new care care...

[nl2134]

Just got a new Mazda3 sedan, my first new car, and I want to make sure it's taken care of. This is my second ever car, and before that, I had slacked off on my used 02 Toyota Corolla, apart from washing it every once in awhile.

So I have a few questions on car care I'm hoping you guys can help me answer:

1) How often should I wax? I've been told every other month...
2) When I wax, should I apply with a cloth:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009IQZH0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

or an applicator pad:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009IQZQG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

...or will it not really make a difference?

3) Do I need to worry about clay bar'ing a new car? Was told not to worry about it early on...
4) When I clean the inside with:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AMLWH8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

similar question to waxing - should I use a cloth, or an applicator pad, in this case:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009IQZPW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

5) When cleaning the inside of windows, should I be using a special cleaner (like Windex or Stoner's Invisible Glass), or will water suffice?
6) Will cleaning tires with a brush scratch the rims? This is a stupid question...but I've never had legit tires before...only some small ones with a plastic cap...
7) What does a exterior 'detailler' actually do? I would assume between washes/waves to use it?

Sorry for the laundry list of questions - but really nowhere else to turn as the service department offered no help with regards to this.

Thanks!

[dknightd]

Re: new care care...

I'm no expert, but will take a shot at some of your questions - just to get the conversation going.

1) sounds about right. I guess it depends on the wax used.
2) apply with applicator, remove with cloth (the wax will probably come with an applicator - if you
apply with the cloth you'll end up with alot of your product just soaking in the cloth)
3) depends on how clean the car is, and how picky you are. Lots of people clay bar a new car. Some don't bother.
You can google - should I clay bar my car - there are methods to help you determin. Basically you swipe your finger across paint, if it does not sound smooth you are supposed to clay.
4) use microfiber towel/cloth
5) I use windex
6) depends on brush
7) for between wash/wax touchups

Enjoy your new car.

[Murr1525]

Re: new care care...

1) How often should I wax? I've been told every other month...

If you use a good wax, and use a spray wax after each washing, your main coat of wax will last longer than that.

2) When I wax, should I apply with a cloth or an applicator pad:

Yeah, a smooth foam pad is usually best.

3) Do I need to worry about clay bar'ing a new car? Was told not to worry about it early on...

If you haven't clayed before you probably should. And it is re-usable, so not like a waste. Its just hard for people to tell what smooth really is if they haven't before.

Also, depending on what you were planning, doing something like the ColorX or White/Black Wax before the coat of regular wax also helps.

4) When I clean the inside with:

I like the smaller MF cloths, like the ones Target sells.

5) When cleaning the inside of windows, should I be using a special cleaner (like Windex or Stoner's Invisible Glass), or will water suffice?

I use the Meguiars glass cleaners.

6) Will cleaning tires with a brush scratch the rims? This is a stupid question...but I've never had legit tires before...only some small ones with a plastic cap...

Yeah, just have to use good quality. A lot of people like the Daytona spoke brushes as well, but they are pricier.

7) What does a exterior 'detailler' actually do? I would assume between washes/waves to use it?

Well, besides claying, they are good for removing bird droppings, and that kind of thing.

[nl2134]

Re: new care care...

Thanks guys.

What's a 'spray wax'?

I was given a kit of Zymol products back in the day, and I still have a bottle which reads:

Detail - Wax Enhancer and Finish

http://www.amazon.com/Zymol-Cleaner-...ges/B00008RCNN - bottle on the right hand side

Is that a spray wax? If not, could you please point me to one?

Was thinking of getting the Mothers' Wheel Brush, so thanks for the advice on Daytons...

[Murr1525]

Re: new care care...

What's a 'spray wax'?

The liquid/paste waxes leave the most wax behind.

A spray wax is sort of a watered down wax, so it can be sprayed over an area, and wiped around a little. Much faster application, not really any residue to remove... but less protection. So it is used as a 'booster' in between proper coats of wax to extend the protection a bit longer.

