old). It is gorgeous. But, this is our second black car. We traded in the first. So, I know what I`m getting into. If I put up pictures of the one we traded in, I would get voted off the Autopia island as a disgrace. Well, maybe it wasn`t that bad, but...
Here`s the background: I`ve been told that the car`s paint is not a clearcoat. I can`t verify this, but the source is someone I`ve found to be knowledgeable about this manufacturer. The car is garaged. It is a daily driver -- 12 miles each way to a parking garage. The car only sits outside on trips to the grocery, restaurant, etc.
As with most new cars, there is already some microscratches (thanks to the dealer and, I`m sure, some dirt and me). My goal is to keep it as perfect as possible for as long as possible. I really love a deep, wet look. Last weekend, I put on some Meg`s #7 and topped it with #26. It was better than when it was delivered to me. I was VERY happy with the finish. A friend of my family`s visited the next day. He is a guy who restores old cars and shows them (and wins quite a bit), but he`s not much on detailing (he stops at prepping the sheet metal and let`s a good painter take over). He remarked at the depth and liquidity. This is what I want to keep happening for years.
I`m going to put another layer of #26 on today. However, in reading Autopia, I wonder if I`m making my life too hard. Would I be better off using AIO and SG (multiple?) in terms of protection? Now that I say it, I`m not even sure what we all mean when we say protection. What increase in protection would I realize? I can`t find anywhere that AIO or SG offer UV protection. Would the AIO/SG keep microscratches from occuring? If so, I might go this route. What about depth? Would I be giving up some depth? I know that many layer Carnauba on AIO+SG to keep depth. But, if I`m going to do that every several weeks, then why not just rely on the carnauba for protection?
I`m not starting from scratch -- I have a PC, clay, MF, etc. and I`ve been able to keep our 6 year old red daily driver looking quite good. But, I`m always looking to improve! I`ve been using Meg`s products for a couple of years and I`ve been very happy. But, I`ve recently found Autopia and I`m open to changing my routine if it can help.
Please understand that my questions are genuine and not arguments. I realize that there isn`t one right answer here (or else everyone would do the same thing!). But, opinions of those here would be greatly appreciated. Our last black car`s paint was not properly maintained from the start. I want to get this one right. Thanks in advance.
Here`s the background: I`ve been told that the car`s paint is not a clearcoat. I can`t verify this, but the source is someone I`ve found to be knowledgeable about this manufacturer. The car is garaged. It is a daily driver -- 12 miles each way to a parking garage. The car only sits outside on trips to the grocery, restaurant, etc.
As with most new cars, there is already some microscratches (thanks to the dealer and, I`m sure, some dirt and me). My goal is to keep it as perfect as possible for as long as possible. I really love a deep, wet look. Last weekend, I put on some Meg`s #7 and topped it with #26. It was better than when it was delivered to me. I was VERY happy with the finish. A friend of my family`s visited the next day. He is a guy who restores old cars and shows them (and wins quite a bit), but he`s not much on detailing (he stops at prepping the sheet metal and let`s a good painter take over). He remarked at the depth and liquidity. This is what I want to keep happening for years.
I`m going to put another layer of #26 on today. However, in reading Autopia, I wonder if I`m making my life too hard. Would I be better off using AIO and SG (multiple?) in terms of protection? Now that I say it, I`m not even sure what we all mean when we say protection. What increase in protection would I realize? I can`t find anywhere that AIO or SG offer UV protection. Would the AIO/SG keep microscratches from occuring? If so, I might go this route. What about depth? Would I be giving up some depth? I know that many layer Carnauba on AIO+SG to keep depth. But, if I`m going to do that every several weeks, then why not just rely on the carnauba for protection?
I`m not starting from scratch -- I have a PC, clay, MF, etc. and I`ve been able to keep our 6 year old red daily driver looking quite good. But, I`m always looking to improve! I`ve been using Meg`s products for a couple of years and I`ve been very happy. But, I`ve recently found Autopia and I`m open to changing my routine if it can help.
Please understand that my questions are genuine and not arguments. I realize that there isn`t one right answer here (or else everyone would do the same thing!). But, opinions of those here would be greatly appreciated. Our last black car`s paint was not properly maintained from the start. I want to get this one right. Thanks in advance.