Navy Blue Metallic...HELP!!!

[Craigster]

Hello Everyone,



I'm new to the forum. I have been a Zaino user and believer for years but have only had mostly light colored cars. I have a new car, a new problem, and would appreciate any ideas you can offer.



I just bought a new 2004 Malibu Maxx in Navy Blue Metallic. To make a long (and frustrating) story short, the dealership had to repaint both passenger doors. The car is brand new, and they matched the color perfectly. They did leave a lot of swirl marks where they buffed and blended the paint though. The rest of the car is pretty swirl free.



They told me to wait 2 months before polish or wax to allow full drying and curing of the new paint.



It's almost up. But what I am looking for is help to reduce (or remove) the swirling, and then for the best products to use to make the most of the Navy Blue Metallic. My first thought was a few coats of Z5, then Z2, but from what I have read, there may be better choices out there.



If I had a trusted detail shop here on Long Island, I'd use them, but since I don't and will do it myself, any help would be GREATLY appreciated. I am up for anything, a polishing machine, etc.



Thank you very much for any and all recommendations.

 

[txz28]

My advise would be to have the dealer fix the problem. They should have never left it with swirl marks.

 

[gav'spurplez]

if the dealer left it with swirls than what makes you think they will fix it this time.



if you want something done right, do it yourself



PC and some menzerna, then some sealant/wax. I used this combo with NXT on a NBM SS and it came out awesome. i have pics if you want :xyxthumbs

 

[shaf]

Welcome to Autopia. :welcome



A PC is a great long term buy if you love detailing, but for just the two doors there are lots of products you could use by hand to de-swirl them. A retail scratch remover isn't a bad place to start.



Don't forget to check out some of the articles in the Learn! link at the top of the page if you haven't already. :up

 

[Craigster]

Thank you for your responses.



I do love detailing, for sure. I've just always done it by hand.



I have a 2003 Mach 1 in Azure Blue (which is light) that's in great shape using Zaino by hand. It stays under a cover when not in use, and the paint is staying perfect for me. I do not notice any marring or swirling.



The Malibu seems like it's going to be a different animal altogether. I've never owned a car this dark, and I have a feeling a PC will make my life easier in the long run.



Once I reduce or remove the swirls, I'm guessing the PC will make my results more satisfying as keeping my polishing and protecting more uniform, and keeping the surface smoother than I can do by hand.

 

[hirosh]

I have a 2003 Mach 1 in Azure Blue (which is light) that's in great shape using Zaino by hand.

Azure Blue isn't light! Well, maybe in a really sunny day. Nah, I'm just joking with you. I love it, it goes from a Grabber Blue to a nice Medium Blue depending on the lighting.



A PC is great for removing/reducing scratches and swirls. to actually see the condition of your paint, try shining a 500W halogen work light on your paint and see what you can see. it can be quite shocking. :scared but yeah, the PC is a great buy, and will help when you have some swirls/scratches to remove.



as far as choices, there is a lot. it might be helpful to do a search for 'blue' in the 'click & brag' section to see if you can find a similar blue and what products they use on it.



and i'm curious to see what an Azure Blue Mach1 with Zaino looks like. care to post a picture?



here's mine with VM/EX-P x2/CMW

i just changed my combo to VM and EX x3, which gave me a similar look. i just gotta find time to take some pictures. well, it's great to see there's another mach1 owner here, especially one with Azure Blue! :wavey