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How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
One of the most common questions asked goes like the title of this article, and that is,
How long should I wait before I wax my brand new car?
The answer to that question is,
As soon as possible
Don't wait for the condition of the car to start going downhill before taking action. By the time you see visible signs of wear-n-tear, swirls and scratches, water spots and oxidation, it's already too late. At this point now you're going to have to bring out the big guns, that is get out all the tools like compounds, polishes, buffers, etc. and then try to undo the damage.
Some people just plain don't know it's not only perfectly okay to wash and wax a brand new car it's in the car's best interest as well as the owners.
Some people confuse a brand new car with a brand new paint job? They think because the car is brand new this also means the paint is new or f-r-e-s-h as in just painted a few days ago.
By the time a new car travels down an assembly line and is kicked out the door, the paint is already completely dried, cured and hardened. Even more time goes by before the car travels from the manufacturing plant to the show room floor at your local new car dealership.
What this means to you is that by the time you purchase the car and get it home the paint is perfectly dried, cured and hardened and ready to be sealed with a coat of wax, a synthetic paint sealant or a paint coating.
The BEST time to start taking care of a brand new car is while the car is still in brand new condition. It's when everything is new and in excellent condition that washing, waxing and detailing your car inside and out will be the easiest ever... and in most cases, also the most fun.
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 detailed by Mike Phillips
Here's my buddy Jim's brand new 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. Jim just purchased this Mercedes-Benz at a South Florida Mercedes-Benz Dealership and the car only has 200 miles on it. Jim contacted me to detail it. Here's a few pictures to tell the story...
I took this picture early Saturday morning, before 9:00am. There were clouds in the sky so it was hard to get the perfect "Sun Shot" but I'll describe what I saw and that was an almost perfect finish.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...z_E350_001.jpg
No real swirls or scratches that show up in sunlight...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...z_E350_002.jpg
Here's the sun shining onto the trunklid...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...z_E350_003.jpg
Not to bad at all, there's a few very shallow swirls here and there but overall the finish on this car looks like how a finish should look when you purchase a brand new car.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler..._E350_003c.jpg
Under florescent lights we found some DIP or Dirt in Paint, these looked and felt like small particles of dirt that somehow land in the paint while it's still wet.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...z_E350_004.jpg
Here they are with circles drawn around them to make it easier to see where they were. I used a 3" Trizact Disc in #5000 grit to lightly sand them flat Then buffed out my sanding marks using the Rupes Mini 12 with the Rupes Blue Foam Cutting Pad and matching Rupes Compound.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler..._E350_004c.JPG
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...z_E350_005.jpg
Process
Jim washed his car beforehand so I wiped the car down using Pinnacle Liquid Crystal Waterless Wash with Carnauba.
Step 1 - Decontaminated using the Nanoskin Autoscrub Medium Foam Pad – 6 inch.
Step 2 - Machine Polish using Rupes Duetto Orbital Polisher with Rupes Yellow Foam Polishing Pad and Rupes Keramik Gloss Fine Gel Polish
Step 3 - Re-Cleaned paint to remove polishing oils using Pinnacle Black Label Surface Cleansing Polish
Step 4 - Applied Pinnacle Black Label Diamond Paint Coating
Step 5 - Sealed tires with TUF Shine Tire Clearcoat
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...z_E350_006.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...z_E350_007.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...z_E350_008.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...z_E350_009.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...z_E350_010.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...z_E350_011.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...z_E350_012.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...z_E350_013.jpg
On Autogeek
Pinnacle Black Label Diamond Paint Coating
Pinnacle Black Label Surface Cleansing Polish
Nanoskin Autoscrub Medium Foam Pad – 6 inch
Rupes Duetto Orbital Polisher
Rupes Yellow Foam Polishing Pad
Rupes Keramik Gloss Fine Gel Polish
Pinnacle Liquid Crystal Waterless Wash with Carnauba
TUF Shine Tire Clearcoat
:)
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
That's the maximum of that statement 'Better than New'!
I plan to translate your text to my own language and use it to educate costumers. If you agree, of course.
