Is it normal for new cars to have swirl marks and scratches?

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by cat94

Does this mean that you wouldn't recommend a full detail & some form of coating?

Pick an inconspicuous spot and test your paint. I bet you can dig your fingernail into it.

It'll harden up in about a year. :/

Polish out your swirls after then.

[F R YESS]

Definitely typical. My firestorm was horrible. I did a full 2 step polish glaze and sealant. Now I wax it after every wash and it's smooth and fairly swirl-less after more than a year.
The red isn't metallic so the swirls stand out like crazy..at least to an obsessive eye like mine O__o

Good luck and congrats!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[86Boyz]

Originally Posted by cat94

Hello,

I've had my raven '17 86 for about a week and I gave it a wash/wax yesterday. To my surprise, I found swirl marks all over the paint and a few scratches. At first I wondered if I made all these, but I was sure to wash in straight lines to avoid any making accidental scratches too obvious. I also found a deep scratch near the key hole, and I've never used the physical key to lock/unlock the door before. The dealership had one of those automatic washers which I'm assuming they used to wash the car while I was doing the paperwork.

The main reason why I'm asking if it's normal for these kinds of scratches to be on new cars is because this is my first car purchase, new or used, and I would like to be better informed for future purchases.

Also, the salesman that worked with me gave me his cell number and has been able to answer a few questions I've had since the purchase. Should I bring this up to him and see if there is anything the dealership can do about the paint? Unfortunately, I live a couple hours away from the dealership and won't be able to go back to the area for a couple of weeks.

Quite a few people have told me that black paint is difficult to take care of, but I am willing to put in the time and effort to do so. It would be preferable to start with a clean slate though.

Please let me know if I'm being oversensitive about this.

I say you are being oversensitive but I get it, you got a new car and the novelty of having a new car is still in strong effect.

Eventually you will be more concerned about the mechanical aspects of the car rather than the cosmetic.

[cat94]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

If that is what you want it will help with the small stuff. There is no coating that will help against high velocity stones or debris though. My clear hood film is like tattered flag now and my bumper looks like it took a shrapnel blast. My sides have chips and dings, my roof has chips and dings and even my trunk lit took a hit. It is a low car and stuff that would hit others in the grill will just catch you someplace else.

There's a pretty reputable detailing place down here in Santa Barbara. I think what I'll do is stop by, ask some questions, and maybe have the car evaluated to see if a coating is something worth doing for me.

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by cat94

There's a pretty reputable detailing place down here in Santa Barbara. I think what I'll do is stop by, ask some questions, and maybe have the car evaluated to see if a coating is something worth doing for me.

Ask about claying and paint correction while you're there.

Coatings are very useful. Barring any physical impact (rocks, children, other cars, etc...) they keep the paint nicer longer. In the case of sealants, they need to be redone every so often. Same with polymer wax. Actual carnauba wax needs to be redone much more often, but it looks gorgeous when it's done right. I'm not sure about the life span of opticoat, but it's longer than sealants.

[cat94]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Ask about claying and paint correction while you're there.

Coatings are very useful. Barring any physical impact (rocks, children, other cars, etc...) they keep the paint nicer longer. In the case of sealants, they need to be redone every so often. Same with polymer wax. Actual carnauba wax needs to be redone much more often, but it looks gorgeous when it's done right. I'm not sure about the life span of opticoat, but it's longer than sealants.

The offer a deep clean + clay bar + paint correction + ceramic coating package and they also do SunTek film which is a bit pricey but probably worth it.

When you say coating, are you referring to ceramic coating? Is that just like another layer of clear coat?

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by cat94

The offer a deep clean + clay bar + paint correction + ceramic coating package and they also do SunTek film which is a bit pricey but probably worth it.

When you say coating, are you referring to ceramic coating? Is that just like another layer of clear coat?

Opticoat is one brand of ceramic coating, although I'm sure there are others. It's basically another clear coat on top of your clear coat, only this one is ceramic, with the hardness and etch/scratch resistance that ceramics have. So, no worrying about bird shit sitting on your car all day etching the paint, or things like that.


Film is a personal choice; I can't say if it's right for you or not. I'd have done the ceramic coating package in a heartbeat if it was available where I bought my car.

[86geek]

To OP IMHO get your car detailed by a professional and have them use a ceramic coating like Opicoat or CQuartz Finest. Both products are great as they make washing your car easy as the water will sheet off.

I just use Optimum Instant detailer every other wash which can be used a aid in drying the car. I spray it on while car is wet and use a waffle towel to wipe off. You won't need to wax your car often. My car sits out in the hot sun 24/7 here in Honolulu which is why I got my car ceramic coated. I have no garage at home.

If you decide to get Opticoat do it soon before your car gets more swirls and shit. Because it'll cost you more $$$$ because of the paint correction. Prepping the car & paint correction for ceramic coating is labor intensive. Applying the ceramic coating is easier then doing paint correction.

Difference between the two is Optimum Opticoat is 5 yr. warranty vs CQuartz Finest is 2 yr. I paid $400.00 to have Opticoat Pro applied to my car which IMHO was the best investment I made for my car. My car was 3 weeks old when I got it done. I only had a small swirl on lower part of my hood. The detailer told me he didn't feel comfortable in charging me $500.00 since not much paint correction needed to be done.

My car just got clayed over the weekend to remove over spray that the auto paint shop did. Unfortunately the detailer had to reapply the ceramic coating, "Cquartz Finest" to my car because he had to use an aggressive clay and polish. The detail shop I go to now uses Cquartz Finest now which fine with me.

Paint film protection is too costly for me which is why I didn't do it.
Just my two cents on this topic!

