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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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

Home

Might want to review this thread for some good info: http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...rotection.html

Is a Clay bar really an abrasive?

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

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

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. :shakes head:

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...

Zaino
 

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

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.

+1