Just bought a black 2005 Saab, have questions

abester45 · 07-24-05, 08:49

Hello guys, 1st time poster. I just bought a 2005 Saab 9-2X Aero with Midnight black paint. This is my first time owning a black car so I'm a little apprehensive on care. First off are there any special steps required to waxing/detailing a new black car? When is a good time to wash the car for the 1st time, its still has the wax on it from factory. What’s some good advice or tips for owning a black car? I know one rule of thumb is park the car as far as possible from any one else in parking lots. Also I was thinking about getting that new clear film bumper guard ( as opposed to the black leather car bra) for the front, any one recommend this for black cars? This is my first new car so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks! (BTW sorry for not posting pics, I will get some up soon, how do I post pics anyways?)

Teck · 07-24-05, 09:02

If your gonna get a clear bra you better get it ASAP IMO. I have Saab also and wish I would have drove it straight from there dealer to get a clear bra. I doubt it has wax on it from the factory the dealer may have "detailed" it for you, but that can be corrected once you learn to wash.

I'd go to pakshak.com since I love them and ask for autopiq discount order your self some good microfibers and waffle weaves and never touch it with anything else. Besides that clay,polish, seal, then add any wax you want.

Oh and check out saabcentral.com for all your saabing needs.

guy1138 · 07-24-05, 10:41

Welcome 9-2x Aero buddy!

If my car at delivery was any indication, you should wax that puppy as soon as possible. How do you know it has wax on it right now? Water beading? Because I can gaurantee there's no wax on it from the factory. Even if they did put wax on it at the factory, most of these cars have been sitting in various ports for over a year. Maybe your dealer waxed it during the detail, but I would put your wax of choice on it now.

Siggyboy · 07-24-05, 02:58

Welcome fellow Saab owner! I have a black 2000 95 Aero.
I'd read up here about all the proper steps in taking care of your new car. For instance, washing with a good lubricating car wash like Meg's NXT or Poorboy's Suds and with a soft sheepskin mit, etc. If it were me, I'd just properly wash the car and then clay it to get any contaminants out of the paint from shipping (rail dust) or otherwise. Then I'd just wash it on a regular basis for the first month or two to make sure that the paint has cured before using a sealant or wax. Your owner's manual should say something to the effect of first leaving the paint time to cure, mine does.

Asmodaus · 07-24-05, 03:46

The paint doesn't need to cure on a brand new car does it? It's baked at the plant with clear coat too. Wax away. Unless there's something about SAAB's I don't know.

Siggyboy · 07-24-05, 04:34

Well, stuff on new cars needs time to break in and set. I guess that includes the paint. My owner's manual says not to take it through automatic car washes for about the first 6 months (autopians never use those swirlamatics anyway) and says not to wax or polish for the first several months, to insure that the paint has properly hardened. It's probably fine to wax, but I wouldn't polish until I was sure the paint had fully hardened.

chml17l · 07-24-05, 04:48

What kind of factory paint needs six months to completely harden?

Saab probably uses the same PPG paints that GM uses since Saab was swallowed up by them a while ago.

I would suggest you need to protect it with some wax ASAP. And also download DavidB's Autopian detailing guide here.

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/freeguide.html

abester45 · 07-24-05, 04:53

abester45 · 07-24-05, 04:54

abester45 · 07-24-05, 04:55

abester45 · 07-24-05, 04:57

abester45 · 07-24-05, 04:58

Thanks for the comments guys, keep'em comming