An Age-Old Question: Should I wait to wax it?

[UFG8R Runner]

So I've had the 2012 Runner since Monday, and I'm dying to wax it. Dealer said to "wait a couple months..."

After poking around Google, it looks like most people say paint is baked on at the factory on new cars—and newer technology OEM paint from the factory doesn't need to wait.

Anyone know the REAL answer? Anyone who waxed a new vehicle immediately ever have any issues?

 

[Bay33saw]

So I've had the 2012 Runner since Monday, and I'm dying to wax it. Dealer said to "wait a couple months..."

After poking around Google, it looks like most people say paint is baked on at the factory on new cars—and newer technology OEM paint from the factory doesn't need to wait.

Anyone know the REAL answer? Anyone who waxed a new vehicle immediately ever have any issues?

Go ahead and Wax on Wax off Grasshopper

 

[1engineer]

Wax it. If you had it painted at a body shop I would tell you to wait a few weeks. If the paint is unbaked then it will continue to allow thinners and particulates to "outgass" for a period of time. Baked on finishes have no issues.

 

[Antman]

:iagree:

 

[flash]

The dealership waxed mine when I bought it and it's so slick it's like a stripper sliding down a pole...not like I'd know.

At my age, I buy the wax stuff you put on while the truck is still wet from washing. Easy, real easy.

 

[UFG8R Runner]

:bravo:

And I'd say we have quorum and consensus...a fresh coat of the slick stuff it is!!!

Pictures and writeup coming soon. Have a garage / office stacked full of parts, tires, etc—my Runner patiently awaits its spankin' new look.

 

[gray street]

I clay barred and waxed it two weeks after I got mine.

 

[ant-ny]

nothing like the first waxing of a new car. wax the sh!t out of that truck and enjoy it, my friend! i did mine on day one, and it was sweet.

 

[Jaker]

nothing like the first waxing of a new car. wax the sh!t out of that truck and enjoy it, my friend! i did mine on day one, and it was sweet.

It's already been a while since the paint was first applied and cured in Japan. Nothing wrong with waxing it on day one of pick-up.

 

[JohnnyT]

I agree with Gray Street. Do not listen to the dealer. They know nothing about protecting a finish. On the contrary, protecting it from the get go will save you from a great deal of heartache later. DO NOT USE A CAR WASH UNLESS YOU WANT FINE SCRATCHES ALL OVER YOUR NEW CAR. EVEN ONCE. Its better to leave it dirty than to go to a car wash.

You should wash (use a mild soap with some Optimum No Rinse), claybar, and protect.

Clay will get off the embedded grime that even brand new cars off the lot have. Your clay will likely be filthy with grit. To learn how to do it properly, go to Detailed Image - Premium Auto Detailing and Car Care Products and read the article there.

To protect, use a sealant. It will protect for far longer. Wax will last you 1-4 weeks and then you have nothing. Anything you buy in a store is crap that will not last very long. Go to the website I mentioned above and get a good sealant. You'll be very glad you did.

 

[sbrooks64]

Use Rejex wax you will not regret it

 

[jspagna1]

You can wax it as soon as you want to. I actually like using Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax. I been using this product for a couple of years now and am very happy with how easy it s to wax my autos. Good reviews and strongly recommended.

 

[Kraeken]

I also clay barred my truck fairly soon after I bought it- its amazing how much crap was already on the car!

Just as a side note- a few years ago my wife had leased a BMW X3. It was brand new, and they made a point of telling us not to wax the car for a year, as the clear coat was not baked for some reason and took a year to cure. No idea why they do it that way, but that's what they said...

 

[03_4x4Runner]

All new cars have baked on paint. Even after this the paint is still venting out some of the thinners and solvents for several months. Supposedly wax can trap them in. With our 4runners being made in Japan I think it has cured enough with all the shipping time etc. Look at the build date on the door sticker and add 2 months onto it.