How soon for first Wax?

[machplus]

For new Genesis owners--how much time are you waiting to wax your new car?

 

[Mark_888]

I would wait 90 days from the build (assembly) date, which is on a plate on the inside of drivers door jamb. For most cars, that would mean you could wax it when purchased, or shortly thereafter, due to the Genesis being built in Korea.

 

[rbres]

Got mine in early Dec and just waxed last week (meguiar's ultimate liquid wax)
Came out great. Less space to wax too because almost entire roof is glass!

 

[Ragnar]

Bought our Genesis last June And have been using turtle wax spray detailer with great results ' will be giving her first waxing this weekend using liquid glass polish.

 

[Nardly]

I'm going to wax mine next weekend weather permitting. I'm going to use Zanio. Started using it on my Corvette 15 years ago. Great show polish wax that lasts a long time and the color just deepens with every coat you put on. Very easy to remove too

 

[thebigernman]

Hi ... I gave my 2018 G80 about 6 weeks to fully cure then gave it a sealer and wax application and it looks and feels great. Hope this helps...
Best
Ernie

 

[Spanky61]

Wax the dang car when you get it. There is no set time for a wax application. The finish is cured once it leaves the factory paint area.

However, I will tell you, don't over apply automotive wax without clay barring the entire finish first and before every subsequent waxing.

Use a quick wax/detailer between waxing to remove built on road film.

You know those old tee shirts you been wanting to get rid of? No not the wife beater ones, the cotton ones. They're great for wiping down and polishing. A good way to test is the finish needs a waxing is run your hand over the finish. If you feel a great deal of particulates on the finish, wash, clay bar and wax. You see I've used the term clay barring three times now. This is the key!!! If you wax it without removing the particulates, your asking for a damaged finish in the long run. You've seen allot of automobiles with really swirl marked finishes, waxing over these particulates, this is the cause. Clay barring has to be done if you really want to preserve the clear coat finish. If you're not going to clay bar the finish before waxing then it's best to leave it alone, it will last longer. Try to use brushless carwashes, if at all possible. Invest in a Orbital Polisher it will cut your waxing time in half.

 

[Aaron420]

I am a beginner. I finally bought a car I want to keep nice. Why do I need to wax the car? Should I do it myself, because it's my baby? Or can I have the hand wash shop wax the car for me?

 

[EdP]

You do not have to wax the car but it will stay nicer longer if you do. Smooth finish tends to let road grim bounce off rather than scratch. You can DIY or you can pay to have it done. There are a few good premium waxes that do a great job.

If you bought the car used, look for a sticker on the driver's window. Some dealers seell a Simoniz or ArmorAll finish that will last a couple of years. Overpriced, but pretty good.

 

[Mark_888]

I am a beginner. I finally bought a car I want to keep nice. Why do I need to wax the car? Should I do it myself, because it's my baby? Or can I have the hand wash shop wax the car for me?

Waxing your car at least once per year reduces the need to wash it as often, and keeps the paint (or clear coat) damage from bird droppings, tree sap, etc.

I would do it yourself using a high quality synthetic polymer wax. I would recommend Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Car Wax because you can get it at a very reasonable price at any discount store like Walmart, and it is easy to apply and remove. The main difference in synthetic waxes is how easy it is to apply and remove, even if you get some wax on plastic or rubber parts by mistake. But there are other good products from Turtle Wax and others.

You don't have to do the whole car at one time, or hire some local kids to help you. The problem with getting a hand wash shop to do it is that they usually don't use the longest lasting waxes (for obvious reasons).

Avoid anything that contains Carnauba, because it will fall off the car if you just look at the wrong way (even though it looks great when first applied).

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[inogino]

I had the dealer amply the Armor All , and I love it ! Highway bugs spray and wipe away

 

[Gen127]

Less space to wax too because almost entire roof is glass!

