Hey everyone, first post on here! Lots of awesome information, this is quite the site for scion stuff! But during the past few days I've been reading on here, I haven't seen anything relating to new practices to do to protect a scion.

I've read that theres a general problem with poor paint on the tC's and I was wondering should i wax the car ASAP when I get it friday?

Also, I've read things about water getting into the seats and staining them, do you think spraying everything down with some sort of protectant would be a good idea?

Anything I can do to protect against rattles?

Anything else you can think of to make sure the car stays new the longest? Thanks!

 

first of all... tell the dealer not to prep the exterior of the car when you buy it. Dealer washes do nothing more than swirl the hell out of the paint (because they use dirty towels, wash mitts, etc).
After you bring it home, it would be a good idea to clay bar the car. You don't know what kinds of conditions the car has been through since it was built. clay the paint to get all the crap off. After claying, it would be a good idea to wax the car to give the paint some protection.
I like to seal my wheels. Run around town to some autoparts stores and see if you can find a bottle of collinite #845 insulator wax. This stuff lasts for months and when applied to the wheels, all you need is car wash soap to clean them. Buying harsh wheel cleaners becomes unnecessary.
Get into a routine of frequently washing (i wash 1x-2x a week) and then waxing every 4-6 weeks or so. Plan on claying the car every 3-4 months. Also, go pick up a bottle of Meguiar's Deep Crystal step 1. This is a nice chemical paint cleaner and should be used after claying.

this should be in maitenance and car care btw.

 

i should get on that. im horrible. i havent washed my car lately

 

Do you mean by a specific place to wax your car besides home?

 

do not wax your car once you get it, youve got a good base coat of wax already
leave it be for a lil

 

ive had my car for about 5 months or so now, and i feel that the color is already fading. i guess u should start waxing it. is it possible to wax by hand? or you must use the wax buffer?

 

u dont need a buffer, it helps, but u dont need one

 

i have never waked a car before, and i want to make sure everything is done right. i hope you dont mind me asking so many questions haha.

so what exactly is a clay bar? and how do i use it? do i apply on the car and wipe after? is it cream like?

 

if its ur first time waxing, dont use a clay bar

 

maybe i should just wash and wax then. I really don't know, but thanks anyway.

 

wash and wax your first time on the car

 

im also getting my new tC in a few weeks and can't decide whether i want to wash clay and wax as soon as i get it..what do you guys think is best?

 

dont wax/clay bar when u first get it
give it a few weeks

 

Personally, I don't wax cars right away. I think I waited about a month to do mine for the first time.

 

There's some good info on Meguiar's site about washing and waxing. It's in their Detail 101 forums. I'm just dropping this quickly, so no link, sorry. I'll post one later if I can remember.

I think they have great products, but even if you're not a fan, their methodology is spot on!

I agree with the above posters about the claying. Good idea, but wait for a bit.