Hello all. I'm new here, first post. I'm the proud owner of a new 2012 Maxima LE. Beautiful car, in frost white, love it! I bought it last Saturday after my 2003 350Z was wrecked.

I keep my cars cleaned and maintained, which leads me to my question...what would you experienced detailers suggest for my first cleaning/wax?

In the past I have just washed the car and waxed occasionally. It always looked good but I'd like to step it up and do the best job possible for my new car.

I've been looking into it through the week and am planning on doing it this weekend. I plan to do my first clay, to start. I have liked Meguiars in the past so I'm probably going to use that again.

After claying, does the paint need sealant? Or do I just use wax? I was thinking of using NXT tech wax, which to my understanding is a synthetic sealant. If so, will I need to use a wax after that, and does it matter whether I use organic or synthetic waxes?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated, and I apologize in advance if these questions have been answered elsewhere. I will be looking through the forum for help as well, and will post photos of the results after I'm done. Thanks!

 

Congrats on the next Maxima!

A lot of the people on here will tell you to go with the Zaino line of products for your car. I have never used them, so I can't speak for them personally, but I can say that the pics I see look great. I just don't like the numerous steps/layers needed to finish. Also, it is a bit on the high end as far as the full line goes.

I have used Meguiar's before and I like a lot of there products. I used to use Glare auto polish and their line of products and was happy with them as well. I believe Honda bought into their line and it is the same thing that Honda uses called Honda Glare Professional Polish or something.

Just recently I went to the Mother's Reflection line and I was very happy with it. I used the Mother's Clay bar, Wax, Top Coat, & Natural Tire Finish. Mother's also has a Cleaner wax you can use as well that you could use.

The steps that most on here will tell will be something like...
1. Wash your car with Dawn liquid soap to remove anything currently on the car.
2. Clay bar your car making sure to keep the surface wet and go in long straight patterns and not a circular motion.
3. Wash your car again
4. Apply coats (cleaner, polish, wax, top coat)

Something like that is what they recommend here and on other sites from what I have seen.

 

You will be fine doing a clay and then the NXT wax. That's what I do with my pearl white 2000, and the paint still looks new.

People like to try to reinvent the wheel when it comes to detailing and take numerous steps with fancy products and spend all day doing that. There's no need to. A clay and wax in the spring and again in the fall is all you need to do.

 

100% agree. That is the one reason I have not tried out the Zaino line because it is just too many products to use and time to wait for it to "cure" and stuff.

I actually just clay barred for the first time last week, and all I did was wash, clay bar, wash, wax, and a top coat. I could have stopped after the initial wax coat, but since I had the top coat I went ahead and used it.

 

If you want to try an all in one, I used to use Zaino and have found that Duragloss products are at least as good, easier to use and more cost effective. You can get them direct or thru a vendor like autogeek.net.

Use #652 or #671 if you need any correction. Using #601 will improve durability. Then use #501 or #101 or #105 or #111, ranked by the about of chemical cleaners, from most to least.

Then if you want to add some warmth, Collinite #845 is easy to use and long lasting.

Use Aquawax #951 every six weeks or so - and you are good for a LONG time.

 

All in One: Klasse AIO or Autoglym Super Resin Polish
Paste Wax: Natty's Red
Liquid Wax: Clearkote Carnauba Moose Wax

Just some of my personal favorites.

 

First, I would like to congratulate you on your purchase.

With that said, I can confidently say that you can go from clay to wax. It depends on the finish itself. Does it have swirls and other issues that will need correction? If so, then the polishing step must be done before you wax.

I am a person who uses Klasse for the fact it does not require as many steps as Zaino to complete the same goal.

 

Have been using Klasse since 1986 on all my cars. Saw the demonstration while stationed in Germany and hooked every since. You are the first that I have seen mention All in One!!!!!

 

It's good stuff! If you have a darker vehicle, try the SRP. That chit kicks azz too