New car - Need you expert advice please. :)

[azray7]

I got a dream car for my 40th birthday. I went from driving a 2000 Altima for the last 6 years to driving an Alpine White 2012 BMW 535i. I am taking my car to a local detailer and need a little advice. I am going to supply all the products to include the cleaning cloths. The more I read, the more confused I get. I keep reading I should seal my paint, but what steps and professional products should I use? I believe I need to wash, clay, seal and wax my car but what steps and what are the best products should I use the first time? (Alpine White is a non-metallic paint.) Also, should I do anything specific to my windows, headlights, rims and Dakota leather seats? I really want to take good care of this car and keep it a long time. I really doubt I will ever have something this nice again.

Thank you so much for any advice you can provide!

FYI - After this initial cleaning, I plan to care for my car myself. I just want to make sure it is done right the first time.

[Murr1525]

Re: New car - Need you expert advice please.

Hmm... when you have it out in the sun, do you see any swirls, water spots, etc? or does it all look pretty good?

[azray7]

Re: New car - Need you expert advice please.

It looks pretty good but there does appear to be some slight swirls.

[davey g-force]

Re: New car - Need you expert advice please.

I'd be wary about getting your dealer to do the initial correction. There's a lot of horror stories floating around (many of them here) about dealership "detailers".

If you're planning on maintaining it yourself later anyway, why not just start now? You've come to the right place, do some more research and you'll be good to go! It shouldn't be too hard to get a brand new (white) car looking fantastic!

[azray7]

Re: New car - Need you expert advice please.

Thanks Davey-Gforce! I am taking my car to a detailer I trust. I am providing the products and was hoping for a complete list of what pro Meguiars products to get. Also if I should do nothing special to the rims, windows and headlights.

[mswerb]

Re: New car - Need you expert advice please.

If you have all the products and supplies why not do it yourself?? Detailing a new car is a great way to get to know it.

[ffboy]

Re: New car - Need you expert advice please.

I'd clay kit the car first, then Swirlx the car first to remove any swirls on the paint. If the swirls are real bad, then i'd jump to ultimate compound. It may seem costly to have to purchase 2 different compounds but it can be more cost effective in the long run. Rather than having to pay more for a mistake on the paint caused by using too harsh a compound but based on my own experience, ultimate compound gives nice results fast and safely.

you can jump to a wax right after the compounds (swirlx or UC) i recommend the nxt 2.0 since ultimate wax seems to go better with dark paint. But personally, i'd go for ultimate wax regardless of color since it offers the most durability. But for now, I'd put my vote on NXT 2.0 liquid since i find the liquid easier than the paste.

For your seats, try the gold class leather cleaner/conditioner on a regular basis. If your car has a couple of plastic trim on the exterior, you can use ultimate protectant to keep all the black trim or vinyl pieces looking good for some time to come

[azray7]

Re: New car - Need you expert advice please.

Should I use the professional sealer as well? If so, should it be polloymer or synthetic? I think I saw two different products on the pro products side.

Note: I don't have any products yet. . I am asking y'all what I need to buy.

[Murr1525]

Re: New car - Need you expert advice please.

In general, I'd want:

1. Wash - Gold Class, etc soap..
2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay kit
3. Clean - Ult. Compound & #205
4. Wax - Nxt 2.0/#21 2.0 or Ult. Wax
5. Wax - 2 thin coats are best

Removing swirls over an entire car can be a bit of a chore, so I can understand getting them fixed up, and then maintaining properly from there. But as mentioned, there are a lot of horror stories.

Do you know what tools he will be using? I suppose a good detailer not having any good products on hand, or knowing what to use is throwing us off a little? Just don't want anything to turn out worse for you.

[davey g-force]

Re: New car - Need you expert advice please.

Thanks Davey-Gforce! I am taking my car to a detailer I trust. I am providing the products and was hoping for a complete list of what pro Meguiars products to get.

Oops, my bad. I thought you said "dealer" but upon re-reading your post, I realise you said "detailer".

[azray7]

Re: New car - Need you expert advice please.

Thanks everyone! I purchased the Meguiars Ultimate Car Wash, Ultimate Polish, Ultimate Wax and the Clay Kit. Thanks to your advice, I found a Pro Detailer in my area and am taking my car to the "spa" this morning. I am not providing the chemicals so it appears I may not need some of the product I purchased. What should I return and what would you suggest I keep and possibly add?

Thanks again everyone!

[Murr1525]

Re: New car - Need you expert advice please.

What all id you end up getting?

[davey g-force]

Re: New car - Need you expert advice please.

Thanks everyone! I purchased the Meguiars Ultimate Car Wash, Ultimate Polish, Ultimate Wax and the Clay Kit. Thanks to your advice, I found a Pro Detailer in my area and am taking my car to the "spa" this morning. I am not providing the chemicals so it appears I may not need some of the product I purchased. What should I return and what would you suggest I keep and possibly add?

Thanks again everyone!

Personally, I would keep all of those. And then probably add a paint cleaner such as SwirlX and/or Ultimate Compound.

That way, you will have simple all-round aresenal of products which will allow you deal deal with most common issues.

[Murr1525]

Re: New car - Need you expert advice please.

Yeah, if it was just those 4 you picked up, then certainly keep them all.