Caring for our soft paint

kball5 · 03-31-2016, 08:16 AM

I do my best to practice good methods when washing/maintaining the appearance of my cars. However, this is easily the first car I've owned where I can lightly knick the paint with my fingernail (no real force downward) while washing it and dig completely through the clear coat with my fingernail. Now, I know Nissan is known for soft paint and all that, but this seems a bit insane to me.

Anyway, I haven't had this car too terribly long (~6mo). I was wondering if you guys have learned some good methods to keep these delicately painted cars looking, at least, fairly good.

Additionally, are there any good ways to harden up the exterior a bit to protect leaves, dandelions and other soft objects from scratching the car in the future?

SouthArk370Z · 03-31-2016, 08:36 AM

See Junkman2008's videos on paint care.

kball5 · 03-31-2016, 11:10 AM

Thank you! I'll take a look and see if I can learn a bit

Junkman2008 · 04-01-2016, 12:43 AM

Fingernails are overrated.

FireDan50 · 04-01-2016, 10:08 AM

I've had CQuartz ceramic coating on my Z for over a year and love it. Prep and application takes a lot of time but I think its worth the protection.

kball5 · 04-02-2016, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireDan50

I've had CQuartz ceramic coating on my Z for over a year and love it. Prep and application takes a lot of time but I think its worth the protection.

Have you noticed a tangible difference in the durability before and after? I have yet to meet anyone who actually had it on their car.

FireDan50 · 04-03-2016, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kball5

Have you noticed a tangible difference in the durability before and after? I have yet to meet anyone who actually had it on their car.

I can definitely tell that there is a difference. I don't get any micro swirls from using a California Car Duster, washing, or detailing. Also light scratches from door dings/etc are easily buffed out. I only know of a couple people in person who have it on their cars and they love it.

POS VETT · 04-04-2016, 06:53 AM

That's odd. There is a sticker on the underside of my hood that states hard clear coat.

Regardless, mine has 22PLE applied almost a year ago.

kenchan · 04-04-2016, 04:37 PM

i think it just means 'hard' to take care...

dP3NGU1N · 04-04-2016, 05:29 PM

Opticoat 2.0 on mine. No issues and water still beads like crazy.

FireDan50 · 04-05-2016, 02:18 PM

Having some sort of additional protection beyond wax like a ceramic coating (CQuartz/Opticoat/etc) definitely makes a difference. I was so impressed that I even put CQuartz on my wife's Juke. The black paint on here Juke was easily blemished and I can really tell the difference in paint durability with the black color.

kball5 · 04-06-2016, 08:06 AM

Sweet! I'll definitely be looking into a ceramic coating of some kind. My car sleeps outside, so I have a lot to contend with if I intend to keep it looking as good as possible.

Cmike2780 · 04-06-2016, 10:27 AM

It's an uphill battle. Best way to keep it looking new is diligence in washing, waxing & polishing. Used the two bucket method and make sure all your washing supplies are clean. Spend the money on a quality wax, polish and polishing equipment. A good wax or synthetic coating will help protect the paint from the elements, but it will do nothing to avoid swirls and scratches. Above all, don't let anything sit on the surface that shouldn't be these. Bird droppings, tree sap etc...destroys the paint. The only thing I can think of that would work is a clear wrap and it can get pretty expensive. A clear bra is good compromise since it's usually the part that gets chewed up the most from daily driving.

Ryan998 · 04-13-2016, 02:46 AM

I decided to wrap my hole car with Xpel. It seems to be self healing when there are small scratches. I got black car so it was worse than any other color. I can easily left scratch on my car with a touch by my finger when my car is covered by dust.

danegrey · 04-17-2016, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireDan50

I've had CQuartz ceramic coating on my Z for over a year and love it. Prep and application takes a lot of time but I think its worth the protection.

That sounds real interesting, since I have had many problems with my paint... Like some others, it just seems to scratch itself....

Especially concern, since Nissan just repainted the roof, because of a paint defect under warranty..

