New Car Detail

LemansE82 · 03-27-2009, 10:29 AM

My car is likely to be in second week of april. In the mean time, I'm planning and buy parts I shouldn't be. Anyhoo...first things first is to make my baby shine and would like to do it right off the get go.

I'm thinking once i pick up from the dealer this is what i'm going to do.

Wash the car.
Clay it
Light pre wax poslish
Wax it.
Take off rims and wax with wheelwax.

Am I missing anything in between or is it too much the first time?

1013mm · 03-27-2009, 11:14 AM

no need to polish if the dealer doesn't wash your car.

gtaday51 · 03-27-2009, 11:17 AM

You can't wax the car when its brand new. I had the same question and BMW NA told me that the paint needs to fully cure before you can wax it. This takes about 3-4 months from your production date.

LemansE82 · 03-27-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtaday51

You can't wax the car when its brand new. I had the same question and BMW NA told me that the paint needs to fully cure before you can wax it. This takes about 3-4 months from your production date.

I've read many threads and most say the paint is cured.
No need to wait.

LemansE82 · 03-27-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzhang

no need to polish if the dealer doesn't wash your car.

I would be using a light non abrasive polish to get all of any thing off the paint. It's like a prewax polish, i'm guessing it's some kind of base layer for the wax.

gtaday51 · 03-27-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXxMLEExXx

I've read many threads and most say the paint is cured.
No need to wait.

Then BMW NA lied to me. Although that wouldnt be the first time.

Its your car. But please dont mess up that LMB. I love that color too much.

LemansE82 · 03-27-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtaday51

Then BMW NA lied to me. Although that wouldnt be the first time.

Its your car. But please dont mess up that LMB. I love that color too much.

Believe me...i don't want to...reason why I want to do this right from the get go. I've been studying and researching all the how too's...man this keeping the paint in mint condition is like a science.

gtaday51 · 03-27-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXxMLEExXx

Believe me...i don't want to...reason why I want to do this right from the get go. I've been studying and researching all the how too's...man this keeping the paint in mint condition is like a science.

Trust me. I hit 10K on the odometer yesterday and I have paint scratches from when the dealer "washed" my car. I'm so pissed. I always washed the right way, with MF towels, etc...and my car is full of scratches.

And never take a spiral brush to your car. Just a tip.

LemansE82 · 03-27-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtaday51

Trust me. I hit 10K on the odometer yesterday and I have paint scratches from when the dealer "washed" my car. I'm so pissed. I always washed the right way, with MF towels, etc...and my car is full of scratches.

And never take a spiral brush to your car. Just a tip.

Thanks...I might just have to call my CA to make sure they don't touch the car.

gtaday51 · 03-27-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXxMLEExXx

Thanks...I might just have to call my CA to make sure they don't touch the car.

They love to do it after service check ups. I went in to get my oil topped off at 9K. Should have been a 5 minute job (and its free). After 15 minutes I was like wheres my car. They said they were washing it. Which makes no sense because I washed the car 2 days before.

Thank God SGM hides scratches well. You can only see them if your within a foot or two of the car.

1013mm · 03-27-2009, 11:51 AM

always tell them not to wash the car... oh the horror...

jmcgraw013 · 03-27-2009, 08:09 PM

Unless you're familiar with claying a car, I would recommend not doing it yourself and not on your new car. I posted my unfortunate experience here on another thread (http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ghlight=horror) and got a lot of valuable feedback and suggestions.

1013mm · 03-27-2009, 08:24 PM

there is no need to really clay a new car anyway.

LemansE82 · 03-28-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcgraw013

Unless you're familiar with claying a car, I would recommend not doing it yourself and not on your new car. I posted my unfortunate experience here on another thread (http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ghlight=horror) and got a lot of valuable feedback and suggestions.

Yea..i clayed many time, it's pretty easy, key is the lubrication.

LemansE82 · 03-28-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzhang

there is no need to really clay a new car anyway.

Yes, the car is new, but it's not fully covered when it's delivered, there will be crap stuck on the clear coat.

Matt60158 · 03-28-2009, 11:28 AM

I agree, if you think the surface of the paint at delivery is free of contamination you are kidding yourself.

1013mm · 03-28-2009, 11:39 AM

not free but washable.

Bones13 · 03-30-2009, 03:08 PM

My car is coming next month also. I splurged and got the griot's buffer, and the one step sealer. While I don't consider myself the fanatic car care specialist, and my car will be a daily driver, I don't plan to try and keep a black car looking good with elbow grease only.

I plan a Dawn wash, and sealing the first nice weekend I get. Most of the posts that I read say its ok to go ahead and buff/wax right after delivery. Consider the fact that most dealerships want to do the 500-700 dollar "sealant" job for you right away anyways... (in case you figure out how much of a rip-off that is)

AchtungF80 · 03-30-2009, 03:18 PM

just get some zaino, a couple of buckets, some good very very soft wash mits, a big bag of microfibers from costco, and dawn soap for the pre-wash and meguiars gold wash for after clay and your good to go.

LemansE82 · 03-30-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bones13

My car is coming next month also. I splurged and got the griot's buffer, and the one step sealer. While I don't consider myself the fanatic car care specialist, and my car will be a daily driver, I don't plan to try and keep a black car looking good with elbow grease only.

