Detailing Question??

Solid colors did not get clear coat...although I thought they started by the time they got to the 348.

 

apparantly there are some compound agents in the wax, on your rag...

 

I would stick with whatever you are using presently. You are not removing a significant amount of paint.

 

They do indeed. See the appropriate detailing articles at www.fca-se.org/concours.htm

 

I like www.swissol.com products myself. I have been well pleased with whatever I have purchased from them.

 

Mike's detail comments are dead-on. I do think however the world of detailing is pretty subjective to "whatever works best for you". I use NXT (a nano product) and have not had any discoloration on my applicator pad. The endurance of NXT is pretty miserable, but the shine is unbeatable. It all depends on how much/little time you want to spend, and what looks good in your own personal opinion.

-Daniel

 

*Anything* that has an abrasive will take paint off. I don't like to use a "polish" unless I need to, which should be no more than once or twice a year. Other than that, I suggest a pure wax or polymer with no abrasive component most of the time. If your car has clearcoat (which some 348's do) then you won't see paint on the pad even if the abrasive is there -- you're removing a few microns of clearcoat instead of color coat, but the clearcoat is still "paint". A few microns at a time of single-stage paint (and that's all you're seeing on your pad) is really "ok", but not preferable; if you clean/wax often you'll eventually start to see primer through the paint along sharp edges, though it will still likely take many years.

There are lots of options and alternatives... especially if you have non-black paint. I prefer polishing once, and then use a polymer with occasional clay-bar usage. But polymer provides a "new paint" look, which is different than a waxed look.

 

Brent,

You could try Zaino. They have a special finish that is used on non clear coated paint, Z3. It's really durable. But of course this boils down to how you feel about the looks of Zaino compared to wax.
If you want to try it, order from www.lazaino.com - they are in Santa Monica, and they'll have it to you tomorrow.

Have fun.

 

I actually prefer Zaino over Finish First, but Finish First is excellent also as a close second but does have a VERY VERY slight abraisive in it for when you need it, though you have to rub fairly hard before you'd see paint on your cloth. I've bought it off the shelf at Big Boys Toys, but I haven't seen it anywhere else other than mail order. Zaino can be purchased from www.ZainoBros.com and Finish First from www.liqui-tech.com