I don't think I do, because I have waxed my car before and gotten some red residue on the cloth, which is according to the zaino website meaning I don't have clearcoat. Does this sound right. What is the advantage of having a clearcoat, just an extra layer of protection for the paint.

 

If you have your original paint job, then you have clearcoat, however it may be worn all the way through in some or most areas. The original clearcoat wasn't very thick, and if you have been lucky enough to escape the almost inevitable clearcoat peeling, years of washing and polishing are likely to have removed most of it anyway.

If the car has been repainted, then it is likely that an enamel without a clearcoat, or a one stage enamel with clearcoat in the paint was used. These paints usually are less expensive and have a shorter lifespan.

The advantage of clearcoat is higher gloss for a longer period of time, and if done right, a deeper finish. Also, on a basecoat/clearcoat type finish, the basecoat is flat with no gloss to it whatsoever. It is also easier to blend in repairs, especially on metallic paintjobs. And finally if you put on enough coats of clear, you have the ability to do a real agressive colorsanding job, which gives you a super smooth and glossy finish.

 

It's not the original paint and I doubt it was expensive. The paint is chipping around the top of the doors. And in a spot they painted over a little bit of rust.

 

It's not the original paint and I doubt it was expensive. The paint is chipping around the top of the doors. And in a spot they painted over a little bit of rust.
The reason I ask is because I want to order some Zaino, and I'm not sure which type to get for clearcoat or non clearcoat.