Hi,

This may be a dumb question, but can I wax my new car?
I got it about 10 days ago.
I bought Meguiar's Premium Paste Wax & I'd like to use it, but I'm not sure if it'll do any harm.

Thanks!

 

A good wash will clean up the adhesive the dealer car washes miss i waxed mine the next day

 

wash it with dawn dish soap, it should strip most adhesive and any wax from the car.
than apply your new wax!
i personally like mothers carnuba wax, or zymol.

 

Ok good. Thanks for those responses....

I saw Mothers on the shelf next to the Meguiar's, but decided to go with the latter, just because my dad did his vehicle with it & he liked it.

 

Meguiars is excellent quality stuff, you'll be very happy with the results. And it's definitely safe to wax your new car. Modern automotive paint is as cured as it will ever be when it leaves the factory (Auto body repaints are another thing and may require a waiting period to cure).

The wash with Dawn is also a great recommendation. It's my standard first step anytime I wax, to get a really clean surface. Your car being 10 days old shouldn't need any other prep before waxing.

Congrats on the new MINI. Great color choice.

 

Congrats on the new ride. IMHO Meguiar's makes good stuff...easy to use and less residue than most. Post more pics when you're all done...

 

I've heard from others that they clay their MINIs after washing it for the first time. Just a thought.

I clay my MINI before I do Prima's Epic Wax

 

It definitely can't hurt to clay. To test if it's needed, I would run my bare hand over the panels while washing with Dawn and feel for anything less than perfectly smooth. I find that the lower portion of the door behind the front fender tends to pick up road grime and usually needs it (might even have some after 10 days that the Dawn doesn't get completely).

From what I've heard, BMW transports their cars, including MINIs well protected from the elements on the trip from factory to dealer, including enclosed trailers for final delivery to the dealer so there shouldn't be much if any environmental or industrial fallout specs on the paint. But in any case, if you are a detail freak, like spending time on your car, or just plain feel like it, go for the clay as well.

 

Thanks....I'll look into the clay.
This is my first new car & I'm trying to do the right thing to keep it looking its best for a long time!

 

One thing I suggest to ALL MINI and BMW owners is a bottle of Prima Cosmonot because we all have Cosmoline that starts in the engine bay and will drip out.

http://showcarsupplies.com/shopexd.asp?id=178&bc=no

Cosmoline will deform plastic, etch paint, and generally do bad stuff, although it's purpose is a protectant during the ocean transport, it's not 100% removed at the VDC.

As far as waxing a new car, Meguiar's makes decent products. If you're looking for maximum durability (4 to 6 months) and less frequent applications go with a synthetic wax. In the Meguiar's line that would be their NXT. If you use a carnauba, you'll need to reapply it monthly.

Of course Prima makes an excellent synthetic called Epic.
http://showcarsupplies.com/shopexd.asp?id=67&bc=no

If you like carnauba waxes, a super easy to apply one is Banana Gloss, also from Prima.
http://showcarsupplies.com/shopexd.asp?id=173&bc=no

Carnauba's are generally chosen over synthetics purely for looks. They tend to give a warmer glow than synthetics which give extremely reflective shines. Prima's Epic combines some of the best properties of a carnauba in their wax so you get both durability and rich/deep looks in paints that are receptive to that...silver and white MINIs don't really apply.

Richard

 

How is Epic on warm colors? I'm currently using Griot's Show Car Wax (got a ton of Griot's products for Christmas last year after buying my MINI in October) and I'm not overly impressed with it. My JCW is Chili Red/Black and I find it doesn't really pop, even right after a full clay/polish/wax. I recall much better results with Meguiars #26 Carnauba on a red G35 I used to have, as well as application being easier.

I'm thinking of giving Prima products a try since they get such good reviews here. I've also been looking at Dodo Juice Banana Armour and Chemical Guys 5050. Any experience with or thoughts on those?

 

im actually nuts and do a layer of carnuba wax, (i actually own meguiars and mothers, usually use the mothers though) and apply it with the porter cable, then i go over it with a good synthetic. and a month later, i dawn wash it and do it again. no biggie for me though as i have the porter cable and it just makes waxing a breeze.

 

I have a PC random orbital and it is definitely a great time saver for getting a nice even coat of wax on. It's even better for polishing as the same results are nearly impossible by hand. Best detailing purchase I've ever made. I'm thinking about putting a coat of Meguiars 26 over the Griot's to see if it gives anything extra to the appearance. I'm half tempted to try a synthetic to see if that extra reflectivity is more to my liking on the MINI. Maybe it's just the contours of the car itself of the black pillars and roof that is making it look less than spectacular.

 

Wow....so much to know about waxing!!

Will a good wax help with the morning moisture leaving water spots on the car? I just washed it yesterday & this morning it doesn't look like I did!

 

There's not much you can do to avoid water spots when you have to park outside. Even a quality wax job will only decrease the surface tension, giving you that beading action we all recognize from a good wax job. This decreased surface tension does help more water slide off the paint, but you're still going to have those beads that will leave a spot when they evaporate. Some even propose that the beading action creates taller, narrower water droplets that actually leave more concentrated mineral deposits. I think it's just that without wax, there's more water allover evaporating so less small noticeable outlines, but more overall deposits.

I find that a quick wipe down with quick detailer and a microfiber, at least on the top half of the car before it gets a chance to bake in the sun is the best way to keep water spots under control. Only takes about 5 minutes on a MINI to do the hood, roof and windows. The rest is more vertical and doesn't really get water spots unless a sprinkler gets you and the sun dries it right up. A good coat of wax does make this process quick and easy.

You mention morning dew, which I find isn't really bad with leaving water spots since it condenses directly onto the car with less minerals and is usually a thin, even film. Did you dry the car completely after washing, and was it just condensation or was there a little bit of rain/mist overnight?

If anyone has any products or methods that prevent water spots, I'd love to hear them as this is something that really bugs me when I get them too.

 

Yes, I dried the car after washing it...it was the over-night mist that left the spots. We have no choice but to park it in the parking lot un-covered all the time. I guess I'll just have to get out there & wipe it off in the morning before the sun gets to it. No biggie, just thought a wax might help.

 

Years ago, while a card carrying member of the MBUSA club, I recall hearing that factory paint was safe to wax 30 days after paint application. Snce most MINI's are older than that by the time they are delivered, it is fairly safe to say that you can was them when you want. You can always go to the Motoring Lounge and find the actual build date for your car as well.

HTH,

 

How about a car cover?

I like the liquid tech wax and wash...... I can wax even my crewcab truck in short order - easy on - easy off - AMAZING beading action..... Beading lasts 3 months for a car kept outside - 6 months if garaged.

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G12718