We've had our new car for a little over a month now. I don't know off the top of my head when it was made, but how long after you purchase a car should you wait to wax it?
Also, how often should wax it? How often should you clay bar it?
Are there any other precautions I should take in order to make the paint last a long time?
No need to wait at all. When the car was built, it sat outside in a huge lot for at least a couple of weeks before it was shipped. It may have taken another week, or longer to reach the dealer. It likely sat on the dealer lot for at least a week, before they got around to cleaning it up. The car is painted & run through an oven before any assembly takes place, so the paint is baked on. Everyone used to say, "Wait at least 30 days before waxing", but that old wives tale no longer applies. I say...break out the clay bar.
____________________ If you can't read this, you're illiterate.
manninej, Id say about every 6 months on the clay barring. Its a detailed and long process, so you dont want to try and do it every month or something like that. In addition, it takes a little bit for the debris to build up to the point of needing to be clay barred.
Id do it at least just before the winter sets in so you have everything cleaned up to deal with any road salt and to deal with the fact that as it gets colder you're gonna be less likely to was the vehicle. Then clay bar it again about the end of spring to clean all the winter stuff off and to deal with all dirt and debris of summer.
Id say clay bar it around September or October, then again March or April. That should keep that beautiful car in tip top shape.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
I clay bar mine once per year in the spring. Why? Well, I'm lazy. But the other reason is that claybar is an abrasive and removes a small amount of paint each time you use it. I like to do it in spring to get all the winter road crap off it, so it can look its best for the summer.
____________________ If you can't read this, you're illiterate.
I agree, I clay bar my car in the spring to pull off all the winter crap. I'm able to wash my car alot in the summer so I don't bother clay baring in the fall. Again it's just my opinion, some people wax there car every week.
____________________ Honda's are like assholes, everyone has one.
No need to wait to wax your car - as stated, the paint has had ample time to cure.
Claybarring - my rule of thumb is once in the Spring when she's been through the winter and then in the Autumn to get rid of the summer dirt, dust and stains.
Mind you, you can always spot clay bar if you've found an area with tree sap stains or some stubborn tar or bug guts that have baked in.
Another good way to help keep the surface a little more clean from desbris like that is to use a California Car Duster (love mine) and from time to time be sure to try using a Quick detailer with a nice cotton terry is great and helps keep a gloss to your hard work.
If you don't clean and Wax CKA - kiss your paint's finish goodbye. It will fade, stain and be brutalized by rocks, sand, chemicals and the rain. If you want to consider it like adding a UV protectant to your skin when you're out at the beach or protective glasses when doing sanding etc. It will also help you keep the value of the car - even though they devalue the moment you drive it off the lot...it helps to keep the outside up just as much as the engine.
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
Since I don't like to clay bar and wax or clean.....and I keep my SVTF for 10 years....will the amount of money I save on waxes, car washes, clay bars, California whatevers...be enough to get a new paint job????
____________________ 02 SVT Focus, CD Silver, No. 2032.
Good question, but what if u never want 2 wax? What happens? Anything bad??
