New Purchases
 

As my new Z Roadster is a second "hobby" car, it will most likely never see rain, snow nor even the Wal-Mart parking lot. Still, while always garaged, it collects dust; so after some research, I bought a California Duster (just $10 at Wal-Mart). I was a bit wary; but if you follow the instructions and use it lightly and with care, it works perfectly to remove surface dust, etc. with no streaks or scratches, and with a bit of a polishing/shine effect to boot. Works very nicely for my needs, but my needs are far from the norm, so YMMV.

Also (after much research) I entered this Internet order today via AutoGeek.com - one-stop shopping & reasonable prices IMO (no affiliation, and this is my first order). Decided it was time to upgrade from my common orbital buffers/polishers, and treat my "Z" to the best.

Qty Product Code - Product Name Price
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1 PIN-TW-G110 - Pinnacle Twins & Meguiars G110 Dual Acti 174.99
1 GR-11065 - 35 oz. Griot's Garage Spray-On Car Wash 14.99
1 GG-5G-RED - 5 Gallon Professional Wash Bucket w/Grit G 19.99
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Sub-Total: 209.97
Tax: 0.00
Shipping & Handling: 22.95
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TOTAL: 232.92

I've got the same color 'vert as you. Hobby car as well -- perhaps I drive it a bit more ... e.g. mine has seen a Walmart parking lot. For very light dust I typically make liberal use of Meguiars ultimate detailing spray and a nice MF cloth. If it is a bit too dusty for me to trust that, I just give it a good wash.

Frankly I doubt you'll need to use the DA on your Z any time soon. I have a regular schedule of weekly washes and bi-monthly waxes and I've yet to see anything that needs correction with a buffer. I've used my PC to put glaze and wax on mine, but haven't needed to resort to any compounds yet -- The PG color either hides swirls well or my dealer never messed up the finish in the first place :)

The use of a glaze is likely masking the swirls and/or scratches.

Perhaps, but its been over a month since I applied the glaze and the car has been washed and waxed multiple time since then ... I've only got 2400 miles so I really shouldn't expect to have to correct many issues yet.

my G and Z are both garaged during the week and only taken out on dry days...

the duster is fine to use but you still get haze on nissan's soft paint after several cycles.

so i recommend using quick detailer spray and soft MF towels on the Z's paint. I use mostly Griot's SpeedShine and SprayOn wax.

True, a lot also has to do with the dealer. I've seen cars roll off a dealer lot that look like they were washed with a push broom and a bucket of playground sand, others the cars are near flawless. If you have no major swirls then you must've found a good dealer. :tup:

I ran a clinic at a huge Lexus dealer here in SoCal a few weeks back... some of the cars they had sitting there with no miles on them had some of the gnarliest swirls I've ever seen. Amazing how badly a dealer can manage to mess up a paint job in such a short time if they don't go about cleaning the cars correctly. I'm still looking for the "NO DEALER INSTALLED SWIRLS" option on the order sheet, thats an option almost everyone seems to get whether they want it or not :D

I agree on the OP's comment on the California Duster. They are $25 here in Canada but they do work very well when used properly. Great for car shows and when you don't have time for a wash and just need to remove the dust. Black Rose is a tough colour to keep pretty when it shows every spec of dust!

the day i ordered my car, i told them not to even take off the plastic before i picked it up (which would be 2 months later) Then, every time that i spoke to them in between that point i told them not to touch the car, and it worked. I picked up the car, they pulled off the plastic to make sure there were no defects, and i drove off and took it to have it detailed and clear bra'd, and i can say i have 0 swirls after several washes of only using good technique. All it takes is one wash with some gritty mitt or drying towel and you've got swirls.

Or some people wanting to see the car and putting their hands all over it to "feel" the paint??? Or, some kids seeing how the car is slightly dusty and put happy faces on it! ugh! lol

...and there is hardly any way to close the hatch without putting swirls into the paint.

I close the hatch by hooking a finger into the loop-catch and pulling down hard. If that is not possible, I use a micro-fibre towel... Lol

use some quick detailer, I don't really like the "dusters" having no lubrication between the towel or what have you and the surface is a no go for me and I don't feel as safe. Learn to wash and dry correctly and you'll be good-to-go like stated. that is the most important part of taking care of paint.

Same here. I'm fortunate enough that the owners of the large dealer we go to are long time family friends, the "hook up" pricing is good, but even better is I can say "let me know the day before it will be delivered, I want to be there when it comes off the trailer" All of my families vehicle purchases for the last 10+ years have been done that way... both of my dad's corvettes were delivered on Saturdays, they then gave me a tech bay to spend the day in, I pulled the plastics, washed, and buffed the car out and applied wax before it ever had a mile on the odometer.

Sadly my most recent vehicle was a leftover 09 and I didn't get to do factory ordered delivery. It was transferred in from another dealership and boy was it rough. It was 2 full days to get the paint restored to "new" but I can't complain since I saved a bundle over buying the same truck with a 2010 sticker on it.

Funny you say that! I do the same thing! But when I dont have a MF cloth handy, i use the edge of the spoiler without using my fingertips (just the palm of my hand) to close it.

Too dangerous to just use the loop-catch to close it with enough force. your hand could slip at the end and scratch the paint on the way down. :ugh2:

I am going to stop using the hatch altogether.... I will just stuff things in and out from between the seats :rofl2:

The manual says not to use the spoiler to close the hatch... just read it. lol

Im bringing a MF towel with me in the car and close it at the rear view window. Once the paint gets dusty, i think even with a MF cloth will scratch the clearcoat.