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Waxes And Polishes
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http://www.cyburban.com/~afyodoro/mypics/autos/300m-zaino2/jpgs/
sorry no thumbnails yet
Nice pictures you have there! *8) How many coats of Zaino did you hav on thar awesome car?
I just bought a BMW 323i in Titanium Silver and clayed and Zaino'd it. I would also recommend the claying. It did make the finish smoother, and it also forced me to really look over every inch of the car.
As for the Zaino, it really makes the car shine. The only problem is that it's pretty hard to see where you leave off when applying it.
All in all, the entire Zaino line has performed as advertized. It's worth it.
I have been happy with car wash (few times a year) at gas station (mostly because I am physically challenged and don't want to spend a lot of time and money on the car), until I got this '99 dark blue Odyssey. Everytime after rain, the dirt on the van is pretty obvious. I can't stand it and am open to any solution, easy one though
My goal is to keep the van "look" clean.
My ideal solution:
1. least work and easy to apply
2. last longest (at least 8 month for waxing)
3. inexpensive
From what i read from this thread, looks like NuFinish - for durability (maybe clay before that) maybe the answer? Also, can anyone comment on NuFinish's paste and liquid on durability and time spent (I assume they are in can and bottle respectively)
Thanks
The coats of Z2 (or Z5) are wiped off after they dry to a haze (anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours). You need to wait 24 hours before applying the next coat.
If you have any other questions, you can email Sal Zaino directly. He is excellent in responding to questions.
Hope this helps.
A clean car would probably take a couple of hours maximum. About the same as any paste wax. Only thing to watch out for is textured black plastic trim. It will get in the cracks and is near impossible to get out.
If I may make a suggestion to everyone here: When taking a photo of your car, try to avoid full or overhead sunlight. You'll find pictures taken in early morning and late afternoon will have somewhat more character, as the sun won't be washing out many details.
I'd love to see all of your cars online! I'd like to do the same, but have been too busy.
Guitarzan, you may have already, but if not, see my '98 Chrysler JXi convertible here: http://www.homestead.com/convertiblencats
You're right about the full sun washing out some of the car's details. My car looked much better in early evening than some of the pics of it with 12 o'clock noon sunshine.
After you have finally taken the Zaino step, could you please keep us posted and include some photos of your car before Zaino (i.e. with Meguairs), and after coat(s) of Zaino.
Thanks.
http://www.cyburban.com/~afyodoro/300m-zaino2.html
guitarzan - I was thinking along the same lines too. My digital camera has a hard time capturing all the details when it is very sunny.
Also - I have pictures of my pre-Zaino 300M at:
http://www.cyburban.com/~afyodoro/autos.html, although it is dirty like a pig there, after a snow storm.
Here's a question...
Winter salt is unavoidable for many of us. Other than the undercarraige spray option and the car wash (ugh!), what do you guys do to thoroughly remove the undercarraige salt and dirt?
One can use a brush, paint body
(the nylon ones on a 18 in or so handle) and warm or hot water with a car wash solution. If you just spray the undercarriage, it still sets up with dirt clinging to the undercarriage.
Again, your pictures are just great. Much better than the ones I took with a 35mm. And guitarzan, your idea about early or late day sun is very good. I'll try it next time. Thanks.
"claying"? Thanks.
A chemical compound which resembles "clay" in rubbed over the surface of the car's finish. A lubricant is used to make this process easier. The clay picks up the very small pieces of dust which have embedded themselves into the clear coat (or wax finish). This type of dust is usually referred to as: "Rail Dust". It is the residue from brake pads plus other environmental junk. A lot of this dust is metallic, and after it rusts (oxides), it leaves very small pits in the finish. Over time, these small pits eat away at the finish and degrade the paint. Claying makes the finish very smooth in addition to removing these particals.
Claying the finish before applying wax (or a more advanced polymer such as Zaino) will help the wax or polymer to really protect the finish and make for a much better shine.
Do it!
I assume I can buy
this at any auto parts
store. I own a 95 BMW
525i. I think I'll use
it before applying any
wax. But I also own a
99 Passat GLS 2.8. I
noticed that there is
a fine scratch on the
hood. I tried Mother's
Carnauba Wax. Did not
take it out. It's a
very fine scratch. Can
anyone recommend
something else? I heard
wax with polymers
weren't good for German
paints. Some say
polymers create a
clouding effect.
-Tommy
thx
=al
Thanks
Although a scratch may be "fine", it can be minor or rather deep. If minor, polish should due the job. If deep, touch up paint may have to be applied. There are a few brands of clay around, and you should be able to buy them at a store like "Pep Boys" or over the Internet (See Erazer.com).
Polymer based finishes such as Zaino are just fine for any car paint which is covered with a clear coat. The Passat is a good candidate for Zaino. In fact, using the Z5 Zaino polishing compound might handle those fine scratches.
Guilty dog,
I too had the same problem. After 2 washes with Dawn, I still had some residue in those small hard to get places. Like in the cracks on the side of a metal logo. I took a tooth pick and carefully rubbed the wax residue than washed again with Dawn and lots of water. It helped some, but I can still find a few places where I didn't quite do a perfect job. Well, no one else noticed.
