Taking the Infiniti "Sticky Paint" Challenge

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danforz

New member
As some of you may have read in recent threads, Infiniti has developed a new "scratch shield" paint which self corrects. The heat of the sun seems to melt the clear coat removing mild marring. Or something like that.



Anyways, it seems this CC is notoriously soft and difficult to work with. Who better than to take on this challenge than the guy who's never done any real polishing in his life and just bought a new, JET BLACK g37! Wooo!



Ok, so I obviously have quite a challenge ahead of me. I've already purchased as much product as I will ever so its now time to put together a game plan. This is where I need your help.



Available products for polishing w/PC:



Blackfire SRC Finishing Polish

D151

Meguiar's Scratch X

KAIO

ZAIO



So, I'm thinking D151 via LC CCS White/Green. What would you guys recommend?
 
If the paint is swirl free right now, you should be able to keep it that way by using proper washing techniques. I have a customer with a black EX35 with the self healing paint and it is pretty swirl free-and it is an outside car. It does have some scratches that are pretty deep and I guess they are beyond the limits of the self correction ability of the paint. I used Optimum Poli-Seal with a yellow Meguiars polishing pad with pretty good results on that car.



Quite honestly, as a detailer, I'd never get a jet black Infiniti or BMW. After detailing several of them, it would be too much to maintain after detailing other people's cars all day. ;)
 
Scottwax said:
If the paint is swirl free right now, you should be able to keep it that way by using proper washing techniques. I have a customer with a black EX35 with the self healing paint and it is pretty swirl free-and it is an outside car. It does have some scratches that are pretty deep and I guess they are beyond the limits of the self correction ability of the paint. I used Optimum Poli-Seal with a yellow Meguiars polishing pad with pretty good results on that car.



Quite honestly, as a detailer, I'd never get a jet black Infiniti or BMW. After detailing several of them, it would be too much to maintain after detailing other people's cars all day. ;)
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Lol thanks Scott :nervous2:



My previous car was BMW Space Gray and showed very little marring or the effort I put into my details. I'm looking forward to a black car because I believe it'll allow me to really learn polishing and see the fruits of my labor.



How strong is Meguiar's yellow polishing pad? I only ask because I'd assume a CCS Green/White should have enough teeth for this job. But if I'm using a product like D151 (which I want to become familiar with) I'm thinking a pad with ZERO bite (Blue?) may just be enough.
 
Just a thought... But if the sun's heat "Corrects" the CC can one just use a heat gun to do a correction on one of these? Be an interested write up..



"Tools used..... Heat gun... Yep just a heat gun and I got perfect results" HAHA!
 
Danforz said:
Lol thanks Scott :nervous2:



My previous car was BMW Space Gray and showed very little marring or the effort I put into my details. I'm looking forward to a black car because I believe it'll allow me to really learn polishing and see the fruits of my labor.
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Be careful for what you wish for...



How strong is Meguiar's yellow polishing pad? I only ask because I'd assume a CCS Green/White should have enough teeth for this job. But if I'm using a product like D151 (which I want to become familiar with) I'm thinking a pad with ZERO bite (Blue?) may just be enough.
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The yellow Meguiars polishing pad isn't aggressive enough to haze any paint I've used it on.



Without the car in front of me, it is really hard to tell you where to start.
 
Jakerooni said:
Just a thought... But if the sun's heat "Corrects" the CC can one just use a heat gun to do a correction on one of these? Be an interested write up..



"Tools used..... Heat gun... Yep just a heat gun and I got perfect results" HAHA!
Click to expand...



i tried to correct one with a hair dryer lol but i had it on the cool settings accidentily I couldn't get no where! :LOLOL
 
bufferbarry said:
i tried to correct one with a hair dryer lol but i had it on the cool settings accidentily I couldn't get no where! :LOLOL
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Cool setting is for jeweling only. What kind of air were you using?
 
If I were you I would NOT experiment on a new G37, especially since you are new to correction. The clear coat is extremely hard to work with and avoid it since there isnt "tools" (polish) to effectively correct the paint.



Like Scott said, just avoid it at the moment. It isnt worth it. And if you really want to get that marring or light scratches, the best you can do (even though I hate saying this) is to cover it with a glaze.
 
NotZeroSix said:
If I were you I would NOT experiment on a new G37, especially since you are new to correction. The clear coat is extremely hard to work with and avoid it since there isnt "tools" (polish) to effectively correct the paint.



Like Scott said, just avoid it at the moment. It isnt worth it. And if you really want to get that marring or light scratches, the best you can do (even though I hate saying this) is to cover it with a glaze.
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So are you suggesting no ones effectively come up with a process to do these vehicles?
 
Danforz - Does you paint need correction or do you just want to bump up the gloss? Kinda important when you're selecting products/processes.
 
David Fermani said:
Danforz - Does you paint need correction or do you just want to bump up the gloss? Kinda important when you're selecting products/processes.
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Primarily the later. Though the paint could use a dabble of correction.
 
Infiniti has a solvent based clearcoat that takes 3 years to cure. If this car is not at least 3 years old I would not recommend doing a heavy correction on it. If you use a machine make sure it's a DA, a rotary can get too hot and warp the clear putting waves in it which is very hard to fix and may eventually lead to re-painting.
 
bridgersmith said:
Infiniti has a solvent based clearcoat that takes 3 years to cure. If this car is not at least 3 years old I would not recommend doing a heavy correction on it. If you use a machine make sure it's a DA, a rotary can get too hot and warp the clear putting waves in it which is very hard to fix and may eventually lead to re-painting.
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I will be using a PC.
 
David Fermani said:
Out of the products you listed, your best bet would be the Blackfire. I'd try a couple of pads like LC white/black.
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So you're going as far as to recommend a pad with no cut (black)?
 
David,



I think this product is for manufacturers who use extraordinarily hard clear coats (i.e. scratch resistant)--but the new infiniti "scratch shield" clear coat is extroardinarily soft "gel-like" clear:



Infiniti Scratch Shield Paint - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum



Danforz,

I agree with NotZeroSix that using your new G35 as a test different polishing techniques may be a risky move. The idea of this new clear is that small swirls will "heal themselves" over a few weeks. The infiniti EX has had the new clear since 08 (I believe), but the rest of the infiniti lineup got it this model year.



Since I have a new 09 M35--I'm hoping some of the pros here will figure out the best way to work with this new clear--without it "coming off in little balls" on the PC pads!
 
IMHO It shouldn't matter what paint it's for. SRS polishes can still be used on soft clears(it can actually correct better). I realize people have had some challenges with this sticky paint(doing heavy corrections usually), but in this application the correction needed appears to be minor. I'd take it slow and see what happens. Or invest in a couple of heat lamps and turn your garage into a car tanning booth.
 
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