YACT: new car, how long until i wax it?

[BlackOmen]

I took delivery of a 2003 Honda Civic about a week and a half ago. I'm wonderig how long I should wait to wax it. A few people are telling me that I should wait a year, however, these are also the same people that drove around this past winter after the blizzard with a heavy coat of road salt and there car hadn't been waxed in almost a year. My one friend, who actually knows a lot of what he's talking about, said I should wax it whenever I have time this weekend.

This is my first new car, so I don't know. What does everyone else do?

 

[Ryan]

I always thought it was good to do it ASAP

 

[Mutilator]

1.) Make a list of all the people that told you to wait a year to wax your car.
2.) Ignore EVERYTHING car related those people have to say in the future.
3.) Go visit Autopia.
You'll thank me later.

In other words... you can do it now. Just have to decide - wax or sealant?

 

[notfred]

Um, today? Why would you wait? You wait a month before waxing a car after painting it, not after picking it up from the dealer.

 

[Argo]

Depends man. Some dealers wax the car before selling it. If that's the case, wait a month or two. Otherwise do it right away. As for wax vs. sealant - as far as I know poly sealant is better. Unless you drive a german car - for some reason german paint doesn't like poly sealant.

 

[BlackOmen]

Originally posted by: Mutilator
1.) Make a list of all the people that told you to wait a year to wax your car.
2.) Ignore EVERYTHING car related those people have to say in the future.
3.) Go visit Autopia.
You'll thank me later.

In other words... you can do it now. Just have to decide - wax or sealant?

Well I usually don't listen to them when it comes to working on cars because I can usually handle things myself. They usually come to me for help. Unfortunately, this is the first time I own a car that isn't rotting away and I know jack about detailing.

 

[johneetrash]

if you wash the car and the water drops dont bead, then wax it

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

You can try shaving first, and see if that's smooth enough.

 

[Mutilator]

Originally posted by: BlackOmen

Originally posted by: Mutilator
1.) Make a list of all the people that told you to wait a year to wax your car.
2.) Ignore EVERYTHING car related those people have to say in the future.
3.) Go visit Autopia.
You'll thank me later.

In other words... you can do it now. Just have to decide - wax or sealant?

Well I usually don't listen to them when it comes to working on cars because I can usually handle things myself. They usually come to me for help. Unfortunately, this is the first time I own a car that isn't rotting away and I know jack about detailing.

That's why I say visit autopia. There is A LOT of information there for everyone from the beginner to the 365 day/year pro detailer. David had an ebook that you could download but I believe he's made that information free on the website now (or will be very soon) since he's about to release his latest book The Perfect Shine.
Basically it comes down to this:
Are you willing to wax your car atleast once a month? If so then go with a carnauba wax like P21S or Souveran... or Meguiars if you must buy it from Walmart.
If you'd rather apply something every 3 to 6 months then go with a sealant like Zaino or Klasse.

 

[white]

yes, you should join autopia if you want to learn more about auto detailing. but to answer your question, you can wax it immediately. the reason some people say to wait is to allow the paint to fully cure. but new cars come cured from the factory since the manufacturers have the proper equipment. before you wax, you might want to clay it even though it's a new car since contaminants can get into your paint from transport.

 

[helloedchen]

mmm, wax it right now. its not like you just painted the car...

 

[Thump553]

Wash your car regularly-I like to wash mine on the first day of each new season, and wax it at least once per year, but in the last few years I've been falling behind on the waxing.

Regular maintainence is the key to keeping your new car in tip-top shape. But washing and waxing are basically cosmetics. If you plan on reselling your car and want top value, keep up the cosmetics. If you plan on keeping the car for a decade or so, like I usually do, keep the appearance at your comfort level.

 

[CraigRT]

I'd say you'll be fine.. it's not like the car will still have fresh paint when you get it... I am usually told to wait a few weeks, but I don't think it will hurt anything as long as you are gentle with the paint......