To wax......or not to wax?

[Nance]

Thanks for all the responses and SMART advice on waxing my Smart. I appreciate it.
Nance

[SmartDigger]

I also use the spray-on-dry off wax in between waxing with regular wax.

[suemac]

My sales rep suggested spray-on Turtle Wax.

[mrc59]

And let's not forget. This is a car. It's outside. It may not look brand new for long. Just like your fridge. Your cell phone. Etc.

Protection is good (e.g., rust prevention). But for cosmetics, life outdoors can be futile!

[Old smart]

When I picked up the Outback at the body shop after a rear bumper repair (new plastic bumper cover, painting and clear-coating), I mentioned that the next stop was the detailer up the street for the fancy, complete showroom-perfect job. He warned me to tell them not to put any kind of coating, sealer or wax on the new bumper - the clear-coat has to cure for 90 days.

smarts come clear-coated, both the metallics and the MICs. It may be wise to not touch a new-from-factory smart for the first three months.

[Suze]

Originally Posted by Old smart

When I picked up the Outback at the body shop after a rear bumper repair (new plastic bumper cover, painting and clear-coating), I mentioned that the next stop was the detailer up the street for the fancy, complete showroom-perfect job. He warned me to tell them not to put any kind of coating, sealer or wax on the new bumper - the clear-coat has to cure for 90 days.

smarts come clear-coated, both the metallics and the MICs. It may be wise to not touch a new-from-factory smart for the first three months.

I was told the same thing when I got my new (painted) panels. 2 weeks not auto wash and 60-90 days no wax.

It seems with new cars that's the first thing people do - wax it. So I'm wondering if it really makes any difference in the long run.

[Turbo42]

Originally Posted by Old smart

When I picked up the Outback at the body shop after a rear bumper repair (new plastic bumper cover, painting and clear-coating), I mentioned that the next stop was the detailer up the street for the fancy, complete showroom-perfect job. He warned me to tell them not to put any kind of coating, sealer or wax on the new bumper - the clear-coat has to cure for 90 days.

smarts come clear-coated, both the metallics and the MICs. It may be wise to not touch a new-from-factory smart for the first three months.

This is totally not true. What do you think is done right after a car is painted and baked. The painter waits about 1 hour after cool down and begins to wet sand and buff the panel. This is done about 3 hours after the car is painted. Paint is not like the old days where it took a week to dry.

[Old smart]

I guess USAA specifies, and the shop uses "old clear-coat."

[HerrZ]

i used the turtle wax ICE. Went on easy, did lower valence as well. Looks nice, except using the microfiber towel produced a lot of static cling, and airborne dust was attracted to the panels. That lasted until the road grime settled. Good beading action as well.

[forestacademy]

Well even if you decide not to wax the body panels right away, Take the time to Wax the Rims of those wheels. Especialy the fronts. It will save you a lot of effort cleaning off break dust.