New Car and "cleaner waxes"

[carbonboy]

I bought a new car with a Black Sapphire Metallic Clearcoat finish in October. When I clean and wax it for Spring, do I really want to use a "cleaner wax" and polish as the surface is still close to near perfect?

I'm thinking a good wash and wax is all that I need.

[Murr1525]

If your car's paint has no defects like swirls, no contaminants on it, etc, then wax would be all you need. However, getting a car to come from a dealership like that is almost impossible. And then if you went all winter with nothing on it, there will probably be a lot of bonded contaminats.

Just putting a wax over an unprepped surface is going to reduce the looks and durability of any wax.

If you are trying to keep things to a bare minimum, then I would at least use a cleaner/wax, and then top it with a regular wax.

But doing a full detail will raise your results further. Perhaps these 2 threads would be a good read for you.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain


Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

[Accumulator]

Since most Meguiar's cleanerwaxes are either nonabrasive or *very* mildly abrasive, I wouldn't hesitate to use them. And yeah, I'd certainly clay first too.

[imacarnut]

colorx + nxt =

[Tom Weed]

Just to add to Murr's comments, if you wanted to cut down on your steps and still get good results, I would suggest using a mild clay bar and then using a good wax or cleaner wax.
You will be surprised on how dirty a clay bar will become even on a new car and slick the surface will feel once you have used it.

Tom

[Murr1525]

I am looking forward to trying ColorX + #21.

[RCBuddha]

Originally posted by Murr1525
I am looking forward to trying ColorX + #21.

It's a really nice combo Murr, I use ColorX often as a base for 21 or 20.