New GTS owner

[B51NGH]

Thanks again, I found this great article.

I'll post it here for anyone else that may have a similar question : https://www.whatcar.com/news/your-legal-rights-if-something-goes-wrong-with-your-car/n3307

 

[Contigo]

It's consumer rights and you have 3 months extending to 6 months and even longer in some cases.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Again, thank you for your help everyone is so helpful.

Don't be deceived. It's a ruse to lure you in. The Siren-song of SportsMaserati, seducing innocent new members with helpful hints and advice. Just wait, the dark and ridiculous side of this online tribute to automotive Bedlam will be clear soon enough.

Anyway, well done to both you new owners.

 

[B51NGH]

Don't be deceived. It's a ruse to lure you in. The Siren-song of SportsMaserati, seducing innocent new members with helpful hints and advice. Just wait, the dark and ridiculous side of this online tribute to automotive Bedlam will be clear soon enough.

Anyway, well done to both you new owners.

That's hilarious, and reassuringly fresh. Nice to be among humans not robot's.

 

[B51NGH]

Ok I have a question for all you geniuses. I have heard so much about various paint protection options I.e

1. Wax (3-6 weeks protection)
2. Paint Seal (3-6 months protection)
3. Ceramic Coating/liquid Glass (years)
4. Clear film/vinyl (impact protection)

Does anyone have any experience with any of these, also for anyone in the UK any recommendations of a good ceramic coater company?

@ Felonious Crud let's see if we get back a nice response, or the dark ridiculous side. LOL.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Ok I have a question for all you geniuses. I have heard so much about various paint protection options I.e

1. Wax (3-6 weeks protection)
2. Paint Seal (3-6 months protection)
3. Ceramic Coating/liquid Glass (years)
4. Clear film/vinyl (impact protection)

Does anyone have any experience with any of these, also for anyone in the UK any recommendations of a good ceramic coater company?

@ Felonious Crud let's see if we get back a nice response, or the dark ridiculous side. LOL.

Ah-ha! I can help with this. Get it detailed and ceramic coated. Many options are available but I used Ceramic Guard Silicon Carbon coasting. Well, Stu from F1 Wax did. I just marveled. After that I got the delicate parts PPF'd (by Dub Customs) and with another layer of ceramic coating over that to make washing easier. And, God, is it easy!

 

[JonW]

Ok I have a question for all you geniuses. I have heard so much about various paint protection options I.e

1. Wax (3-6 weeks protection)
2. Paint Seal (3-6 months protection)
3. Ceramic Coating/liquid Glass (years)
4. Clear film/vinyl (impact protection)

Does anyone have any experience with any of these, also for anyone in the UK any recommendations of a good ceramic coater company?

@ Felonious Crud let's see if we get back a nice response, or the dark ridiculous side. LOL.

Hi, and welcome.

I had PPF (paint protection film) on my car, and had it taken off as it was starting to blister and lift in a couple of places. I then had the car detailed, a full paint correction, and ceramic coated.

This made the car look fabulous, and means it’s very easy to clean. However, in hindsight I wish I had also then had PPF reapplied, as I think that’s the only way to avoid stone chips that will then need fixing at a later date.

I’m about to change my car, and my plan on the new one is to do what Adam has done.

Hope this helps...

 

[Chrisb2015]

Ok I have a question for all you geniuses. I have heard so much about various paint protection options I.e

1. Wax (3-6 weeks protection)
2. Paint Seal (3-6 months protection)
3. Ceramic Coating/liquid Glass (years)
4. Clear film/vinyl (impact protection)

Does anyone have any experience with any of these, also for anyone in the UK any recommendations of a good ceramic coater company?

@ Felonious Crud let's see if we get back a nice response, or the dark ridiculous side. LOL.

I have had and applied all of these except the ppf. My question to you would be what are your expectations? Wax, sealant and hybrids can last 6 months if applied correctly, with little skills needed to re apply assuming the paintwork has been prepped well first time around. The ceramic coatings are trendy and can last from 12+months, so will need less applying and maintenance to maintain the shine. However they are really only of genuine advantage if you don’t like cleaning your car and perhaps it is a daily driver? They don’t offer any meaningful and proven scratch resistance above other alternatives, if they say they do ask to see the testing.......so, what are you looking for? Something applied once so you can forget forever more with perhaps an occasional top up? Or something with the same level of dirt resistance but needling more frequent application, say 3 times a year which is probably cheaper and in some cases has better wax type finish? Also worth thinking about how long you think you will keep the car. If you chop and change you may well be paying mostly for the next owners benefit. No right or wrong, good luck!

