After repaint, now what?

[Errtt]

Paint should be well cured now. I went to a local auto store this morning (Pep Boys)and got the Megs claybar kit.
I wanted to (after claybar) use a sealant but they didn't have any. I did see a couple bottles of glaze. Is there a difference between a glaze and sealant?

I seen this stuff called Diamond Shield. Says once a year and highly UV protection. Is this some kind of sealant? It was like 1 bottle sized for one car for something like $25

My original plan was to claybar, apply a sealant then wax over, or Nu-Finish. With no sealant on hand, plans have got tossed out the window. I want something from a local store (Pep-Boys, AZ or NAPA). I'd like to get it now and apply tomorrow morning, otherwise I'll have to wait another week.

 

[abycat]

If i was you I would clay, then glaze since you dont need an abrasive polish then get a good quality caranuba wax then finish off with a nice spray wax.

 

[LeakySeals]

What are you using the claybar for on new paint? overspray? Light buffing would be better for new paint, if at all needed.

I vote seal it, use the glaze down the road.

 

[abycat]

If he is carefull with the lube he should not marr the paint and he could get any overspray and contaminants off and be fully ready for his next step. Which would not be an aggresive polish cause it should be pretty good.

 

[Errtt]

Like mentioned, I didn't find any sealant. I didn't see a couple Glaze products. One was by SunCity or SurfCity (something like that), and I'm not recalling the others right now.

So - do I not need the claybar? I thought I read it's best to claybar first just to make sure all is clean and smooth before applying a sealant or something. It all looks and fells good, just a little rough surface feel in one back area less than a sq, foot.

I have been washing weekly with Megs auto wash/conditioner and between using Megs Detailer Spray once a week between the weekly wash.

I don't want to have to wax this thing monthly, would like to do whatever maybe 3 times a year, could go 4 times. So durability over looks, but has to be somewhat effective.

 

[abycat]

I would clay it if it was me. You could always nufinish it like you said after clay. I have never used the stuff on a new car but on my old truck it makes me want to fix the rust. Just do another application in a week or two.

 

[Malo83]

Clay Bar
Polish
Wax
New paint this is all you need right now

 

[JHZR2]

I wouldn't clay it personally unless you have junk you can feel after washing. You have too much risk in the process.

I also would t use an abrasive wax like nufinish. Just a regular quality wax or sealant.

Id be patient, find a good one at a store or order it online.

 

[2oldtommy]

Nowhere in your original post do you mention the final paint coat. Is this a clearcoat finish? If so, you are not going to improve the clearcoat by using a claybar. Stay away from it at this point IMO. AT one time, Meguiars had a help line to advise on individual paint questions. I would contact the experts if it was my car. However, I would stay away from a claybar at this point. FWIW--Oldtommy

 

[Errtt]

Originally Posted By: 2oldtommy
Nowhere in your original post do you mention the final paint coat. Is this a clearcoat finish? If so, you are not going to improve the clearcoat by using a claybar. Stay away from it at this point IMO. AT one time, Meguiars had a help line to advise on individual paint questions. I would contact the experts if it was my car. However, I would stay away from a claybar at this point. FWIW--Oldtommy


Can't locate the paperwork right now - (my understanding) the paint has clear mixed in with it. On the last coat/layer, they doubled the amount of clear. Then did a sealer. The paint is a Urethane + IC (is what they called it). Don't know what "IC" means.
After a wash, it sure looks clean and shiny like it was waxed or a layer of clear. There are some spots where bird droppings seem to etched the surface. I tried to clean those up with detailer spray but some were probably sun baked in the hot sun (some triple digit days for sure) and I didn't get to them till late evening after work.

I'm guessing with clear mixed this is called single stage, but I know nothing when it comes to this kind of stuff. This is the first time I had a vehicle re-painted. Color is Burgundy.

It inspires me to put in a little extra care, hence the reason wanting to do the right thing now the paint has cured, but not wanting it labor intensive & often. It's not that I'm lazy, I'll do more now, it's just not something I like to do. So looking for a durable product with decent results I can buy locally.

 

[Errtt]

I ended up early this morning washing with Megs wash/conditioner, then test hit a few area's with the claybar/detailer. The one area that felt a little rough by hand came out smooth, another area it didn't make any difference as it glided smoothly. First time trying claybar for me - weird stuff & concept.
Guess I'll leave it at that and maybe in another week or two hand wash it again then have a wax or something on hand as the replies got somewhat confusing on what to do at this point.

Maybe I'll wash & claybar one of the other 2 vehicles since I bet they probably need it as they never been done. Wish the local auto chain stores sold the claybar only instead of in a kit - I have piles of micofiber towels & several bottles of Megs detailer spray. Seems a waste for me to buy the kits just to get more claybar. Maybe the two 80g bars I got in the kit will do the other 2 vehicles.

I guess having 3 vehicles is reason why I don't want to have to wax often, especially when it's the hot summer season. Oh what to do.

 

[antiqueshell]

Errtt:

Like others said your paint is still a bit soft even now complete curing process usually takes 90 days or so even with high temps.

I'd skip the clay, and in the next month use a sealer wax.

 

[Errtt]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Errtt:

Like others said your paint is still a bit soft even now complete curing process usually takes 90 days or so even with high temps.

I'd skip the clay, and in the next month use a sealer wax.


Strange how some are told 30, 60 or 90 days. I was told 30 from the small busy independent auto paint shop I went to.
I keep battling the bird droppings and really would like to get something on it to better protect.
I been using Megs detailer spray with microfiber to remove them between the weekly wash with Megs wash/conditioner. Although I try to let the spray soften them, some look etched into the surface which isn't good. With all the birds at home and at work, it's became a early morning and late evening job of dealing with it.

So, just curious - what happens if one seals/wax a paint job before the paint is fully cured?

 

[Errtt]

The bird droppings are destroying my paint. Just cleaned off a bunch and I'm getting the etched surfaces on some more. Tried to rub out one etched spot on the roof by where the rack (racks still removed) would be and it's not rubbing out with microfiber & detailer spray. Might have to later resort to a rubbing or polishing compound.

 

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I wouldn't clay it personally unless you have junk you can feel after washing. You have too much risk in the process.

I also would t use an abrasive wax like nufinish. Just a regular quality wax or sealant.

Id be patient, find a good one at a store or order it online.


I would also skip the clay bar. It is new paint so there is nothing for the clay to remove and is a waste. Also Nufinish is not abrasive and has not been for years now.

 

[Errtt]

Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I wouldn't clay it personally unless you have junk you can feel after washing. You have too much risk in the process.

I also would t use an abrasive wax like nufinish. Just a regular quality wax or sealant.

Id be patient, find a good one at a store or order it online.


I would also skip the clay bar. It is new paint so there is nothing for the clay to remove and is a waste. Also Nufinish is not abrasive and has not been for years now.


I figure if/when I use claybar, if it's clean, then the claybar would be saved for another/next vehicle. Would seem like no harm done - might not need it, but might grab a few specks otherwise.
NuFinish - I had thought NuFinish was a light abrasive cleaner polish. Didn't know they changed the formula or I understood it all wrong.