I'd work your 30-90 days from the manufacturing date not purchase date.

Regardless of todays clearcoats, wax is still going to provide an extra layer of protection between the paint and nasties. I find the bugs slide right off of a good coat of wax; not so much without one.

 

I've had my car since the end of April (it was made in April) and no wax yet. I figured I'd do it in another week or so...maybe get it polished to...professionally done.

 

I'm hardly an expert but the purpose of wax is to provide a protective barrier. It doesn't matter whether you have a car, boat or deck on your house or whatever, if it is exposed to the elements, it will be subject to the best that mother nature (wind-driven dirt, sand, road solvents, bird droppings, sap and more stuff than I can name baked right onto the vehicle) can throw at it not to mention people touching and rubbing up against the finish. All of that will degrade it over time. Why expose your car's expensive permanent finish to that when you can let an inexpensive throwaway layer to handle that. No body (especially Dodge/Chrysler) has created an impenetrable paint finish. The only way I would never wax my car is if it sat in a dim/dark (no UV) climate-controlled garage and was never driven.

As far as when is the first time to wax, I don't think you have to wait anymore unlike the old days when paint finishes were more or less cured at hot summer day temps. I waited two weeks though but had it gotten dirty, I would have sooner.

 

I wouldn't take much stock in anybody telling me I never had to wax my new car, especially the prices of some of those Challengers.

I'd think a bit of it would depend on the climate you live in. If you're in a hot, sunny climate, it's definitely be good to wax it periodically. If you're in a climate that has a lot of rain, or one that has snow and/or salt on the roads, that too would warrant extra protection. ''

A coat of good wax is cheap protection for any nice car's finish. I usually try to do mine a couple times a year, with Meguiar's; that seems adequate for most areas.

 

QUOTE (onlygators @ Jul 27 2011, 04:49 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=482038

I've had my car since the end of April (it was made in April) and no wax yet. I figured I'd do it in another week or so...maybe get it polished to...professionally done.

If you get it professionally done, I would find out if they do it by hand or use a buffer of some type. Some "professionals" use the equivalent of a circular sander with a buffing pad. If not done correctly these can quickly wear through clear coat. A RANDOM orbital buffer is a safer option as it doesn't just go in a round circular pattern but uses more of a vibrating movement. Check out the equipment before letting them touch it...I've seen circular buffers burn or melt the clearcoat, especially on edges...which our cars have a bunch of

 

Thats madness that they tell you not to wax the car lol. A good wax is going to protect the paint and also add shine. Id say wax it when ever you want. I could get into deep detail on how to detail and wax your car but the quick answer is....

Wash with dawn if you want to take off the old wax. But after that use a quality car wash formula, one that is just a car wash and not a wax built in stuff.
Wash the car with good lambs wool or a good microfiber towel to prevent micro scratches especially if you have black.
Dry with a good micro fiber to the same reason mentioned above.
Use a quality wax, I love Chemical guys 50/50.

I always re wax with out stripping the old wax once I notice the water not beading off the car when I wash it. Most autozone waxes and such do not last long in that regard...

You could clay bar the car, glaze, and then wax if you wanna go crazy but that takes LOTS of time lol.

 

QUOTE (DManInDFW @ Jul 27 2011, 06:30 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=482046

If you get it professionally done, I would find out if they do it by hand or use a buffer of some type. Some "professionals" use the equivalent of a circular sander with a buffing pad. If not done correctly these can quickly wear through clear coat. A RANDOM orbital buffer is a safer option as it doesn't just go in a round circular pattern but uses more of a vibrating movement. Check out the equipment before letting them touch it...I've seen circular buffers burn or melt the clearcoat, especially on edges...which our cars have a bunch of

+1 on this. DO NOT try and use a circular buffer unles you know what you are doing.... Orbitals are OK for noobs but Id still hand buff over using one of those

 

QUOTE (Accent_Ninja @ Jul 31 2011, 06:39 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=483870

+1 on this. DO NOT try and use a circular buffer unles you know what you are doing.... Orbitals are OK for noobs but Id still hand buff over using one of those

circular buffer can burn your clear coat or even worst the paint, this will create a yellowish color if hey are not used properly.