 

[2b1ask1]

I'm old school, true believer in proper wax (zymol) which can be built up in layers (70% carnauba) so providing very long lasting protection, any wax that uses a petroleum base cannot be built up as applying another layer dissolves the one below. Polishes don't offer any protection, they simply allow you to polish the outer surface of the paint/clear coat with a very small amount of wax (typically 3-6%). When this was my job (98-02) the application of one of these 'ceramic' coatings was simply to take your vehicle out of your sight, machine polish it a couple of times and and spray on the 'coating'. To be fair all you are trying to do is preserve the shine on the top of the paint or clear coat from the perils on the road...

 

[Chrisb2015]

I'm old school, true believer in proper wax (zymol) which can be built up in layers (70% carnauba) so providing very long lasting protection, any wax that uses a petroleum base cannot be built up as applying another layer dissolves the one below. Polishes don't offer any protection, they simply allow you to polish the outer surface of the paint/clear coat with a very small amount of wax (typically 3-6%). When this was my job (98-02) the application of one of these 'ceramic' coatings was simply to take your vehicle out of your sight, machine polish it a couple of times and and spray on the 'coating'. To be fair all you are trying to do is preserve the shine on the top of the paint or clear coat from the perils on the road...

I think it’s fair to say the decision in wax is between looks and longevity. The greater the carnauba the less longevity it is likely to have. That’s why they mix petroleum, to get the longevity. Some obviously do a better job than others

 

[2b1ask1]

Carnauba is a naturally very hard wax, actually the hardest of all, bees wax being a much softer alternative and others are available. To be able to apply a wax you need to get it into a suspension sufficiently long enough to spread it thinly to do this most manufacturers use petroleum distillates at about 60% then stabilisers (typically chalk) at about 30-35% perfumes and other stuff about 3% leaving you 3-6% wax. When applying it the working time is basically the time available before the distillates evaporate and you are mopping away the stabilisers as the chalky residue, hoping that the wax has stuck to the paintwork. Now standing back and admiring your handywork you think 'I'll give it another coat'; as you slap it on the distillates are now trying to cope with more wax that they can as they instantly dissolve any remaining from the last application!

Moving to a high end wax, that doesn't use distillates an alternative suspension is needed; zymol uses en enzyme which is o2 activated, spread the wax thinly and the o2 activates it and the wax will set, once set you can strike it to achieve a shine. This is how it can contain typically 18, 35 or up to 70% carnauba.

Longevity: As you raised this point, Carnauba or other plant waxes are plants natural defence against UV so are naturally very long lasting. If you are only applying 3% it will last 10 x less than if you are applying 30% If you can apply 70% and build multiple layers (done after 4 hrs or more to fully harden), the time it will last is perpetuated. Simple enough as long as you can avoid harsh chemicals that can cut through it like traffic film remover, seagull and flying elephant poop!

I'll stick with my carnauba wax, claybar and natural enjoyment detailling the car...

 

[slay]

Ok I have a question for all you geniuses. I have heard so much about various paint protection options I.e

1. Wax (3-6 weeks protection)
2. Paint Seal (3-6 months protection)
3. Ceramic Coating/liquid Glass (years)
4. Clear film/vinyl (impact protection)

Does anyone have any experience with any of these, also for anyone in the UK any recommendations of a good ceramic coater company?

@ Felonious Crud let's see if we get back a nice response, or the dark ridiculous side. LOL.

I have tried all but PPF, could not justify the cost and not convinced the longevity of the film.
However, I can definitely recommend ceramic coating, makes it very easy to clean the car, so would recommend unless if you really enjoy cleaning the car every week including during winter.

I had my GTS ceramic coated by Ed @DevineDetail, and given that my car was garaged, the ceramic coating was still effective after 3 years.

I have just had my stradale ceramic coated again by Ed, using kamikaze products (yes from Japan), apparently the coating also have self healing property when exposed to heat - but only works on the fine swirl marks of course. I will be able to confirm the effectiveness in summer.

