I've searched and read alot on this so far, so if I've missed something, my apologies.

I just got a new Sti. It came with a few things that have been difficult to remove from the paint...not sure what it is really though. Isn't tar or roadgrime, perhaps something from when it was shipped. The car hasn't been driven more than 200 miles total. I've washed it once, polished it with Eagle One Quick Detailer, then waxed it right after with Eagle One wax. It han't been driven since.

I just order Zaino Z-2 Pro Show Car Polish. I was contemplating clarbarring it before the Zaino, but am really unsure if it is even necessary at this point since it is so new and undriven. Should I wait until it would be more beneficial to claybar,since if I understand correctly, the clay will remove some of the clearcoat.

Note, the car will rarely be drivien in the next year as I am about to go to Iraq and kill terrorists.

So, basically, would it be harmful to just do the Zaino for now since it's just gonna be sitting in a garage for a year, with the exception of being driven every couple of weeks, few miles each time, to keep from developing tire flat spots and good engine component lubrication.

Thanks - Jason

PS Anyone want to drive it while I'm away

 

its probabaly glue from the protective stickers they put on the cars, try something to take off glue or tell the dealer about it

 

Alright thanks.

So, don't bother with the claybar at this point?

 

I wouldn't

 

Actually, you shouldn't have waxed it or detailed it either. In fact, I wouldn't touch it except for a mild soap wash for the first six months. It takes a long time for all of the layers of paint and clearcoat to cure entirely. There's no way you will need to clay-bar the car until it is 2 to 3 years old, and that is only if you live in a high-pollution area and leave it outside all the time. Clay bar -- which is extremely overrated -- is more for restoring a damaged finish, not a brand new one.

Talk to your dealer about caring for the paint and how long to wait until waxing. Mine said wait 90 days to 6 months, and they also gave me a free clearcoat treatment called AutoMate for the first 2 years I had the car, every 4 months.

This website has a few tips; as they are trying to sell you their products, their recommendations are pretty extreme, but they still have some good info:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/how-to.html

 

Thanks for the info.

I'll have to look at the delivery date if I can find it, but I am sure the car has been around for well over 90 days. From what I was told, it sat on a lot for at least a few months befor the dealer I got it from bought it from another dealer and had it delivered. I just wanted to get a good protective coat on it before I depart for a long time.

 

Its an 05. Its already most likely a year old. It will be just fine to Zaino it.