How should I care for brand new cars?

J

jsilas

New member
All, I'm not a very regular poster on these boards, because I find it generally better to keep my mouth shut and glean from the collective hundreds of years of experience here.



I searched, however, at some length and cannot find any threads on this topic, so I am making this one in the hopes of obtaining some good information. If this thread is redundant, please point me to the correct thread and feel free to kill this one.



My question is this:



I just purchased two new cars tonight, and will be taking delivery shortly. I want to ensure that the paint is properly cared for right from the start, and I want to understand if there are any special steps I need to observe to take care of the new paint.



Can I immediately go to town with applying a sealant on the cars? I'd like to do this, as I want them very well protected going into the winter months that are coming rapidly.



Please help me understand what I need to so I can take the best care possible of our new cars!
 
In another conversation I had, it sounds like because the paint is baked at the factory, it is already fully cured and can be polished and waxed immediately. Does this scan with you all here?



We're taking delivery on one of the cars tomorrow, so I'd love to get some feedback in this thread before then so I know what I can do.



Cheers!
 
The subject comes up all the time.



Probably the toughest part about finding specific threads is that they're soooo common and they contain info that's so common to other discussions that just about any search will turn up a gazillion hits to weed through.



But don't worry, they are out there. Keep trying.



Anyway, you're right about the paint on a new-from-the-factory car being fully cured and ready to go. So you can jump right in and do all the regular maintenance stuff we love to go on about around here.



If you're feeling overwhelmed the guide is a good place to start.



Mainly, you want to prevent the dealer from causing damage that you'll have to fix. Don't let them do anything to the finish.



Enjoy the new ride! And post pix.







pc.
 
the other pc said:
Mainly, you want to prevent the dealer from causing damage that you'll have to fix. Don't let them do anything to the finish.



Enjoy the new ride! And post pix.
Click to expand...



So perhaps it's more useful for me to understand what the dealer prep is. What condition can I expect the paint to be in if I have the dealer stay totally away from the paint?



Is the paint in an unfinished state? Will I have a great deal of work to do to make the paint look good?



I guess a better way to ask this question is: what state is the paint in that the dealer has to go after it with a rotary before delivery?
 
jsilas said:
So perhaps it's more useful for me to understand what the dealer prep is. What condition can I expect the paint to be in if I have the dealer stay totally away from the paint?



Is the paint in an unfinished state? Will I have a great deal of work to do to make the paint look good?



I guess a better way to ask this question is: what state is the paint in that the dealer has to go after it with a rotary before delivery?
Click to expand...



If the car is fresh off the truck, you should be fine Still inspect them in day light. If the cars were sitting on the lot for awhile, chances are that they were washed/wiped many times. In that case you want to get your own detailer and have the dealer deduct the cost. what did you get and colors? Brand new or from the lot?
 
There's a thread like this seemingly every other week, at least since I've been reading this board.



One not-so-obvious serach term is the word "baked." Try it.
 
Take you bare hand and run it across the hood. Did it feel rough? If it was shipped by rail you could have rail dust on it. Claying will remove it and leave it nice and smooth. Then I'd use a light polish and finish up with a wax or sealant.
 
tdekany said:
If the car is fresh off the truck, you should be fine Still inspect them in day light. If the cars were sitting on the lot for awhile, chances are that they were washed/wiped many times. In that case you want to get your own detailer and have the dealer deduct the cost. what did you get and colors? Brand new or from the lot?
Click to expand...





Exactly. Whatever you do, DO NOT let them touch your car with anything. They will promise they can fix anything, but honestly they will make it worse, if you are lucky they might have something that will cover up a problem until you wash the car next time. Regardless, tell them to stay away.
 
I do the same things to new cars as I do to used ones after I buy them, the diff is that untouched new cars might not need abrasive polishing (operative word "might").



If the dealer removes the transit-wrap I'd expect a bit of marring; it's *always* worked out that way for me.



If you remove it yourself that's less likely, but unless the cars some "in the bag" they will often have a bit of marring on the unprotected areas.



Once the wrap it soff, I decontaminate the exterior using AutoInt/ValuGard's "ABC" (well, actually I just use "A" and "B" and then do a wash with Griot's Car Wash). The similar system from Finish Kare oughta work fine too.



No, the decontamination is not some difficult, risky process... and yeah, I'd expect anybody smart enough to be buying a new car to be able to do it. Just follow the directions and think it through before you start. It works out *MUCH* better IME than claying alone.



I clay if necessary during the decon. process (some contamination, esp. rust-blooms, can be tenacious).



Then, assuming no correction is needed (yeah...right :rolleyes: ), I use some kind of AIO/paint cleaner/etc. followed by my LSP of choice. While the AIO/etc. might not seem really *necessary* after the decon., I like to do it anyhow. A cleaner-wax would serve the same purpose and you could always add the proper LSP after the next wash.



I *do* often polish in the out-of-the-way areas (doorjambs, wheelwells, etc.) as the paint is often rough there (sometimes not even clearcoated) and the rough texture can retain dirt and moisture. I LSP these areas the same as the parts that show do they're easier to keep clean.



Oh, and before doing any of this stuff, I'd give thought to any undercoating/rust-proofing you might want to do. Eastwood, AutoInt/ValuGard, and Amsoil all make great products that are easy to use. And there's sure no better time to do it than before any rust starts.
 
Do not let the dealership's "detailers" touch the car!

Do not let the dealership's "detailers" touch the car!

Do not let the dealership's "detailers" touch the car!

Do not let the dealership's "detailers" touch the car!
 
This is great information - I appreciate it! Thanks all!



By the way, to answer one of your questions, the car is brand-new off the truck/train/whatever. It's not even built yet - I'll get it next month.
 
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