New car - what to do

Lochlannach

Just placed an order for a new superb estate, in corrida red - non metallic with black leather interior, which I'm expecting to receive in or around the third week of January.

I want to get some from of protection on it fairly sharpish and was looking for some advice.

In the normal run of things I would have time every week/fortnight to give it a wash (2 bucket & dry) but not apply sealant/wax. I would be in a position every few months to take a bit more time over it to hence looking for a regime to suit.

Is doing the interior worth considering?

I was toying with the idea of getting a detailer to do the initial job but it's a fair chunk of cash. I might be better investing in products and doing myself? I did have a read of Vectra's thread on the carpro stuff which looks good - maybe an option?

One issue which is making me lean towards the detailler option is the weather in Jan is unlikely to be helpful.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Asmooh

- Lowering
- Big spoiler
- Roll bars
- Big loud exhaust system
- some carbon details for interior
- a-pillar holder with gauges
- maybe a carbon hood?

Ant695

Asmooh wrote: »

- Lowering
- Big spoiler
- Roll bars
- Big loud exhaust system
- some carbon details for interior
- a-pillar holder with gauges
- maybe a carbon hood?

Don't forget the chassis and interior neons/leds in red to match the car and enough screens to open your own currys.

Curran

Congrats on the purchase!

You could pick up something that is quick and easy to apply, that will give you plenty of protection, to get you from wash to wash - something like CarPro Reload is a simple to use product - spray on, buff in until clear!! Offers a few weeks protection against the elements, until the weather turns better and you get a chance to apply something that needs better conditions to apply it.

The alternative is, as you say, to get a detailer to do it - if you are going to go that route; Id suggest to start ringing around and make a booking, as many of the detailers will be busy with customers in a similar situation as yourself.

Regarding the interior, there are products that you can protect the leather, fabrics (such as mats), plastics, etc. I always find that if you keep on top of the interior, by giving it a decent vacuum every two weeks or so, it tends to take care of itself. If the leather had been a lighter colour, a leather protection might be worth considering to help limit dye transfer from jeans, etc....but unless you have young kids, an occasional clean of the leather, being dark, is usually sufficient.

Lochlannach

Asmooh wrote: »

- Lowering
- Big spoiler
- Roll bars
- Big loud exhaust system
- some carbon details for interior
- a-pillar holder with gauges
- maybe a carbon hood?

Ant695 wrote: »

Don't forget the chassis and interior neons/leds in red to match the car and enough screens to open your own currys.

Hmmm...maybe not

Lochlannach

Curran wrote: »

Congrats on the purchase!

You could pick up something that is quick and easy to apply, that will give you plenty of protection, to get you from wash to wash - something like CarPro Reload is a simple to use product - spray on, buff in until clear!! Offers a few weeks protection against the elements, until the weather turns better and you get a chance to apply something that needs better conditions to apply it.

The alternative is, as you say, to get a detailer to do it - if you are going to go that route; Id suggest to start ringing around and make a booking, as many of the detailers will be busy with customers in a similar situation as yourself.

Regarding the interior, there are products that you can protect the leather, fabrics (such as mats), plastics, etc. I always find that if you keep on top of the interior, by giving it a decent vacuum every two weeks or so, it tends to take care of itself. If the leather had been a lighter colour, a leather protection might be worth considering to help limit dye transfer from jeans, etc....but unless you have young kids, an occasional clean of the leather, being dark, is usually sufficient.

There is the three year old...

Never did much with the interior of any car I've had except keep it clean and maybe a quick wipe of something matt on the dash.

vectra

Having had a Corrida Red Octavia vRS I can only upset you with what I have to say.
Of all the cars I have owned, this color was by far the worst I have ever had to try maintain.
I only needed to look crooked at it and I could swear it developed more swirls i=on its own.
I tried several different sealants and waxes etc. Nothing worked,

My suggestion would be something like CQUK like I used on this car.
And a bottle of Reload to "Spritz over the wet paint around once per month.
Super gloss and slick finish.

Lochlannach

:eek:

Don't like the sound of that...given the time of year I'll be getting it I'm giving serious consideration to booking it into spirit for a coating on top of which I'll also look to apply reload or similar periodically.

rebel.ranter

What about some Car Pro Hydro2? Ideal protection for the winter, spray on and power hose off. Minimum contact needed with the paint. Very easy to use and lasts a lot longer than you'd expect.

Available on detailingshed.ie

wandererz

Just get Brian @ Spirit Detailing to work his magic.

I just spent a fair whack of cash on the exterior of a 9 year old vehicle. It is a two owner and the lowest mileage one of these vehicles in the country. Nothing special, but looks great when done up properly.

I am impressed, but more so is the fact that my wife is impressed and prefers to use this car now whenever she collects her mom on a Saturday morning.

When the wife notices, and comments on it... that's something special!

Get the magic crystal/diamond glaze applied and your car will look like liquid for the next few years.
Apparently no need to apply polish/wax etc unless there is a build-up over a period of time.

Just power wash it normally.

Brian did this and the next day driving i had people staring.

This is one of those "go there, do that" moments.

You're not getting a Porsche or Mercedes or BMW or whatever but you have an interest in cars. A relatively inexpensive one or two day session will bring out the colour of this car to the point that people may start recognising what they actually see.

Do it now, it will save you cleaning hassle over the next few years, you will have a fabulous driving experience. Every time you walk up to it you will stare. Every time you lock it and walk away you will turn around and check that there's no-one else around who will F**k up your vehicle.

In this instance, simply park at the end of the car park. Walk a bit further to the store or shopping center.
And when it comes time to sell the vehicle you can prove that it's been well taken care of.

My car is one of those on Spirit Detailings Facebook page.

You can have a look, it's just too bad that one (i) cannot if not a member of Facebook.

Anyway, screw Facebook, what matters is quality.