[shadowhawk]

OK...

So I picked up my NB M/T on Saturday (it had about 20 miles on it), then drove it about 110 miles home.

Then I drove it around the San Francisco Bay area a bunch the next day, winding up with 320 miles on it a day and a half after I picked it up.

Now I just broke 400 miles last night. It's got bugs and stuff on it, naturally.

I didn't go for the paint-sealant/ToyotaGuard/whatever thing that they offered at the dealership. I cleaned the windshield with the stuff at the gas station, and the water totally didn't bead or sheet off the body panels, so I've got silly water spots there now.

So then I read up on all the stuff you can go crazy with in taking care of your paint: washing, cleaning, clay-barring, polishing, waxing, sealing....

...Now, with my head spinning, I'm thinking my car doesn't have a wax coating on it *or* this sealant dealio...

But, minimally, I figure I should get the bugs off and a wax coating (so water beads and rolls off, for one thing).

Am I right about that? Is that good enough to start? And a "sealant" on top of that if the place does that?

Augh, frozen with too much info!

 

[mrbrace]

yeah definitely wax your car first thing cause your paint will chip easily without some protection I wax my tc almost every time I wash it and its never gotten a rock chip yet since, I would highly extremely highly recommend it.

 

[godofthunder347]

if you want to learn more about detailing a great place to look is autopia.org...been a member there for years. Since nothing had been done, you deff. should go all out.

 

[eddiemoney]

I would wait a little bit before the first wax, im not sure how things are done at the toyota factory, but typically when you freshly paint/clearcoat a car you wait 60-90 days before you wax it.

 

[lo bux racer]

The factory finish is baked. There is no need to wait. Do it now. You have to wait on a repair because they can't bake the finish on the way they can at the factory.

 

[eddiemoney]

Well nevermind then, go ahead and do it

 

[Azrael]

Lance rules. He knows all. Kneel before the awesome power that is Lo Bux Racer.

 

[Scott.tc.06]

Originally posted by shadowhawk@Jul 13 2005, 11:27 AM
OK...

So I picked up my NB M/T on Saturday (it had about 20 miles on it), then drove it about 110 miles home.

Then I drove it around the San Francisco Bay area a bunch the next day, winding up with 320 miles on it a day and a half after I picked it up.

Now I just broke 400 miles last night. It's got bugs and stuff on it, naturally.

I didn't go for the paint-sealant/ToyotaGuard/whatever thing that they offered at the dealership. I cleaned the windshield with the stuff at the gas station, and the water totally didn't bead or sheet off the body panels, so I've got silly water spots there now.

So then I read up on all the stuff you can go crazy with in taking care of your paint: washing, cleaning, clay-barring, polishing, waxing, sealing....

...Now, with my head spinning, I'm thinking my car doesn't have a wax coating on it *or* this sealant dealio...

But, minimally, I figure I should get the bugs off and a wax coating (so water beads and rolls off, for one thing).

Am I right about that? Is that good enough to start? And a "sealant" on top of that if the place does that?

Augh, frozen with too much info!

Wow, I know it's harsh to say this now but seriously I think the sealant is a MUST. My last car I didn't get it on and the paint just doesn't hold up for #### after 3-4 years... definitely any car I buy from here on out will have sealant. I've had my car about a week and a half and it's rained almost everyday and she still looks like I just drove her off the lot!

 

[buggravy]

What is the cost of the sealant? I didn't get it either. Other than taking it back to the dealer to have it applied, what type of wax should be applied as a first wax?

 

[buggravy]

Instead of waiting for a response, I took it out and had it washed and waxed today. Don't know the brand, but the local hand wash says they use Carnuba wax. I'm happy with the results - looks great. I know carnuba wax doesn't hold up as long, so if I continue this treatment every month or so, am I good?

 

[eddiemoney]

You don't have to wax every month. I would say 3 times a year should be plenty. Most people do it twice a year. As long as you have some treatment on there and apply it on regular intervals you should be fine.

 

[phungy]

So me waxing it everytime I wash it which is every week is excessive huh? Damn...I'm too obsessed.

 

[redwine]

Originally posted by phungy@Aug 15 2005, 12:53 PM
So me waxing it everytime I wash it which is every week is excessive huh? Damn...I'm too obsessed.

So much energy! How about waxin' an AP for a change?

 

[phungy]

Originally posted by redwine+Aug 15 2005, 04:55 PM-->QUOTE (redwine @ Aug 15 2005, 04:55 PM)

<!--QuoteBegin-phungy

@Aug 15 2005, 12:53 PM
So me waxing it everytime I wash it which is every week is excessive huh? Damn...I'm too obsessed.

So much energy! How about waxin' an AP for a change? [/b]

Heh, well if you're in Gainesville sure. I just can't stand my car being dirty which makes me wash/wax it almost every week.

 

[buggravy]

Originally posted by EddieMoney@Aug 15 2005, 05:36 AM
You don't have to wax every month. I would say 3 times a year should be plenty. Most people do it twice a year. As long as you have some treatment on there and apply it on regular intervals you should be fine.

Even with Carnuba? I hear it breaks down quickly. I live in Southern California, so the car does spend time in high (90 degrees +) heat and direct sun light.