I have used Zaino polish on my BMW, and the results are awesome. It's a 99, so I dont know if the paints are different, but I have not noticed any clouding.
aljee - the camera is SONY Mavica 700. Saves images on a floppy disk (about 20 of them) in jpg format. I like it a lot but it can be picky with lighting conditions. It works best when there is enough light. Sometimes it does not make the right decision about using flash. Sometimes it does not focus on the object (or it does but right when you press the button it goes out of focus). Very good battery life.
All - I added a few more pictures of Zaino-ed 300M. It has not been washed for a week but still shines:
http://www.cyburban.com/~afyodoro/300m-zaino2.html
Great pictures - and the lighting seems better too. 'Guess you are right about lighting where you use early morning and/or late afternoon sun.
A slight problem: I've found a few small water spots on my front hood. They are under the Z2 layer. 'Must not have caught them after my second Dawn washing and Z2 application. 'Tried Z6 but to no availe. Any ideas.
since you have used both the meguiars and the Z,
do you find any noticeable difference between
the two in terms of protection, shine and
durability ..?
regards
binu
Zaino was easy to apply and wipe off. So far I am really happy with its shine and it is lasting pretty well. It has been through a few rain showers but still looks great, minimal water/dust spots.
Don M>
I would like to maintain this new-car gloss of Jaguar's ten-step painting process, so I know I should not use wax with abrasives in them yet. I would be infinately grateful if a few of you could provide an extensive list of what products a new car buyer should purchase to maintain the paint, the wheels, and the interior leather, plastic and wood in top shape. Thank you SO MUCH...
Very truly yours,
-Joseph K.
All cotton white towels and Zaino gets my vote. Use multiple coats to really deepen your ten step paint process shine. The Z site could give you all info.
http://www.zainobros.com/
Sal emailed to me his tips but I have a few other questions... Do I need to be extra careful not to get overspray of Z-6 onto non-painted areas like rubber trim, chrome trim, and windows?
Do any of you have some tips on how to keep the fuzz and lint from new towels down to a minimum.
One more question, exactly what type of Dawn should I use. I have some that's called "extra care" it's in a green bottle and the Dawn is clear.
Thanks for your help!
I found that as you go (spray a bit, wipe off, spray a bit, wipe off), the towel gets slightly soaked with Z-6. I fold my towel, so I have one side slightly soaked, other side dry. You can actually use some Z-6 that's in the towel instead of spraying.
I have not had problems with lint or fuzz from the towels. Zaino-ed surface is so slick that fuzz mostly slips off. Light wind also blows it all away. Z-6 does great antistatic work. When I wipe off Z-2, I can feel that the paint surface is statically charge from rubbing the towel. After I apply Z-6 - the surface loses the charge.
Use regular Dawn, not the one that has been improved to be easy on your hands. That one has lubricant additives.
The key to Z-6ing is realizing just how little and thin a mist you need. Even Sal himself admits that his bottle doesn't spray a fine enough mist, what you have to do is either dillute it with some water, and then spray lesser amounts. If you overspray it simply removes itself if you spray over it again using the correc method the second time around.
If you DO make an error, the ONLY way you are going to see it is if you look at the paint in a VERY well lit environment, you'll notice A yellowish brownish haze, sometime no color at all, on my black car it looks colored, BUT BE SURE that you have PROPERLY applied the Z-6 before adding another coat of Z-5 or Z-2, if not, you'll wind up with a shiny car with a noticeable haze under the surface... and it can be quite nerveracking if your not sure what it is...
-The Darkness
Ditto on Ruski's post. He seems to have the drill down. I think also I hear you are concerned with towel lint so a wash and dry with no fabric softener might be of benefit.
I actually use Z-6 on all the places you mentioned. It seems to keep exposed and unexposed rubber seals very,(gee how would you say?)Ah, seems to give a lot of protection.
I have been using Zaino on garaged and ungaraged vehicles for app 6 mo now; and can tell you it is a lot easier to apply and take off than many posts have questioned. I think some of the concerns are due to the fact that Zaino started his product marketing to the most exacting SHOW car segment.
-The Darkness
-The Darkness
'had the same problem with Z2 as I applied it on a cool damp day. And probably put too much on.
Question: What is the best way to apply that "just the right amount" of Z2 with the Zaino applicator pad? Yep, used Z6 to dampen it first and then put Z2 on the pad. Then wiped across the surface with very little pressure. Maybe I should put more Z2 on the pad and wipe quicker over a wider area. Or should I use less Z2 on the pad and wipe a smaller area? Comments please.
No, resist the urge to use those powered machines.The paint and clearcoat are app the thickness of a paper grocery bag. Over the long term, the less friction you apply the better. Zaino's Z-1, Z-2, has a curious problem of needing far less product than other products. There are procedural tricks, but it is mostly a touch and feel thing.
You might also want to get detailing clay (BlueMagic, Erazer, Mother's, Meguiars), and Dawn dishwashing liquid. Before using Zaino for the first time, wash the car with Dawn, clay it, and then wash it once more with Dawn and rinse well. This will take an extra hour or so but you will not regret doing it.
As for applying Z-2 or Z-5, I spread it on the applicator with my fingers and massage it into the applicator beforehand.
Has anyone had any experience with Image10 polishing system? I just saw a little write-up in MotorTrend. It is pricey, but MT says it is better than any other wax products available in USA.
If your halfway done with the car and the bottle is almost empty, you know you're going too thick.
Sal's rule is about 1 oz per car. I find this accurate for mine (Intrigue).