Thank you for that,
Kind Regards.
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
I wonder how many people know about the "born on" date printed on the VIN lable in the door jam. Those who buy a new car might be surprised to see that their new vehicle isn't so new. Even a car that sells pretty quickly won't hit a dealer lot until a month or more after production. Foreign makes that are shipped from abroad take even longer. My new VW was three months old by the time it hit the dealer lot.
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2 Attachment(s)
Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Thanks for sharing and beautiful Merc. I just picked up my '14 Audi RS5, and unfortunately it is snowing and a lot of salt on the roads here in Ohio. It was manufactured in Germany 2 months ago. I took the recommendation here for the "no wash" sign at the dealer, and basically drove it home in the snow! Any word of advice...it is hard to leave it alone while it looks sooooo dirty with the road salt covering it.
Before (after unwrapping):
Attachment 23993
After drive home:
Attachment 23994
My plan of attack:
Wash (Duragloss wash), clay (Meg's clay with UWW+), polish (Meg's Ultimate polish), and seal (Adam's new liquid paint sealant) once the weather breaks. Any advice/tips on my choice of products? Thanks and keep up the great work Mike and AG team!
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Nice write up! That question leads many people to this forum, including myself. I fowarded this to my brother in law who just purchased a brand new truck. I hope his ego doesn't cause him to destroy his paint. Oh well, I did my part...
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
i plan on buying a brand new tacoma in the next year or so, i already plan on getting it in the summer time so that as soon as i get it i can bring it home do a full decontamination (using TRIX and nanoskin fine grade mitt) and then seal with 3 coats of klasse and then a coat of wax over that, (not sure what wax im going to use it depends on what mood i am in as well as wind direction), and then i will pressure wash and rinse the undercarriage and coat every square inch with fluid film...my goal is to have it still look brand new 10 years after i drive away from the dealer with it.
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ace22
Thanks for sharing and beautiful Merc. I just picked up my '14 Audi RS5, and unfortunately it is snowing and a lot of salt on the roads here in Ohio.
That's like the worst thing to put a new car through... maybe find a touchless car wash that offers undercarriage washing and become a regular customer?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ace22
It was manufactured in Germany 2 months ago.
I took the recommendation here for the "no wash" sign at the dealer, and basically drove it home in the snow!
That was smart... most newer Audi's have very hard paint and that means getting any Dealer Installed Swirls will be very difficult AND time consuming plus the paint will be thinner afterwards and it's all for nothing.
See this article,
Clearcoats are Scratch-Sensitive
And for those reading this into the future wondering what he means by the "no wash" sign, check out this article and do the same.
DON'T WASH CAR !!!!!!!!!!!
Subtitle: How to prevent your car dealership from putting swirls and scratches into your car's paint!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ace22
Any word of advice...it is hard to leave it alone while it looks sooooo dirty with the road salt covering it.
After drive home:
Attachment 23994
Ouch!
That looks like a recipe for scratches in the paint. I'd look for a Do-It-Yourself car wash with the high pressure sprayers and try to blast that stuff off wit water pressure versus pushing anything like a mitt, sponge or brush against it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ace22
My plan of attack:
Wash (Duragloss wash), clay (Meg's clay with UWW+), polish (Meg's Ultimate polish), and seal (Adam's new liquid paint sealant) once the weather breaks. Any advice/tips on my choice of products?
After you get her all clean again, test the claying step to make sure you're not leaving any light clay haze or marring. Just to find out.
Next, test the Ultimate Polish by doing a Test Spot. Make sure you can make the paint look GREAT with your polish, pad and technique before buffing out the entire car.
(that would be a huge mistake if you don't prove your system first).
I don't know anything about Adam's anything so you're on your own but if this car were mind I would look at any of the reputable coatings versus a wax or sealant UNLESS you like to wax your car often and then go with a real nice Carnauba Paste Wax like Pinnacle Souveran.
Back in Black! 1969 GTO!!!
This is Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...69_GTO_007.jpg
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ace22
Thanks and keep up the great work Mike and AG team!
