Brand New VW Paint Care

[Nick1994]

My aunt just bought a brand new 2013 TDI VW Beetle, it is red and has a sunroof. What do youths recommend for a wax? How often? If we could get it at O'Reilly's that would be awesome possibly Walmart. Also can I just wipe a spray wax on with some brand new microfiber towels or do I really need a buffer? Thanks.

Here's a picture of it: http://tinypic.com/r/2l9rt6d/5

 

[The Critic]

Wash, Iron-X paste (to remove embedded ferrous particles), fine clay (or Nanoskin fine pad/mitt), and your choice of either a sealant or paint coating. I strongly recommend Opti-Coat 2.0 for daily drivers.

Although I feel that better products are available online, Meguiars Ultimate liquid wax and their clay kit should work fine.

For towels, Costco has OK microfiber towels, but they can marr some soft paints.

 

[dparm]

Sharp looking car!

Grab some microfibre towels at your local auto parts store. If you're going to take the spray wax route, Meguiar's NXT spray wax is well-received around here.

 

[spasm3]

I would use a sealant, then wax. Klasse sealant, 2 coats 24hrs apart then 24hrs after that a spray wax every time you wash.

 

[dparm]

Guys, the OP said he wants to get this stuff at local B&M stores. You can't buy Iron-X, Opti-Coat, or Klasse at a store...

 

[fdcg27]

The best care you can give it will be to keep it clean and keep it garaged when not in use.
Any wax/sealer product that isn't too abrasive will keep the paint looking good and you don't need a buffer, although a buffer would make life easier.

 

[Eddie]

NuFinish avail at WalMarts has worked very well for me over the years. Long lasting and has UV protection which you need in AZ. I would not use a buffer. If you use NuFinish on a just washed and dried vehicle and use a LIGHT coat of wax, you will have no problems removing it by hand. Some people use a heavy coat and then wonder why they have a difficult time removing the excess. Ed

 

[Nick1994]

Thanks, I forgot to mention the car is garaged at home and at work. The meguiars sounds awesome

 

[Nick1994]

Youths= you guys, [censored] autocorrect

 

[Nick1994]

Lol, and [censored] was supposed to say darn

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

I think 3M Performance Finish is one of the better products you can find at Walmart. Otherwise I would go with a Meguiar's product such as NXT or Ultimate Wax.

 

[qwertydude]

Meguiars Ultimate Wax liquid so far is the best OTC stuff available in my opinion all the looks of NXT but the durability of a dedicated sealant, the paste is a little more duarable but isn't as easy to use. The liquid is really easy to apply and remove and it has very good paint cleaning ability by itself. Probably one of the best all in one OTC waxes because of how clean it can leave paint in a single application.

For a new car I wouldn't bother with chemical decontamination. I'd simply get an OTC clay bar and learn how to use it and then follow with Ultimate Wax. You'll get very good results and excellent durability with those two products.

 

[walk23]

3M Performance Finish

 

[cutlassvillager]

Originally Posted By: walk23
3M Performance Finish


+1

I used to work at a car dealer that sold the 3M paint protectant for several hundred dollars (that included an extensive warranty against paint damage due to bird droppings, sap, etc.). The wax that was applied was the 3M Performance Finish. I have used it on my vehicle as well as some family members' and it seems to last way longer than anything else I've used. I park in covered parking which also serves as a very efficient bird s&@t factory. Over the course of a few years I have yet to have anything eat into my clear coat. There were never any warranty claims with clients that bought the "paint protectant." A word of warning, it will stain black plastic trim very badly.

As a little bit of history....I worked as the Detail Manager at the dealership. We used to get the "paint protectant" product through 3M that was for "professional use only" and therefore was not available through any regular consumer channels. When I went to order some more product 3M told me that old SKU/Series was discontinued and the 3M Performance Finish was the exact same product. Sure enough after receiving it it's the same product down to the smell.

 

[Ayrton]

As a touch up between using a normal wax, Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Wax is quite popular and oh so easy, wipe on and off.

You don't need a machine to apply and remove wax. Some people enjoy that, but machines are primarily for removing defects from the paint and it sounds like you're just wanting to put a bit of protection, at least for now.

When the paint starts to feel rough, like sand paper, use a clay kit before waxing as the wax will last much longer.

That is a NICE car. Cool engine, cool car, good economy, etc. A lot to like.

 

[gofast182]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Wash, Iron-X paste (to remove embedded ferrous particles), fine clay (or Nanoskin fine pad/mitt), and your choice of either a sealant or paint coating. I strongly recommend Opti-Coat 2.0 for daily drivers.

Although I feel that better products are available online, Meguiars Ultimate liquid wax and their clay kit should work fine.

For towels, Costco has OK microfiber towels, but they can marr some soft paints.

What you do with more steps and high-end products isn't really answering the OP's question. He's looking for more basic advice.

For your purposes, OP, first make sure she washes the car on a regular basis, that's a better defense than any wax or LSP you can put on the car. For care and enhancement of the finish you could probably get away with Mothers or Meguiars OTC waxes, apply wax every six months. Before waxing I'd suggest going over the finish with a Nanoskin Autoscrub mitt just to keep the surface in good shape and free of contaminants.
Good luck!

 

[FastEddie]

Wash, meg's gold class will work and can be had OTC, clay magic blue clay, no need for any of the nanoskin towels or the autoscrub if your only doing your own car, and wax with a name brand wax.

Done and easy, and it will be protected and better taken care of than most other cars on the road.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: gofast182
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Wash, Iron-X paste (to remove embedded ferrous particles), fine clay (or Nanoskin fine pad/mitt), and your choice of either a sealant or paint coating. I strongly recommend Opti-Coat 2.0 for daily drivers.

Although I feel that better products are available online, Meguiars Ultimate liquid wax and their clay kit should work fine.

For towels, Costco has OK microfiber towels, but they can marr some soft paints.

What you do with more steps and high-end products isn't really answering the OP's question. He's looking for more basic advice.

Good luck!


I did give alternate recommendations in my second paragraph, for OTC Meguiars Ultimate Liquid Wax and Meguiars Clay Kit. He should be able to find those at WM.