03-31-2016, 08:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
kball5 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Georgia Posts: 10 Drives: 2011 370z GM ST A7 Rep Power: 9	Caring for our soft paint I do my best to practice good methods when washing/maintaining the appearance of my cars. However, this is easily the first car I've owned where I can lightly knick the paint with my fingernail (no real force downward) while washing it and dig completely through the clear coat with my fingernail. Now, I know Nissan is known for soft paint and all that, but this seems a bit insane to me. Anyway, I haven't had this car too terribly long (~6mo). I was wondering if you guys have learned some good methods to keep these delicately painted cars looking, at least, fairly good. Additionally, are there any good ways to harden up the exterior a bit to protect leaves, dandelions and other soft objects from scratching the car in the future? OTW Z-Boy and WI_Hedgehog like this.

03-31-2016, 08:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	See Junkman2008's videos on paint care. Amj2020, csnow and Memphis370Z like this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

04-01-2016, 12:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
Junkman2008 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,048 Drives: 2001 Corvette Coupe Rep Power: 10259	Fingernails are overrated. __________________ "Marines - Making the other guy die for his country for over 200 years."

04-01-2016, 10:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
FireDan50 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Antonio Posts: 714 Drives: '09 370Z PW M6 Rep Power: 19	I've had CQuartz ceramic coating on my Z for over a year and love it. Prep and application takes a lot of time but I think its worth the protection. WI_Hedgehog likes this. __________________ VSR Single-turbo kit: 611hp/517tq @ 10psi (Q16 race gas) Dan's VSR top-mount turbo 370z

04-04-2016, 06:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
POS VETT Track Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 612 Drives: Z34\|C4LT4\|C6Z06\|V25 Rep Power: 3366	That's odd. There is a sticker on the underside of my hood that states hard clear coat. Regardless, mine has 22PLE applied almost a year ago. WI_Hedgehog likes this.

03-31-2016, 11:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
kball5 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Georgia Posts: 10 Drives: 2011 370z GM ST A7 Rep Power: 9	Thank you! I'll take a look and see if I can learn a bit

04-04-2016, 04:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	i think it just means 'hard' to take care... WI_Hedgehog and ChaseZ like this.

04-04-2016, 05:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
dP3NGU1N A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Irvine Posts: 1,682 Drives: 13 PW sport 6mt Rep Power: 18	Opticoat 2.0 on mine. No issues and water still beads like crazy. __________________ 35% Hooper Optik \| Takeda Attack CAI \| F.I. HFC \| Hotchkis Sway Bar \| Stillen 24row \| OS Giken Super Lock LSD \| TK Shift Knob \| EVO-R Carbon Diffuser

04-05-2016, 02:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
FireDan50 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Antonio Posts: 714 Drives: '09 370Z PW M6 Rep Power: 19	Having some sort of additional protection beyond wax like a ceramic coating (CQuartz/Opticoat/etc) definitely makes a difference. I was so impressed that I even put CQuartz on my wife's Juke. The black paint on here Juke was easily blemished and I can really tell the difference in paint durability with the black color. WI_Hedgehog likes this. __________________ VSR Single-turbo kit: 611hp/517tq @ 10psi (Q16 race gas) Dan's VSR top-mount turbo 370z

04-06-2016, 08:06 AM	#12 (permalink)
kball5 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Georgia Posts: 10 Drives: 2011 370z GM ST A7 Rep Power: 9	Sweet! I'll definitely be looking into a ceramic coating of some kind. My car sleeps outside, so I have a lot to contend with if I intend to keep it looking as good as possible.

04-06-2016, 10:27 AM	#13 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 28	It's an uphill battle. Best way to keep it looking new is diligence in washing, waxing & polishing. Used the two bucket method and make sure all your washing supplies are clean. Spend the money on a quality wax, polish and polishing equipment. A good wax or synthetic coating will help protect the paint from the elements, but it will do nothing to avoid swirls and scratches. Above all, don't let anything sit on the surface that shouldn't be these. Bird droppings, tree sap etc...destroys the paint. The only thing I can think of that would work is a clear wrap and it can get pretty expensive. A clear bra is good compromise since it's usually the part that gets chewed up the most from daily driving. __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography] Last edited by Cmike2780; 04-06-2016 at 10:33 AM.

04-13-2016, 02:46 AM	#14 (permalink)
Ryan998 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Edmonton Posts: 48 Drives: 16 370z G41 7At Rep Power: 9	I decided to wrap my hole car with Xpel. It seems to be self healing when there are small scratches. I got black car so it was worse than any other color. I can easily left scratch on my car with a touch by my finger when my car is covered by dust. Last edited by Ryan998; 04-13-2016 at 02:55 AM.

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