Should I Detail A Brand New X5?

[Toopskees]

My 2012 X5 is finally in production, and the dealer expects it to be delivered in around 3 weeks. I opted out of the dealer-provided paint sealant which is obviously a rip-off. However, I do want to protect this investment. Should I get a professional detail, and if so what services should I ask for? Many thanks in advance.

[finagle69]

YES. People often believe that a brand new car needs nothing but a wash.

the vehicle, due to transport, will have contaminants etching into the clear coat. We call this rail dust.

I do all my own detailing as it's both fun and much less expensive, but have your detailer do the following:

Clay bar the entire car (including glass)
Polish with a very light cutting polish/cleaner wax (including glass)
Apply a glaze if you wish
Cover with a sealant or wax (including glass)
Dress all exterior plastics
Apply WheelWax to the wheels
Tire Dressing
Dress all leather surfaces inside
Dress all interior plastics
Vacuum

The wax vs. sealant is up to you. Most modern sealants last up to 6 months with proper care. Plus you can always top a sealant with a carnuba wax if you like.

PS. The reason I state "including glass" above is due to the fact that glass that is slick and has a layer of protection over it repels water and resists spotting. Basically it's like RainX but free as you're already doing the car anyway.

[motordavid]

Yes...and it can range in cost/effort from a full tilt boogie detail at a pro to
a simple good wash and application of what 'wax' you like, yourself.
Depends if you want to spend the dough, or invest your own elbow grease.

I've always done my new cars/scoots as soon as they got home...

You might want to toss your query into the Detail Forum as some posters here don't
read the "New Posts" or "Today's Posts":
Detailing Forum - Xoutpost.com

Congrats on your new ride.
GL, mD

[GAM3OVR]

I'd cancel whatever you got with the dealer and find a professional detailer to take delivery of the car at the dealer and do all the work from pealing off the stickers to first wash etc... Dealers hate when you do that, but a professional detailer who is being paid will do better than some teenager getting paid $7/Hr. Dealers hate it when you send your own detailer to do the work.

[ard]

Originally Posted by finagle69

YES. People often believe that a brand new car needs nothing but a wash.

the vehicle, due to transport, will have contaminants etching into the clear coat. We call this rail dust.

I do all my own detailing as it's both fun and much less expensive, but have your detailer do the following:

WASH/STRIP FIRST

Clay bar the entire car (including glass)
Polish with a very light cutting polish/cleaner wax (including glass)
Apply a glaze if you wish
Cover with a sealant or wax (including glass)
Dress all exterior plastics
Apply WheelWax to the wheels
Tire Dressing
Dress all leather surfaces inside
Dress all interior plastics
Vacuum

The wax vs. sealant is up to you. Most modern sealants last up to 6 months with proper care. Plus you can always top a sealant with a carnuba wax if you like.

PS. The reason I state "including glass" above is due to the fact that glass that is slick and has a layer of protection over it repels water and resists spotting. Basically it's like RainX but free as you're already doing the car anyway.

Precisely what I did, although I only polished/de-swirled only as required... paint was surprisingly unmolested for the most part. Oh, and washed/stripped it first before clay- i wanted anything mobile to be off the paint.

I specified 'no wash/no detail on arrival' on the new car.

[Gus]

I took delivery as you see it. Straight off the transporter, 1 mile on the odo. Plastics on seats and all. Drove it 4 miles to my detailer for a wash (obviously), very light correction, sealant and clearbra. i wouldn't let the dealership run it through their automatic car wash, no way.

[finagle69]

^That's perfect. The only thing that I disagree with is a(ny) clear bra.

If a large enough rock hit is, it'll chip the paint anyway.

Removing a clear bra - if it doesn't harm the paint - leaves so much adhesive residue that you'd have to respray the part anyhow.

I do not like them, Sam, I am.

[BGM]

Originally Posted by Gus

I took delivery as you see it. Straight off the transporter, 1 mile on the odo. Plastics on seats and all. Drive it 4 miles to my detailer for a wash (obviously), very light correction, sealant and clearbra. i wouldn't let the dealership run it through their automatic car wash, no way.

Looking at the wheels and quad tailpipes under center it's an X5M ?

[BGM]

Originally Posted by finagle69

^That's perfect. The only thing that I disagree with is a(ny) clear bra.

If a large enough rock hit is, it'll chip the paint anyway.

Removing a clear bra - if it doesn't harm the paint - leaves so much adhesive residue that you'd have to respray the part anyhow.

I do not like them, Sam, I am.

I've had clear bra over 10 years first on my '01 X5 and now my current. Never has had it any issues-- I'm sure it's taken hits with rocks. It's a must have IMO.

[finagle69]

^I'm glad that you've had good experiences with the stuff. Having hung around and helped at a body shop has maybe jaded me a little.