wash, clay, polish, wax etc ?

lwing18 said:

For new car. What is recommended regarding having or not having the sealant done by the dealer?

If it is a good idea, what is the routine afterwards?

If not a good idea, what is a good routine?

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I wouldn't even let the dealer wash your car.

First thing I would do is wash the car with a good quality car wash product. My favorite consumer version is Meguiars Gold Class Car Wash. The main thing you are looking for in a car wash product is lubricity so that you don't swirl the paint while you are washing. I would also recommend a good natural sheepskin wool mit (look inside, it should look like raw leather). Use two buckets to wash (one with clean water the other with water/soap). Rinse the wash mitt in the clean water after washing each panel and then get soap on the mitt and go to the next panel. This will ensure that you remove debris as you go. After you wash and rinse, take the nozzle off the hose and starting at the top let the water flow over the paint causing it to sheet carrying most of the water away. This way you minimize drying time. I like to use waffle weave microfiber towels for drying. I get them from www.pakshak.com, good prices and awesome customer service. Microfiber is one of those "best thing since sliced bread" items that everyone serious about car care should have.

Next clay the car as they typically are shipped via rail and rail dust is common . My favorite kit is the Mothers Clay bar kit but, Meguiars has updated the clay in their Quik Clay kit and I hear it is really good as well. Just make sure you use plenty of spray and kneed the clay often to expose a new clean side. I would use microfiber towels to wipe up.

Next step is usually paint cleaning/polishing. This is optional since you have a new car. If your dealer has already installed swirls for you than you might want to do it. A good consumer product widely available that would work well here is Meguiars Body Scrub Paint Cleaner. It is a mild abrassive. I like to use foam applicator pads here and microfiber towels to wipe up.

Next is a pure polish or often called glazes. A good consumer version is Meguiars Deep Crystal Step 2. There are no abrassives in this, you apply it like a wax to the whole car, let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it off. It will add that deep wet gloss that we all like.

Last step I would probably go with Meguiars NXT Tech Wax. It is a polymer sealant that offers the durability of a polymer with the look of a carnauba. You apply it thin, let it sit for about 15 minutes or so and then wipe off. You will want to let the car sit for a while after you wipe it off to let NXT Tech Wax fully cure. This will give you the best results.

That is what I would do

Dealer "paint protection" is a scam that usually about $200-$500 and costs him $10 to do. It is not that great either.

start here: http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2693&highlight=new+car

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My GT

rjstaaf said:

I wouldn't even let the dealer wash your car.

....

That is what I would do

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agreed

might want to substitute 3M fine cut rubbing compound or Meg's SMR 2.0 for the polish step

LouisianaZJ said:

agreed

might want to substitute 3M fine cut rubbing compound or Meg's SMR 2.0 for the polish step

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Good suggestion, I was just trying to stick with products easily found at most any auto parts store WalMart or Target. If you can find them good substitutes would be.

Meguiars Body Scrub Paint Cleaner - Meguiars #9 Swirl Mark Remover
Meguiars Deep Crystal Step 2 - Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze

Mr Clean Autodry

What sort of towels do you guys use to apply/take off the wax coats?

I have these really soft finishing cloths. They're sorta like the material hanes t-shirts are made of. I like them because they're smooth and don't leave alot of lint.

apply= foam applicators
remove= microfiber towels

Forget the dealer -- just keep up the new car with good washings, cleanings and polish and wax. This will keep your car looking new.

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