Scruff Vette

May sound dumb but I used the search and didn't find answers. Is it safe to wax (Carnauba P21S) a brand new C8? This one built week of June 19th.
Thanks.

Zormecteon

Interesting question.... I found this..https://www.dallasautopaint.com/wash-car-new-paint-job/

papillion

There was a time, thankfully now past, that factory paint and application technology dictated a lengthy curing cycle. So it was 60-90 days post manufacture. Today paint, application technology, and cure heat at the factory have rendered that old school advice. Yesterday's newspaper. Wax it up day one to get the protection started sooner not later.

USAF

My personal guideline has always been 90 after build

USAF

sTz

Paint is fully cured before leaving the factory. You can wash, wax, ceramic coat, or PPF if you want.

Kevin A Jones

I'm sure there are many varying opinions on this subject, however I believe the advanced modern automotive paint/finishes are pretty much ready for wax, sealants, PPF after leaving the factory if not shortly thereafter.
Having said that, I would be very careful using harsh and/or abrasive cleaner waxes and such for removing defects.
I used Meguiar's Ultimate Wax and Ceramic wax a week or so after delivery of my '23 C8 and results were outstanding IMO without any issues. Shine still holding up nicely after 10 months.

Andybump

I would have no problem doing that to mine. I prepped my paint using Griots handheld synthetic clay, lubricated with Griots Speedshine. Its non-abrasive but removes impurities and leaves the surface very, very smooth. This was followed by application of Griots Best of Show liquid wax. I did not want to do any "surface correction". You have probably already read what the manual has to say. The manual uses "Caution" statements to highlight things that should not be done. There is no Caution statement about waiting for the paint to cure. It says occasional hand waxing and mild polishing is ok. I don't even do the "mild polishing". Some of the cautions about new paint from a paint shop do not necessarily apply to the factory finish.

gliot1

Correct! Some time ago my bodyman told me the urethane dries almost as fast as shot. In the days of lacquer or enamel you had to bring a car back to bodyman after a month just to do final buffing. Today the buff out a car the next day after shooting paint. You can now wax a new car right after delivery with no issues.

hcvone

100% correct on factory paint, now on a repair or repaint not factory wait 90 days

Fishfryer527

This is a bit off subject, but I am a big fan of carnuba P21s on my C3, but I’d never use it on an everyday car, it just doesn’t hold up that long. I would layer the p21s over a synthetic sealant (I use Blacklight, but I’m guessing there are better choices) if you enjoy the waxing ritual.

Floridasky

This would apply to a repaint or body repair, not factory. Factory is polish away.

Esoteric Detail

We receive many C8's straight from the dealer for a variety of Corvette Services from Paint Correction to Paint Protection Film & Ceramic Coatings. Never a need to wait for modern factory paint to cure before preparing for and implementing your desired protection strategy!

Enjoy!

dvilin

Perfectly safe wax away.

Avanti

Likely, yes... but, it cannot hurt to wait a few weeks just in case. ENJOY, wax or no wax!!!

Fast Dawg

I’ve read here where several members who take Museum delivery immediately send their C8s to a local detail shop in BG for PPF and ceramic coating before they drive home. If I remember correctly the Museum will help them set up an appointment. Yes - wax away!

JerryU

^^^^
Hmm, stopped using wax when I got my early 2014 C7. Our Plasma Cutting Manager had a C6 he parked next to mine. His car always looked better than my latest and greatest Wax! He used a clear liquid polish by Zaino but in their traditional method that required mixing an accelerator with the liquid polish. He used multiple coats. I found a no mix method. After using one coat of their clear liquid polish set it with their "Apply and Let Dry" Clear Seal. Works great and quick. Sal at Zaino supports the method. Use just Clear Seal (CS) on my wheels.

Now there are a lot of liquids that folks use, to each their own. Even the latest and greatest liquid ceramic coatings.

BUT frankly wax went out many years ago. Some still use it for whatever but better products on the market. 

Skioutwest

I ceramic’d my car a week after I took
delivery and it definitely needed a polish first. There were a number of defects from the factory.

-Mark

SpectreOne

Wax from day 1. No harm done!

sTz

Is this what you used? https://www.zainostore.com/product/Z-CS.html

JerryU

Yep, but if you want to use Zaino products, first a word of caution. CS like all their polishes etc has to be used very sparingly. Hard to say that strongly enough. Use too much and it streaks. That small CS bottle should last several years.

First, before using CS on the body, as Sal even suggests use their polish Z-2 for light cars, Z-5 for dark cars. Again apply sparklingly as directed on one of their cotton pads. That has to be removed with a microfiber or their cotton cloth. Get it all off when it dries. Drys quickly and can do in the sun. Follow directions.

Then use the CS over that one application of polish (if you want to use more than one polish application need to mix their polish with their accelerator). CS only takes 5 minutes as it's "Apply and Let Dry." Gives a great long lasting, water shedding shine. Apply again every 4 to 6 months.