New Car Finish
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 805
Likes: 54
From: Murrieta CA
New Car Finish
Just picked up my new 2004 Black coupe on Monday and there's something odd about the finish. I know black is harder to take care of and all that, but I was using Meguiar's Instant Detailer on it when I got home and noticed that there seems to be a film on the car that just wants to smear. Does this sound like maybe the car wasn't prepped as well as it should have been. I know the salesman and the detailer had a disagreement as to how long it was going to take him to do the job. I'm thinkin' maybe he got a little pissed and did a half-*** job. Anybody else experienced this smearing or know what it might be? I'm taking it back to the dealer on Friday for this and a paint scuff.
Oh by the way, other than that this car has completely exceeded my already high expectations from a performance standpoint. I hemmed and hawed about whether to go 6 speed or automatic. I finally decided on 6 speed and couldn't be happier. Hadn't driven a stick in 20 years but I guess its like riding a bike, you never forget how.
Oh by the way, other than that this car has completely exceeded my already high expectations from a performance standpoint. I hemmed and hawed about whether to go 6 speed or automatic. I finally decided on 6 speed and couldn't be happier. Hadn't driven a stick in 20 years but I guess its like riding a bike, you never forget how.
Last edited by DirteeDave; Jul 22, 2004 at 12:09 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Langhorne PA
Welcome to CF. Black is pretty hard to keep looking good, you are right. That being said, if you are using too much QD or anything for that matter, it will smear. A little goes a LONG way. If there is too much humidity, smears can result too. Car Care section here is a real big help as well as the search feature. Join the Squadron...We all love Black!
Dan
Dan
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Originally Posted by Dr. Dan
Welcome to CF. Black is pretty hard to keep looking good, you are right. That being said, if you are using too much QD or anything for that matter, it will smear. A little goes a LONG way. If there is too much humidity, smears can result too. Car Care section here is a real big help as well as the search feature. Join the Squadron...We all love Black!
Dan
Dan
with everything said above. The trick to that "detailing spray" stuff is to be very quick and have a cool surface. A bottle of that stuff can do 100 Vettes. The guys in the detail shop probably never read the label/directions.But under no circumstances would I return the car to the dealer for detailing
Let's face it, detailing your baby is half the fun
Good Luck! And Welcome Aboard!
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Michael
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,601
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Originally Posted by 1g1yy
I would be cautious about letting the dealership lot boys do anything to the finish.
Black sure is nice but the dark colors show everything and quick detailers streak alot.
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From: The Rock Arkansas
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Welcome to the Forum! Sounds like the dealership globbed too much wax on your Vette. I would wash her down with Dawn dishwashing liquid to strip it all off and put on a nice LIGHT coat of Zaino or NXT.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
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The car dealership usually uses a glaze to make you car look shiney when they deliver it to you.In my opinion you should wash the car with "Dawn",claybar it and then use "Liquid Glass".I know many people use Zaino and I did for years.I like Liquid Glass better,especially for bird droppings.( I do not think that Zaino protects as well as Liquid Glass for this problem).I have a 2004 black C5 also.
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With the above. And would add. Please don't take it back to the dealer. Spend some cash on microfiber towels, Dawn, Clay Bar is a must have. It gets a lot of things off and out of your paint job. Worth every cent. Then get a good wax like Zaino or Mequire's NXT. Then spend some time going through the detailing section and you'll end up with a great shine.Another friend of mine took his back to the dealer and came out with swirl marks that his is still dealing with. So be gentle to the black it shows everything. Keep the quick detailer handy with a microfiber towel and use that if you want to wipe anything off the paint job. No hard rubbing and lots of water. Hope that helps. And this forum is the greatest source of info for your car. Lots of people here to help you out.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 805
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From: Murrieta CA
Originally Posted by Stock Man
With the above. And would add. Please don't take it back to the dealer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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St. Jude Donor '17
Originally Posted by Doughan
Welcome to the Forum! Sounds like the dealership globbed too much wax on your Vette. I would wash her down with Dawn dishwashing liquid to strip it all off and put on a nice LIGHT coat of Zaino or NXT.
exactly what i was going to say black and www.zainobros.com made for each other
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 621
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From: East Setauket New York
Be Very Carefull
If you think the prep guy did b/s job the first time wait till he hears your complaining or the service manager busts his ***** for not doing it right the first time. Then he picks up his power polisher, wrong pad, too much force, bad mood, and you've got surface swirls, at best, for life. Black car = big trouble!
I say dawn wash yourself, dawn again, and start from the beginning with Zaino or another. Clay,and then all the Zs. You'll be amazed.
Dealer who couldn't do it right first time is not going to do better second time IMHO. Not worth the risk.
I say dawn wash yourself, dawn again, and start from the beginning with Zaino or another. Clay,and then all the Zs. You'll be amazed.
Dealer who couldn't do it right first time is not going to do better second time IMHO. Not worth the risk.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Aurora IL
Originally Posted by Doughan
Welcome to the Forum! Sounds like the dealership globbed too much wax on your Vette. I would wash her down with Dawn dishwashing liquid to strip it all off and put on a nice LIGHT coat of Zaino or NXT.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
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Congrats on the new Vette. I picked up my new 6 speed last Monday too--really glad I went with 6 speed.
First thing I did was wash it, clay bar (Mother's) and NXT. It looks great!! And I am amazed that I can not find one mark on the finish anywhere--I mean not one scuff, scratch, swirl or anything--it's perfect. It's easy to say it should be perfect, but too often it's not.
Welcome to CF
First thing I did was wash it, clay bar (Mother's) and NXT. It looks great!! And I am amazed that I can not find one mark on the finish anywhere--I mean not one scuff, scratch, swirl or anything--it's perfect. It's easy to say it should be perfect, but too often it's not.
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Congrats on the new car. I agree that it sounds like too much stuff was put on the car by the dealer. Use some Dawn, a clay bar and then repolish. Should come out great.