Too much tanning for my GM! (New Paint!)

[cfcjr]

pesty351 Does this apply to the two step with basecoat, clearcoat?

[gadget73]

Maaco can do decent paint work. The black single stage on my Mark VII still looks decent and its 10 years old. It does not come off when I wash it either. Its not a perfect job by any means, and the paint work on the Towncar is definitely better but its not terrible. The cheap of the cheap paint jobs are soft, wash off with soap, look horrible, etc. Never do the $200 paint job. You can get the same results with $30 worth of spray cans in your back yard.

[rsolis]

Looks good! Just remember with the soft paint that maaco uses if you ever needed painted again every bit of their paint will need striped off because you cant lay any paint over it. And needing it repainted in the not so distant future is likely due to ever time you wash it it will get more swirl marks and wear it away. You will probably notice black on you wash mitt/rag.

I'm already noticing a little bit of swirl, which is EXTREMELY frustrating as I take every precaution while washing. I think I just need to realize that no matter what I do, it's going to happen, and with a black car now, it's gonna be more noticeable. It's not really that bad, you can tell just looking at it unless your look at it right way. But as far as black in the wash mitt, nothing. It's a basecoat/clearcoat if that means anything. They wetsanded it too.

As far as the cream top, because of money shortages, it's going to probably be cream for a few months, and it's starting grow on me.

[packman]

Nice MGM!!! Yeah, ya gotta do the research on the Maaco facilities. Different places have different skillz. I got what I paid for with my Malibu ($300), as the paint started bubbling and peeling off after a couple years. And that was with my own prep work (deleting the vinyl, bondo'ing the rough spots, and a bit of priming). My S-10 has a Maaco paintjob that's six years old and it's in good condition. It all depends on what you pay for it.



Packman

[sxcpotatoes]

I say leave the top cream colored as well! Reminds me of a Yuengling Black & Tan!

[miamibob]

NOTHING like a REAL "Black and Tan"!

[tjc78]

Black cars are simply a bitch. I have a new black car (and not even jet black, it has some shimmer to it) and it is very hard to wash properly and care for.

Here are a couple of my suggestions.

Use very sudsy water in a clean wash bucket, may even need to fill it up twice.
Use a soft wash mitt, never a towel or God forbid a sponge
If you drop your wash mit on the ground DO NOT continue to use it. (one little pebble = swirl city).
Use 100% cotton towels or a micro fiber towel to dry. Same rule about dropping it.

If you see bird shit on it, rinse it really well (even if you aren't washing right away) as the acids in it can eat right through the clear. Also be careful removing it as there can be particles in it that can scratch.

[rsolis]

Black cars are simply a bitch. I have a new black car (and not even jet black, it has some shimmer to it) and it is very hard to wash properly and care for.

Here are a couple of my suggestions.

Use very sudsy water in a clean wash bucket, may even need to fill it up twice.
Use a soft wash mitt, never a towel or God forbid a sponge
If you drop your wash mit on the ground DO NOT continue to use it. (one little pebble = swirl city).
Use 100% cotton towels or a micro fiber towel to dry. Same rule about dropping it.

If you see bird shit on it, rinse it really well (even if you aren't washing right away) as the acids in it can eat right through the clear. Also be careful removing it as there can be particles in it that can scratch.

Most of it seems to come from the drying process. I use Microfiber, but still, no matter what I do, it still swirls. My plan (and tell me if I am wrong, or this won't be possible, etc) is that when the time passes and I can wax it, I'll have it buffed to fix the swirls (does that fix it) and then give it a good solid wax.

[tjc78]

Sounds like a plan. The problem is the paint is still soft, it probably wasn't baked for very long and that is why it is swirling. Take it easy on it for now and when you are able to, give it a good waxing yourself or have it buffed by someone you trust.

The swirls should come out. I wouldn't go too aggressive, though, you don't want to thin the clear coat too much.

[packman]

A friend of mine was told by his painter that he needed to wait 6 mos. before washing the car with soap (or anything with suds). He was told to wash with plain water in the meantime. I don't know how valid that is with Maaco, but you may want to call them and see what they have to say.



Packman

[tjc78]

Wow, surprised at that. I would think without suds it would be even easier to create swirl marks.

[miamibob]

+1 on checking with MAACO on cleaning instructions. I certainly wouldn't use any cleaners, waxes, etc....until the paint FULLY cures. The exact amount of months they can answer.

[gadget73]

You really shouldnt be using much on that for the first month or so. Very mild soap, and honestly you probably should avoid hand washing for the first month or so. Just rinse it and let it sit in the sun as much as you can to bake the paint on. if its swirling and rubbing away, then it likely isn't fully cured yet. No wax for the first month at least either, and longer if you can avoid it.

[Ziggy]

Wow! There is a LOT of misinformation floating around in here! First, it sounds like this is not your first rodeo with a black car. If that's the case, you should already be well aware of how much of a PITA it is to keep a black car looking nice. Second, don't EVER, under any circumstances, wash a car without soap. It doesn't matter what your buddy's friend that used to work in a body shop told you, the soap needs to be in the water to lubricate the paint and carry away the particles. The body shop used soap in the water they used to wash your car before you picked it up, it's okay. Go pick up a good quality automotive grade car wash soap. Don't use Dawn, Palmolive, or any other kitchen soap as the grease cutters they use to loosen food from your dishes, and the lotions they add to make your lady's hands stay soft will damage the paint. TJC78 nailed it with his washing advice; use a wash mitt (cotton or wool) only, never your mama's towels, or Dad's old sponge, and if you drop it, leave it. If you got a true Basecoat/Clearcoat paint job, you're not going to wash the paint off the car. Maaco used to do (maybe still do?) what they called an "Integrated Clear Coat", which basically meant that when they sprayed the last coat of color, they cut the color with clear to help give the paint a little more depth. If you got this "Integrated Clear", you can count on your paint job to last about 5 years with regular waxings. About that time, you'll probably notice that the paint looks kinda thin on the roof and hood, and you'll be thinking about doing it again. When it comes to wax, the weather where your car lives, temperature, humidity, even the amount of sunlight all plays a factor. Generally though, if the ambient temperature during the day stays at 65*F or higher, you should be good to wax after 60 days. If it's summer time, and the the temps are in the 80*-90*F range, you're probably safe in 30 days. If in doubt though, give it 90 days then give her a good coat or two of a high grade wax. My personal preference is a natural carnuba liquid from Meguire's or Mothers. Keep chemicals off the paint, especially tire shine and Armor All. On second thought, if you have any Armor All in your washing supplies, throw it away! That stuff is bad ju-ju for your car. If you must shine up the tires and interior, look for a gel type product that requires the use of an applicator. That way you won't risk spraying the paint by accident.

If you have any questions, hit me up. I've been in the collision repair industry for 14 years on both the body shop side and the insurance side.