New car advice.... Sticky?

Nth Degree

Nth Degree

New member
It seems at least once per week the question "What advice for a new car?" is asked by someone. If we had a sticky with the general advice about what to tell the dealership and what basic first steps to take could save them time searching and posting the question.
 
Nth Degree said:
It seems at least once per week the question "What advice for a new car?" is asked by someone. If we had a sticky with the general advice about what to tell the dealership and what basic first steps to take could save them time searching and posting the question.
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:yourrock:bow

I would also like to see a grid on paint hardness...by mfr....I'm sure some models are diff within lines, but just some generalizations would help
 
glen e said:
becasue I don't know what I'm actually looking for or what media to use...test spot with what?- a polish, compound? Tell me and I'll start do it....
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Well, in large part it depends on what products/pads/polishers you have on hand. Generally speaking though just start with a mild polish and the least aggressive of your pads, do an area and see if the defects you want to remove are gone. If not, grab a more aggressive pad and try again. If that doesn't work, grab a more aggressive product, and so on. For the most part you can find aggressiveness scales or charts to tell you how much cut a given polish or pad will give you.

There's no exact science to finding the right combination for a particular vehicle's paint; as a beginner it'll take you a little longer to go through that process on each vehicle you detail, but eventually you'll develop a better sense of how much more aggressive you need to be based on the results of the first test spot you do. The only way to really get there is with time and practice.
 
C. Charles Hahn said:
Well, in large part it depends on what products/pads/polishers you have on hand. Generally speaking though just start with a mild polish and the least aggressive of your pads, do an area and see if the defects you want to remove are gone. If not, grab a more aggressive pad and try again. If that doesn't work, grab a more aggressive product, and so on. For the most part you can find aggressiveness scales or charts to tell you how much cut a given polish or pad will give you.

There's no exact science to finding the right combination for a particular vehicle's paint; as a beginner it'll take you a little longer to go through that process on each vehicle you detail, but eventually you'll develop a better sense of how much more aggressive you need to be based on the results of the first test spot you do. The only way to really get there is with time and practice.
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10 4 - thanks - I think I'm reading here most asian/japanese cars are soft clear and german/US is hard..correct?
 
glen e said:
10 4 - thanks - I think I'm reading here most asian/japanese cars are soft clear and german/US is hard..correct?
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I wouldn't make that generalization -- some colors of BMW clear, Porsche clear, etc. tend to buck that trend and are on the soft side; I've also seen some colors from Toyota that are pretty hard. Has a lot to do with when and where they were built, etc.

That's why I prefer to stress the concept of a test spot; yeah, some generalizations are pretty accurate like that most Honda paint is soft, C5/C6 Corvette paint is rock hard, etc. but I don't like to bank on those generalizations.

If you start with a heavy cut compound just because you've heard the paint on a car should be pretty hard, and then you find out it's actually extremely soft, you could put yourself in a world of hurt in a big hurry.
 
I don't think it'll work as well as we think it will. How many new members read the stickies to start? It seems they join and they go straight to asking "I own X car, what do I need to do to get Y finish?"
I've been on too many forums and have seen this movie too many times.
 
if there is a sticky, when they ask that question we can quote the link...that's why it would work....

Here's the sticky:

1. buy new car
2. clay car
3. hit it with BF Rapid Fire
4. Drive around with a smile on your face

End of sticky...LOL
 
I detailed a VW Pheaton the other day, and I can say that paint felt soft, and came out pretty nice. Customer was very happy to see the professionalism.
 

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ziggo99 said:
I don't think it'll work as well as we think it will. How many new members read the stickies to start? It seems they join and they go straight to asking "I own X car, what do I need to do to get Y finish?"
I've been on too many forums and have seen this movie too many times.
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It does provide a valuable link to the process. I think the problem with 'new car prep' details is they really are no different then any other detail. Examine the vehicle, inspect it for common defects (paint contamination, swirl marks, scratches, interior soiling), correct the problem, and apply final dressings/sealants. I have seen a lot of brand new cars (less then 5 miles) that were in terrible need of the every faucet of detailing and I have seen cars that were at 10k miles that literarly looked brand new.

Every detail should start with a thorough examination to diagnose the problem, as well as the steps needed to correct it.
 
Todd Helme said:
It does provide a valuable link to the process. I think the problem with 'new car prep' details is they really are no different then any other detail. Examine the vehicle, inspect it for common defects (paint contamination, swirl marks, scratches, interior soiling), correct the problem, and apply final dressings/sealants. I have seen a lot of brand new cars (less then 5 miles) that were in terrible need of the every faucet of detailing and I have seen cars that were at 10k miles that literarly looked brand new.

