Waxing New Clearcoat

[FX35]

Hi all! This is my first post on this great forum. I am virtually illiterate when it comes to car detailing. In the past, it was wash, wax, that's it. But I just leased a new '06 Infiniti FX35 (hence the user name), and I'd really like to take care of it (not least of all because it's a lease that I'll need to return).

I've decided to use NXT paste wax, and I also bought some of the NXT detailing spray, which I love. Since my FX is brand new, the clearcoat finish is in excellent condition. The color is dark metallic silver ("Diamond Graphite"). I read an article on another forum that paint cleaners might not be the best way to go with clearcoat paint, and, moreover, cleaners might not even be necessary for this kind of finish.

So my question is, since I have a clearcoat finish, and since this finish is currently in great condition, what steps are recommended after washing and before waxing with NXT? Should I clay the car? What about a cleaner? Or a polish?

I should also point out that this car is only a one-year lease (it's a great deal that Infiniti has been offering lately!). So though I want to take care of it and keep it looking its best, I'm not really thinking long term.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Murr1525]

There is sometimes a disconnect on other forums between what they say and reality. If you cant use a paint cleaner to clean paint, what is it for?

But, they may also be referring to old fashioned types of abrasive compound "cleaners", and those you want to avoid at all cost. But you paint still will get dirty, and a cleaner is what gets the dirt out of the pores in the paint. While newer paint will have fewer pores, there is still embedded dirt to get cleaned out, if you want a perfect finish. Also, hopefully your car came swirl free fro mteh dealer, which is also hit and miss.

Here is my routine that I use on my daily driver, that sits outside. While I do look at it long term, putting too much time in isnt worth it either at the moment.

1. Wash - Use a good quality car wash like Nxt or Gold Class. Also, have good quality mitts/towels, and use the two-bucket method. Also, get a Grit Guard if possible.

2. Clay - I would recomend claying if you have before. The Smooth Surface Clay Kit is great.

3. ColorX - This is a good cleaner/polish/wax all in one. Great product, just work it in a bit as you apply it.

4. Wax - Nxt is good, though #21 Synthetic Sealant is my favorite. Some folks like #26 Hi-Tec Yellow, or Gold Class. But a coat of your favorite will top the ColorX nicely.

You'll get great results for 4 steps.

[John Keeling]

If you do not have swirls and scratches and your paint is in great condition, there is no need to use a cleaner. Skip that step and save your time and energy. There is no need to fix something that looks great.

[FX35]

Thanks guys.

I suspect I understand what the two-bucket method for washing is, but could you please explain it to me, just in case.

Also, what is a Grit Guard?

[DragonKP]

2 bucket method (when washing) is having one bucket for the soap, and a seperate bucket with water only to rinse the mit before you place it back in the soapy water. It helps keeping dirt out of your soap water.

A grit guard is a simple contraption that you place in your soap bucket. Basically, the guard is like a shelf that sits halfway in your bucket, so that when you drop your mit in the soap (as you rinse for instance) it helps keep whatever dirt that gets in your soapy water to fall to the bottom and not get re-intorduced to your mit. Here is a picture.





Here is a good thread to read. http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...&threadid=7304

Tomorrow I am going to do the 3 step method for the first time on my new Subaru WRX. I am pretty much in the same boat as you... new to all of this!

Looking foward to tomorrow!

[quikzilver]

Wash and wax would do for now. As long as the paint feels like glass, there is no need for cleaning (calying, polishing etc) the paint. It all epends on the local conditions (eg. tree sap, tar, salt etc.) though. To start of, I would recommend to use good qualitiy detailing tools (wash mit, brushes, application pads etc.) to reduce swirls to a minimum.

If you can prevent swirls, you also don't have to remove em .