I clayed my vehicle the 3rd day I owned it as well. Typically what you'll see on new vehicles is rail dust or other contamination that accumulates from sitting on the lot or during transit of the vehicle.

It's the best possible prep stage prior to polishing or protecting your vehicle too so getting it done for that first coat of protection is ideal.

George

 

Disagree. I had to do a single step compounding on my G within 6 months of purchasing it. Don't forget how soft Infiniti's paint is........you can get light scratches just by looking at it. I am completely **** on how I wash my car, yet I still get light scratches and swirl marks.

 

Yeah, what about dealerships that have their own car washes? I wouldn't doubt that they need to wash their cars once a week or so to keep it clean depending on the time of year and it could lead to quite a few scratches.

 

I am very careful when it comes to washing my car, but the scratches just pop out from no where.

also, i have had to take my car in for service (twice for the windows rubber stripping) and twice for my radio. And whenever i take it in they insist on washing my car for me eventhough i tell them not to.

so yeah, tons of light light swirlmarks on my car.

 

I put a sign in the dash to not wash the car, or put a stick note on the steering wheel, so the idiot that gets into the car will see it before pulling it through the car wash

 

Thanks for confirming exactly what I thought.

 

Just my opinion: Claying is incredibly effective for giving your paint that "butter-smooth" feeling. I polished my car a few months ago, so there is only very minimal marring on the finish. I read a claying thread last week and decided I should clay it again. The result reaffirmed the importance of regular claying. I clayed with Mother's Claybar which is available locally at AutoZone. That step alone made the paint smooth as silk. I then put on 2 coats of Meg's NXT. Smoooooooth. Personally, I don't think people realize just what regular claying can do or just how easy it is. I think it took me less than 1/2 hour to clay my whole coupe.

 

Don't new cars come with those white plastic sheet covers when they are transported?

 

Those don't cover the entire car though, and are meant more for preventing scuffs and scratchs from transportation, there are plenty of exposed areas though

 

^ Exactly, there are still lots of exposed areas. Here is a pic of my car. The entire back was exposed to rail dust and other contaminates.