Just wondering what the concensus was on how soon after bringing your new car home you should wax her. I'm assuming one can do so immediately, but is it preferable?

Any thoughts...?

Thanks.

 

I've heard that waxing is fine but, you don't want to buff it until the paint has had about 1 yr to cure. I follow this and have had no problems

 

The paint is baked. Wax away! Regarding buffing, you usually buff out a car as part of the painting process. Basically, within days of painting the car. There are no limitations with factory paint. For typical body shop paint work you want to wait about 60 days.

Hold the phone! I just noticed the author of the post! Does this mean you finally have the car?!?!?

 

You can wax right away. I found I had a lot of "rail dust" on mine that was stuck to the paint so even though it was brand new I had to clay bar it first to get the finish free of all foreign materials before I waxed it.

 

Thanks guys. That's pretty much what I figured. The dealership is gonna have one of the lot dudes do a handwash for me, but that obviously won't include a claybar treatment, so I figured I would at least wash it myself when it comes home.

Still trying to decide which wax/polish to use. Was seriously considering Zaino, but I think it's just too much work for me right now. Thinking about going with the Meguiars NXT tech wax - though I do have about a half-bottle of Nu-Finish left that I might just use initially.

 

If all goes according to plan, I will be bringing her home late tomorrow afternoon.

I saw the new tires on it yesterday, God they look

 

Usually they recommend about 30 days...so if you receive her the end of May...you're probably okay...I would wait until the second or third week in June (based on your build date) to be safe...

 

I've used both the NuFinish and the NXT Tech, I like the Meguiars better. It is just as easy to use, and seems to give a better shine and seems to bead water longer.

 

I think I'd skip the Nu-Finish personally. You'd do just fine with some simple Meguiar's Carnauba for starters. If the paint is clean just put a couple coats on. Down the road you'll need to use a cleaner before applying the way. Stay away from cleaner/waxes. They're not very effective.

 

My wheels/tires will be coming off as soon as I get home from the dealer. I'll hang on to them long enough to get the sensors out, them they're going on ebay (or in the F/S section if anyone might want spanky new Bullitts).

 

I waxed mine with Meguir's NXT the day after it arrived.

 

RobK: 17" or 18"??

 

Yeah, sorry, 17". I knew I'd be swapping them out so I didn't see the point in paying for an upgrade. I picked up a take-off set of Fanblades on ebay for $400 that I'll use for snows.

 

Just my opinion, but I'd really really really recommend you buy the full Zaino show car set (~$115) and go to town. As mentioned previously, the 30 day thing doesn't apply to a new car because they bake the paint at the factory at higher temps, no plastic to melt like a completed car at a body shop. As such, the paint is cured already.

Due to the transportation via rail car, there is a coating of metal dust from the wheels / brakes on the trains already on your car. Use a claybar and strip that thing down, then build up your wax / polish / glaze coating on it with the Zaino right away. I did mine less than 2 weeks after I got the car and couldn't believe how much crap the clay bar removed.

Enjoy the new car!

 

+1.....it's worth the work and time to do it with Zaino!

 

Good luck finding that Zano on this coast anyway, stuff I had used Meguiars NXT on my 05 & now my 07 and its great.

 

You can find it the same place I did even on your coast!

http://www.zainostore.com/

 

I actually used to preach the benefits of Zaino myself on these forums, because I've seen the results firsthand - and they're pretty impressive.

It's ordered off the web, so anyone can place an order for it.

My problem is the complexity and the multi-multi-multi step process involved...and the time waiting between coats.

Then there's the fact that you have to hunt down and find white, Ecuadorian towels made with the wool of virgin Alpine sheep, yada, yada, yada...blah, blah, blah.

I have to go away this weekend in the car, so for the short haul - to get it done relatively fast tomorrow night - I'm thinking of just a wash, claybar...and then Meguiars NXT wax.

Besides which, I noticed (and I think I actually started the thread/poll) that when asked, people around here ranked NXT and Zaino about equally.

I may try Zaino before year's end, though...just to decide for myself.

 

I just spent some time on Zaino's site (didn't really pay attention to previous posts regarding it). Man, it sounds like I'd need to set aside a weekend to get the car done! My question is, on a daily driver, how long will an application last? My car will be black so I'll likely be washing it every other day. If I was using normal wax I would probably be polishing/glazing/waxing it every 3 months or so.

 

If you've got black, Zaino - in point of fact - may be your best choice. I suspect it will protect and beautify black better than any other product.

From what people have said, it's good for almost six months, so you might only have to set aside two weekends a year to get 'er done.

My own personal view from the research I've done, is that after Zaino, NXT is probably the next best commerically available product.

Incidentally, Carnuba is great, but it only lasts three weeks maximum, and washing or rain will remove it almost immediately.