New Paint Not Shiny ?

Black Bauer

New member
Hi everyone,



Just got my new Ice Blue Jazz, needless to say I'm all excited about it, and zaino-ing it! But I realise that the paint is kinda dull and looks like it's "wavy", though the surface is really smooth (after 5 coats of z2). :(



Is this the characteristic of new paint, do I have to let it "cure" for a couple of weeks, or did I do something wrong.



My routine after getting the new car was dish-liquid dash, clay, Z6, Z1, Z2 (x5).



Hopefully, everything will turn out great soon! :p
 
Stocker,



Was your "new" paint "shiny" before you started this Zaino workout??



If the paint was dull when you bought it then it should be a dealer problem BUT you may have a difficult time now convincing the dealer rep it's their fault even though it's still under warranty. Reason being you put on a polymer and even though that has no effect on the paint, they MAY try to make that claim.



Get back with us,



Anthony :bounce
 
Is this newly REpainted or factory paint? If it's repainted, you must allow at least a couple of months of curing before waxing/sealing the paint.



If it's a factory paint, that "wavy" texture is called orange peel. Only wetsanding or highspeed buffing can remove that... If I were you, I'd live with it rather than thin the paint...
 
if you say its not "shiny" - perhaps you need to polish the paint prior to putting the Zaino on. The zaino will not make things "shiny", it only protects the pre-existing shine. To create this shine you should use a polishing/compounding process prior to starting Zaino applications. My procedure would look something like this:



1) Dawn Wash

2) Clay with Zaino Z-18

3) Wash with any carwash soap (that doesn't contain carnauba).

4) Compound with 3M Perfect-It II Rubbing Compound, Fine to Medium Cut (Don't need heavy cut, this is overkill)

5) Polish with 3M Swirl Mark Remover for Dark Colored Cars

6) Buff with Pinnacle Paint Cleansing Lotion or P21S Gloss Enhancing Paint Cleanser

7) QD with Rubbing Alcohol (to remove fillers and oils that will interfere with Zaino Bonding)

8) QD with Z6

9) Apply Z5/ZFX

10) QD with Z6

11) Apply Z5/ZFX

12) QD with Z6

13) Apply Z2/ZFX

14) QD with Z6



From this point, if you only wash with Z7 or other non-carnauba carwashes (just dont use dawn everytime) you can continue building coats of Z2 or Z5 with ZFX, as the appearance requires (if you get micromarring or scratches/swirls, add a couple coats of Z5 to cover them up and go back to Z2.)





Hope all this helps - if compounding doesnt work for you, it may be advantagious to take it to a professional detailer who can use a hi-speed rotary polisher on it safely to get the paint prepped for your Zaino adventures properly. (Just tell him what you're doing and I'm sure he will be willing to help you.) :wavey



Oh and BTW: The 'wavy' is okay - and its not going to go away. 99% of cars have this (unless they were wetsanded or really good/expensive paint.) and it is a real hassle and expense to rid yours of this properly. Sure, some here have done it, but it ain't easy. Doesnt sound like you did anything wrong, just didnt do enough of the right stuff. :xyxthumbs
 
Thanks for all your replies, Autopia rules man! :bounce



I have some FI2, I guess I can try that out first, before I go try the whole list of stuff? I'm kinda tight on time as I will be away for the next 3 weeks. Else I will wait till Dec when I have more time.



One thing I don't quite understand, is the orange peel waqviness under tha paint on on the surface, cos it sure feels as smooth as glass on the surface. If it's "internal", how can polishing help?



Thanks for any help !! :)
 
stocker said:


One thing I don't quite understand, is the orange peel waqviness under tha paint on on the surface, cos it sure feels as smooth as glass on the surface. If it's "internal", how can polishing help?



Thanks for any help !! :)
It can be a bit of both really, but some people dare to wetsand it on the surface to smooth it down that way (physically knocking down the high spots on the paint). Polishing will NOT help orange peel. It is sometimes too fine a quality to feel with your fingers and you can only see it, unless it is really horrible.
 
Is it possible that the "orange peel" is in the base coat? The clearcoat may be "smooth as glass". If this is the case, using a bunch of compounds and polishes on a new car is likely to do more harm than good. Sounds like having a professional detailer take a look might be a good place to start.



Charles
 
Go to the dealer (perhaps a different dealer), pull up right next to your car. If it seems that different (certainly a Z'd car is better than a non-waxed car at the dealer). If it's not that different, then that's the way the your factory finish is.
 
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