[NLS8520]

It's very typical sadly. I do not think your being too sensitive at all you want your paint to look as it should not swirled up, however this problem all starts with dealers detailer's who are using incorrect tools and processes. Also you have black which shows absolutely everything. To start with a clean slate, you need to fix the damage and then make certain that you use the proper tools and procedure to to maintain the finish. Option would be to take the project on yourself which I have done several times, this will require a dual action polisher and quality polish, microfiber towels, decontamination process, etc. I would highly suggest a quality sealant that you apply annually or better yet a paint coating. There are several on the market that any DIY'er can apply once the damage is completely repaired and you have a flawless finish. Also invest in 2 bucket wash system, with grit guards and quality wash and drying tools. The other option is to pay a professional detailer to repair your finish.

I wanted to make a quick note, some people have suggest bring the car back to the dealer: I would ABSOLUTELY UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE allow the dealer to do a thing to the cars finish either now or in the future. They are almost always untrained and will likely create more damage including buffer trails, deep swirls or scratches and holograms in your paint.

Please fell free to PM me and I will be glad to go over any and all options and equipment etc with you to help you keep your car looking great. I detail as a hobby for the past 10+ years.

[cat94]

Originally Posted by 86geek

To OP IMHO get your car detailed by a professional and have them use a ceramic coating like Opicoat or CQuartz Finest. Both products are great as they make washing your car easy as the water will sheet off.
...
Paint film protection is too costly for me which is why I didn't do it.
Just my two cents on this topic!

I'm pretty convinced that I want a ceramic coating. I'll see if I can get some quotes asap.

Originally Posted by NLS8520

It's very typical sadly. I do not think your being too sensitive at all you want your paint to look as it should not swirled up, however this problem all starts with dealers detailer's who are using incorrect tools and processes. Also you have black which shows absolutely everything. To start with a clean slate, you need to fix the damage and then make certain that you use the proper tools and procedure to to maintain the finish. Option would be to take the project on yourself which I have done several times, this will require a dual action polisher and quality polish, microfiber towels, decontamination process, etc. I would highly suggest a quality sealant that you apply annually or better yet a paint coating. There are several on the market that any DIY'er can apply once the damage is completely repaired and you have a flawless finish. Also invest in 2 bucket wash system, with grit guards and quality wash and drying tools. The other option is to pay a professional detailer to repair your finish.

I wanted to make a quick note, some people have suggest bring the car back to the dealer: I would ABSOLUTELY UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE allow the dealer to do a thing to the cars finish either now or in the future. They are almost always untrained and will likely create more damage including buffer trails, deep swirls or scratches and holograms in your paint.

Please fell free to PM me and I will be glad to go over any and all options and equipment etc with you to help you keep your car looking great. I detail as a hobby for the past 10+ years.

Thanks! I will most definitely send you a pm next time I'm in need for some advice.

I would love to do a complete detail myself, but I live in an apartment complex and don't have much space to work.

[86geek]

Originally Posted by cat94

I'm pretty convinced that I want a ceramic coating. I'll see if I can get some quotes asap.



Thanks! I will most definitely send you a pm next time I'm in need for some advice.

I would love to do a complete detail myself, but I live in an apartment complex and don't have much space to work.

http://optimumforums.org/

Take a look at the Optimum forums on their ceramic coatings, Opticoat Pro and their latest is Gloss Coat. Their instant detailer that I use is the concentrated version which is mixed with distilled water. I buy it from Amazon which lasts me one year. Inexpensive product but damn makes your car glossy and shiny. The other product you could read up on is Optimum No Rinse Wash.

Also buy good microfiber towels with at least 450-700 gsm. Don't buy cheap ones from Costco, Wally world (walmart) because they may leave scratch marks. I purchase all my microfiber towels from a local auto detail shop which also did my ceramic coating.

http://www.pakshak.com/

We'll be waiting for pictures of you car after it's ceramic coated.

[cat94]

Originally Posted by 86geek

http://optimumforums.org/

Take a look at the Optimum forums on their ceramic coatings, Opticoat Pro and their latest is Gloss Coat. Their instant detailer that I use is the concentrated version which is mixed with distilled water. I buy it from Amazon which lasts me one year. Inexpensive product but damn makes your car glossy and shiny. The other product you could read up on is Optimum No Rinse Wash.

Also buy good microfiber towels with at least 450-700 gsm. Don't buy cheap ones from Costco, Wally world (walmart) because they may leave scratch marks. I purchase all my microfiber towels from a local auto detail shop which also did my ceramic coating.

http://www.pakshak.com/

We'll be waiting for pictures of you car after it's ceramic coated.

I'll take your word for it and try out those two. I'm a little skeptical about doing a no rinse wash when the car is so dusty though. Is it ok to rinse down the car first, then use the no rinse wash?

[gramicci101]

The "no rinse" portion of Optimum No Rinse is for rinsing the soap off. You're certainly welcome to rinse the dust off first; you just don't need to rinse the soap off. So you can use the two bucket wash method (buy grit guards for both!), which really really cuts down on the total water used to wash your car. I use Optimum No Rinse Wash and Wax; I just mix it a little strong and use it for quick detailer instead of washing my car with it. There are instructions on the bottle for both.

[86geek]

Originally Posted by cat94

I'll take your word for it and try out those two. I'm a little skeptical about doing a no rinse wash when the car is so dusty though. Is it ok to rinse down the car first, then use the no rinse wash?

Just use two bucket method with grit guard as gramicci101 already mentioned. No need rinse the car down first before using it.

Btw make sure you're not getting the Opticoat Pro or Gloss Coat ceramic coating from the dealership. Find a authorized installer in your state. Dealerships will charge you a high price. An auto Detail shop is better since they know what products to use and how to prep the car and apply the ceramic coating.

http://opticoat.com/dealer/usa