Got a new car, advice on how to preserve the paint?

[fastfurious23]

I purchased a new Hyundai Elantra this month. The sticker on my car shows it was manufactured in February 2013, so I don't know if enough time has passed to get the car waxed.

This is my first car so I'm clueless as to how often to wash it and wax it in order to preserve the paint. The dealer also told me to only have the car hand-washed. Is there any truth to this?

So my questions:
-How often should I wash and what method?
-How often should I wax? Is there any special wax that's best for the paint?

In addition, the car has tinted windows, besides ammonia-free products (advice given by the tint shop), what else can I not use during the washing process?

I would like to do all of this at a shop rather than doing it myself. Any recommendations as to where I can take my car? Are car washes at gas stations any good?

Thanks!

[VP Mark]

Opti coat! Best thing out there for long term protection.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AG Online

[Colinpd137]

Opti coat! Best thing out there for long term protection.

+1
I Agree

[Rayaz]

+1
I Agree

+2

Assuming the dealer didn't swirl it up you can decon and go right to OC. There are tons of good articles on application here on application (which is pretty easy) but the prep is key.

Congrats on the new car!

[rmagnus]

+1 Opti-Coat or park it in an air conditioned humidity controlled garage and buy a DD driver.

[Evan.J]

Welcome to AGO!

You can find lots of good reading right here in this article:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...-phillips.html

One thing you will want to do is check the condition of your vehicle paint:
What condition is the paint on your vehicles?

You also want to do the baggie test to check for an above surface contamination since that car has sat on a lot for some time:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...taminants.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...lay-paint.html

Once you have done the clay (if needed) you can move on to polishing out the paint via hand of Machine (if you choice)

If going with permanent coating like Opti-Coat then you will want to get your paint close to perfection as possible as any imperfect left will remain and sealed underneath the coating.

I for one will agree with everyone else coat you car and enjoy the benefits you will receive.

[queens guy]

I am sure someone here can guide you on where to take your car or you can just lear from the guys here and do it yourself..

[fastfurious23]

+2

Assuming the dealer didn't swirl it up you can decon and go right to OC. There are tons of good articles on application here on application (which is pretty easy) but the prep is key.

Congrats on the new car!

The dealer did offer some kind of paint protection and claimed I would never have to wax my car. I turned it down.

+1 Opti-Coat or park it in an air conditioned humidity controlled garage and buy a DD driver.

My car will be parked on the street at all times for now. If I ever got the opportunity to park it in a garage, what does the AC do for the paint? What is a DD driver?

What about if you parked in a garage but had no AC?


All, a quick local search on Yelp and I found a local shop with good reviews and they claim they are certified to install Opti-coat. Is therea specific version of the product I should ask for? I see alot of version 2.0 on the web.

In the first link that Evan J provided it has this list:

1. Wash and dry.
2. Inspect the paint with your sense of touch and visually in bright, overhead sunlight.
3. Iron X paint and wheels - Then re-wash to remove the Iron X residues off the paint and wheels.
4. Clay - If needed. Your inspection will tell you.
5. Polish - If needed. Your inspection will tell you.
6. Apply either a Car Wax or a Paint Sealant

Would #6 be the application of the opti-coat? Can I ask the shop to do #1-5 or is that something that they do before all opti-coat applications?

[Evan.J]

The dealer did offer some kind of paint protection and claimed I would never have to wax my car. I turned it down.



My car will be parked on the street at all times for now. If I ever got the opportunity to park it in a garage, what does the AC do for the paint? What is a DD driver?

What about if you parked in a garage but had no AC?


All, a quick local search on Yelp and I found a local shop with good reviews and they claim they are certified to install Opti-coat. Is therea specific version of the product I should ask for? I see alot of version 2.0 on the web.

In the first link that Evan J provided it has this list:

1. Wash and dry.
2. Inspect the paint with your sense of touch and visually in bright, overhead sunlight.
3. Iron X paint and wheels - Then re-wash to remove the Iron X residues off the paint and wheels.
4. Clay - If needed. Your inspection will tell you.
5. Polish - If needed. Your inspection will tell you.
6. Apply either a Car Wax or a Paint Sealant

Would #6 be the application of the opti-coat? Can I ask the shop to do #1-5 or is that something that they do before all opti-coat applications?

The pro version of Opti-coat 2.0 is Now Opti Coat Pro

Yes in the 6 step you would first do and IPA wipe down of the paint to remove any polishing oils as those oils hinder the Opti coat to bond properly.

Next you would apply the Opti Coat.

Where are you located?

Here is a list of all Authorized Opti-coat Pro installers.
AUTHORIZED OPTIMUM PROFESSIONAL COATING INSTALLERS

[Meghan]