Re: Advice Requested / Protecting Original 03 Thin Black Paint

[Ambitious1]

I am looking for some advice on the best car wash and wax products to save and protect the very thin black paint on my '03. I have used Meguiar's and Mother's, but I have been very cautious. I may eventually have the entire car re-painted, but I am doing my best to save the original factory paint. I am also looking at a Dual-Action Polisher like Meguiar's and Rupes. What is everyone's experience? Does anyone have a favorite wash, shampoo, sealant and / or wax product that won't harm the very thin black paint? Thank you in advance.

[BackNBlack]

https://www.zainostore.com/

[sailsmen]

https://www.zainostore.com/

Yep! These are the products.

[offroadkarter]

Who ever said the paint was thin? I've paint metered my car and its as average as any other car from Ford. The paint issues arise from bad paint and bad prep at the STAP plant.

Go pay a real detailer to correct and ceramic coat the car. I had my black car ceramic coated and it kept the roof from poxing for a few years, once the coating faded away (the car lives outside) the roof started to pox and rust almost immediately. Once the roof starts to rust that's game over, you'd have to strip it back to bare metal and repaint it.

You want to keep the paint from going hell? keep the paint sealed and keep the car indoors when not in use. Keep it clean as well, bird poo will acid etch the clear as will insects.

Here are two old posts of when I got both my Marauders detailed

https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetaili...beeds_coating/

https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetaili...ction_cquartz/

and just to show I'm not talking out my ass, here are some paint meter readings on my beater marauder which at the time had 137k miles on it. I believe most OEM paint jobs range from upper 3's to low 6's in mils, most fords I've checked range between 4.5-5.5.

Hood



Roof



Pass front fender



You get the idea

[a_d_a_m]

Who ever said the paint was thin?

People without paint meters.

[NorthShoreChiMM]

Hand wash and wax, ceramic coat, clear bra, No winters, etc.

[Invective]

Hand wash and wax, ceramic coat, clear bra, No winters, etc.

My Mustang had Cilajet applied ONCE by the original owner not long after he bought the car. NOTHING applied since. Rear bumper had to be repainted a few months back due to clear coat delamination that started the year before. My recent detailers have never heard of the product before I brought it to their attention. There was a specific 'aviation formula' that was available in 5 gallon containers only and this is what was used on Mustang back in 2005. The finish has held up super well otherwise. Images taken at Hagerty Agent's office after the paintwork on the bumper.


https://www.cilajet.com/

[Ambitious1]

Are these the ones? It definitely looks impressive. Have you done applied it to the car finish more than once?

https://www.amazon.com/Cilajet-Gel-Wax/dp/B0798BNF3V

[Invective]

Are these the ones? It definitely looks impressive. Have you done applied it to the car finish more than once?

https://www.amazon.com/Cilajet-Gel-Wax/dp/B0798BNF3V

In my description. Cilajet was applied once by the original owner. Under my ownership since 2011, Mustang was washed with Turtle Wax Car Wash-Wax by hand, Automatic carwash 'poly process' and whatever the two detailers used to wash it with. Current detailer has used a spray wax a time or two. Original owner stated he knew someone who worked at a local FBO who gave him enough of a Cilajet sample in a bottle to do the Mustang. He stated he just wiped it on and buffed it off after drying. There is a word play here for marketing reasons I'm guessing. The true aviation grade Cilajet is only available in 5 gallon containers for several hundred dollars. I doubt the modern Cilajet automotive product is the same formula? Cilajet wants everyone to use one of their 'certified applicators' who charge serious money to apply the stuff.

[sailsmen]

"... without stripping the cilajet sealant.".

Polyglycoat is the Best!!!

[Invective]

"... without stripping the cilajet sealant.".

Polyglycoat is the Best!!!

Looks like it was discontinued long ago. Old but interesting...

https://www.nytimes.com/1982/08/06/b...the-state.html

[sailsmen]

My experience was an excellent product. I believe they got into trouble for exaggerating.