Wax question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Wax question
My car will be in very shortly. My dealer said when it comes in they will do a full clay and detail on the car. They use industrial swirl remover, wax, then glaze and use a min of 3 coats. It is 3m industrial stuff they said.
I know 3m has a good rep, but how does this compare to Zaino. Any comments? The detailer said if I want to bring in Zaino they will do it for me, but I would have to pay for the Zaino, they would just provide free labor on the detail and clay process, etc.
I know 3m has a good rep, but how does this compare to Zaino. Any comments? The detailer said if I want to bring in Zaino they will do it for me, but I would have to pay for the Zaino, they would just provide free labor on the detail and clay process, etc.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
3M stuff isnt bad, but its not as good as Zaino either. A new car has no need for swril remover. I would just have them clay bar it and then put the Zaino on yourself. Im not sure if I would trust them to put it on right since its not quite the same as regular carnuba wax or even some polymer synthetics.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 279
From: Muscle Shoals, AL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I was told that the paint needs to cure a few months before my 1st coat of wax by a body man. After about two months(as long as I could wait), I used NXT. I think the car comes from the factory with a good clearcoat that was fine for a couple of months.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by arcticblast
I was told that the paint needs to cure a few months before my 1st coat of wax by a body man. After about two months(as long as I could wait), I used NXT. I think the car comes from the factory with a good clearcoat that was fine for a couple of months.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Liquordale Florida
From what Sal Zaino told me, the polyurethene paint used on these cars only requires a couple of weeks to cure & "gas out". Since the body parts are painted OFF the car anyway, by the time it hits the stealership, the paint should be cured already.
I'd have them clay bar it, foam pad ONLY if it's got scratches or swirls, then Zaino it BY HAND - if they're willing...
Rick
I'd have them clay bar it, foam pad ONLY if it's got scratches or swirls, then Zaino it BY HAND - if they're willing...
Rick
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 396
Likes: 11
From: Las Vegas, NV
GM changed the paint curing process on the Corvette a few years ago because they knew we were all fanatics about wanting to wax the car immediately after taking ownership. While at the Bowling Green Plant, I confirmed this fact. Consequently, there is no need to wait for the paint to cure like on other cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
I worked out a deal with a dealer out here in San Diego, CA. I don't think i'm allowed to name names (last time I did it got edited out immediately).
Some people got more off of MSRP than I did, so you could look at it that way as well. I got 2500 off, which I still think is a great deal in So Cal, but I have heard of others getting a little more in other states.
Some people got more off of MSRP than I did, so you could look at it that way as well. I got 2500 off, which I still think is a great deal in So Cal, but I have heard of others getting a little more in other states.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 11
From: Lewes DE
agree you don't need to wait.
I just told my dealer it was ok to wash it, but that I didn't want anything else to be done -- I'd MUCH rather clay it and seal it myself. No matter what product you use, you'll do it much better than someone you pay. Remember at the dealer, this is NOT being done by a professional detailer -- it's probably being done by the mechanic who is just low man on the totem poll. "Hey -- you're not busy - go over there and wash this car"...
If you do it yourself, you'll know it was done right, that no spots were missed, and that a nice clean foam pad was used, not one that fell on the ground and had some pebbles stuck to it. There are some bad stories out there, man ....
I just told my dealer it was ok to wash it, but that I didn't want anything else to be done -- I'd MUCH rather clay it and seal it myself. No matter what product you use, you'll do it much better than someone you pay. Remember at the dealer, this is NOT being done by a professional detailer -- it's probably being done by the mechanic who is just low man on the totem poll. "Hey -- you're not busy - go over there and wash this car"...
If you do it yourself, you'll know it was done right, that no spots were missed, and that a nice clean foam pad was used, not one that fell on the ground and had some pebbles stuck to it. There are some bad stories out there, man ....