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If you're going to use the Zaino system, you'll want to start by washing with Dawn liquid to strip off all waxes/polishes. It won't hurt the paint/clearcoat. Zaino recommends applying directly to the car, not on top of other waxes/polishes. Check out their wesite, zainostore.com (or go to the Zaino thread under "Maintenance.").
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
If you buy a la cart....what are the items you would purchase?
Also...I noticed they sell a logo shirt. Are you a proud owner of logo wear?
The ZFX is a time saver (and time is money) to mix with Z2 which is the polish. Z6 is the "gloss enhancer" used for touchups, temporary quick shines and used under/between coats of Z2/Z5 to, well, enhance the gloss. Z5 is to remove swirl marks and cover up light scratches, it can be interchanged with Z2. But Z2 offers the best shine. If you're happy with the finish now (no swirls, light scratches) you don't need Z5. Probably don't need the Z6 enhancer either. You can try just ZFX and Z2. But with shippping/handling charge of ~$9 I wanted to order everything I thought I wanted at once. So, in my mind I was still being cheap while spending about 9 times more for car polish than I ever have!
But, the Abyss Blue TL looks great, mirror like glassy finish. Check out the zainostore.com website for more details, pictures and testimonials.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Anyway, the dirt that gets wiped off could scratch the car if it's not removed. THat's why I wash my towels. You don't really wash a chamois, you rinse it off, so I'm not as confident that you get rid of all the dirt.
Thanks for the help!
Please dont shoot me if I have posted this in the wrong forum.
I have a 02 TL with Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus tires 205 60 R16 91V. They have done about 67000 KM over 4 years. The thread is down to about 6/32 - 4/32 and I do not want to take any chances in the Canadian snow conditions. I have looked at Tirerack.com and have visited local tire shops. All tell me that Bridgestone Turanza LS-V and LS-H are better tires, but the Michelins have a better ride. In some shops the Turanzas are the same price as well.
Are there any real-life experiences with the Turanzas in snow?.Personally, I very much like the Michelin's ride, but I was disappointed with tread life. My driving is mainly on highways so handling, while important, is not a big issue for me. Traction is.
Thanks
For the dirty parts (splash guards, lower parts of the car body, fender well) I use paper towels on the non-painted surfaces. All other surfaces should have already be cleaned as I have washed it with soap and the wiped it clean with the two soap mits (one for dirtier surfaces).
So basically...the drying function should be to dry. The wash function to clean.
My reasons for that are as follows:
1. I have towels, I don't have a chamois;
2. I can cover almost the whole front, or the whole roof or the whole tunk with 1 towel, which gets most fo the job done, whereas chamois are not that big. This makes towels faster;
3. While chamois may have improved over the years, if they have not, then they leave a few droplets of water behind no matter what you do.
I bought a water blade, but haven't used it yet.
I'm basically gonna wash the car with dawn to take off any wax, and then I'll apply some sort of color (I don't have a match yet, but I know Turtle-Wax makes some coloring products). For my Pearl Green TL, I think I may need to go with black, or maybe black with a little green.
ANyway, once that's dry, I'll polish the car and apply a new layer of wax.
Any thoughts?
Couldn't you go to the dealer and get some touch-up paint? Strip the wax then instead of apply the paint with the brush...get a toothpick and fill the scratch with little overapplication to the part not scratched. Let it cure for days....the waxed it to blend it in?
And....buy a chamois...a large chamois at Costco along with a hot dog.
If you don't believe me...shake your car cover and you will see the dust fly.
What I am saying is that it is an inherent issue with car covers...and riddle. And better yet....keep using it and you will get 'swirl' marks as the car cover 'buffs' your paint finish. Think of it...a cloth that gentle rubs against your car as the wind blows the cover around.
I used to have car covers....but I gave that up many years ago.
I currently get 17 miles per gallon and am wondering if there is something I could have done to increase this mileage?
I live in southeasterrn Pennslyvania and the terrain is somewhat hilly. Thanks
Thanks
As for dimmer, they should be the same brightness. Perhaps it's the different angles you are seeing? :confuse:
I'll tell you this, drive a car with regular headlights after driving your '05 TL. Suddenly everything looks yellow and dim!
(btw....if there is a chance of rain...I used to keep a dish tub in the back trunk. So when it did get wet...it gets thrown into the tub so the trunk mat doesn't get soaked).
Car covers do have their applications. But I have given up on car covers and spend the additional efforts to wash the car more often as well as waxing the car periodically...and keeping a metallic sun visor on the front dash.
I chose the basic, and am prepared to repaint the bumper in 3 or 4 years depending on the amount of chips and any scrapes or dings.
Still researching...
I plan on keeping the standard rims and wheels ('06). As far as the wheel locks go, they appear to be chrome and the standard rims are more of a brushed look right? I was thinking I'd only need the locks if I changed to the chrome rims as they wouldn't match, right? Please advise.
Thanks!
I'm leaning away from getting the splash guards. I'm going with the White Diamond Pearl and think the black spash guards stand out a bit too much. Are they really worth it? I currently have a white civic and I haven't really had problems with chips and scratches.
Any input is appreciated!
I'm planning on wheel locks. If not with pro pack, on my own.
I had a 95 Integra (purchased new) for a year or two when someone tried to steal the wheels at 2am. They would have gotten them too except the car next to mine had it's alarm go off (they bumped it?). When I had it looked at to make sure everything was okay, the dealer told me they put wheel locks on all their cars while in their lot to avoid such. Mine didn't have them since they had to get it from another dealer and I got it before anyone thought to do that. Almost cost me quite a pretty penny.
Gotta protect the wheels. Don't learn the hard way like I almost did :P :shades:
You (and Delmar) have convinced me! Thanks for sharing your experience...wheel locks are now on my "must have" list
I mentioned this to my apartment manager (I wanted him to pay for a detailing) and he told me Fantastik brand cleaner would do the trick. Will this damage my clear coat?
He also told me NOT to use Fantastik on German cars as their clear coat and paint are softer.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
I am thinking I an rub or polish it out, but I am unsure as to what to use.
The side mirror is plastic--color is Anthracite Grey.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Nosmo
Have 05 TL,,,, just got it.... It weas raining here ( New England) and forget about it... can't open the Drivers window without water getting on everything... Does anyone have the Vent visors for theit TL..
Bob
:P I've been researching the clear bra. I got some prices and have been doing internet searches as well. I still have a couple of questions.
I've got a bad back and tend not to handwash my car, I take my cars to the car wash. My carwash manager states that several of his customers have the clear bra and he has had no complaints about peeling, scratching, etc. Do you have any comments?
On a FAQs sheet it states that sometimes the film appears dull, especially compared to paint that has just been waxed. What's your take?
Also, I have the white diamond pearl body color and was wondering how the white looks with the mask on. Any experience?
Thanks to all for your help.
Still loving my TL!
The full net is configured like a V that spans the width of the trunk. You can place small bags in the V or use it to separate items in the two sections of the trunk.
The objective of the side net is to partition off the area (the square part of the net). The other portion forms a shallow net that would hold a softball.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid89/pf0b2d5e065a7dc303814c099a2869c73/fa- 78b510.jpg