Hey guys,

Tonight I will be picking up my custom color'ed s2000 . . . I don't want to reveal the color yet, but will have pics up soon! Although I intend to ask the artist/bodyshop guy . . . how long until I can wash the car? Should I get it waxed at a certain interveal to protect it? Its supposed to be a very nice paint job so I want to do it right. Before getting it painted I wasn't very good at it and I had swirl marks everywhere.

Also . . . if I have to wait a certain amount of time to wash the car (how long?) can I at least 303 the top? I'm sure the top will come back dirty from the shop (it went in dirty lol) and I want to clean it and 303 it ASAP to complete the look of the freshly painted car. My only concern is that the water or the cleaner/303 on the top will drip and hurt the fresh paint. Any advice?

Thanks so much guys, cant wait to see it and get pics up!

 

your new paint needs to "gas out"-

washing it carefully is fine... waxing it is usually not (claying is not, polishing is not...etc.- only washing).

your paint guy can tell you what he used and how long it will take to gas out- prob around 30 days or so- he will also be able to tell you whether there are any products that you can use (not wax).
ask him and let us know what he says.

yes you can 303 the top as long as you dont spray it on the car... soak a rag away from the car and then rub it in really well. let it sit awhile and then buff it out with a clean rag.

and am waiting to find out what this color is!!

 

Thanks Wanabe

I have been debating painting it for a while (I bought silver to get a good deal . . . and regreted it ever since) and decided to do it since someone messed up my rear bumper anyway (at a stop light no less).

I'll post pics, hopefully tonight as long as I get to pick it up. Its been delayed a few times . . . thats fine though, I don't want a rush job. I looked through all the custom color threads and the "what color s2k would you like to see" threads . . . and I found one color that a lot of people said and I don't think anyone has done yet. Stay tuned I hope its worthy of a wash and wax badge . . . instead of trying to make the silver prettier I paid a lot of money to totally change the car, lol.


I don't mind so much not washing it, but I do park (unfortunitly no choice) near sprinklers . . . are they going to damage the paint while its still fresh? It was just painted last Friday I believe (or finished that day anyway). And for the 303, how do I clean the top then? Typically I spray the hose all over the top and then use car wash soap on the top, rinse, let it dry . . . and then rub the 303 aerospace protectant everywhere. I need to clean it first though right? Please recommend a safe procedure! Also, although it did not happen to me I know some people have said if you don't get all the 303 out of the top it will drip off when it rains. If that stuff gets on the new paint will it hurt it?

I'm going to be in this forum a lot now, I want to take care of my new ______ ______ s2000. =)

 

absolutely you need to get it away from the sprinklers- they can water spot your car. water contains minerals. minerals can etch / crater even a well cured paint job.
and you should wash it... i would use something like p21s car shampoo and a good quality sheepskin mitt or mikeyc's recommended wash pad-
the top gets cleaned with the same car shampoo and then treated with the 303. if it needs it, a good brush will clean it.
as i said, rub in the 303 and rub it off well too. this will keep it off of your paint.
and we are glad that you will be here a lot more!!
i can smell a badge in process!

 

Wanabe, are you saying I should wash the car when its freshly painted? Sadly the car was not ready tonight. The guy asked for one more day, he said he wasn't finished with the polishing, wet sanding, etc. I assumed they would do whatever the paint needs and I should not wash it for a while.

Now . . . just have to find a way to get it away from the sprinklers. How long does it have to avoid sprinkler contact? I realize its not ideal ever . . . but I don't have much of a choice where I have to park except maybe a car cover.

 

I had my S custom painted a year ago.

Although it almost killed me, I had to wait 90 days before the paint was finished curing. If you wax early you will void the warranty. The wax prevents the "gassing out".

On day 91 I waxed it and had the 3M clear bra installed. Whew! Then I could breathe easy.

 

So no waxing for 31 days. What about washing? Do you recommend it? Do I have to worry about bird droppings and sprinklers and stuff in the "gassing out" stage? Should I buy a car cover for 90 days? lol

By the way, I thought I was nuts for custom painting a 2004 s2000 . . . you have a 2005 custom painted! Props for not being afraid to do something. My color is not as extreme as yours, but I think its going to look awesome and much better than stock. We shall see!

 

it should be washed regularly as i stated above... wash carefully with clean mitts and dry with clean microfiber drying towels (big blue, etc.).
yes you need to be careful with bugs, birds, sprinklers- but you always need to be careful as they will all harm your paint.
a garage is by far the best choice- really cant rent one? it will protect your investment well.
you could probably use a cover if you have one that breathes- if they breathe they will not be water proof. sprinklers on a honda cover would be better than on your car directly (the cover will take most of the chemicals).
if it was me, i would do just what it is that i do- keep my cars in my garage and those that dont fit, rent another garage.
wanna see pics !!!

 

I wholeheartedly agree. You should make every attempt to garage the car during the curing process.

I would be reluctant to put a cover on the car. I would be concerned with the cover (and any trapped particles) abrading the new unprotected paint.

 

I'm picking it up at the end of the day today!!! I'll hopefully have lots of pics. Unfortunitly I live in the middle of Miami. I don't have garage space and there is no place around here to rent a garage. If I did, I don't even know where I would find one and it would not be local which means getting to the car everyday would be a problem (its my daily driver).

Am I going to kill this thing by keeping it outdoors? I think I've come up with a plan to keep it away from sprinklers. I studied all the parking spaces yesterday, these is one I can use that does not get hit.