new car...advice sought

[Sharkie]

Bought a new car today..yay! First new car since 1989. My wife’s car doesn’t count since I just detail it. The old Escort GT served me well but was time to put her out to pasture. Looked at the car this morning it was covered in transport plastic with 6 miles…sweet! Asked the salesman just to pull the plastic get rid of the adhesive and wash it. When we took delivery it still had some adhesive in some areas, comes off very easy, not a problem. So I’m looking for some opinions as to how to go about detailing the car. It’s silver, car was 80% covered with the plastic. Looks and feels flawless except for a few areas that still have bits of adhesive. Clay or polish seem pointless. I want to dawn wash, Z-7 wash then go to town with Z-2. Is there any reason I should consider a mild paint cleanser for prep or anything else for that matter?



Adam

[Mindflux]

Free bump for ya Adam, I`ll need to know the same goods for my 337. I doubt a dawn wash would be needed. But then again What do I know



:bounce

[samiam513]

the paint shouldn`t need a mild cleaner. it just go painted two months ago....



i`d say dawn wash though to make sure no oils are on your car.

[JAGOWNER1981]

i would clay and then zaino away. I thought u had an M3, what kind of car did you end up getting? An IS300?

[laynlow]

I agree with Al. The clay is important because it will remove any rail dust that bonded to the paint and will likely remove any visible adhesive left. The dawn wash should help remove any adhesive residue present that you can`t see.

[JAGOWNER1981]

how much time will claying a new car take anyway? An hour tops.

[Sharkie]

The plastic covered almost the entire car. Started off with a Dawn wash and got the residual adhesive with isopropyl alcohol. There was one small spot on each bumper that had some iron specs that I clayed and AIO’d. The car was close to pristine at this point so I went straight to Z-2. Got 2 coats bumper to bumper and a third on the hoof and roof. Late afternoon pics didn’t come out so great but here’s a couple:



front

side



Al- That’s my buddy’s M3 that I have posted in the past. I wish I could have afforded that or an IS but I’m very happy with the GTI :xyxthumbs



Adam

[shaf]

Looks great! :up I am starting to notice what people have been saying about newer VW paint.



Which reminds me, I should get the pics of my silver car...

[Spork]

Originally posted by 4DSC

Looks great! :up I am starting to notice what people have been saying about newer VW paint.



Which reminds me, I should get the pics of my silver car...

Yup, they used to be all orange peeled, not any more. They sure polish out nice.