Questions about wash & wax

edeeZee · 05-20-2009, 12:36 PM

I got my 370 a little less than a month ago, and realize that when I first got it (after delivery from the dealership), the paint, body, etc. felt smooth like glass. I washed it twice since then (anal about bird-droppings), and realize that the wax is most likely washed off. It doesn't have the smooth, glass-like texture to it anymore. I read on car-care sites, that you got to wax it in order for it to get that "glass-like" silkiness.

Can anyone recommend what brands of wax to use, and how to wax a car properly, or anything related to this? Thanks much.

YamahaR6 · 05-20-2009, 12:45 PM

I always use meguiars products. But before you polish/wax, use a clay bar.

http://www.meguiars.com/estore/produ...ectionID=11201

This will make your paint glass smooth.

After Clay, do Polish and last Wax.

ocfoilist · 05-20-2009, 01:25 PM

Same here. The day after I picked mine up, I cleaned it with a clay bar, applied Meguire's cleaner wax, then a couple of coats of NXT from Meguire's. For the NXT, I definitely noticed that multiple coats add to the depth of shine. Very good water beading as well.

If you haven't gotten a clear bra for the car, I highly recommend that asap. With all that paint on the front fascia, it's only a matter of time before the rock chips start forming...

fly yellow · 05-20-2009, 01:49 PM

Is it really reccomended to clay bar a brand new car? I don't know what type of contaminants you would be picking up so soon. I know some people don't even reccomend waxing a new car, but I don't agree with that.

I do like the NXT wax as well.

Modshack · 05-20-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fly yellow

Is it really reccomended to clay bar a brand new car? I don't know what type of contaminants you would be picking up so soon.
I do like the NXT wax as well.

Yeah, thet's really not necessary when new. I generally clay about once a year. I've been a fan of the Klasse All in one. It's a polymer. Lay a coat of Pinnacle Sovereign wax over it and you'll have a very nice finish that will go 6 months plus. Good reviews on the NXT stuff too. Both require very little effort to apply/remove. Everyone has their preferences.

edeeZee · 05-20-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocfoilist

.

If you haven't gotten a clear bra for the car, I highly recommend that asap. With all that paint on the front fascia, it's only a matter of time before the rock chips start forming...

What do those run? I'm planning on other things with my funds e.g. Volk wheels and Sparco seats. Uhh, but anysway, my friend got a RX-7 R1 new back in '94. And that thing was notorious for rock chips on the paint. That car was so fragile. I think after the 1st month he owned it, you could see the primer (if it used it) or bare metal beneath the paint.

dad · 05-20-2009, 07:09 PM

Clay only once or twice a year, no more than that! It's an abrasive!

Home

semtex · 05-20-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edeeZee

What do those run? I'm planning on other things with my funds e.g. Volk wheels and Sparco seats. Uhh, but anysway, my friend got a RX-7 R1 new back in '94. And that thing was notorious for rock chips on the paint. That car was so fragile. I think after the 1st month he owned it, you could see the primer (if it used it) or bare metal beneath the paint.

Might want to review this thread for some good info: What do people think of Clear Bra Paint Protection?

YamahaR6 · 05-20-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad

Clay only once or twice a year, no more than that! It's an abrasive!

Home

Is a Clay bar really an abrasive?

edeeZee · 05-20-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Might want to review this thread for some good info: What do people think of Clear Bra Paint Protection?

Already seen it, thanks. I'll stick with traditional black bras probably.

dalparadise · 05-20-2009, 11:28 PM

Bad idea. A vinyl bra will move around in the wind and scratch your car. It's also so 1988.

ocfoilist · 05-21-2009, 03:40 AM

I don't know about other cars, but mine sat in a sea of cars that had been sitting out in a back lot, in the hot sun, with bird crap and abrasive dirt swirling around. Before that, it sat on a dock for a while. Fortunately, a new car is given over to a minimum wage worker to "detail" your car for you when you buy it. For mine, they used a very abrasive wheel cleaner, which stained the clearcoat around the wheel wells. As I ran my hand over the paint, I could feel the fine grit and it didn't just wipe off with a microfibre cloth. The whole "detailing" process took 15 minutes while I waited in the office.

So, to me, the best option was to start from the beginning with a full detailing process. That way I know that I'm not just waxing over months of dirt, tar, bird poop and so forth. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of faith that the quick water rinse that the minimum wage worker uses once a week while on the lot...

DarinFred · 05-21-2009, 08:46 AM

Get a Zaino kit and follow the directions...nuff said.

edeeZee · 05-21-2009, 01:46 PM

How about waxing the plastic headlight, taillight covers? Does it scratch the plastic lenses?

