How long to wait until first detail?
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Rbiggers
New member
I wash and wax it just as soon as I get home from the dealer. Some dealers just use a little watered down spray wax to shine it up before they give you the keys (I worked at a Chevy dealer as a youngster and this was common practice). I like to get a good coat of my trusted wax on there by hand as soon as it's home. As for clay bar, I wait 6 months or more. There shouldn't be any contaminants on the surfaces yet if it's brand new.
NuclearN8
New member
who are you people?... the air, road spray and rain at the dealer is just as contaminated as at your house... and if the paint is "fresh" you have much much bigger problems.
Bottom line is there is no wait period to do anything detailing wise to the car. That being said, the likelihood of needing to clay a brand new vehicle before polish and waxing it (especially if using a DA polisher and professional products) is very very slim (unless it's been on the lot for months and has water spots or the dealer sits under a freeway overpass). A good wash should be all you need before detailing it.
Bottom line is there is no wait period to do anything detailing wise to the car. That being said, the likelihood of needing to clay a brand new vehicle before polish and waxing it (especially if using a DA polisher and professional products) is very very slim (unless it's been on the lot for months and has water spots or the dealer sits under a freeway overpass). A good wash should be all you need before detailing it.
^^^This. I used to work at a high end auto detailing shop during summers in college and this was the same advice given out.
Drummer1
New member
For years I have always started out with a two bucket/grit guard wash in shade or before sunset and dry. Next I clay the entire vehicle then go over the vehicle with a detailer spray to make sure the surface is clean. I use my porter cable 7424xp with some Meguiar's M205 to give it a good polish to remove any minor imperfections then follow up with a sealant or wax. Once I complete this process yearly I just wash and do a spray wax weekly and this keeps my vehicles protected and looking good throughout the year. Cheers! 
arty:
arty:
hikenbike
New member
Wash, clay, and wax immediately. If you run your hand across the car and feel any grit, then clay it. It's harmless and you'd be surprised how many new cars need it. If the paint is like glass, then skip it and just wash and wax.
I swear by Collinite 845.
Get some Optimum No Rinse also. Fantastic and versatile detailing product.
I swear by Collinite 845.
Get some Optimum No Rinse also. Fantastic and versatile detailing product.
burninator
New member
Plenty of the super high end detailers have customers drive six figure cars straight from the dealer to the detailer, for paint correction and waxing.
There's no need to wait.
There's no need to wait.
