OK, I have a few minor gripes with the G8 but the finish is not one of them. There's no better way of inspecting the finish then detailing the car. I applied Zaino AIO today.

The Phantom Black Metallic is a great color. I think GM has been stuck with basic Black (code 41) for decades. This variation of Black looks great once detailed. I'm also pretty happy with the quality. There's much less orange peel then on domestic GM cars. I was prepared to clay it but the finish didn't need it. They did a great job protecting it from rail dust, etc.

Good job Holden!!

I have to agree with you. The body seams are also very tight.

I have to agree with you. The body seams are also very tight.

yes GM has really stepped up its game on seams. the second generation CTS also has these tight door seams. Its a whole new level of designed in quality

very impressed on the finish of the G8, too. Hate to keep bringing up the GTO, but again the finish on my GTO is nothing like the finish on my G8...GTO has so much orange peel...

I'm tired of the gripe list...I think I am the only person here that is 100% satisfied with my G8 GT! Good job GM/HOLDEN!

I'm tired of the gripe list...I think I am the only person here that is 100% satisfied with my G8 GT! Good job GM/HOLDEN!

Nope. I love mine too. Have had no problems at all. I agree that it's important for us to speak up too. Fantastic car.

Paint is great but still has a lot of OP!! If you read my other thread you'll see that I measured the paint and found the hood and front clip to be avg 3 mils thinner than the rest of the car. That tells me that they do a great job painting GM cars in Aus but the US adjustments were cheaped a little.!!

Ill be colour sanding as soon as I can. The OP is still not up to scratch!!

Can't wait until I get mine in Panther Black.

I have the Panther Black Metallic as well and all you guys are right - it's not your normal black at all, the metallic in it provides a much richer and deeper finish to it. I'm a very novice car washer and never really detailed a car in my life. What can a guy like me do to make/keep it looking nice? I picked the car up on Saturday and the weather is finally turning here so I gave the panther a wash. I've read up on Zaino, etc etc but I don't know what the benefits are or how to use it. So all I did today, after buying some microfiber towels and such the other day, was wash it with Meguiar's Gold Class car wash, dried it with a microfiber waffle weave towel which worked VERY well, and waxed it with Meguiar's Tech Wax 2.0 (or whatever it's called). As I was wiping the wax off (which I applied and buffed along the car as opposed to Miyagi style) I noticed it wasn't wiping off all the way. Like it was uneven or something. Did I not let it dry enough or perhaps put it on too thick? I tried to apply it as thin as I could. I think it started to look more even as I went over it again, but I'm not certain. As I was washing it, I noticed some tape marks - one on the lower driver's door and one by the gas door. What's the best way to remove this? I also noticed some minor scratches which may have been fixed by the wax but it was dusk by the time I finished so I can't be certain on that. For someone who isn't an expert car washer, can any of you offer me some easily doable tips? I don't want to buy a bunch of product, but I did consider a clar bar but not sure how it works. And I considered buying ZAIO or detailing spray but, as I'm trying to say, I'm clueless.

Also - my wife bought me a Craftsman orbital buffer today that comes with a couple applicator pads, buffer pads, etc. 2500 RPM or something. It was mismarked at the store and she got it for $45 I guess. Are these things "idiot-proof" for the most part, or do they do more harm than good? I would think it would make waxing/buffing easier but what is the potential of damaging the finish?

I respect your opinions and look forward to your suggestions!

Peace,

While I will say that the finish is quite good for OEM, it certainly needs a good clay bar even as new.

I am sure a lot of you look at your paint or run your fingers over your paint and think that it feels smooth and you just apply your wax and call it a day... but here is a trick and a challenge for all of you out there. Go in your kitchen and get a thin plastic bag (like a sandwich bag, etc). Put your hand inside and run your hand over your paint. THIS will tell you just how good the finish is. If your G8 is like mine, and every other OEM paint, you will feel the almost sand-like texture that is really going on. Until you remove this, with a clay bar, you will never get as good of finish as you would otherwise.

Not a gripe, because compared to other OEM paint... the fact that all the car needs is one good clay and a sealant is great. But, don't fool yourself if you think that a good coat of wax is all you need ;)

Adam

Also - my wife bought me a Craftsman orbital buffer today that comes with a couple applicator pads, buffer pads, etc. 2500 RPM or something. It was mismarked at the store and she got it for $45 I guess. Are these things "idiot-proof" for the most part, or do they do more harm than good? I would think it would make waxing/buffing easier but what is the potential of damaging the finish?

I respect your opinions and look forward to your suggestions!

Peace,

For a simple wax application, you'll do best doing it by hand in the shade. I stopped using the simple buffers a couple years ago and broke down and bought a Porter cable polisher.
When you start seeing spider webs in the paint from car washing, road debris, you would rather have a PC. The Craftsman just won't have enough power.
It's unlikely you'll harm your finish with the Crasftsman, provided it doesn't end up on it's side while running. You have to work pretty hard these days to go through a clear coat.
I prefer Meguiar's Deep Crystal products myself. It's a 3 step process. Step 2 is the polish, which I'll use before I wax.
There are a couple of geat web sites out there to learn about detailing and the products that help.
I'll see if I can find a photo of my previous car using those products.

Last thing is, get yourself some microfiber towels.