Everyone here gives 100% every hour of every day. It's what's expected and it's what is delivered.
:dblthumb2:
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ace22
I just picked up my '14 Audi RS5
Just to note, I have a black 2014 Audi Q5 Crossover this week for a full detail.
:xyxthumbs:
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Wow that is a beautiful brown/bronze color on that 'Benz!! :dblthumb2:
Looks great!
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Thanks for the pointers..as I didn't want to threadjack.
You have always been cool to forum members, and although I don't post much here, I have full respect for what you do for the community! Much appreciated and keep up the phenomenal work!
:dblthumb2:
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Learning good washing habits when one buys a brand new car is crucial if you want the car to remain as close to showroom condition as possible.
I'm one that removes any type of contaminates as soon as possible, I try not to leave them there for long.
IMO that's one of the most important things one can do to keep the finish smooth as possible.
Claying.
Clay away, if you clay often enough it doesn't take long to clay a car, in most cases like in mine I can be done with claying either one of my cars in about 20 minutes because of the maintenance I do on them.
I'll only wax my cars if I clay, i'll never skip this mportant step.
Waxing or sealant over a finish that's in perfect shape is what makes it look and feels it's best plus the protection will last much longer.
As most of us know prep work is the most important thing we can do before anything is done, it's key.
My neice bought a brand new car two months ago and has yet to be washed.
I tell her what needs to be done but she gives me the same story, too busy.
Most of us here pride in our work on our cars.
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
I just waxed mine! (Finally!) Horrible weather made it difficult.
Ordered 10/2/2013, built 11/26/2013, drove it home 12/3/2013. So it really WAS painted just a few days prior to me taking delivery! Though it's baked on!
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek
:drool: One of my dream cars! Nice
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Mike, this article is GREAT! I can't tell you the argument I got in with my dad over the years when he would bring home a new car from the dealership and I would want to protect it and he would say, "No, it's too soon."
About a year ago he got a brand new Aston Martin (like 10 miles on it - very, very green). I remember asking the manager what they recommended using on their vehicles, expecting to hear some exotic, high priced wax. He said, "Just Meguiar's," with a sly smile when he saw my surprise. Just goes to show that a brand that can be used on $2,000 cars can be used on $200,000 cars — it's you're technique and skill that determines your results, not the brand.
So, of course the next day I wanted to do a bit of new car prep, even though they did a phenomenal job, no swirls or scratches and it appeared to be beading well. After my dad said it was too soon to wax, I said you've got to be kidding, what do you think the dealerships' new car prep is?
I got lucky though (in a way): when the mirrors were retracted there was the telltale white wax stain. So there was my proof, but thankfully I have your resource (your article) for the future!
Thanks for everything, Mike! Happy detailing!
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
This is great. Thanks for sharing.
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Nice job mike!
I noticed that you used PLCWW with Carnauba to wipe the car down and then you decontaminated it with the Autosrub Pad.
Doesn't the decontamination process remove the Carnuaba that was in the waterless wash? Or did you use the waterless wash with Carnauba because of it's extra lubricity?
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
FrankS
Or did you use the waterless wash with Carnauba because of it's extra lubricity?
I chose the Pinnacle Crystal Shine Waterless Wash with Carnauba because it was the closest one to my hand. Seriously.
Normally I use the Detailer's Waterless Wash, especially if I'm cleaning a car BEFORE I'm getting ready to buff it out.
There's no reason to use a waterless wash with Carnauba on a neglected finish as it's the wrong product for the condition of the paint nor before you're getting ready to buff out a car. The idea being, why add protection to paint you're going to decontaminate.
So I normally use the Detailer's Waterless wash like we use for all of our Thursday night projects.
Now AFTER the car is buffed out and sealed, then I like a waterless wash that adds protection and gloss.
But in this case, it was the one closest to my hand...
:)
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
When people ask me about their new cars and how they are "perfect" and need no detail work, I ask if they picked it up at the factory. "Well....no" they respond.
So.....I will have this conversation with them.
The car was built a month or two ago, maybe more right?
