Do i need to polish my new car when i wash it for the first time?

Question

I heard from a friend that, it is better to polish a new car when washing it for the 1st time. This is to maintain the shine specially matallic paint.

Answer 1

Read the owners manual. It will tell you how to maintain your cars finish. Some clear coats react chemically with wax and then you'll wish you had listened to a body and fender man instead of a mechanic. Sorry, Dodgeman, but I gotta give you a thumbs down on this one.

Answer 2

It definitely couldn't hurt. I wash cars at a dealership, and unless the customer specifically requests it or if the car is a high end model (cadillac or corvette) the paint is never waxed before delivery, it is just thoroughly washed. The clearcoat in modern cars is very soft and is easily scratched. Also acid rain and other contaminates (bird droppings, pine sap, etc) will quickly penetrate an unprotected surface and make new paint look terrible, especially the darker colors. So you should thoroughly wash the car (make sure you rinse the car really really well-- the car should be pretty clean before you ever even touch a wash mitt to it, otherwise you risk rubbing the dirt into the paint and scratching it). Thoroughly rinse the car and dry it. To protect the paint, I would recommend a synthetic product. Carnuba wax will give you the best shine hands down, but it does not protect as well as synthetic waxes. You should not polish the paint unless it is already scratched; polishing the paint removes light scratches but it also remove some of the clearcoat. By the way, regardless of what other users say the paint can be buffed and polished as soon as it dries-- i've seen countless brand new cars being buffed because bird dropping penetrated the clearcoat or because of scratches. Also right after repainting a car (as soon as the paint is thoroughly dried) it is buffed to remove orange peel and dust nibs, so polishing or buffing does not harm new paint.

Answer 3

Edel, wait a month before any waxing/polishing and for that matter washing. Just rinse it off if neccesary. Give the paint job a month to "cure". I prefer polish. When it snows all I have to do is take a brush and wipe off the snow and dirt. Plus the Auto manufactures recommend waiting a month as well as the bodymen who repaint cars. Also avoid any type of cover on your new car as the fibers can be inbedded in the paint especially in warmer weather

Answer 4

Many clearcoats haven't finished their drying process unless they have been on the lot for a while. Especially Saturns, with the flexi panels. If you polish or use a contact wash (touchless washes are okay if you HAVE to) for a month or two just after you buy your car, you risk permanent swirl marks.

Answer 5

yes it is a good idea,and stay away from car washes with it,they scratch the paint up on any car,it wont show up right away but in a year or two you,ll notice a million little scratches on it,and this is caused from a car wash ,its best to always hand wash it if possible,go ahead and polish it though it will help it keep its new shine,good luck with it.

Answer 6

i'd wax it myself

polish is a very fine grit sandpaper. every time you polish it - you wear off some of the clear coat.

if its a new car - you shouldn't do anything for at least 6 months

Answer 7

"Polish? No.
Wax? Yes.

There is a big difference between the two.

Answer 8

should do it every few weeks once a month or more

Answer 9

NO! NO! and NO!