Protege5girl

I was just curious as to whether or not the yellow MP3s come with a clear coat.
I know that the yellow p5s do not....

I did a search but didn't come across the answer to this.

Thanks

mnkyboy

Where do you come up with the assumption that the Vivid Yellow P5 does not have a clear-coat? I posted a reply to a thread about this subject with a letter from Mazda stating that the VY P5 DOES have a clear-coat. I assume the MP3 also has a clear-coat. Email or write to Mazda and ask them.

Here is the thread I posted... http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...5&pagenumber=2

Pro_fan

I can remember that this has been talked about, but I'm not sure if there was ever a definite answer.

Some say they have clear coat, and that was verified by MNA.

Others say they have paint come off when they use wax on their Pros.

I'm not sure anybody knows for sure!

IIRC, others say that it's just the side mirrors that don't have a clear coat on them.

Easiest way to check is to use a pre-wax cleaner (ie. Mother's step 1 in their ultimate system or Meguiar's step 1 in their Deep crystal system, or etc.) and see if there is any paint on your applicator.

mnkyboy

Well, I have waxed my car. I think there isnt a clear-coat on the mirrors and panels. The only time I have paint on the applicator, is when I rub really hard. Is this normal for all cars? The clear-coat layer isnt very thick...

Protege5girl

In Canada, there is NO CLEAR COAT on the yellow p5s. Several of us have called Mazda canada. They claim that in general no yellow cars have clear coat.

I have nothing better to do at work, and my curiosity got the best of me so I am wondering about the MP3s.

(I don't even own a yellow p5...lol)

mnkyboy

Im sure the US P5 bodys are the same as CN. I know that the yelllow and red use to not have a clear-coat. Like I said, Mazda USA said it has a clear-coat... are they lying to me?? I hope not...

Protege5girl

Mnky....

I tried calling that 1-800# on the letter they sent you, but it hangs up on me and tells me to call mazda canada.

Called Maz Can, and again they said NO clear coat but the yellows come with an extra layer of paint....(lol)

I almost positive if you called mazda usa and asked them, they would now tell you there is no clear coat on the yellow p5s. If you do call....can you ask about the mp3s as well????

Pro_fan

Monkey...
IF you rub hard enough and there is a clear coat, the only way that you will get paint on your applicators/towel is if you rubbed right thru the clear and into your paint.

That would NOT be good as you would have destroyed the clear coat in that area.

mnkyboy

Hmm... I will try to call tommorow. Ill ask about the MP3 also.

What do you do to a paintjob if it doesnt have a clearcoat? I would like to have some extra protection, if I dont have a clearcoat. Anyone know???

Pro_fan

You can get an aftermarket clear coat applied, BUT there must be a reason that Mazda didn't do it, so I'm not sure that I would go applying a clear coat.

I wouldn't worry too much man...just make sure you're washing and waxing regularly and you'll be ok!

roswel

i have a yellow p5 and beecause of some serious paint problems with my car i went through it all with mazda. there is NO clear coat on the yellow p5s, either in canada or u.s. or japan for that matter. they are all made at the same plant on the same line with only minor differences between destination countries. i don't believe mazda lied to you, i think it is more ignorance than deceit. as for an extra layer of paint, well that's the first i've heard of it. i tend to doubt that 'cuz the paint is ridiculously thin. i would think that if the paint on the yellow mp3 has the same code as the p5 then it does not have clear.

i used to get a fair amount of paint coming off when i waxed my car. in order to protect it i used mothers 3 stage system. when using the pre-wax cleaner a small amount came off on the rag but after that nothing else did (and it was not oxidation). i would also recommend using a wax that has NO abrasives at all. some waxes including certain mothers products are so called"cleaner" waxes. don't use this. just use pure carnuba wax and you won't have a problem. it shines up nice too. in order to protect the finish only use water when you wash your car. the dirt will slide right off the wax. after use mothers showtime detailing spray over the whole car and it takes off any residue. makes it like you just waxed your car. i've only put 3 coats of wax on my car all summer and it looks really good. (except for those damn swirl marks)


hope that helps.

Pro_fan

The point of a pre-wax cleaner is to remove oxidation and crap that accumulates over time. No amount of washing will remove some crud, so to get a clean surface, a pre-wax cleaner should be used along with a good claying.

But like I've said before, pre-wax cleaner and claying are 2 things that are done like once or twice a year. Other than that, I'm using a good glaze/sealer and a "pure" carnauba wax.

If you want to stay away from cleaner waxes, make sure you stay away from Nu-finish too as it is a cleaner wax.

mnkyboy

Why didnt you tell us what the serious paint problems were?

frankd

Well, in Canada the P5 yellow is called Sunburst Yellow, in the US, it's Vivid Yellow. Not sure if it's the same paint code ... my P5 is red... I've read that a definitive test for clearcoat is to take some very fine sandpaper and lightly rub a well hidden part of the car . If you see white on the sandpaper, that's clearcoat coming off (white because it turned to powder). If you see the car color on the sandpaper... well you get the idea. I have not had the nerve to try this test. Maybe a well hidden area like under the hatch or hood would not have clearcoat in any case, so the test would be meaningless?

onehawaiian

mazda told me "yes". but my mirrors and panels don't seem to have it.

THEY LIED TO ME! j/k

hehe, i live in hawaii. salt-air galore. i keep washing and waxing every so often and make sure my paint is all good.