Did it sit outside the factory while waiting for the transport?
Did it go for a ride on a train or car transporter?
Did it sit in a freight terminal during transport?
Did it sit on the dealers lot for awhile?
How good do you think the air is at all the above places? Any chance for industrial pollutants / pollen/ dust / etc. to end up on the paint?
Once it is at the dealer, how well do you think the 'lot person' washed and cared for the car? How many times?
This is when the light bulb flickers and they realize their new car may not be as nice and new as they thought. One swipe with the baggie test and a look with the Brinkman helps it sink in that even a new car isn't really "new" and needs some work.
The paint has usually been exposed to the elements before the actual purchase and any curing, out gassing, etc. is already done it is safe to wax IMO.
Randy
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ace22
Thanks for sharing and beautiful Merc. I just picked up my '14 Audi RS5, and unfortunately it is snowing and a lot of salt on the roads here in Ohio. It was manufactured in Germany 2 months ago. I took the recommendation here for the "no wash" sign at the dealer, and basically drove it home in the snow! Any word of advice...it is hard to leave it alone while it looks sooooo dirty with the road salt covering it.
Before (after unwrapping):
Attachment 23993
After drive home:
Attachment 23994
My plan of attack:
Wash (Duragloss wash), clay (Meg's clay with UWW+), polish (Meg's Ultimate polish), and seal (Adam's new liquid paint sealant) once the weather breaks. Any advice/tips on my choice of products? Thanks and keep up the great work Mike and AG team!
Congrats on the new ride, it's awesome.
That second picture makes me so thankful I live in Florida. :wow:
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Nice answer ZimRandy, thank you for that.
In fact, not so long ago I was one of those who thoughts a brand new car had perfect paint, no contamination and doesn't need any protection at all. What a shame, but for the heck of learning, I have to admit it.
For some time I'm trying to convince others how important is to take care of the car as soon as you take it off the dealer's lot. And this topic came in a very nice hour.
Your (Randy) answer also added a lot to my educational plan.
What I'm seeing nowadays is I'm dealing with newer vehicles (~4-6 months old, only), and they all (depending on use, of course) almost looks like crap because of the 'wrong way of thinking' a new car don't need any detail or care.
My customers are learning it the hard way (seeing their investments looking crap after so little time after buying)...
If a new car goes from dealer directly to a detailer, it'll looks it's best for as long as it's maintained. If the new car owner don't care for it, I'm seeing that in few months the car can have a real bad look and feel.
The worst is that in my region, after the car start looking this crap, people take them to an inexperienced guy with a rotary buffer to finish the damage on their cars and fill the crevices with infamous 'TOGWA'!... only then they look for a better approach, and we must face all this damage at once.
When we give the price, the customer say: WOW, That Expensive?! My car is new!
That's common here where I am.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts,
Kind Regards.
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Tato
Nice answer ZimRandy, thank you for that.
Your (Randy) answer also added a lot to my educational plan.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts,
Kind Regards.
No problem. Good luck with education plan. I think that is a great first step with a customer.
I just had this talk over the weekend with a friend who traded in his 2011 Duramax crew cab dually for a 2014. I gave his old truck a quick once over and removed some paint transfer before the trade (where he received compliments and top dollar due to it's condition! :xyxthumbs: ). They actually remembered that he had a 'detail guy' but they still washed the new truck for him. Ugh.
When he bought his 2011, he gave strict orders not to wash it and not to put their sticker on it as it was going to his detailer (me) right away. They still washed it and put the dealership sticker on and when he pointed it out they offered to "buff it off" and remove the sticker.:eek:
He has asked me to seal his new truck and told me it should be nearly perfect and won't need any buffing. After going through the history of the truck and all the hands that may have touched it before he picked it up, he agreed that it probably needs a light buff before it is sealed. The truck was found on another dealer's lot and driven 150 miles to the dealer where he picked it up so the history is unknown from the time of the build.
So guess who gets to polish and Opti Coat a huge 2014 Duramax crew cab dually over Christmas break? Oh yeah, it is black, too. :D
Randy
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Nice story, Thank you for that.
