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

i use the nxt 2.0 from meguiars. its easy to apply and you can do it under the sun, although i still wouldn't but it's advertised that way.

the car looks smoking hot after the nxt 2.0. the longer you let the wax dry and easier it is to buff out. that simple.

never waxed the headlights and stuff but i already see some light scratches on my tail lights, probably because of washing though. too hard to keep a car perfect.

Zaino Store

do some research at yahoo.com and google.com about there products, you will be hard pressed to find any thing bad

That's why when you buy a car, you need to special order it, and then specifically them them not to wash/detail the car. Otherwise the paint would be ruined forever.

Zaino isn't like the waxes, at all. It goes right into the paint surface (and seems to make it tougher).

Indcidentally, Sal Zaino recommends a clay bar on new cars, too. The big reason he cites is "brake dust" ... if you think about it, you probably spew as much dust from fresh pads in the first 50 miles as you will in the next 1000. No point in sealing that into your finish.

Please... :rofl2:

I'll have to agree with the Zaino thing. Really great products and definitely worth a look if you are serious about your vehicle.

never ever wash a car with dish wash soap. its to harsh and will remove the wax. dawn and other soaps are made to strip nasty grease with ease. use soap for washing cars, it's less than 10 bucks from auto zone or pepboys.

if you're a lazy arse like me and use your car as dd, use a decent car wash and wax as you dry your car with Prima Hydro.

thing is awesome. :p

on my z and G i use something else cause i spend more time detailing and motorting it. :)

:iagree:

I don't know why are you guys claying your cars. It is a brand new car, unless you have a lot of miles and trips on it I don't see the necessity. :shakes head:

A wash and wax should be good enough for now!

Go try a claybar on a new car and see what you come up with. I'm glad I did.