Clear coat on 308's

Does anyone know when, if at all, Ferrari began using a clear coat over the paint? I am looking at some high end waxes and some of them are for finishes with a clearcoat and some are for without.

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Many thanks. I have a 1983 308, and plan to purchase the product that is for paints without a clear coat. Appreciate the help!

 

Rubbing compound = rubbing alcohol? or can you recommend a cleaner wax?

Sorry....newb questions

 

Thanks Steve. Just got back from Advance Auto Parts - bought the bottole of zymol you suggested, and sure enough, a faint amount of color came off onto my applicator. So mystery solved - my 1983 308 does not have clear coat.

Again, much appreciation and thanks!

 

Indeed, these girls deserve a good bath a couple times a year - thanks again for your help.

The wax and wash prep I'll be using (arrives next week), is by a company named Zaino http://www.zainostore.com/

After multiple washes and claybar removal technique, I'll be doing 3 layers of their new polymer. I should post before and after pics, just so you folks can see how my day of Mr. Miagi fun turned out. If anyone wants to play along, or just wants a quick reference for the product breakdown you'll need for 308's without clear coats, here is a summary I created off the web site's resources. (By no means am I endorsing their product, just giving it a first time shot. Hopefully someone finds this to be useful.)

Thanks again all!


Zaino Car Wash instructions

1. Wash with liquid dawn soap (regular soap, no bleach additives). Dry with white towel.
2. Towels must be name brand high quality 100% Made in USA. Always wash your towels first before using. Use Liquid detergent and rinse twice.
3. Use Z-18 Claybar - Use Z-7 as a lubricant for the ClayBar. Just make sure to keep the surface area lubricated while using the ClayBar. Use 1/2 capful of Z-7 Car Wash to 12 ounces of water. I use a spray bottle for the mix. Shake it up and spray the area to be Clayed. Just make sure to keep the surface area lubricated while using the ClayBar.
4. Wash car again using Z-7 Show Car Wash, let dry completely
5. Pour one to two ounces of Show Car Polish (Z-2, Z-3 or Z-5) into a 2-ounce mixing bottle. For each ounce of polish, add 4-5 drops of ZFX™ (no more than 10 drops for two full ounces), screw the cap back on, and shake vigorously for 60 seconds. 1983 308 Ferrari has no clear coat – I will be using Z-3
6. Allow bottle to sit for 5 min. Then shake for 10 secs prior to use.
7. Apply Zaino Show Car Polish enabled with ZFX™ with our Zaino Custom Polish Applicator. Squirt a dime size dab of polish on your applicator and rub it into your paint using circular hand motions. Then, go over the same area using a straight back and forth motion on top panels and an up and down motion on side panels. Allow the polish to haze for 20 to 30 minutes
8. Buff off the Show Car Polish residue with a high quality, 100% cotton, made in the USA, detailing towel.
9. After buffing, spray the car with a light mist of Z-6 Ultra Clean™ Gloss Enhancer Spray detailing spray. Z-6 will help buff away any remaining residue and enhances the brightness of the finish. Using Z-6, the next coat of Zaino Show Car Polish will apply even easier.
10. Apply your next coat of Zaino Show Car Polish enabled with ZFX™. There's no need to wait. Use a fresh cotton buffing towel to remove each coat of ZFX™ enabled Show Car Polish..
11. Apply no more than three coats of ZFX™ in a 24 hour period.
12. Apply a layer of Z-6 Ultra Clean™ Gloss Enhancer Spray between each coat
13. Z-6 "Gloss Enhancer" spray is really a great product. It really helps give a three dimensional look. Its antistatic formula will reduce dust and dirt pickup by 60%. Use Z-6 very sparingly, less than one ounce will do your whole car. Lightly mist only the center of a 1 foot section on the car. A dime size amount of Z-6 is plenty... Immediately buff with a 100% cotton towel until dry. You will feel the surface get slicker and slicker. Turn towel frequently. Repeat on next section until entire car is finished. Do not let Z6 dry on car. If Z-6 drys by itself just reapply Z-6 to affected area and rebuff until completely dry. Then get the sunglasses out. Less than one ounce will do an average size vehicle. Works great on rims, chrome, trim and plastic.
14. In the future, Dawn should not be used as your regular wash. Z-7 Show Car Wash is the proper shampoo to use with the Zaino Show Car Polish system. Used too frequently, Dawn will dull your paint (two to three times a year is fine).
15. Zaino Z-16 Perfect Tire Gloss can be used on all exterior rubber, tires, moldings, plastic trim, weatherstripping, underhood hoses and more. Just wet a sponge with Z-16 and apply to the surface to be treated and let dry