Good luck on your opti coat, luckily your friend have someone like you. He will be nothing but amazed with the investment. I always like to start correct right from the beginning (if that makes sense in english!).
Kind Regards.
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I got my car Sept 10th, 2011 and is was driven, by the salesman, 451 miles to the delaership I bought it from. At the time I had Zaino Z-5 pro and VFX and applied 3 coats the next day after a good wash and clay. I feel there is no need to wait, just check the paint and do what you've gotta do and get with it!
Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Why did you use the medium grade Nanoskin Autosrub on a new car? I've always heard to use fine grade on anything other than a highly contaminated older car as the medium has a decent chance of maring. Which on an older car will need to be compounded and polished anyway doing away withany marring.
Thanks for this post. I've seen too often the outdated idea that you have to wait a month after buying a new car to coat/seal.
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ClayR
Why did you use the medium grade Nanoskin Autoscrub on a new car?
Wanted to make sure 100% I removed EVERYTHING off the surface the first pass around while also doing the procedure as fast as I could.
I machine scrubbed the entire car as I found above surface contaminants on the horizontal panels as well as the vertical panels.
I then machine polished all the panels. The use the paint prep polish and then hand applied the coating. All in all from start to finish it took me 6 hours including doing the wheels, tires and glass which I didn't include in the write-up nor took pictures of either.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ClayR
I've always heard to use fine grade on anything other than a highly contaminated older car as the medium has a decent chance of marring. Which on an older car will need to be compounded and polished anyway doing away with any marring.
Amazing thing... after using the Medium Grade over the car both the owner and I inspected using both the Brinkmann Swirl Finder Light, (fully charged), and the Rupes Swirl Finder Pen Light, and neither of us could see any marring anywhere.
I'm going to credit this to the Ceramiclear finish. I've posted this multiple times on this forum but here it goes again...
I'm a HUGE fan of Ceramiclear paints.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ClayR
Thanks for this post. I've seen too often the outdated idea that you have to wait a month after buying a new car to coat/seal.
Urban legends die hard...
:)
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
There is a way to get your car directly from the factory if you want to pick it up 'factory fresh'. :xyxthumbs:
You can order a Corvette with the option R8C that allows you to pick up the car at the Bowling Green, KY factory / Musuem.
National Corvette Museum - Museum Delivery
Quote:
We are thrilled to offer the Museum Delivery program to new Corvette Owners. It is an adventure like no other and a memorable addition to your new Corvette purchase. Hundreds of enthusiasts take delivery of their new Corvette at the Museum each year … Let our team be part of your new Corvette purchase.
How It All Starts: NCM Delivery is referred to as OPTION "R8C" and is available through any Chevrolet Dealer at a cost of $990.00. It must be specified at the time the order is finalized and a special Ship Code of "184590" must also be used to identify your Corvette for Museum Delivery.
The Communications: After a TARGET PRODUCTION WEEK has been established, the National Corvette Museum will contact the selling dealer and/or the customer and offer a reasonable time frame in which the customer can choose a date for delivery. This contact will normally occur approximately two weeks prior to the TARGET PRODUCTION WEEK allowing ample time for the customer to make travel arrangements. The Museum will confirm the date, agreed upon by customer, in writing and will handle all further communications. If at any time the selling dealer and/or customer should have any questions regarding the delivery, they may contact the Museum at 1-800-205-4248.
The Paperwork: Customers must arrive at the NCM with the following items before a delivery can take place:
A License Plate or Temporary Tag
Proof of Ownership
(Bill of sale, etc.)
Proof of Insurance
Valid Operator's License
Dealer Acknowledgement form
The Delivery: The customer arrives at the NCM with up to three additional guests of age 7 and up, total (4) and is welcomed with signs commemorating the event. They are taken to the Corvette Assembly Plant (located across the street from the NCM) for their own NCM Delivery Team guided VIP tour (when available). Museum Delivery customers will be transported to the Corvette Assembly Plant for a tour in a GM courtesy vehicle. All non-GM vehicles driven by guests wishing to transport themselves is acceptable and has a designated area. View complete plant required guidelines here.
