So I just got my new 08 Z and I was wondering what I should do to it to keep my baby new and shiny for a long time to come?

I read the sticky on detailing, my last car was a truck and I had that "professionally" waxed every 3-4 month (there's only one local shop and they seem to do a pretty good job but it's a black truck and I could tell there would usually be swirl marks-- not sure if they actually caused them but I thought a good wax would take this out??)

Anyways, should I just go through the whole wash/polish/seal number? Is it necessary to polish a new car? I don't really have a lot of extra time to spend on this so I like the option of the synthetic sealants. However, does this mean when I'm ready to put another sealant on I HAVE to polish it too? It's a silver alloy Z BTW.

The other option would be to have the shop wax it every 2 month or so... but I was kinda worried about them "messing up". Is this a legitimate fear or is it very difficult to do any real damage with waxing? (I understand you could really mess up a finish with a polish but I wasn't sure with waxes).

Thanks for the input!!

Alex

 

Me personally clay multi stage polish wax for a noob clay it and wax it.

 

Take the time to learn how to detail the car yourself, it will reap rewards in the long run.

Clay
Polish
Wax

A light polish is required on most new finishes. You would be surprised what the dealers let go off their lots.

 

Any advice on which clay to get? I've heard of a few out there.. not sure if one is better than another?

And it looks like you guys are saying to stay away from the polymer sealants?

 

wax is not what hides swirl marks polish is what makes it look nice then wax to seal the polish for even more gloss, but if you're gonna do all that clay it first. use the original dawn to wash the car, reason for that is because dawn does a good job in taking off old wax or whatever else you put on the paint before. step 2 clay it then wash it again just to take off any left over dirt or whatever may be on the paint then polish and wax. So then you wont have to do this whole procedure for a while all you gotta do is wash regularly and wax from time to time. i use maguairs clay you can get it for like $15 at walmart, it does the job and comes with everything you'll need except for the polish. for polish there are many options out there some doing a better job on certain colors than others. check out Zaino products, idk the website name just google it i guess

 

Please don't use a dawn wash like mentioned above, that's so 1990! There are plenty of better alternatives like CGs citrus wash that will remove wax.

I would suggest clay through www.detailedimage.com, a sponsor here. I prefer Claymagic.

 

yes please dont use dawn to wash your car. if you dont have a citrus wash just wash it regualr and then clar, and if you are going to be buying zanio or really any other type wax and are worried about bonding issues just do a alcohol wipe down. also if you want to get a good care care kit buy from some one like detailedimage, they have all kinds of great car kare kits. Im sure they could even put one togatehr for you. and if you are looking to step up to a very high quilty wax you could use migliores waxes, i heard only great things about there waxes here on the fourms and other fourms. as i am loooking into getting some. but good luck

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Just wondering.. what's so horrible about using dawn? It seems like it would certainly get the job done as an inexpensive option.

Also about how much should a complete detail kit cost: as in
1) PC buffer
2) pads and whatever
3) polish
4) sealant and/or wax
5) Good wash solution
6) Prolly need some hi quality towels as well

Thanks!

 

its okay to use dawn if you really dont have anything else at the moment, its not like youre gonna be doing that process all the time so it wont hurt a thing. im not even sure dawn can even hurt anything ive looked into it and it seems people are not having any issues but idk , im sure there is always some1 with a problem which might be because of other reasons but blaming dawn for it

 

dishwashing soaps or detergents often use strong cleaning agents that could possibly fade or deteriorate your clearcoat. I agree as stated above, if you do not have any citrius wash, continue to wash as usual, clay bar then wash again. 2 step polish such as Menzerna Intensive polish with an orange cutting pad can usually strip old instances of protection as well.