I just got my G less than 2 weeks ago and was planning on giving it its first full detailing (dawn wash-polish-wax, interior and leather cleaning/conditioning, etc.) this weekend, but someone told me I should wait a while longer until the paint has cured, blah blah... I think it's BS, but can someone reassure me that I'm right?

2004 6MT (Silver/Willow), premium & aero packages

 

You don't have to wait...and a good hand washing and inspection will pay big dividends in case you find some flaws in the paint. Don't give the dealer time to say the problems may not have been there prior to delivery.
I used a clay bar my first detail and found some "hidden" scratches (may have been filled with colored wax). I immediatly returned to the dealer and had them fix the finish properly.
As a footnote...I love the Zaino Bros. products....

 

Many people have said that it comes cured from the factory, and you don't have to wait. I did my 3 coats of zaino after a month. I just wash it every two weeks, and put another coat of Zaino once in two months. The car (knock on wood) still looks like brand new, after 6 months.

G35 Coupe. Diamond Graphite, Graphite, Premium and wheel and Tire package. Zaino Baby.

 

WTF.. your not done yet.... lol

TC

"There is a Very Fine Line Between "Hobby and Mental Illness"

I'm not obsessed with detailing, really!

 

waxed the front bumper the 1st day I got, plu si think the dealer waxed the whole car b4 i picked it up

 

it is safe to wax it, the dealer will usually wax it for you anyway during their "dealer prep" process

<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c 6MT DG/Willow/HyperGround/BorlaExhaust

 

From the factory, it's been baked and cured and is fine. You used to have to wait for paint to cure, but not today. However, some auto body repair shops don't bake the paint in, so after a repair job, they may tell you to wait 6-8 weeks before waxing the repainted parts.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

Thanks, guys. I went ahead and did the Dawn wash/clay bar/Zymol thing last night; I'm pretty pleased, although it's hard to tell if it's any shinier when you have the brilliant silver finish; LOL!

2004 6MT (Silver/Willow), premium & aero packages

My old ride (I still miss her; put a lot of pride and joy into it): http://www.n-body.net/registry/john95ga/

 

One hour

 

How much Dawn did you use? that blue stuff seems pretty strong, would using too much Dawn damage the clear coat?

on the other hand, not enough dawn might not completely remove the wax that the dealer puts on. and the finish will end up blotchy or worse...

 

Dawn won't damage the paint, it just strips the wax off.

Not waxing after using Dawn will damage your paint (indirectly.. after getting plenty of sun and bird exposure). [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

haha......soap will not remove clearcoat

<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c 6MT DG/Willow/HyperGround/BorlaExhaust

 

hey, if that stuff can get rid of baked on (cured?) pasta from an oven pan... who knows what else it might take off of your car?

 

go wash your painted walls or ceiling with soap....it doesnt take off the paint... plus cars have a thick layer of clearcoat paint for added protection... [img]/w3timages/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c 6MT DG/Willow/HyperGround/BorlaExhaust

 

you use dawn to wash your car? isnt that like a dish washing liquid? isnt that bad? why dont you use regular car wash soap? why dawn?