mrrrkva

So the old wives tale is to wait 3-6 months before you wax your car. I hope to have mine 3-4 weeks after it is produced. How long do you wait before you wax? I have narrowed it down to Zaino (already have some) Adams, or Wolfgang. Any input on how long you wait if any? And a good wax/polish to use on a brand new car.

lgodom

Modern paints are fully cured after they are applied. I'd wash, clay, and put a couple coats of Zaino or other preferred protectant on it as soon as you can. There is no reason to wait, unless you just can't stop driving it.

Larry/car

Auto painters say to wait three months before waxing. The delay is so the solvents can escape. Wax seals the paint and traps the solvents preventing the paint from curing. There really isn't any gain possibly more harm. Modern clear coated paints require very little maintenance, I personally use quick detailer to enhance the paint's shine.

Larry/car

Two totally different views. Check with your dealer's body shop. Have fun.

mrrrkva

Once I do decide to wax, would you wash with JOY dishwashing? And Claybar. I clay bar anything I buy used. Is it necessary on a new car? I do IF it came on RAIL, but all the corvettes are coming by truck.

Athrose

See owner manual section 10-69 for external care.

CaryKen

Somebody said in another thread (unsubstantiated by a secondary reference) that with the new car cover shipping policy, GM will ship West Coast cars by rail.

C7_Z51

I would always clay before applying any wax or sealant.

C7_Z51

None, the paint is baked on at the factory. If you get it repainted at your body shop it isn't and it can take up to 90 days for your car to cure.

And a great combo is Chemical Guys Pete's 53 topped over Menzerna Power Lock.

nhpln

If you wax your car before you ever take it to the track your car will develop mechanical problems and the paint will peel in protest.

Mike O'Daniel

I suggest Ajax cleanser.

gthal

Take it home... clay it... polish it if needed (not the Zaino "polish" which is really a sealant and not a polish)... put on a coat of CQuartz, 22PLE or Wolf's Hardbody. All of these sealants/coatings will outlast Zaino which, today, is old technology. Still very good but nowhere near the protection and durability of the new nano coatings. Check out detailingbliss.com for info, etc.

No need to wait... many professional and VERY knowledgeable detailers will do a new car prep immediately. Needing to wait for the paint to "gas" is an old wives tail

gthal

Truck, rail, boat... doesn't matter. The car will have embedded contaminants. Every new car should be properly prepped. Many new cars (Ferrari is notorious) have swirls and marring from the factory too and need a machine polish.

yellowray

ouch

gthal

I've used Power Lock on my wife's SUV and it is very easy to apply but doesn't last very long. If you like reapplying, it is great. If you want something that lasts a year+, see my post above.

C7_Z51

You can get a solid 6 months out of Power Lock topped with a caranuba wax. Not as much as semi-permanent or permanent sealants, I currently have Opti-Coat on one of my vehicles and look to try CQuartz eventually but it's just too expensive for a one-time use product.

bobbykart

I guess I am not the only one thinking about this! I ordered black Z51 and can't wait to make it shine.About 20 years ago I had a Blk vette and ordered some zanio and never got around to using it.

rcallen484

With Brillo pad or just generic steel wool?

Hot Rod Todd

I can't wait to get mine home and lay some wax on it. I don't think clay bar will be needed, unless I feel any contaminants. I'm sure there will be some micro scratches that I can polish out though. Then I'll lay down a few coats of Pinnacle Souveran Carnauba wax. It has the best shine and goes on so smooth it's fun to apply. It does not have the long lasting protection of the sealants, but I don't need it since I wax it often.

If you think you have a wax that gives a better shine than Souveran, you're wrong.

khoeysr

Presto- matte black.