How Soon Can You Wax New Car?

[PINODY]

Originally Posted by soia76

I just got my CR-V about two weeks ago ...

I have NEVER waxed any car I have owned....any tips for a newbie?

After you try all the rest - try one of the Best > My new Zaino'd 2007 CRV You Choose: Zaino Store

[MotoXmg]

So what should I do? I have a week old V, and am already starting to worry about the finish. Unfortunately I do not have a garage, so the V will be out in the weather 24/7. Here in north central Oregon, we get a variety of weather. How can I protect my investment?

[aussie_okie]

I was going to try these from Autozone:
MEGUIAR'S Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner
and
MEGUIAR'S Cleaner Wax Liquid

Has anybody used either of these products?
Also, is the Wax safe for clear coat?

I just want to use products that are easy to buy, are simple to use, & work.
I don't want to have to go to a lot of trouble to clean and protect my car.

Also, how often does everybody wax their car (I wash once a week)?

thanks

[gcturp]

I use Meguiar's and would recommend them. I suspect Zaino's and some of the other brands mentioned in this and other threads are better, but they cost more and are not readily available; I am willing to bet that Meguiar's is the best (or close to the best) of the readily available products.

I would caution you NOT to use the 'Meguiar's Cleaner Wax'. (I may be wrong, but) cleaner wax (any brand) is for an older paint surfaces that have been neglected a bit. The 'cleaner' part is a very fine abrasion to clean the surface. Your car is new (2008) and likely doesn't need the 'cleaner', just the wax.

I would suggest just getting 'Meguiar's Gold Class Wax' instead of the 'Cleaner Wax', either the paste or the liquid (I use the liquid, I think it is easier to work with, but others prefer the paste - a matter of opinion). I also recommend using the little round/yellow sponges that Meguiar's sells for applying the wax, they work nicely. Also, get some high-quality (not 'dollar shop' or cheapest variety) microfiber washclothes (at least 2). The microfiber washclothes are greating for drying the car after washing/rinsing (wring it out periodically, it works like a chamois) and another to remove the dried wax. I also wax the plastic head- (and tail-) light covers (I don't know if this is recommended by others, so far I have had no issues though.)

I would also recommend the 'Mequiar's Natural Shine' protectant product for the tires and black trim. I think it is much better than 'Armor-All' and gives a nice, "non-fake" shine. I use one of the round sponges (mentioned above) to apply the 'Natural Shine'. (Keep one sponge for only applying the 'Natural Shine' and a different sponge for only applying the wax).

As far as how often: I only wax twice a year and I only wash every 4 weeks or as needed (in the winter the roads where I am at are salted so I at least rinse the undercarriage every week). If I had more time, maybe I would do stuff more frequently. Another product you may look into is 'Mequiars Qwik Detailer Mist & Wipe' for a quick, weekly clean.


PS (Just in case you're new to this, or for other newbies who may read this): never use dish soap to clean your car (it is very harsh and will wash away the wax), try to wash/wax in the shade and when it is cool, and never use an automatic car wash that has brushes (or anything that touches your car - to include HIGH pressure water).

[aussie_okie]

Originally Posted by gcturp

I would caution you NOT to use the 'Meguiar's Cleaner Wax'. (I may be wrong, but) cleaner wax (any brand) is for an older paint surfaces that have been neglected a bit. The 'cleaner' part is a very fine abrasion to clean the surface. Your car is new (2008) and likely doesn't need the 'cleaner', just the wax.
I would suggest just getting 'Meguiar's Gold Class Wax' instead of the 'Cleaner Wax', either the paste or the liquid (I use the liquid, I think it is easier to work with, but others prefer the paste - a matter of opinion).

Thanks, I didn't know that. I see Autozone has Gold Class Liquid Wax.

Originally Posted by gcturp

I also recommend using the little round/yellow sponges that Meguiar's sells for applying the wax, they work nicely. Also, get some high-quality (not 'dollar shop' or cheapest variety) microfiber washclothes (at least 2). The microfiber washclothes are greating for drying the car after washing/rinsing (wring it out periodically, it works like a chamois) and another to remove the dried wax.

Those sponges sound like a good idea, I have been using microfiber cloths to wash my windows, I use a microfiber mit to wash to car.
I also keep a microfiber cloth in the console to 'dry' clean the interior (window marks etc) they are good.

Originally Posted by gcturp

I also wax the plastic head- (and tail-) light covers (I don't know if this is recommended by others, so far I have had no issues though.)

What about the black plastic (bumpers?) at the front and back of the vehicle?
Or is that what the 'Mequiar's Natural Shine' is used for?

Originally Posted by gcturp

I would also recommend the 'Mequiar's Natural Shine' protectant product for the tires and black trim. I think it is much better than 'Armor-All' and gives a nice, "non-fake" shine. I use one of the round sponges (mentioned above) to apply the 'Natural Shine'. (Keep one sponge for only applying the 'Natural Shine' and a different sponge for only applying the wax).

Do you mean this:
Rubber and Vinyl Natural Shine Spray Protectant

Originally Posted by gcturp

As far as how often: I only wax twice a year and I only wash every 4 weeks or as needed (in the winter the roads where I am at are salted so I at least rinse the undercarriage every week). If I had more time, maybe I would do stuff more frequently. Another product you may look into is 'Mequiars Qwik Detailer Mist & Wipe' for a quick, weekly clean.

What does the Qwik Detailer do?
Also, is there a treatment you can get to better protect the under carriage from salt, some kind of under-coating?

Originally Posted by gcturp

PS (Just in case you're new to this, or for other newbies who may read this): never use dish soap to clean your car (it is very harsh and will wash away the wax), try to wash/wax in the shade and when it is cool, and never use an automatic car wash that has brushes (or anything that touches your car - to include HIGH pressure water).

I always wash mine in the shade, we have hard water so by doing this it never has time to dry and spot.

Did you mean don't use high water pressure as in a pressure spayer like a Kartcher(?) ?

What about decent window cleaner, Windex is not really that great.

thanks for your advice.

Paul

[Kazoo2U]

Have had our V for 2 months now & finally got around to do the wash & wax routine. Used Meguiar's Gold Class Wax paste. Took my time & only did the body, none of the light covers or black trim moulding. Worked like a charm!
Wife had to take the V before I could use Meguiar's clear plastic polish on light covers. Am tempted to use Rain-X on the covers as I will be using Rain-X on the windows. Any opinions about these products are greatly appreciated.

Have bought Turtle Wax Wet'n Black Ultra Wet Tire Shine. Label says it's good for all black rubber trim. Will let you know how things work out at a later date.

Thanks.

[Mach1]

Hi: We have had our 08 Cr-v for three months now, and I used GLARE Professsional polish on it yesterday (been rainy here a lot). Wow, what a shine! Little pricey, but goes on and off easily. This is a protectant , not a wax. I haven't had any luck over the years with waxes, they just do not last long at all. For what it is worth, check out Glare Autopolish I have nothing to do with the company, I just used this product 3 years ago on a previous black car, and, was very pleased with the results then. Hope this helps Mac