repainted not waxed and now salty - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JHZR2 · #1 01-23-2004, 12:47 AM

Hi,

I had the bottom of my 300D repainted after getting some small rust spots taken care of. Maybe my timing wasnt the best, but I had it done in late october, and so wanted to wait a few months. Tricked by the mild winters weve had, I figured there would be a chance where the weather got up into the mid to high 40s, and I could wash and maybe even wax the car.

Well, the winter is unseasonably cold, and I cant even wash my car (they took the hoses off at my apartment). The paint job is unwaxed on the bottom half of my car, and it is salty. I am sure this isnt good.

Is my only bet to bite the bullet and take it to a detailer? I am worried because the car was repainted once, so the top and bottom have at least two coats of paint on them. I worry that if a buffer of any sort is used, cant it ruin the paint? Also, I have a few chips in the front that have gone through both paint coats. I dont want these to get any bigger.

I hoep to be able to protect my paint, but what is my best bet, without ruining it? Isnt hand waxing the only option after repainting a car? Will it be OK to let my new paint get road salts on it, if the paint isnt waxed?

Any info would be great.

Thanks,

JMH

placo1 · #2 01-23-2004, 11:07 AM

Wax can be applied to paint after it's been cured, typically this takes 3 - 4 months and is dependant on the type of paint used. You should call the body shop that did the paintwork and explain the situation. Find out if the cold can cause extended curing times for the paint. They may also offer a waxing service or suggest someone that does nice detailing work.

A buffer won't increase the size of a chip unless the paint is peeling around it.

Your concerns of wearing through paint are valid, an inexperienced person can burn right through paint with the right tools.

If you can't get the car into a warmer environment request that the detailer either hand wax or use a random orbital. Neither of these methods can wear through paint and you'll get the protection you need. Also ask them to use a paint sealant rather than a carnauba to increase it's durability.

JHZR2 · #3 01-23-2004, 11:52 AM

Thanks very much for the info! Two other quick questions if I may:

-will road salts on an unwaxed painted surface do more damage than road salts on a waxed surface?

-do random orbital buffers cause swirl marks? My father had a contract through the toyota dealer to get free detailing every year, if he purchased the plan with the car. Every time we took it in, the car looked clean and shiny, but it always had more and more swirl marks... But was that because a high speed buffer was used? I hate swirl marks, and dont want to get them.

Thanks,

JMH

placo1 · #4 01-23-2004, 12:07 PM

Road salts will definitely do more harm on an unwaxed surface although fresh paint will hold up much better than an older paint.

Regarding buffer swirls: Apply the same reasoning to a random orbital as you would a hand applicator, if you take a dirty hand applicator and rub it on your paint you'll get swirls. A random orbital can and will cause swirls if the detailer uses a dirty pad or the wrong product, if however they do know what they're doing you can get outstanding swirl free results. Think of a random orbital as a tool which replicates hand polishing/waxing. Very mild if used properly.

A high speed buffer is completely different. You really need to know what your doing to use one properly, without instructions you can inflict scratches, swirls and literally burn through paint in seconds. They are also notorious for burning plastic trim.