New car wax

[wst0209a]

As some may know I am new to detailing cars and I just got a new 2008 Nissan altima 3.5 SL that barely has 300 miles on it. I got it 2 saturdays ago and the Dealer gave it a wax before I got it. Today when I was finishing up my mom's car I took a look at my car and notice some light swirl marks in a few places. I do everything by hand for now to save me money.

1. I know this has been asked before but it goes with my question: Does it hurt to wax the car once a month or should I do it every three months?
2. Does the old wax need to be stripped every time before a new coat? What is the best way to do this if so?
3. I live in Maryland and would like to wax my car before winter comes to protect it. What is the best time to do it before it gets too cold?
4. What is the best product to remove the light swirl marks?

Also, if anyone lives near Bel Air, MD and is going to be detailing their car this week and would like to teach a beginner some tricks let me know.

[Sal329]

Re: New car wax

Wash the car
Clay bar the car
Use a cleaner wax
Top with NXT 2.0
Use Ultimate Quick Detailer often
1. No it does not hurt to wax the car monthly
2. You do not need to. If you want to, you can use a paint cleaner or a cleaner wax
3. Do you have a garage? A good durable wax applied late Oct or if you catch a "warm" day in Nov you can top it. Use a spray wax after a wash to help protect as well (sorry Meguiars this one I have to recommend an non meguiars product) Opt Car Wax and Duragloss Aqua Wax are great for this
4. Will you be working hand? or do you have a polisher of some sort?

[wst0209a]

Re: New car wax

I do everything by hand for now to save me money.

I also don't have a garage to do the work in.

[Murr1525]

Re: New car wax

#105 is a popular new product for removing swirls by hand. You can even do a search for some other threads on it.

It will remove wax as well, so so you would follow it up with a pure polish if you wanted, then wax.

[Megafast13]

Re: New car wax

I don't think you'll need something very aggressive for a brand new car.

I would just wash/clay/polish/nxt2.0 and leave it at that for now...

Take care of it and you shouldn't get many swirls...

[new2detailing]

Re: New car wax

I live in Anne Arundel county. I can help you but not this coming weekend. You do not need to strip off the existing wax. (all waxes will start to break down due to heat, rain, etc), however if you want to start fresh you can wash your car with Dawn. This will strip the existing wax. Clay if needed and then apply #105 (by hand) and follow up with a good wax. I usually try to wax the last time around the beginning to middle of October (before the weather starts to cool) and reapply a Quick detailer or Meguiars Spray wax as a buffer as long as I can until it becomes too cold to work outside. Congratulations on your new car.