Every detail should start with a thorough examination to diagnose the problem, as well as the steps needed to correct it.
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agreed.....but.....we can make some generalizations...and we do that in cyberspace every day because none of us have eyes on the car to ascertain exactly what to use but that does not stop us from making an educated guess as to what combo to use. Every video and article here that prescribes something does that..."if oyu have this problem, try this"...

and we can do that for new cars, and impart some knowledge to new owners. "Don't have the dealer wash it", etc...For example, one of the main differences I see in a new car is it is carrying a full load of fresh clear that can be leveled with more aggressive compounds and machines to correct than a 6 year old car with swirls, that has been compounded several times...

Just my .02...
 
Todd Helme said:
It does provide a valuable link to the process. I think the problem with 'new car prep' details is they really are no different then any other detail. Examine the vehicle, inspect it for common defects (paint contamination, swirl marks, scratches, interior soiling), correct the problem, and apply final dressings/sealants. I have seen a lot of brand new cars (less then 5 miles) that were in terrible need of the every faucet of detailing and I have seen cars that were at 10k miles that literarly looked brand new.

Every detail should start with a thorough examination to diagnose the problem, as well as the steps needed to correct it.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I mean, you can make a sticky, and then when someone asks "I got a new car, what should I do?", then a member can link to them that thread. That can make sense.
 
I threw this together as a draft. Feel free to make suggestions. The final draft can be reposted as a new thread and sticky.




What should I do for my new car?

This question comes up again and again. It is not always a clear answer since there are many variables that affect the answer. Congratulations on your new vehicle. This thread should provide a good jumping off point. This information has been compiled and summarized from the many posts asking this same question.

First we must debunk the myth that a new car comes perfect from the factory. Achieving perfection is very time consuming and costly. Since only one tenth of 1% of car buyers even know the difference it would be wasted time and energy for auto makers to make cars perfect when 99.9% will be marred and scratched upon the first wash. You are most likely reading this because you are the 0.1%. Even high end vehicles are not immune. It is very possible for a $20k car to have better paint than a $200k car.


“The paint on most high end vehicles is as bad, if not worse, than most standard cars, IME. Out of the 100 or so new-car preps I have done on exotics and higher end cars (more than 80 grand) I have only seen two new cars come out perfect from the factory. 1 was a new Porsche Turbo (in black no less) and the other was a BMW M5, the rest have all been varying degrees of disasters.” -Todd Helme


I suppose taking delivery of a brand new car is about as close as any guy will get to the feeling a woman gets when she first tries on THE wedding dress. But as much pride as you take in your new vehicle, the dealership views it as just one more item sold. There is nothing special in their minds about YOUR new car. Thus it gets the same quick prep that every car gets, likely by the underpaid lot attendants who are rushed to get to the next car. So the first bit of advice is:

When possible instruct the dealership to do only the absolute minimum prep to make the car drivable.

Hand in hand with that bit of advice would be:

Decline any optional paint sealants or protection plans until you do your homework.

They are almost always over priced and often over sold to the point of bordering false advertising. In most cases there are better products available, often at a much lower price.

Once you have taken delivery of the vehicle, what does it need? Essentially: clean and protect. Exactly what steps to take is heavily dependent on the car, the owner’s desire and the driving, storage, and maintenance habits the car will endure.

If you are not already familiar with proper (safe) washing and drying habits you would be best to do so before continuing.


Two Bucket Wash Method

Rinseless Wash Method


After the wash, it may need to be clayed. Even a new vehicle straight from the factory could have contaminants that have bonded to the paint. Some say to always clay just to be safe. Others say do the sandwich baggie test; put your hand in a sandwich baggie and gently glide your fingers over the paint. If you feel anything other than a silky smooth surface there are tiny contaminants that are bonded to the paint that were not removed by washing. Notice: claying a car can, and often will, cause micro-marring. On light colored vehicles it will likely never be noticed. On darker vehicles however, it can be visible in direct sunlight. A light polish should remove them easily.

No matter what the intended use of the car is, now is a perfect time to take measurements of the paint. This will give you an idea how much paint you are starting with so that after a few corrections you know how much paint has been removed and when it is no longer safe to continue correcting.

The next step is going to be polishing. If the car needs significant correction and you are reading this for advice you should probably contact a professional before attempting this alone. It is tempting to make a new car look “perfect”, but there are a couple things to first consider:

1. Automotive paint is very thin. Correction removes tiny amounts of paint. The thinner the paint gets the more likely problems are to occur down the road. Here is a great thread on the topic: Over-polishing Paint

2. A perfect finish takes a significant time commitment to maintain.

3. Short of putting the car in a bubble, it will pick up scratches and swirls, no matter how careful you are.


If your car is intended as a daily driver and you are happy with the way it looks you can skip the polishing and continue to protecting with a wax, sealant or coating. Which to choose is a personal decision and depends on how much time you are willing to commit to maintenance.

Before asking broad questions such as “What wax should I use?” or “How should I clean/protect __________?” you should do a little research. The numerous answers to these questions essentially equate to: “Pick a product and give it a shot.” In general a pure carnauba wax will give the best look, while sealants tend to have better durability. Here is a great break down of the technology: Polymers and Carnauba Wax Differences. A permanent coating, such as Opti-Coat is ideal for vehicles that will see a lot of miles and receive infrequent washes.

