Waxing the body panels?

[Tinman2000]

I understand the body panels are plastic but are they painted on the outside surface?

[bumblebee]

I've put 3 coats of wax on it after the first wash. It's still nice and smooth after 2 weeks.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by Tinman2000

I understand the body panels are plastic but are they painted on the outside surface?

The three extra-cost metallics (red, blue, silver) are painted over basic black; the three basics (white, yellow, black) are molded-in color. But all of them have the same clearcoat over whatever color, so they will all wax-up the same.

[Tinman2000]

Thanks Old Smart, exactly what I wanted to know. It would have been nice if they used blue plastic under the blue paint, for example, so a ding wouldn't have been as noticable. I always go out of my way to park anyway, so I'll continue to do so.

[stevenvillatoro]

It's generally recommended not to wax cars right away when they're new, since the soft paint will continue to cure for several months. Waxing your new car too soon may prevent your new paint from breathing as it cures. Also, new soft paint is suceptible to swirl marks, abrasion from towels and rubbing, etc.

[E-SMART]

our smarts take a LONG journey by truck, ship and truck again so it may already be enough time for the paint to cure. I had a Corvette fully restored with new paint, etc. and the bodyman said to wait about 90 days before waxing. I plan to use a non-abrasive 'race glaze' product after about 30 days (it's never left swirl marks ... including on the freshly painted 'vette) just to add a bit of protection from bird droppings, acid rain, etc. which can etch the surface if not removed immediately (don't plan on washing it daily!)

[SmartPassion]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

It's generally recommended not to wax cars right away when they're new, since the soft paint will continue to cure for several months. Waxing your new car too soon may prevent your new paint from breathing as it cures. Also, new soft paint is suceptible to swirl marks, abrasion from towels and rubbing, etc.

To add to this, when a dealer applies extra cost "protection" to our new cars, they are including swirl marks for free.

[MSOEMiller]

Originally Posted by E-SMART

our smarts take a LONG journey by truck, ship and truck again so it may already be enough time for the paint to cure.

I'm assuming the assembly process for the smart is a bit different. Don't they have a stock of painted panels ready, rather than painting the car as assembled? The stock of panels probably has at least a few weeks of aging already.

[smartforengland]

1 coat of wax is enough because they are plastic. whether u have metallics or plain colours. they are all the same. wax is to stop most non plastic cars from rusting and to keep the elements away such as dirt/muddy conditions.