New car advice.... Sticky?

**Nth Degree** · 02-19-2012, 02:56 PM

It seems at least once per week the question "What advice for a new car?" is asked by someone. If we had a sticky with the general advice about what to tell the dealership and what basic first steps to take could save them time searching and posting the question.

**glen e** · 02-19-2012, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by Nth Degree

It seems at least once per week the question "What advice for a new car?" is asked by someone. If we had a sticky with the general advice about what to tell the dealership and what basic first steps to take could save them time searching and posting the question.

I would also like to see a grid on paint hardness...by mfr....I`m sure some models are diff within lines, but just some generalizations would help

**C. Charles Hahn** · 02-19-2012, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by glen e

I would also like to see a grid on paint hardness...by mfr....I`m sure some models are diff within lines, but just some generalizations would help

What if the generalization were "do a test spot" instead?

**glen e** · 02-19-2012, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by C. Charles Hahn

What if the generalization were "do a test spot" instead?

becasue I don`t know what I`m actually looking for or what media to use...test spot with what?- a polish, compound? Tell me and I`ll start do it....

**C. Charles Hahn** · 02-19-2012, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by glen e

becasue I don`t know what I`m actually looking for or what media to use...test spot with what?- a polish, compound? Tell me and I`ll start do it....

Well, in large part it depends on what products/pads/polishers you have on hand. Generally speaking though just start with a mild polish and the least aggressive of your pads, do an area and see if the defects you want to remove are gone. If not, grab a more aggressive pad and try again. If that doesn`t work, grab a more aggressive product, and so on. For the most part you can find aggressiveness scales or charts to tell you how much cut a given polish or pad will give you.

There`s no exact science to finding the right combination for a particular vehicle`s paint; as a beginner it`ll take you a little longer to go through that process on each vehicle you detail, but eventually you`ll develop a better sense of how much more aggressive you need to be based on the results of the first test spot you do. The only way to really get there is with time and practice.

**glen e** · 02-19-2012, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by C. Charles Hahn

Well, in large part it depends on what products/pads/polishers you have on hand. Generally speaking though just start with a mild polish and the least aggressive of your pads, do an area and see if the defects you want to remove are gone. If not, grab a more aggressive pad and try again. If that doesn`t work, grab a more aggressive product, and so on. For the most part you can find aggressiveness scales or charts to tell you how much cut a given polish or pad will give you.

There`s no exact science to finding the right combination for a particular vehicle`s paint; as a beginner it`ll take you a little longer to go through that process on each vehicle you detail, but eventually you`ll develop a better sense of how much more aggressive you need to be based on the results of the first test spot you do. The only way to really get there is with time and practice.

10 4 - thanks - I think I`m reading here most asian/japanese cars are soft clear and german/US is hard..correct?

**C. Charles Hahn** · 02-19-2012, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by glen e

10 4 - thanks - I think I`m reading here most asian/japanese cars are soft clear and german/US is hard..correct?

I wouldn`t make that generalization -- some colors of BMW clear, Porsche clear, etc. tend to buck that trend and are on the soft side; I`ve also seen some colors from Toyota that are pretty hard. Has a lot to do with when and where they were built, etc.

That`s why I prefer to stress the concept of a test spot; yeah, some generalizations are pretty accurate like that most Honda paint is soft, C5/C6 Corvette paint is rock hard, etc. but I don`t like to bank on those generalizations.

If you start with a heavy cut compound just because you`ve heard the paint on a car should be pretty hard, and then you find out it`s actually extremely soft, you could put yourself in a world of hurt in a big hurry.

**Todd@RUPES** · 02-20-2012, 12:05 PM

This is great advice for a thread/sticky!

**ziggo99** · 02-27-2012, 07:57 PM

I don`t think it`ll work as well as we think it will. How many new members read the stickies to start? It seems they join and they go straight to asking "I own X car, what do I need to do to get Y finish?"
I`ve been on too many forums and have seen this movie too many times.

**CH.Detailing** · 02-27-2012, 09:00 PM

Certainly wouldn`t hurt!

**glen e** · 02-27-2012, 09:11 PM

if there is a sticky, when they ask that question we can quote the link...that`s why it would work....

Here`s the sticky:

1. buy new car
2. clay car
3. hit it with BF Rapid Fire
4. Drive around with a smile on your face

End of sticky...LOL

**Mhein** · 02-27-2012, 09:52 PM

I detailed a VW Pheaton the other day, and I can say that paint felt soft, and came out pretty nice. Customer was very happy to see the professionalism.

**Shane731** · 02-28-2012, 12:21 AM

Todd Cooperider has an article like that on Detailed Image:

How To Detail a Brand New Car, featuring a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG! – Detailed Image

I agree that we need our own "sticky" for Autopia though.

**Todd@RUPES** · 02-28-2012, 12:41 AM

Originally Posted by ziggo99

I don`t think it`ll work as well as we think it will. How many new members read the stickies to start? It seems they join and they go straight to asking "I own X car, what do I need to do to get Y finish?"
I`ve been on too many forums and have seen this movie too many times.

It does provide a valuable link to the process. I think the problem with `new car prep` details is they really are no different then any other detail. Examine the vehicle, inspect it for common defects (paint contamination, swirl marks, scratches, interior soiling), correct the problem, and apply final dressings/sealants. I have seen a lot of brand new cars (less then 5 miles) that were in terrible need of the every faucet of detailing and I have seen cars that were at 10k miles that literarly looked brand new.

Every detail should start with a thorough examination to diagnose the problem, as well as the steps needed to correct it.

**glen e** · 02-28-2012, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Todd Helme

It does provide a valuable link to the process. I think the problem with `new car prep` details is they really are no different then any other detail. Examine the vehicle, inspect it for common defects (paint contamination, swirl marks, scratches, interior soiling), correct the problem, and apply final dressings/sealants. I have seen a lot of brand new cars (less then 5 miles) that were in terrible need of the every faucet of detailing and I have seen cars that were at 10k miles that literarly looked brand new.

Every detail should start with a thorough examination to diagnose the problem, as well as the steps needed to correct it.

agreed.....but.....we can make some generalizations...and we do that in cyberspace every day because none of us have eyes on the car to ascertain exactly what to use but that does not stop us from making an educated guess as to what combo to use. Every video and article here that prescribes something does that..."if oyu have this problem, try this"...

and we can do that for new cars, and impart some knowledge to new owners. "Don`t have the dealer wash it", etc...For example, one of the main differences I see in a new car is it is carrying a full load of fresh clear that can be leveled with more aggressive compounds and machines to correct than a 6 year old car with swirls, that has been compounded several times...

Just my .02...