new car

[HNDDOG]

Picking up a 2011 Altima coupe on Thursday should I just give it a coat of NXT or should I do something different?

[rst08tierney]

Re: new car

Congrats! What color


First,feel the surface and inspect it carefully for rail dust. Next you want to see if there are any fine scratches or swirls from a poor car wash and dry job from the dealership. This will give you a good point of attack if you going to need to clay. Understand even though its a new vehicle you dont know how long its been on the lot and whats gone on with the paint surface.

Myself, even if the surface looks good, I would do a once over with Meguiars Cleaner wax followed by 2 thin coats of nxt or ultimate after a good wash.

[greg0303]

Re: new car

+1:

Clay and cleaner wax (if needed) followed by finishing wax sound like a good plan.

[Blue Apollo IV]

Re: new car

As mentioned above, I'd definitely clay the car and then do the NXT wax.

[HNDDOG]

Re: new car

Red Just like the 2008 in the picture. Thanks for the information.

[davey g-force]

Re: new car

Agree with the comments above.

Though I would add that it's quite common for new cars to be mildly - badly swirled up from the dealership - in which case you would want try SwirlX / ScratchX / UC instead of the cleaner wax, and THEN follow up with NXT.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: new car

Get the car home then wash and dry it. Once that's done inspect it thoroughly, checking for both above surface bonded contaminants and below surface defects.

Above surface issues are discovered simply by feeling the paint; run your clean, dry hand over the just washed and dried paint. If it feels rough at all, clay it. If it truly is as smooth as glass then claying won't do anything for you.

Below surface defects are discovered visually, in good light. Even a badly swirled black car can look good in the shade, so pull the car out into direct sunlight and view it critically. If you see fine swirl marks or other tiny scratches, etc then you'll need a paint cleaner to address those. If not, then there's no need to do this step.

It is quite possible that one or both of the above is present on a new car. It all depends on how the car was transported, how long it sat on the dealer lot, how the dealer prepped it, etc. But in the end, what "needs to be done" can only be answered by evaluating the finish. One thing is for certain, however, and that is that you want to at least wax it as soon as possible.

See the 5 Step Paint Care Cycle for more info on evaluating the finish, choosing products, and using them correctly.

[Murr1525]

Re: new car

Try to call the dealer and tell them not to prep it for you, just remove any plastic and you'll take it.

[Merlin]

Re: new car

Get the car home then wash and dry it. Once that's done inspect it thoroughly, checking for both above surface bonded contaminants and below surface defects.

Above surface issues are discovered simply by feeling the paint; run your clean, dry hand over the just washed and dried paint. If it feels rough at all, clay it. If it truly is as smooth as glass then claying won't do anything for you.

Agreed. When the car is clean put your hand in a "baggie" and lightly feel the paint. If you can feel bumps on the paint then claying the paint is a needed step.

[Murr1525]

Re: new car

Personally, I would assume a new car needs clayed. And good to learn if you havent done it before.

But checking first is a good idea also, esp so you know what the before, after is like.