There are those who would say it's perfectly okay to wax the pano as well.
Others may prefer to use Rain-X, but I'm aware of a number of car owners who wax the entire vehicle, pano & all and are quite pleased with the results.

 

[bubbaG80Sport]

The car can be waxed as soon as you want. Per above the paint is fully cured by the time you buy the vehicle.

I have owned numerous black exterior cars. Any dark color is prone to showing even minor clear coat scratches/swirls.

NEVER use a automatic "touch" type car wash. Touch free is ok, but prone to damaging car trim and in no way as effective as a hand wash. I've had B pillar plastic covers damaged more than once. Hand wash should be done by yourself or a "professional detailer". The local hand car wash will not be as attentive and induce scratches in the paint.

NEVER use a polishing orbiter/machine to apply or remove wax. These are swirl making not polishing devices.

NEVER use any polishing agent (swirl remover, polishing compound etc.). Most people are not qualified to use such materials and will cause damage.

NEVER use a wax with any abrasive.

I am a big fan of chemicalguys.com products.
Wash the car yourself using the following procedure.
1) Dual buckets with a grit guard. 1 for soaping wash cloth and 1 to rinse wash+drying cloth.

2) Use a good quality washing towel. I prefer micro fiber over 100% cotton towels. Use a different cloth for washing and drying.

3) Use a good quality wash soap (Chemical guys Citrus Wash).

4) Thoroughly rinse car before washing/applying soap using a foam gun.

6) Apply liquid wax after wash/rinse but before towel drying. I have moved away from waxing after drying the car. A dry surface is more prone to scratching than a wet surface.

7) Send your wash/rinse towels through wash before next use.

I wash my car regularly (every 2 weeks in the summer and monthly in the winter, weather permitting). This method will not work for the once a year wash/wax type people.

Clay bar is an excellent way to maintain the finish. A good test is to put your hand in a plastic bag. If you cannot smoothly move your hand across the paint finish, clay bar the surface. Wash/clean surface BEFORE clay barring.

If you drop your wash, drying towel or clay bar on the ground do NOT continue to use it. Get another towel/clay bar. This will induce swirls if not a major scratch in the paint.

I discourage applying wax to any glass surface, especially the front windshield. Wax on front windshield will cause streaks, squeaking and/or wiper chatter (maybe hair loss and impotence too .

Remove stains, bird crap and other materials on paint between washes with a car detailing mist.

 

[EdP]

Wash the car yourself using the following procedure.
1) Dual buckets with a grit guard. 1 for soaping wash cloth and 1 to rinse wash+drying cloth.

2) Use a good quality washing towel. I prefer micro fiber over 100% cotton towels. Use a different cloth for washing and drying.

Some good advice there. Winter can be tough on a car in snow country. I was taught to use a separate cloth or mitt below the belt line where the worst of the salt and sand is. Just another safety like the grit guard. We used to have the DIY wash in town with high pressure hose to get a lot of that junk off but it closed.

Any cold weather tips? Tough to clean a car below freezing.

 

[bubbaG80Sport]

Some good advice there. Winter can be tough on a car in snow country. I was taught to use a separate cloth or mitt below the belt line where the worst of the salt and sand is. Just another safety like the grit guard. We used to have the DIY wash in town with high pressure hose to get a lot of that junk off but it closed.

Any cold weather tips? Tough to clean a car below freezing.

Move to a warmer climate
I live in the south. There are generally days in the winter where it is reasonable to wash the car.
Winter is when I would use touch-free car washes and DIY high pressure washes more frequently.
When I lived up North I had a garage sink with hot water. The faucet had a standard garden hose connector/fitting. It made cold weather car washes more tolerable.

I generally wash "below the belt" at the end of the wash and thoroughly rinse the wash towel when cleaning this area.

 

[EdP]

Move to a warmer climate
.

I am. House should be done in October.
In my last house I plumbed the outdoor faucet to be able to blend hot water. It was very handy at times.