A personal, special VIP guided tour of the NCM is conducted where they will see their Corvette on display. Next, a member of the NCM Delivery Team provides a quality orientation followed by a thorough delivery presentation of their new vehicle. A unique gold decal is placed on the inside of the drivers door jamb to signify the importance of this memorable occasion.
The customer is presented with an individual one year NCM membership*.
*Memberships which come with our R8C Museum Delivery program are upgradable.
What to Wear/What to Bring: Closed toe shoes (no sandals) are a requirement for all visitors to the plant. No cameras, backpacks, purses, fanny packs, or other packages or containers may be brought into the plant except by special request (for medical reasons, etc.). Cameras are welcome at the Museum.
Post Delivery: A commemorative nameplate (with the customer's name, date of delivery and VIN) is ordered for the participant the day of delivery. The nameplate will then be shipped directly to the customer. Exclusive NCM Delivery merchandise may also be ordered by participants.
Lodging: The Museum proudly recommends our business member hotels, motels, campgrounds and bed and breakfasts. Business Members Lodging.
Car rental from Nashville BNA Airport: Enterprise Rent-A-Car has special rates and services for R8C participants arriving at the Nashvile airport. One is a round trip rental and the other is a one way rental where the car can be left at the NCM. Use the links below to make reservations on the Enterprise web site.
Some of my customers have done this and think it is pretty cool.
Randy
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
custmsprty
Congrats on the new ride, it's awesome.
That second picture makes me so thankful I live in Florida. :wow:
Back atcha...I've been partial to black cars, and I love your Genesis! Yes, road salt is a part of daily life up here in the winter!
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Hey all, I just detailed my truck the other day, my question is, when is the next time you usually wax your vehicle?
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
preet16
Hey all, I just detailed my truck the other day, my question is,
when is the next time you usually wax your vehicle?
That's all up to you... There's a saying,
Nothing looks better than a freshly waxed car
If you want your car to have that just waxed look then just wax your car.
But seriously, the next time you would wax your car really depends on how you maintain the car after waxing it balanced against your expectations for how you want your car to look.
I like my truck to look like I just waxed it all the time. Wheels and tires too...
Check out this article...
How to maintain a freshly waxed car
:dblthumb2:
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
There is a grain of truth to the "wait before you wax a new car" myth. It stems from the import quotas on Japanese cars that started around 1984.
The country was in a very deep recession. The domestic manufacturers were getting the stuffing knocked out of them by the Japanese. So, "voluntary" import quotas were imposed. Naturally, the economy turned around fairly abruptly just about the time the import quotas were imposed. If you wanted to buy a Japanese car, you would go to the dealer who would have a grease pencil board with the type of car and its expected arrival date. You would negotiate up from msrp. [yes! really!].
The Japanese practiced "just in time" manufacturing practices. So, a car destined for the U.S. market would roll off the assembly line and then sprayed with a thick, vasoline-like substance for the sea journey. The car would arrive in the U.S., and be cleaned, I suppose at the dealer, where the buyer would pick up the car in a day or two. The proud purchaser would then instantly wax his car. All-in-all, the car might spend three or four days without a coating on its paint. It would not have a full chance to cure. The paint would fade. I know, because I was one of those people.
As so many have pointed out, the wait-before-you-wax thing has no application today.
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
A lot of American manufacturers practice just-in-time as well. My car was built on 11/26 with parts that had arrived at the factory within 24 hours of the start of production. I received it on 12/5. BUT, the paint was baked on at the factory and was applied by a robot in minutes. Out gassing isn't really a concern here.
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Umm...
I think this is trick question. The answer is NEVER !!!
Coat it, get the best protection possible to start with...
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TroyScherer
Umm...
I think this is trick question. The answer is NEVER !!!
Coat it, get the best protection possible to start with...
Mike generally writes his articles for a broad audience, such as an audience that might google something like "When can I wax my new car". For some, wax is as far as they know anything about. Even Meguiars markets their consumer grade paint sealant as a wax.
