So I picked up my car from a local detailing shop. They did a very good shop on polishing and waxing the paint, but it still seemed to be missing a little sparkle. The guy mentioned: "You know you have enamel paint." "Pardon me?" says I, not following what he means. He repeats it, then says "I got green paint all over my polishing pads, so you'll need to be careful how many times it gets polished." Now I understand, but, say what??

I thought single stage paint went out with fu-manchu moustaches. I know earlier series Jags had some type of terrible thermosplatic or some such type of paint, but did this entend to the X300 series? I can't find any overspray or any indication my car was repainted.

Did these really come with single stage paint?

 

Mine's 1995 standard XJ6, no sport, not much extras (even the heated windscreen is not connected), half-leather seats, no AC and it does have clear coat for sure, as the blooming thing came off in few places... So most likely yours has been resprayed...

 

Mine has clearcoat.....


Cheers
DD

 

I would suspect a repaint. Mine was redone, and probably either with two part urethane or acrylic enamel, but no clear coat. The give away was the headlights. They were pitted and hazy but the surrounding paint was nearly perfect.
I have the service and maintenance records all the way back to 9000 mi., but no paint receipt. I suppose the PO was hoping to pass it off as the original finish, but I really didn't care.The thing that bothers me most is that it looks too good for a repaint.

 

Interesting. Must have a been a pretty good body shop as the paint looks good, very little orange peel, and no overspray. But even with a fresh detail it still looks like it needs a bit more shine. They did wax it but used whatever "professional" line of wax/sealant they have in their shop.

Canadian Tire here in Canada (auto parts+housewares+sporting goods+yes, tires...)sells Autoglym products. I was thinking that since it's a British car, I should keep it faithful and Autoglym Super Resin Polish then go over it with Extra Gloss Protection. Has anyone used this combo on their Jags?

 

My car spent it's entire life in the desert of Rancho Mirage, CA. When I got it, you could grab a corner of clearcoat and peel a huge section off. I re-sprayed with a single stage urethane and color sanded down to 2000 grit and polished. Color sanding will make your car shine like a diamond.

 

all cars have had a clear coat since the mid-late 80's.it was repainted without the clear coat because of the cost savings [around $2000]...steve.

 

After after spending yesterday afternoon changing the oil twice (ran Amsoil engine flush, ran it on cheap 10W30 to remove any remaining engine flush then installing Amsoil 10W40 oil) I found some overspray! It was on the top surface of each headlight housing. I looked around the car in detail, and it really was a well done paint job if only single stage.

Good point steven300 about cost. It was a Florida car, so I'm sure the hot southern sun does a number on paint. No winter and salt there means no rust though, which is wonderful being on the Canuck prairies.

So now I'll have to make sure I keep a good sealant on it, and won't take it through automatic car washes with brushes.

 

No car should ever be taken through automatic car washes with brushes. IMHO.

Clear/coat, not a fan, nothing can go quicker in the sun and elements then Clear. I love a properly done single stage paint and don't reccomend any "cut" polishes on a clear coat car...that detailer shouldn't warn single stage painted car owners about the number of times the car should be done but warn clear coat owners about it. I have a 99 Explorer Limited with factory Pearl paint/clear thats lived it's whole life un garaged in the Florida sun and since new I've only ever used Eagle One spray nano wax. Finish/clear STILL looks like new, no checking, fadeing etc. Not a fan of "cleaner" "paste" "cut" wax polishes on clear. YMMV.

 

Oh yes, my wax routine includes these two. Dead easy to use products.

 

Sean B: thanks for the reply! Since my car was just polished I wonder if I need to use the Autoglym SRP at all, or can I just use EGP once the wax that the detailed used wears off?