I plan a Dawn wash, and sealing the first nice weekend I get. Most of the posts that I read say its ok to go ahead and buff/wax right after delivery. Consider the fact that most dealerships want to do the 500-700 dollar "sealant" job for you right away anyways... (in case you figure out how much of a rip-off that is)

I could be wrong, but I don't think we need to buff or polish a brand new car. The care likely will not have any swirls or marring. Clay would be more then enough before a nice coat of wax.

LemansE82 · 03-30-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achtungE30

just get some zaino, a couple of buckets, some good very very soft wash mits, a big bag of microfibers from costco, and dawn soap for the pre-wash and meguiars gold wash for after clay and your good to go.

I have the zaino and have used it on my S2000...while the protection was there, it just didn't leave the desire shine like a good coat of wax.

AchtungF80 · 03-30-2009, 03:30 PM

I never had this problem...what Z#s and how many applications did you put on?

After 1-coat of of Zaino polish, i'm already satisfied.

03-27-2009, 10:29 AM	#1
LemansE82 Formally known as xXxMLEExXx. 38 Rep 653 Posts Drives: Lemans E82 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: N. New Jersey iTrader: (3)	New Car Detail - Is it too much? My car is likely to be in second week of april. In the mean time, I'm planning and buy parts I shouldn't be. Anyhoo...first things first is to make my baby shine and would like to do it right off the get go. I'm thinking once i pick up from the dealer this is what i'm going to do. Wash the car. Clay it Light pre wax poslish Wax it. Take off rims and wax with wheelwax. Am I missing anything in between or is it too much the first time? __________________ My 1 borned on 03/26/09 On the ship...eta NJ 04/16. Picked up 04/24/09
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03-27-2009, 11:14 AM	#2
1013mm aka 1013MM 1253 Rep 9,545 Posts Drives: pokingly flush Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles / HK iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 135i [8.26]	no need to polish if the dealer doesn't wash your car. __________________ -John Project YOSHI Sale Thread
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03-27-2009, 11:17 AM	#3
gtaday51 gone but not forgotten 35 Rep 985 Posts Drives: gone 135 - Hello 1M! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Big Apple iTrader: (0)	You can't wax the car when its brand new. I had the same question and BMW NA told me that the paint needs to fully cure before you can wax it. This takes about 3-4 months from your production date. __________________ Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration don't fail me now.
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03-27-2009, 11:51 AM	#11
1013mm aka 1013MM 1253 Rep 9,545 Posts Drives: pokingly flush Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles / HK iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 135i [8.26]	always tell them not to wash the car... oh the horror... __________________ -John Project YOSHI Sale Thread
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03-27-2009, 08:09 PM	#12
jmcgraw013 Private First Class 9 Rep 117 Posts Drives: '11 135i Cv Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (1)	Unless you're familiar with claying a car, I would recommend not doing it yourself and not on your new car. I posted my unfortunate experience here on another thread (http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ghlight=horror) and got a lot of valuable feedback and suggestions. __________________ '11 135i Cabriolet Crimson Red, CPO, Savanna Beige Lthr, High Gloss, Shadowline DCT, Prem Pkg, Sp Pkg, Value Pkg, Sirius, Alarm, CA, 264's
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03-27-2009, 08:24 PM	#13
1013mm aka 1013MM 1253 Rep 9,545 Posts Drives: pokingly flush Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles / HK iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 135i [8.26]	there is no need to really clay a new car anyway. __________________ -John Project YOSHI Sale Thread
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03-28-2009, 11:28 AM	#16
Matt60158 ///M 13 Rep 138 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jul 2007 iTrader: (0)	I agree, if you think the surface of the paint at delivery is free of contamination you are kidding yourself. __________________ "She blows more than my mind" - RHCP *Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines.
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03-28-2009, 11:39 AM	#17
1013mm aka 1013MM 1253 Rep 9,545 Posts Drives: pokingly flush Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles / HK iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 135i [8.26]	not free but washable. __________________ -John Project YOSHI Sale Thread
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03-30-2009, 03:08 PM	#18
Bones13 Private 0 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2009 128i BSM/Coral Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: LA (Lower Alabama) iTrader: (0)	My car is coming next month also. I splurged and got the griot's buffer, and the one step sealer. While I don't consider myself the fanatic car care specialist, and my car will be a daily driver, I don't plan to try and keep a black car looking good with elbow grease only. I plan a Dawn wash, and sealing the first nice weekend I get. Most of the posts that I read say its ok to go ahead and buff/wax right after delivery. Consider the fact that most dealerships want to do the 500-700 dollar "sealant" job for you right away anyways... (in case you figure out how much of a rip-off that is) __________________ 2009 128i BSM/Coral/Walnut/Steptronic Premium Package/Comfort Access Navigation/Premium Audio/USB/iPod Heated Seats/Xenon/Bike Prep
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03-30-2009, 03:18 PM	#19
AchtungF80 Brigadier General 276 Rep 3,465 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3, '17 G30 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135is [9.50] 2010 Cooper S [10.00] 1991 318is [10.00]	just get some zaino, a couple of buckets, some good very very soft wash mits, a big bag of microfibers from costco, and dawn soap for the pre-wash and meguiars gold wash for after clay and your good to go. __________________ ig: 0verrev
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03-30-2009, 03:30 PM	#22
AchtungF80 Brigadier General 276 Rep 3,465 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3, '17 G30 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135is [9.50] 2010 Cooper S [10.00] 1991 318is [10.00]	I never had this problem...what Z#s and how many applications did you put on? After 1-coat of of Zaino polish, i'm already satisfied. __________________ ig: 0verrev
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