Some questions for you guys

not_a_virus.exe

New member
1. For extra protection, could I just add another layer of clear coat to my car? If so, what's the best way to do this?



2. When filling deep scratches with touch up paint, what's the best clear coat to use to cover the repair?



3. Does it really matter whether we use a microfiber towel or regular paper towel to wipe off bird droppings? I would think the MF wouldn't be enough to prevent the bird droppings to scratch the clear coat when wiping it off.



4. What's a good durable sealant to use after wiping off bird droppings?



5. Would the best way to keep your exhaust tip and muffler clean just to use some metal polish periodically?



6. Typically, how many times can I polish a car until the clear coat fails?



7. Is it possible to just polish once and then fill up future light scratches and swirls with sealant? Or better yet, why not forget polishing and just fill the scratches and swirls with sealant?



8. Can I add more layers of sealant after the first for added protection?



9. I'm more concerned about protecting the paint of my car than maintaining a show car perfect look. What would be the best maintenance routine then for a daily driver?
 
not_a_virus.exe said:
1. For extra protection, could I just add another layer of clear coat to my car? If so, what's the best way to do this?



2. When filling deep scratches with touch up paint, what's the best clear coat to use to cover the repair?



3. Does it really matter whether we use a microfiber towel or regular paper towel to wipe off bird droppings? I would think the MF wouldn't be enough to prevent the bird droppings to scratch the clear coat when wiping it off.



4. What's a good durable sealant to use after wiping off bird droppings?



5. Would the best way to keep your exhaust tip and muffler clean just to use some metal polish periodically?



6. Typically, how many times can I polish a car until the clear coat fails?



7. Is it possible to just polish once and then fill up future light scratches and swirls with sealant? Or better yet, why not forget polishing and just fill the scratches and swirls with sealant?



8. Can I add more layers of sealant after the first for added protection?



9. I'm more concerned about protecting the paint of my car than maintaining a show car perfect look. What would be the best maintenance routine then for a daily driver?



Have you tried using the search button?
 
Not a master... I would like to see a pro chiming on in 1-2 as well :)



not_a_virus.exe said:
3. Does it really matter whether we use a microfiber towel or regular paper towel to wipe off bird droppings? I would think the MF wouldn't be enough to prevent the bird droppings to scratch the clear coat when wiping it off.



4. What's a good durable sealant to use after wiping off bird droppings?



Yes it does matter to use MF towel... Paper towel may scratch...Always scrunch it up don't wipe it off...Also you'll need a QD to soften the poo unless it's really fresh (within minutes after it first landed)

How to safely remove a dried bird dropping - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online



Scrunching up limits your towel contact with paint and thus minimize scratches



There's no sealant/wax that will protect you against bird dropping not even the state of the art PPF or opticoat..as soon as you see the bird dropping REMOVE IT IMMEDIATELY...Let it etch and it will eat right through whatever coatings you have..



5. Would the best way to keep your exhaust tip and muffler clean just to use some metal polish periodically?



6. Typically, how many times can I polish a car until the clear coat fails?



Wish to have somone's opinion to this as well :)



7. Is it possible to just polish once and then fill up future light scratches and swirls with sealant? Or better yet, why not forget polishing and just fill the scratches and swirls with sealant?



I don't think sealant will fill as good as a filling polish like Autoglym SRP or Bilt Hamber Auto Balm... But NXT 2.0 can fill a bit



In theory (haven't tried it)...You can do a full package detail and then proceed do touchless wash swirl free wash for every wash...protect it weekly with a durable wax like collinite and you may in theory get a swirl free car that doesn't need any polishing... Not impossible but you need to really really need get your techniques straight in the first place which is the hardest part..For every aspects of detailing (washing,claying,polish,wax) there's also associated risk of marring if you don't do it right



I couldn't find it here but I believe SuperBee364 claimed to have a swirl free car with his touchless wash method



8. Can I add more layers of sealant after the first for added protection?



Why not ?
 
Some thoughts follow:



-Touchup clearcoat must be compatible with the underlying basecoat; buy them together or ask at an autobody/paint supply store.



-I've such good luck with heavily layered KSG that I no longer bother cleaing bird-bombs off that vehicle. Zero etching, simply amazing. But of coures YMMV so don't blame me ;)



-Yeah, I just clean exhaust pipes/etc. as needed and don't try to keep them from needing it.



-You can polish until you've removed maybe half-a-mil of clear, though some people take off a good bit more than that. It's *NOT* just a matter of not "going through the clear", you can't thin it too much without having problems. Sun exposure means a lot here...



-Minor flaws can be filled with glazes, and there are now some glazes that work OK with sealants.



-Many sealants can be layered for increased protection and durability.



-Best maintenance is proper washing and redoing the LSP (Last Step Product, sealant or wax) sooner rather than later.



-Some user-names give paranoid folks the willies :nervous:
 
Thanks a bunch, guys.



I scoured more threads for a few more hours and I found a thread last night (don't remember which one it was now that I'm at work) where someone said a cleaner with high isopropyl alcohol and no butyl is best for removing bird droppings. QD and water will actually intensify the effect of the acid. So a glass cleaner like Eagle One 20/20 came highly recommended.
 
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