Washing brand new car

[Eye Pod]

I finally bought my new MO. Murano 09 LE Sahara Stone. The car is BRAND new. I ordered it and it just arrived off the boat, manufactured about 2 months ago. Is it adviseable to run it through car wash or should I wait? My concern is the paint.

[Lightninrod]

Our dealer washed our 2007 SL as it had been on the lot for a while but I would not wash a brand new car. I have read that car paint needs some(?) time to cure and harden.


Dan

[njjoe]

Wait for what? For the car to get old? For the time when the new MO becomes the hauling-fertilizer-in-the-back, plastered-with-bumper-stickers, I-don't-care-about-it, second-hand car?

Nissan is not known for having tough, durable paint. It will, and does, scratch easily.

Hand-washing is the way to go, at least until it is no longer a "new" car.

-njjoe

[bob1]

I agree with Joe, no automated car wash slinging brushes where some yahoo just came back from mud bogging and went through the machine before you.

Hand wash unless you live in a frozen area where that is not possible. Put a nice coat of wax on within 5-6 weeks.

Bob1

[Eric L.]

*Raises hand to agree with Joe*

Your Murano has been sitting in a shipping container/loading dock for months now, and if time was needed for the paint to cure, that period is over. Hand washing with a coat of good wax is the ideal method but I think any car wash is better than letting dirt and contaminants cake the finish. If you must do "outside car wash" take it to a coil op place where you can do a touchless carwash.

[BikerJohn]

If you have the time; take it and hand wash your car. You'll get to know it inch by inch in detail and I find it very satisfying and soothing. Ahh; the pride of ownership.....
You will also spot any finish issues or stone chips very early in order to be able to touch it up.
Then take it out for a nice deserved ride; Enjoy!

[benhui86]

no car deserves the torture of automated car wash...... those heavy dirty strips that drag on the ground and then onto your car...... those high speed rotating whips that can wack a mirror out of place..... the horror.....the horror!!!

those places are so bad i dont even ever consider using them..... not even for a rental....

to wash a car properly so you wont get swirls... you should use a clean mitt.... car wash soap(not dish soap/laundry detergent/hand soap).... and a soft cotton towel(not tshirt)..... and never let anything touch the floor... if it does.... throw it in the washing machine and use another one....

[njjoe]

Eye Pod-

I think it is unanimous. If you are physically capable and the climate is accommodating, hand-washing your new car is the way to go.

On the flip side, if a divorce is in your near future and the wife is getting the MO, then by all means, go for the automated carwash.

-njjoe

[BikerJohn]

Originally posted by njjoe
Eye Pod-
On the flip side, if a divorce is in your near future and the wife is getting the MO, then by all means, go for the automated carwash.

-njjoe

[Eye Pod]

Thanks for all the advice. I thought about it and decided to wash the car - took it to my local automatic car wash. (Just can't bring myself to hand wash it, especially since its still cold). You're sure right about the pride of ownership - the MO is a lot of car.

[tinapetel]

Both my brother's and my, merlot, 2005 Muranos, have scratches from the car washes. Use the "brushless" or hand wash

[macaddicted]

There are a series of products from Optimum Polymer Technologies that you might find useful OPT

They have a no-rinse car wash that can be used in a garage, a polymer sealant and a wax with more sealant and carnuba. Used together it can help to protect the paint and require less work than other sealant/wax combos.