Another newbie question: when to wax?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2006
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Another newbie question: when to wax?
Picked up the E350 last night, and man, is that thing shiny!
Question: does the car come with a coat of wax, or should I get one on shortly? Is there a period I should wait first?
TIA
Question: does the car come with a coat of wax, or should I get one on shortly? Is there a period I should wait first?
TIA
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 177
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From: Duarte, CA
2006 E500
I believe your car (new - I assume) should already be ok - without waxing, for at least sometime. I'm kind of new myself so I don't know WHEN you should first wax your car or not. However...you'll probably get more responses if you post your inquiry in the Detailing and Automotive Care forum. You'll also find some other threads there relating to how-to's for waxing, etc...and possibly when you should wax your car for the first time.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
If it were me I would - at your earliest convience (today/tonight? ) - wash it , then go over it with clay bar,then procede with the 1st of 3 coats of Zaino....then take it out and show off you're shiny new baby ! 
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Los Angeles / Orange County
2005 E500 / 1993 MR2 Turbo
I think it depends on the type of waxing you are talking about. You should do the heavy duty wax job, thats when the wax is applied and buff off with a orbital polisher, when needed, e.g. when you run your hand across the body of the car and its not smooth and can feel imperfections.
On the other hand, what I do, whether you do it yourself or have a car wash do it, is get a hand wax. Thats when you apply a liquid wax to the car after it is washed. It dries quickly and buffs out with a hand towel easy. Since it is inexpensive to have it done at the car wash, maybe 30 bucks, I get it done every other or two car washes. It can also easily be done at home, as the wax is easy to buff off and can be accomplished in 20 mins. It keeps the car very shiny and smooth free of the imperfections that settle on the body. doing this on a frequent basis will avoid having to get the car detailed.
I use the meguires cleaner wax.
On the other hand, what I do, whether you do it yourself or have a car wash do it, is get a hand wax. Thats when you apply a liquid wax to the car after it is washed. It dries quickly and buffs out with a hand towel easy. Since it is inexpensive to have it done at the car wash, maybe 30 bucks, I get it done every other or two car washes. It can also easily be done at home, as the wax is easy to buff off and can be accomplished in 20 mins. It keeps the car very shiny and smooth free of the imperfections that settle on the body. doing this on a frequent basis will avoid having to get the car detailed.
I use the meguires cleaner wax.
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From: Birmingham, AL
Originally Posted by jameson75
You should do the heavy duty wax job, thats when the wax is applied and buff off with a orbital polisher, when needed, e.g. when you run your hand across the body of the car and its not smooth and can feel imperfections.
I wouldn't use an orbital (random or not!) polisher on my car if you held a gun to my head.
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From: Birmingham, AL
If you can't see for yourself why not, then there isn't any reason for you not to. I don't like the swirls... well swirls probably isn't the "correct" term for them... that are left in the paint when MOST people use a buffer. You can look at a the reflection of a bright light (e.g. the sun) in the paint and see fine circular marks around it. I use straight line motions when waxing and (hand) polishing.
The body shops use the buffers with an abrasive to hone down the clearcoat somewhat. To me, that's entirely different from routine wax/polish. Also, I really make an effort to keep my car out of body shops, too, for that matter. If you're comparing what a body shop does, you're already somewhat outside of the parameters that I'm talking about.
The body shops use the buffers with an abrasive to hone down the clearcoat somewhat. To me, that's entirely different from routine wax/polish. Also, I really make an effort to keep my car out of body shops, too, for that matter. If you're comparing what a body shop does, you're already somewhat outside of the parameters that I'm talking about.
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From: Birmingham, AL
Originally Posted by C43AMG
If it were me I would - at your earliest convience (today/tonight? ) - wash it , then go over it with clay bar,then procede with the 1st of 3 coats of Zaino....then take it out and show off you're shiny new baby !
Oh, and for the record, I'm in TOTAL agreement with that.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Treasure Coast
2018 Mclaren 720s, 2021 Aston Martin DBX
Your dealer has probably waxed the car already, but it’s no big deal....the paint has time to cure during shipping.
The clear coat is the scratch resistant paint, so you shouldn’t have to use an orbital to remove cobwebbing and swirls for a while unless you really mess up when washing the car.
If the finish doesn't feel mirror smooth use a clay bar, not a buffer.
I vote for the Zaino too.
The clear coat is the scratch resistant paint, so you shouldn’t have to use an orbital to remove cobwebbing and swirls for a while unless you really mess up when washing the car.
If the finish doesn't feel mirror smooth use a clay bar, not a buffer.
I vote for the Zaino too.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2006
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Thanks for the advice guys! I already use Zaino on my bimmer, but skipped the clay bar step (too lazy I guess) and always very pleased with the results.
Do I really need to clay bar on a brand new car? When I was talking with a pro detailer before, he mentioned its not completely necessary on a new car as its meant for older cars that havent been taken care of (this was a very honest answer since I was about to pay him to do it for me).
Anyway, I'll poke around the detail forum. Thanks again folks...
Do I really need to clay bar on a brand new car? When I was talking with a pro detailer before, he mentioned its not completely necessary on a new car as its meant for older cars that havent been taken care of (this was a very honest answer since I was about to pay him to do it for me).
Anyway, I'll poke around the detail forum. Thanks again folks...
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
what color...? I picked up my E on a wed, friday night I was compounding it, polishing, and 2 layers of wax... looked pisser....
When you get in right on it, youll begin to notice little crap in the paint that the dealer doesnt get out during delivery...
I recomend a porter cable random orbital polisher... NO SWIRLS
When you get in right on it, youll begin to notice little crap in the paint that the dealer doesnt get out during delivery...
I recomend a porter cable random orbital polisher... NO SWIRLS
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
No dealer I have ever been associated with uses hand wax on ANY car before they deliver it. NONE!! Never assume that your car is waxed. Also, do not assume it is if the dealer says they will "detail" it. All we did was either run it through a car wash or have a dude hand wash with a wax and wash all in one. Takes 10 minutes and is worth all of $5. Take responsibility and care for your car. Do it yourself as three have already said or pay to get it done. The need for clay bar is all about the cndition of the car. If it was painted within the past few months, allowing it to cure before a good seal job is good, anyway. if it sat on a dock somewhere, then it is already baked on.