Specific product choices are often a matter of personal choice depending on color, ease of use, durability, etc. Should you still be looking for specific recommendations, please provide as many details as possible so that we can help provide advice that meets your specific needs.


Again, congratulations on your new vehicle and happy detailing.:rockon
 
I think this is a great idea and would be a superb reference for anyone that needs some quick information....:bigups
 
Nth Degree said:
I threw this together as a draft. Feel free to make suggestions. The final draft can be reposted as a new thread and sticky.




What should I do for my new car?

This question comes up again and again. It is not always a clear answer since there are many variables that affect the answer. Congratulations on your new vehicle. This thread should provide a good jumping off point. This information has been compiled and summarized from the many posts asking this same question.

First we must debunk the myth that a new car comes perfect from the factory. Achieving perfection is very time consuming and costly. Since only one tenth of 1% of car buyers even know the difference it would be wasted time and energy for auto makers to make cars perfect when 99.9% will be marred and scratched upon the first wash. You are most likely reading this because you are the 0.1%. Even high end vehicles are not immune. It is very possible for a $20k car to have better paint than a $200k car.


“The paint on most high end vehicles is as bad, if not worse, than most standard cars, IME. Out of the 100 or so new-car preps I have done on exotics and higher end cars (more than 80 grand) I have only seen two new cars come out perfect from the factory. 1 was a new Porsche Turbo (in black no less) and the other was a BMW M5, the rest have all been varying degrees of disasters.” -Todd Helme


I suppose taking delivery of a brand new car is about as close as any guy will get to the feeling a woman gets when she first tries on THE wedding dress. But as much pride as you take in your new vehicle, the dealership views it as just one more item sold. There is nothing special in their minds about YOUR new car. Thus it gets the same quick prep that every car gets, likely by the underpaid lot attendants who are rushed to get to the next car. So the first bit of advice is:

When possible instruct the dealership to do only the absolute minimum prep to make the car drivable.

Hand in hand with that bit of advice would be:

Decline any optional paint sealants or protection plans until you do your homework.

They are almost always over priced and often over sold to the point of bordering false advertising. In most cases there are better products available, often at a much lower price.

Once you have taken delivery of the vehicle, what does it need? Essentially: clean and protect. Exactly what steps to take is heavily dependent on the car, the owner’s desire and the driving, storage, and maintenance habits the car will endure.

If you are not already familiar with proper (safe) washing and drying habits you would be best to do so before continuing.


Two Bucket Wash Method

Rinseless Wash Method


After the wash, it may need to be clayed. Even a new vehicle straight from the factory could have contaminants that have bonded to the paint. Some say to always clay just to be safe. Others say do the sandwich baggie test; put your hand in a sandwich baggie and gently glide your fingers over the paint. If you feel anything other than a silky smooth surface there are tiny contaminants that are bonded to the paint that were not removed by washing. Notice: claying a car can, and often will, cause micro-marring. On light colored vehicles it will likely never be noticed. On darker vehicles however, it can be visible in direct sunlight. A light polish should remove them easily.

No matter what the intended use of the car is, now is a perfect time to take measurements of the paint. This will give you an idea how much paint you are starting with so that after a few corrections you know how much paint has been removed and when it is no longer safe to continue correcting.

The next step is going to be polishing. If the car needs significant correction and you are reading this for advice you should probably contact a professional before attempting this alone. It is tempting to make a new car look “perfect”, but there are a couple things to first consider:

1. Automotive paint is very thin. Correction removes tiny amounts of paint. The thinner the paint gets the more likely problems are to occur down the road. Here is a great thread on the topic: Over-polishing Paint

2. A perfect finish takes a significant time commitment to maintain.

3. Short of putting the car in a bubble, it will pick up scratches and swirls, no matter how careful you are.


If your car is intended as a daily driver and you are happy with the way it looks you can skip the polishing and continue to protecting with a wax, sealant or coating. Which to choose is a personal decision and depends on how much time you are willing to commit to maintenance.

Before asking broad questions such as “What wax should I use?” or “How should I clean/protect __________?” you should do a little research. The numerous answers to these questions essentially equate to: “Pick a product and give it a shot.” In general a pure carnauba wax will give the best look, while sealants tend to have better durability. Here is a great break down of the technology: Polymers and Carnauba Wax Differences. A permanent coating, such as Opti-Coat is ideal for vehicles that will see a lot of miles and receive infrequent washes.

Specific product choices are often a matter of personal choice depending on color, ease of use, durability, etc. Should you still be looking for specific recommendations, please provide as many details as possible so that we can help provide advice that meets your specific needs.


Again, congratulations on your new vehicle and happy detailing.:rockon
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This is very good you should role with it:drool:
 
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