I was given a kit of Zymol products back in the day, and I still have a bottle which reads:

Detail - Wax Enhancer and Finish

http://www.amazon.com/Zymol-Cleaner-...ges/B00008RCNN - bottle on the right hand side

Is that a spray wax? If not, could you please point me to one?

Sounds like it could be.

Ult. Spray Wax and Gold Class Spray wax are two Meguiars options.

Was thinking of getting the Mothers' Wheel Brush, so thanks for the advice on Daytons...

You will probably want something for the spokes, then something for the wheel face, if a brush or dedicated mitt, etc. Not sure offhand of Mothers has a spoke brush, but I think they have the wheel face type at least. Probably is good.

[nl2134]

Re: new care care...

Thanks again. Any other actual products (washes/waxes/clay bar kits/wheel cleaners, etc) you could recommend, just for overall standard car care? Sorry to sound like a complete and utter novice...but that's what I really am, and the reviews on Amazon can only go so far.

[Murr1525]

Re: new care care...

Well, I mean, a bit of everything....

But some things might be:

Wash: Gold Class soap, 2 buckets, Grit Guard, good wash mitt, Water Magnet towels....
Clay: Smooth Surface clay kit
Cleaner/Wax: ColorX/White Wax
Wax: Ult. wax

Ult. Spray Wax after future washes.

I use the Aluminum Wheel Wash, the Meguiars glass cleaner... Quick Interior Detailer.. some APC is always handy for tires, and anything else that needs cleaned.

Supreme Shine towels, foam applicator pads... etc, etc...

[nl2134]

Re: new care care...

Thanks a lot for your help!

[mis3]

Re: new care care...

Just want to add my comments.

1. Do not use ammonia based glass cleaners on after-market tinted glass. So, no Windex.

2. When you wax your car, wax your wheels as well. All the brake dusts and road dirts can be easily wiped off.

[Murr1525]

Re: new care care...

Or the Brake Dust Barrier.

[Bostonstrong]

Re: new care care...

I bought a Brand new 2012 Chevy Malibu back in Sept and i have NEVER , not once, needed to use acidic dangerous in my opion based wheel cleaners on my wheels because

if you stay ahead of the brake dust and take a glance at them - by the way i live in New England the weather here can be pretty nasty- and spend 5 minutes at most to

wipe them down all you'll need to do is use soap and water , that's it and your wheels will look pissa, i especially keep my eye on the wheels when i have been driving for

a while as the brakes will squeal when they get hot, any kind of soap is fine ,afterall you are only soaking/washing them down and rinsing them off i NEVER let any kind of chemical sit on my wheels

longer then 15 secs.


the longer you ignore the break dust on your wheels and they bake in the sun the harder it's going to be to get the dust off, thats what we call oxidize, by then it's already to late, i wish you well with your new ride, it can be fun owning a new car it still is for me, my wife said to me the other day " hon you're OCD with this car " about a 3 months ago she said " you're obsessed with that thing ".....

[DaGonz]

Re: new care care...

I bought a Brand new 2012 Chevy Malibu back in Sept and i have NEVER , not once, needed to use acidic dangerous in my opion based wheel cleaners on my wheels because

if you stay ahead of the brake dust and take a glance at them - by the way i live in New England the weather here can be pretty nasty- and spend 5 minutes at most to

wipe them down all you'll need to do is use soap and water , that's it and your wheels will look pissa, i especially keep my eye on the wheels when i have been driving for

a while as the brakes will squeal when they get hot, any kind of soap is fine ,afterall you are only soaking/washing them down and rinsing them off i NEVER let any kind of chemical sit on my wheels

longer then 15 secs.


the longer you ignore the break dust on your wheels and they bake in the sun the harder it's going to be to get the dust off, thats what we call oxidize, by then it's already to late, i wish you well with your new ride, it can be fun owning a new car it still is for me, my wife said to me the other day " hon you're OCD with this car " about a 3 months ago she said " you're obsessed with that thing ".....

Shouldn't that have read "wicked pissah?"