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Protecting The Paint On Your Avalanche
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Last issue we cleaned the Avalanche so now we are ready to care for the paint. Paint preparation is the key here. We need to examine the paint and look for problems before applying our wax or sealant.

Contaminates

We need to examine the paint for contaminates which can be metal dust from rail transit, brake dust or industrial fall out. Contaminates will make the paint rough and allow the environment to attack your paint. To check for contaminates examine the paint for little specs about the size of a period and feel for them with your fingers in a plastic baggie, which increases your sense of touch. The paint should feel smooth, if the paint feels bumpy then you have contaminates.

Removing paint contaminates is very easy using a body clay bar such as Clay Magic. A lubricant is required which can be either a quick detailer or a 25/75 car shampoo/water solution in a spray bottle. Form the clay into a flat piece and spray your paint with lubricant. Holding the clay bar in your hand rub it on the painted surface, be careful not to let the surface dry, move the clay bar back and forth a few times and feel the paint, if smooth wipe up the lubricant with a micro fiber towel. Every so often fold the clay and kneed again then form into a flat piece again. Continue this process all around the truck until all the paint is smooth and contaminate free. You should check your paint for contaminates often and expect to clay at least once or twice a year.

Swirl Mark Removal

After we removed the paint contaminates we now examine the paint from all angles and with very bright light to search for swirls and scratches. If you see swirls I suggest removing them with a swirl remover product like 3M Swirl Mark Remover. Swirl mark removers contain abrasives that cut into the clear coat and reduce the sharp edges of the swirl marks and may leave smaller marks of their own, haze. The abrasives are designed to break down into smaller particles to reduce hazing. Technique is very important and so is the product used. Please read the labels and research before using these abrasive products.

I use a random orbital polisher to make removing swirl marks easy; I recommend the Porter Cable model 7224. I apply the product directly to a foam pad and then place the pad onto the paint and then turn it on. I work the product into the paint with moderate pressure covering an area about 1-2 square feet. I work the product in until it starts to dry then I slowly reduce pressure and continue until eventually just the weight of the orbital is on the pad. When done turn off the orbital while on the paint then lift it off. Buff off the residue and inspect. Since these products have oils and fillers they may hide the swirl marks so I wipe the product off then spray my soap solution on and wipe again to remove these oils so I can inspect clean paint.

If swirl marks remain I repeat the process until I am satisfied. Every time you use abrasives, clear coat is removed. Eventually you can remove enough clear coat that it will fail sooner than expected. Also some swirls can not be removed since they are too deep; if you can feel the swirl than it cannot be removed without major work and best left to a body shop. Please be careful when using abrasives as more damage can be done then may already exist.

With dark colored vehicles expect to have swirl marks that cannot be removed. Lighter colored vehicles do not show swirls as much do to the physic of light reflections. If you are unsure of how remove swirls or want more information please read the book mentioned last month article. Please be careful.

Wax or Sealant?

There are many products out there to protect our paint from the elements and make them shine. With so many choices for waxes and sealants which should you use?

Wax is a natural substance derived from trees and animals to make paint shine. The most common wax is carnauba which comes from a tree in Brazil. Carnauba is probably the best wax for cars but it will not last and does not have a high protection level as compared to polymer sealants.

Polymer sealants such as Klasse & Zaino offer great protection from the elements and a great shine. They have polymers in them that form a barrier against the environment and also will have UV inhibitors. Polymer sealants will last for several months but they do give your vehicle a different look than the traditional carnauba wax.

The choice is yours but I recommend polymer sealants as they provide the best protection. Which ever product you choose, follow the directions. I use the Zaino system since it can be applied in direct sunlight and is very easy to apply.

Applying wax/sealant should be done with thin layers and on front to back on horizontal surfaces and up and down on vertical surfaces to help hide any swirls. Applicators can be made from foam, terry cotton, or micro fiber each is good but choose on you like and keep them clean. Use clean dry towels for removing the wax/sealant and for buffing. I recommend micro fiber or 100% cotton towels as these will less likely cause swirl marks. Remember to flip to a clean portion of the towel often and use a new clean one often.

After waxing I apply a quick detailer spray to enhance the look and help remove any products they may be on the paint. Spray a small amount on the paint to a 1-2 square foot section and wipe with a towel then flip the towel and buff to a high shine.

Author Credit:  Mark Brustowicz AKA ygmn