I think you can still apply the wax on top if you really want to.

Personally I will always use ceramic coating in all my cars in the future.

 

[Chrisb2015]

Longevity: As you raised this point, Carnauba or other plant waxes are plants natural defence against UV so are naturally very long lasting. If you are only applying 3% it will last 10 x less than if you are applying 30% If you can apply 70% and build multiple layers (done after 4 hrs or more to fully harden), the time it will last is perpetuated. Simple enough as long as you can avoid harsh chemicals that can cut through it like traffic film remover, seagull and flying elephant poop!

To be fair a product with something like 3% isn’t and really shouldn’t be sold as a wax. It is a hybrid. I am not sure higher carnauba always translates to better longevity in reality, both from personal experience and that is the general consensus. The manufacturer is much more likely to have a bearing on it. Zymol is great, but some others at a similar price point are selling snake oil. Also, wax in the UK is slightly more effective than other climates due to our lower temperatures. Wax naturally breaks down at 140 degrees, which on a sunny day with a dark car is easily achieved. A big part of this subject is related to how much enjoyment, if any, you get from cleaning, protecting and perfecting your own car. I am with you and thoroughly enjoy the process.

 

[B51NGH]

@everyone wow

you guys are TRUELY expert's.

Let me try and address some of your questions.

1. Yes I love cleaning and knowing my car and for years I have been waxing/machine polishing my car whatever it is at that moment.

2. I have used many polishes and sponge combos with various cutting solutions and grit levels, then protecting with good quality wax, I too have used zymol and loved the results over time as it's built up.

3. I am looking to protect the paint, it's in very good condition and luckily the car is untouched as in accidents or crappy stone repairs.

4. my goal, well I am looking to do much the same I've spent many weekends in the past with other cars clay baring, repairing, preventing I.e wax. But that's all old school and what I know. This new ceramic thing caught my interest and as such wanted to k ow more, thank God I asked you guys, as I am blown away with the level of knowledge here.

5. desired outcome. Happy to work on the car to restore any imperfections, but wanted to also reduce long term effort. Happy to put the work in, but less often, and I believe for me that may be ceramic as it will (correct me if I am wrong) chemically bond with the freshly restored top layer giving a deeper easier to maintain finish. like I said happy to work for it but preferably with longer gaps inbetween.

Once again, and with a danger of sounding very American when I am not, "You guys are Awesome!"

I am learning lots and it's only day 3.

 

[smiffywhu]

Thanks!
South coast

View attachment 53798

Lovely looking car. Congrats.

Enjoyed reading this thread.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Maserati's. I'm so pleased you are delighted with the lads on here, they are all the help you will ever need - getting them to come round and get their hands dirty may be slightly harder though

 

[B51NGH]

Lovely looking car. Congrats.

Enjoyed reading this thread.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Maserati's. I'm so pleased you are delighted with the lads on here, they are all the help you will ever need - getting them to come round and get their hands dirty may be slightly harder though

LOL not too worried about getting my hands dirty but of course any help is welcome!!! - Plus, cold beer hot pizza is a given when working with me.
Not that I am trying to sell it too you guys

Sorry for no pics yet, the collection is next week.

 

[enjybenjy]

Hi folks. As the OP I thought I'd update you.

So far I've been to my local Shell 37 times, I've removed the driver's seat, taken it to bits and fixed it, put it back in the car. Lightly tinted the headlights. Driven it in all weather. It's lovely, never even tried it in anything other than Sport.

Great car!

 

[B51NGH]

Hi folks. As the OP I thought I'd update you.

So far I've been to my local Shell 37 times, I've removed the driver's seat, taken it to bits and fixed it, put it back in the car. Lightly tinted the headlights. Driven it in all weather. It's lovely, never even tried it in anything other than Sport.

Great car!
View attachment 54259

looks beautiful, did you use tint film or tint spray?

 

[B51NGH]

Here is another question for you geniuses, would you invest in the carbon upgrade around the exterior or would you paint i.e. black

see : http://www.formuladynamics.com/products/granturismo_s_mc_sportline/granturismo_s_mc_sportline.php

 

[enjybenjy]

Thanks. It's film, the lightest stuff that doesn't fail you on the MOT (tried and tested!).
Was going to do the rears as well, just to take the edge off the red lenses.

I'll post a pic when done.