I just picked up a brand new tc cobalt. I opted not to get the dealer protection package in favor of doing it myself. Which steps should I take to protect the paint and keep it looking good. Reccomended products?

 

Ask hatrickstu..... hes an expert.

 

Just go over the paint with a good car wash and a few layers of wax.

I generally use Meguiers Cleaner Wax
then a coat of Meguirs Gold Glass Paste Wax.

Great shine, not a lot of hassle.

Or check out detail thread by hatrickstu in the How-To section

 

I read his detail but im not sure which of those steps apply to a brand new vehicle. Im assuming claying for example would not be needed.

 

Check out stus How-To. Browse autopia.org and autogeek.net. Everything you need.

 

Believe it or not, new cars are sold with very little prep work to them, there's many factors but the most commons are , money that they don't want to spend or not having true qualify people to do such of jobs which takes us back to spending money, sure the car will shine out of the lot but that's about it, I have encounter many dealerships that will wash the car, apply a quick spray wax, which will provide the "temporary look and feel" of a wax but wont last for an extended period.

You be amaze of what you will see if you clay your "Brand New Car" I won't tell you but if you do it, you will be the judge of that, with that said, I could go through the entire steps to ensure you start right on the correct track, I could do

Wash ( make sure you use a good quality washing cloth
Clay ( don't drop it if you do is garbage) unless you use our oxidation block
Wash Again
Dry Very important step, you dry it with the wrong towel and the swirl marks will be your very best friend.
Pre Wax
Wax

Hope that helps and congratulations on you new ride !

 

What he said...All they do at dealers is just spray them with quick detailer and call it a day. Most cars on the lots will have bonded contaminants that must be clayed off before waxxing.

 

Most new cars come standard with DIS (Dealer Installed Swirls). Mostly a result of the hackjob detailers many of those places use. They'll wash 50 cars with the same mitt, put on a heavy glaze, then wax it to seal it all in. The result is a decent looking finish that will be gone in about a week, but the swirls remain.

What I would recommend right off the bat, is to buy a decent quality wash and dry package. You'll want at minimum:

(2) 5-Gallon Buckets (One for soap, one for rinse)
(1) Sheepskin or similar wash mitt (Don't use a old sponge or towels)
(1) Good quality wash soap (Don't use dish detergent)
(2) Waffle Weave Drying Towels (These towels absorb like crazy, but are soft enough not to marr the finish)

You'll also want to look into a good clay bar kit, some decent quality microfiber towels, a quick detailer, and a decent wax.

Check out TurboWax as they are a supporting vendor, but if your asking what I use, here it is.

 

wow i'm pretty lucky then. my dealer actually waxed it. i watched them do it, i was bored stiff after a 2 hour negotiation. now they didnt bother waxing the door jambs and etc.

 

I was planning on picking up Meguiar's 3 step wash stuff. What is everyones opinion on that?

 

i would recommend a site such as mequiars.com forum and just read and read. i personally use mequiars products on the SHOW coug and it always looks amazing. i glaze it enough that i never see swirls but soon i will be investing in a wheel. either way most dealers really don't do much. they really do just spray wax and stuff. i rarely see Teph Seal do much unless its a dark color. they do good work but indeed they are lazy.

 

no.

do not wax it yet. if you can find out the build date. that paint needs to cure for 60-90 days. i typically wait 2 months before putting wax on a new car. it is crucial that you take the right steps in those 2 months because of the raw paint though. try and not let the sun dry water on it (rain even). get some good SOFT microfiber towels and use those to dry. do not drop them, and do not use fabric softner. make sure you get a good soap, turbowax's is one kind.

 

Most people will say it's good stuff. Meguiers is the one brand you can buy in stores that I see on detailing forums that people really don't disagree on. Is there better stuff out there yes, but it's all in the application, skill, and preference. If you're a first time detailer, I'd start with meguiers. I did and now moving on to different products to try them out.

 

Agreed, I never wax a new car for atleast 45 days & it should be polished 1st >>> then waxed! 3 years later now my car still looks new!

 

Wow I have never heard of this no waxing for a certain amount of time. Do you have any sources on not doing this?

 

Just go to any autobody shop and ask ha.

But here you go.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_you..._new_paint_job

 

yea stu is the ****. he will answer

 

Wow alright, so I should look up my build date and wait 45 days or so.

 

As long as your paint job is 2-3 months old... wax that baby up! If hatricksu finds this he will prolly comment... I took a clay bar and wax to mine. Time well spent imo.

 

i already commented guys!

 

wow.. I learned something important in this thread.

My 09 SS/TC has a build date.. week of 8/18 ( COMING UP SOON !!!

First thing I was going to do was detail it ( including waxing). Problem is.. if I wait 60 days after getting my car... it will be the beg. of December .. and here in Michigan.. you don't wax and wash your cars by hand in decemeber...

God I cannot wait to get to Phoenix!!!!! 70 degrees in January FTMFW!

Edit: O btw.. thanks to Stu and everyone for info as always.

 

hmm that is a **** poor situation to be in. my suggestion:

see if a local body shop or performance shop will let you use a bay. rent it out for a couple hours. when it comes time for the wax

 

Yeah or put a heater in your garage and do it there.

 

i know it doesnt get as cold here, but i also detail in the winter. it blows washing a car while its snowing, but ive done it

 

X2. I waited 2 months and 2 weeks before I detailed mine.