I love my car...but, this 'extra care' is something I didn't anticipate. You see, when I had my Hondas with motor swaps, I just washed once a month or every 2 months with a bucket of dishwasher soap and an chamoise. It was simple.

SiXK · 05-21-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarinFred

Get a Zaino kit and follow the directions...nuff said.

+1

05-20-2009, 12:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
edeeZee Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: s. cali, los angeles Posts: 627 Drives: 09 370z plat 6 speed Rep Power: 266	Questions about wash & wax I got my 370 a little less than a month ago, and realize that when I first got it (after delivery from the dealership), the paint, body, etc. felt smooth like glass. I washed it twice since then (anal about bird-droppings), and realize that the wax is most likely washed off. It doesn't have the smooth, glass-like texture to it anymore. I read on car-care sites, that you got to wax it in order for it to get that "glass-like" silkiness. Can anyone recommend what brands of wax to use, and how to wax a car properly, or anything related to this? Thanks much.

05-20-2009, 01:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
ocfoilist Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 202 Drives: 09 Blue 6m 370zT/S/N Rep Power: 16	Same here. The day after I picked mine up, I cleaned it with a clay bar, applied Meguire's cleaner wax, then a couple of coats of NXT from Meguire's. For the NXT, I definitely noticed that multiple coats add to the depth of shine. Very good water beading as well. If you haven't gotten a clear bra for the car, I highly recommend that asap. With all that paint on the front fascia, it's only a matter of time before the rock chips start forming... __________________ Proud owner of a new 167.2 inch, 3278 lb baby Z! Stillen CBE & G3 Intake // Stillen Lightweight pulley // Stillen Oil Cooler // Goodridge Braided Stainless Steel Brake Lines // ACT HDSS Clutch& Alum Flywheel

05-20-2009, 07:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 25	Clay only once or twice a year, no more than that! It's an abrasive! Home __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

05-21-2009, 03:40 AM	#12 (permalink)
ocfoilist Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 202 Drives: 09 Blue 6m 370zT/S/N Rep Power: 16	I don't know about other cars, but mine sat in a sea of cars that had been sitting out in a back lot, in the hot sun, with bird crap and abrasive dirt swirling around. Before that, it sat on a dock for a while. Fortunately, a new car is given over to a minimum wage worker to "detail" your car for you when you buy it. For mine, they used a very abrasive wheel cleaner, which stained the clearcoat around the wheel wells. As I ran my hand over the paint, I could feel the fine grit and it didn't just wipe off with a microfibre cloth. The whole "detailing" process took 15 minutes while I waited in the office. So, to me, the best option was to start from the beginning with a full detailing process. That way I know that I'm not just waxing over months of dirt, tar, bird poop and so forth. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of faith that the quick water rinse that the minimum wage worker uses once a week while on the lot... __________________ Proud owner of a new 167.2 inch, 3278 lb baby Z! Stillen CBE & G3 Intake // Stillen Lightweight pulley // Stillen Oil Cooler // Goodridge Braided Stainless Steel Brake Lines // ACT HDSS Clutch& Alum Flywheel

05-21-2009, 08:46 AM	#13 (permalink)
DarinFred Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 30 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 16	Zaino Get a Zaino kit and follow the directions...nuff said.

05-20-2009, 12:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
YamahaR6 Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: California Posts: 527 Drives: A Car Rep Power: 17	I always use meguiars products. But before you polish/wax, use a clay bar. http://www.meguiars.com/estore/produ...ectionID=11201 This will make your paint glass smooth. After Clay, do Polish and last Wax.

05-20-2009, 01:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
fly yellow Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 455 Drives: 09 yellow 370z Rep Power: 265	Is it really reccomended to clay bar a brand new car? I don't know what type of contaminants you would be picking up so soon. I know some people don't even reccomend waxing a new car, but I don't agree with that. I do like the NXT wax as well.

05-20-2009, 11:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
dalparadise The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 354 Drives: 2010 Z Roadster T/S Rep Power: 16	Bad idea. A vinyl bra will move around in the wind and scratch your car. It's also so 1988.

05-21-2009, 01:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
edeeZee Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: s. cali, los angeles Posts: 627 Drives: 09 370z plat 6 speed Rep Power: 266	How about waxing the plastic headlight, taillight covers? Does it scratch the plastic lenses? I love my car...but, this 'extra care' is something I didn't anticipate. You see, when I had my Hondas with motor swaps, I just washed once a month or every 2 months with a bucket of dishwasher soap and an chamoise. It was simple.

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