And, some of us still like a sealant/wax combo :)
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Romans5.8
Mike generally writes his articles for a broad audience, such as an audience that might google something like "When can I wax my new car". For some, wax is as far as they know anything about. Even Meguiars markets their consumer grade paint sealant as a wax.
And, some of us still like a sealant/wax combo :)
<FacePalm>
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Romans5.8
Mike generally writes his articles for a broad audience, such as an audience that might Google something like
"When can I wax my new car".
Correct. AGO attracts a very diverse audience from total beginners to seasoned pros and everyone in-between.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Romans5.8
For some, wax is as far as they know anything about. Even Meguiars markets their consumer grade paint sealant as a wax.
Correct. They know the attention span of "Joe Consumer" is short and they only have seconds to capture the retail store sale. So instead of calling NXT Tech Wax something like NXT Teach Sealant, or fill-in-the-blank, they kept it very simple and used the word WAX.
We here in the forum world all know it's a synthetic paint sealant but in the real world you have about 3-5 seconds to get the attention of the average person looking to purchase a car wax and if the bottle doesn't say "wax" like Turtle Wax you risk losing the sale to the bottle that does say wax.
I'm actually a big fan of keeping names short and accurate but understand the marketing side too...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Romans5.8
And, some of us still like a sealant/wax combo :)
I like using a finishing wax on most of the hot rods and classics that we work on here at Autogeek because it's fairly easy for the owners to then do the follow-up care because it's very simple and straight forward.
:)
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
BTW, did your niece ever allow you to perform a full detail? How does she feel about detailing now? I know I've learn a lot since I bought a new 2013 3 years ago when I said to myself I will take care of this one and learned how. Just wondering....
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
So I have a brand new F150 that is a little over a week old that I ordered. The dealer did wash it once and it appears they did not induce alot of scratches. I had some paint protection film installed and it looks good they did decontaminate before installing the film on the areas where it was installed. Now I want to protect the rest of the truck. I plan on getting a DA Flex but and really never done much machine polishing a little on my old Tundra and it turned out pretty good . My question is if I don't really see any scratches in the new paint and clay every thing first and don't feel any obvious defects should I still polish anything prior to a sealant and wax ? Seems like doing so would just be accelerating paint wear. The hard part for me is selecting the right products so any recommendations would be welcome. Or any criticisms as well.
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Brand new car off the assembly line 1 week ago(prep work?)
Hello everyone,i am new to this site and using optimum sealant gloss syringe.
I ordered the opti gloss and opti prep for removing dealer wax,2017 honda cr-v white in color.
I did order proper micro fiber towels and such applicators too.
when looking at the car with great lighting inch by inch i cannot see any swirls or marks of any kind at all.
My question is should i just (1 )wash with no rinse was and shine (2)use opti prep,and (3) use opti seal.
i didn't know if i need any other prep if it looks perfect hard to believe but true.car was built 9 days ago.do i need to polish if it looks great.
I am new to site and sealants,thank you very much ahead of time!!
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
eyebanger welcome to the forum! Even with a brand new car I would still use Iron-X and clay before coating my car. Even if it looks perfect there may be contamination you can't see. Try the baggie test (put your hand in a plastic baggie and rub it on the paint) if it feels perfectly smooth you may be alright to prep and coat. I still would decon my paint to be sure it was clean before coating. Again, welcome!
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Re: How long to wait before waxing a brand new car?
Hey rimccarty, if I use the baggie test and it's smooth, but feel tiny bumps under the baggie, I imagine a clay bar is in order? The car is only 3 months old, well 3 months since delivery, and I waxed it once. You had posted on one of my threads about Xpel. I'm looking to get it done the end of the month. Would a polishing with a DA polisher fix that? If so, I'll have my installer do it, as I don't own one yet. Didn't think I'd need to Iron-X a brand new car, but maybe yes? Maybe have him decon the areas to be Xpeled?
Wish I knew about this forum before I took delivery, and not 2 months after. Enough info to make your head spin!