Don't Freak out at the new guy

mj41 · 10-10-2006, 02:31 PM

Can you all give me some tips on exterior care? I picked up my 335i last month and am starting to wonder what I need to do to keep the outside looking great. What wax do you recommend and should the wheels also be waxed? Any ideas on treating a new finish? Sorry for the dumb questions, but this is my first NEW BMW and want to get off on the right foot!

txusa03 · 10-10-2006, 02:39 PM

Welcome, for a first time bmw owner, you are heading in the right direction, a nice clean car give give you longer lasting enjoyment. But, have you done a search, ther are tons of topic discussion on exterior care.

shimshimhada · 10-10-2006, 03:10 PM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9145

If you have any specific questions, free feel to post a thread.

NoMods · 10-10-2006, 08:54 PM

http://www.autopia.org/ is the best detailing site besides this one

I love Menzerna, Klasse and Zaino!

mj41 · 10-11-2006, 07:33 PM

I looked at the links provided. Placed my first order with Zaino. Do I need to clay my car. It is practically spotless and garage kept. Less than 1000. Also, should I follow the directions and wash with Dawn? Any advice on wheels, should they be waxed with wheel wax?

Thanks

shimshimhada · 10-11-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mj41

I looked at the links provided. Placed my first order with Zaino. Do I need to clay my car. It is practically spotless and garage kept. Less than 1000. Also, should I follow the directions and wash with Dawn? Any advice on wheels, should they be waxed with wheel wax?

Thanks

Even new cars have contaminants from pre-delivery stages. You don't HAVE to, but gloss will be more uniform if you remove those contaminants from the paint. I doubt you'll notice a big difference, so you can just skip it if you want.

Wash with Dawn or any other liquid soap just for the first time, for every wash after that, use Zaino Z7 car wash or another automotive car wash.

Wheel sealant makes cleaning wheels a lot easier, definitely do it, if you have the time.

aphall · 10-12-2006, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

Even new cars have contaminants from pre-delivery stages. You don't HAVE to, but gloss will be more uniform if you remove those contaminants from the paint. I doubt you'll notice a big difference, so you can just skip it if you want.

Wash with Dawn or any other liquid soap just for the first time, for every wash after that, use Zaino Z7 car wash or another automotive car wash.

Wheel sealant makes cleaning wheels a lot easier, definitely do it, if you have the time.

+1 to shim's comments. I didn't do a dawn wash though. Reading all the literature out there, a lot of people go either way on a dawn wash. I put Klasse AIO and SG on my rims, which helps with cleaning.

Boondoggler · 10-12-2006, 08:45 AM

An initial clay barring of the car is really easy, it takes very little time when the car has minimal contaminants and gives a nice uniform shine once the sealant is applied. It would be well worth the 20-30 minutes or so it takes the first time. If you have a dark color car, I'd highly recommend getting both the Z5 and the Z2 sealants and using Z5 as your first application, and in the future whenever you start to see swirl marks. Always finish with a coat of Z2. Dawn the first time is a good idea as it will strip off any residual carnuba or liquid wax you have from the dealer or any previous car washes, etc. That will give you the best base for bonding the sealant to your clear coat. As for wheel polish, I'd highly recommend the PoorBoys Wheel Sealant. I've been using it ever since I saw Picus recommend it, and it really keeps brake dust from adhering.

mj41 · 10-14-2006, 03:39 PM

Thanks for everyone's input so far. Recieved my Zaino Kit on Friday, and spent this morning, washing, claying, washing, Z1, then Z2. I will try to finish tonight and take some pics. The wheel wax tip was great, I can see and feel the difference on the finish, I applied Z6 over the top.

txusa03 · 10-17-2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mj41

Thanks for everyone's input so far. Recieved my Zaino Kit on Friday, and spent this morning, washing, claying, washing, Z1, then Z2. I will try to finish tonight and take some pics. The wheel wax tip was great, I can see and feel the difference on the finish, I applied Z6 over the top.

just a reminder, don't lean on the car or you will slip and fall...

10-10-2006, 02:31 PM	#1
mj41 Private First Class 71 Rep 131 Posts Drives: '19 GC '16 X3 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hudson Valley, NY iTrader: (0)	Don't Freak out at the new guy Can you all give me some tips on exterior care? I picked up my 335i last month and am starting to wonder what I need to do to keep the outside looking great. What wax do you recommend and should the wheels also be waxed? Any ideas on treating a new finish? Sorry for the dumb questions, but this is my first NEW BMW and want to get off on the right foot!
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10-10-2006, 02:39 PM	#2
txusa03 Major General 602 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	Welcome, for a first time bmw owner, you are heading in the right direction, a nice clean car give give you longer lasting enjoyment. But, have you done a search, ther are tons of topic discussion on exterior care.
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10-10-2006, 03:10 PM	#3
shimshimhada Brigadier General 502 Rep 4,838 Posts Drives: Portal Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portal iTrader: (2)	http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9145 If you have any specific questions, free feel to post a thread.
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10-10-2006, 08:54 PM	#4
NoMods Colonel 1227 Rep 2,383 Posts Drives: 2022 M5 Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (10) Garage List 2022 M5 [10.00]	http://www.autopia.org/ is the best detailing site besides this one I love Menzerna, Klasse and Zaino!
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10-11-2006, 07:33 PM	#5
mj41 Private First Class 71 Rep 131 Posts Drives: '19 GC '16 X3 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hudson Valley, NY iTrader: (0)	Thanks I looked at the links provided. Placed my first order with Zaino. Do I need to clay my car. It is practically spotless and garage kept. Less than 1000. Also, should I follow the directions and wash with Dawn? Any advice on wheels, should they be waxed with wheel wax? Thanks
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10-12-2006, 08:45 AM	#8
Boondoggler Lieutenant 72 Rep 402 Posts Drives: 2023 G01 LCI X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lawrenceville, NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 340i xDrive [6.50]	An initial clay barring of the car is really easy, it takes very little time when the car has minimal contaminants and gives a nice uniform shine once the sealant is applied. It would be well worth the 20-30 minutes or so it takes the first time. If you have a dark color car, I'd highly recommend getting both the Z5 and the Z2 sealants and using Z5 as your first application, and in the future whenever you start to see swirl marks. Always finish with a coat of Z2. Dawn the first time is a good idea as it will strip off any residual carnuba or liquid wax you have from the dealer or any previous car washes, etc. That will give you the best base for bonding the sealant to your clear coat. As for wheel polish, I'd highly recommend the PoorBoys Wheel Sealant. I've been using it ever since I saw Picus recommend it, and it really keeps brake dust from adhering. __________________ 2023 G01 LCI X3 M40i My Garage \| Phytonic Blue \| Black Sensatec \| Carbon Fiber Trim \| Parking \| Premium \| Remote \| Wireless \| Harmon Kardon \| 19" 887M Bi-color Midnight Grey
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10-14-2006, 03:39 PM	#9
mj41 Private First Class 71 Rep 131 Posts Drives: '19 GC '16 X3 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hudson Valley, NY iTrader: (0)	Thanks for everyone's input so far. Recieved my Zaino Kit on Friday, and spent this morning, washing, claying, washing, Z1, then Z2. I will try to finish tonight and take some pics. The wheel wax tip was great, I can see and feel the difference on the finish, I applied Z6 over the top.
	Appreciate 0 Quote