28 May 2026
You've Just Taken Delivery of a New Car: What to Do in the First 7 Days
You've taken delivery of your new vehicle. That first-day excitement, the flawless paintwork, the fresh-from-the-factory smell... So what should you do now?
Most new car owners never ask this question — and months later they find themselves facing the first stone chip or car park scratch. Yet the few days immediately after delivery are the most critical window for protecting your vehicle's paintwork for years to come.
Here are the steps we recommend as a centre that has carried out hundreds of new car applications in Ankara.
1. Delivery Day: Inspect the Paintwork
When collecting your car from the dealer, inspect the paintwork carefully. Check every panel from different angles in daylight or a well-lit environment.
What to look for:
- Any stone chips or scratches from transit?
- Any bubbling or colour differences on the paint surface?
- Any imperfections that could be factory defects?
This inspection is crucial — once you sign the delivery document, proving these defects becomes much harder. If there is a problem, document it before signing.
2. First 48 Hours: Don't Wash the Car
New cars are typically cleaned before being handed over at the dealership. However, some chemicals used in this cleaning can leave a fine residue on the paint surface.
We recommend not washing the car in the first 48 hours — and absolutely avoid automatic brush car washes. Brush automatic washes can cause fine surface scratches even on factory paintwork.
3. First Week: Book PPF Coating or Ceramic Coating
The biggest advantage of a new car is this: the paint is still flawless. There are no stone chips, scratches, resin stains or bird dropping acid marks on it yet. This means PPF or ceramic coating can be applied in its most effective form.
What happens if you wait a few weeks? The first car park manoeuvre, the first motorway journey, the first door ding from a neighbouring car — all of these can leave marks on the paintwork. When paint protection is applied over these marks, the imperfection remains sealed underneath.
Immediately after delivery is the right time.
PPF or Ceramic?
The two provide different types of protection and complement each other:
- PPF coating: Physical protection — for stone chips, scratches and physical impacts. Ideal especially for the front bonnet, wings and bumper.
- Ceramic coating: Chemical protection — for UV rays, bird droppings, acid rain and easy cleaning.
- Both together: Ceramic applied over PPF — complete physical and chemical protection.
4. Get Window Film Applied
New cars are generally delivered without window film. Especially in Ankara's climate with intense sun exposure, window film is a critical investment both for driver health and vehicle comfort.
For electric or hybrid vehicles, LLumar CTX ceramic window film is recommended — its metal-free construction does not interfere with GPS, charging systems or electronic components.
5. Do the First Wash Correctly
If you have had PPF or ceramic coating applied, follow the instructions from your application centre. The general rule:
- No washing for the first 7 days after PPF application
- Generally 48-72 hours waiting time after ceramic coating
- Use pH-neutral car shampoo for the first wash
- Always avoid brush automatic car washes
- Choose hand wash or touchless wash
6. Pay Attention to Parking Habits
The place where new cars most frequently suffer damage: car parks. Narrow spaces in multi-storey car parks, sun exposure in open car parks, and careless door dings from other drivers... The best ways to prevent these:
- Choose covered car parking where possible
- Keep away from corners and pillars when parking
- Try to park in areas where there are fewer vehicles
- PPF door edge protection application is valuable for door edges
7. Think About Insurance and Value Preservation
When you have PPF coating applied, add a note to your insurance file. Some insurance companies view the presence of PPF as a positive factor in value assessment.
In second-hand sales too, PPF-coated vehicles command significantly higher prices as they come to market with preserved paintwork. From this perspective, PPF is not a cost — it is a long-term investment.
Summary: Post-Delivery Checklist for New Cars
- ✅ Inspect the paintwork in detail on delivery day, document any defects
- ✅ Don't wash the car in the first 48 hours
- ✅ Book a PPF and/or ceramic coating appointment within the first week
- ✅ Plan window film application
- ✅ Do the first wash with pH-neutral shampoo and hand wash
- ✅ Avoid brush automatic car washes
- ✅ Pay attention to parking habits
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it necessary to have PPF applied immediately after taking delivery of a new car?
Not compulsory, but strongly recommended. The paintwork is still flawless — PPF preserves that flawlessness. If you wait a few weeks, the first stone chips or scratches may already have formed.
Is paint correction needed before PPF on a new car?
Generally not. Surface cleaning and sterilisation is sufficient. This makes the application on a new car both faster and less costly.
Should PPF or window film be applied first?
As the two are applied to different surfaces, the order does not matter. Both can be done on the same day or at the same appointment.
Does ceramic coating replace PPF on a new car?
No. Ceramic provides chemical protection but does not form a physical barrier. PPF is essential for protection against stone chips and scratches. The ideal solution is ceramic applied over PPF.
How soon after delivery can PPF be applied?
The sooner the better. Booking on delivery day or the day after is ideal. However, if there are no defects in the paintwork, it can also be done within a few days.
Book an Appointment in Beytepe
Contact us via WhatsApp to book a PPF coating, window film or ceramic coating appointment for your new vehicle. We can arrange an appointment even on delivery day.
