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Comments
I was fit to be tied, however.
Then you realize it's just a car (but damn it, it's my car).
The scratch can't be felt with the 'fingernail' test, so it's not as bad as it looks regarding repair. It is visually noticeable, though because it's right in the middle of the hood.
Trying to find the least abrasive product I can. I think 3M perfect-it might even be too much.
I'll look for some Scratch-X, bret. Do you know of anything even less abrasive? I've used "perfect-it" in the past. How would you compare Scratch-X to the 3M product?
Thanks, all!
Body Scrub
Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
Swirl Free Polish #82
Swirl Mark Remover #9
It's tough comparing 3M products to Meguiar's as 3M doesn't have the same grading system. 3M is kind of in it's own little world when it comes to describing their polishes. The majority of their polishes are designed to be used by rotary polisher.
Either company's SMR is milder than Scratch X. Mooch some off a friend if you can. I'd hate to see you spend $10 when all you'll likely need is a little dab.
Let us know what you decide to do.
It did a decent job on those, but I don't think I want to use it on "my car".
I have a "source" for 3M products, but you're right....it's mainly marketed to the "body shop" trade.
automophile has been kind enough to offer to send me some Scratch-X. I'll take a stab at using it.
Today we had a break in the weather so I washed my car. I tried the Z-7 car wash. I must tell you I am sold. This was by far the best car wash I have ever used. I admired its suds and high lubrication factor. I also admired how the soap did not break down compared to other car wash soaps. It also has a nice apple smell and it does not dry out my hands like some car wash soaps do. After I was finished drying my car my paint was nice and shiny and had a really smooth feeling. I was pretty impressed and this is only the car soap.
I also bought some other Zaino products. I have Z-2 Show Car Polish and Z-6 Gloss Enhancer spray. As soon as we get a warm streak this winter I will put them to good use.
Since I am sold I am going to order some other Zaino products. I did not order ZFX Accelerator because I did not think I would need it. But we have high humidity so it will probably help a lot. Also my leather seats will need a conditioner treatment soon so I will order some Z-9 Leather Cleaner and Z-10 Leather conditioner.
Noted that you didn't get the ZFX. Please be sure that you DID get the Z-1. A "primer" is necessary for the Z-2 to stick to the paint, and must be applied about twice a year. This is part of the ZFX.
I might have to ask for that on my first service (5K) to a Lexus service dept. directly. I know it's been a while for you since yours got fixed, but can you find out at which service (XX miles?) was that done and what was done to fix it. Was that covered as a good will service (as I think redye does cost something) or even under some warrenty. This'd be a good reference when I ask for that in my 5K service (one mo from now). I may have to look for a dealer's service that's willing to do that for my future service with them!
Are you in the Los Angeles area?
If so, there is the option of talking to my dealer.
I think we can continue this discussion on the Lexus ES300 thread, as this is a Zaino site.
I will let you know the results of my discussion with my service dealer.
Sorry Zaino folks. I was looking for a general interior maintenance discussion site but all of them are read only now. This open one came closest.
Here is the latest pic of my baby - de-badged, full tint and of course, the Z magic shine!
Like our TSX, I took it without allowing the lot boy to wash and polish it. although they had already removed the protective film. He gave us a very strange look! The car looked pretty good as is, with just a Z-7 wash. However, 3 coats of ZFX-2 really brought out the color and depth of the pearl white paint - it looked like a different car! I am still amazed at the difference when I look at it.
BTW...can you post any interior pics? How did you get your's equipped?
The effect of the Zaino on the white is much less pronounced than with our dark grey TSX, but it is still very pleasing, as you can see. My paint job is pretty good, and it is just SO slick with the Zaino finish.
I have a dash cover on my dash, so I don't often treat the dash, although I suppose I should put some 303 on that.
In accordance with Sal's recommendation, I use Z6 on the wood trim. I have found that this works great, and is less greasy-feeling than Pledge, which some others recommend for wood.
My approach is not picky, I don't spend a lot of time experimenting with products, and my choices come from 18 months of reading recommendations on this site and on the "Store Bought Waxes" thread, and from contacting Sal. Whenever there seems to be a consensus on the "Store Bought Waxes" thread, I tend to choose that product and be satisfied with it.
The following products come from the "other thread": Stoners Invisible Glass (Zaino does not offer a product that solves exactly the same problem), Mother's Clay Magic (sorry Sal, but folks think mother's is a better deal for the money.), and Aerospace 303 Protectant. Other than the three products listed, the "Store Bought Waxes" thread has not convinced me that another product is superior to that offered by Zaino.
There is no "magic bullet" for leather stains. For example, I cover my passenger seats with sheepskin covers. Unfortunately, my covers are darker than my seats, and some of the dye came off on my seats. I tried many leather products, but to no avail. I still have the dye marks on the seats, but they are faint and I can live with them I taped the seams of my sheepskin covers to keep the stains from getting worse and that worked.
TIP: Use 303 on the tires, gives a nice low sheen shine and does NOT turn the tires brown.
I have the Diamond White Pearl 03 TLS and she has the Graphite Grey Pearl 04 Accord sedan.
I can't wait to apply the Zaino to both- only thing -it is so cold outside.
Maxpower - Agree with you, expect I have found that Sprayway works much better than the Invisible Glass.
linda
After using the glass polish with newsprint, I then clean the residue off with Sprayway. Much better than Windex.
After such a cleaning, I then apply Z2 to my windshield and clean my wiper blades with Z6. This will not eliminate the problem, but does seem to offer at least a little protection.
However, if you can find the place and time to do it before that, it will be to your benefit, since whatever the dealer puts on won't give you as much protection during the winter. Actually, CHECK to see what the dealer puts on, sometime it is not much at all.
Congrats on your TL - I LOVE mine!
If not I will wait untill most of the salt and sand is cleared off the roads.
DARN SNOW!!!!
As tmart was stating, its not fun trying to wash a car in the snow, and that effectly limits my car washing activities during the dog days of Winter. At least I was able to get a few coats of Z5 on my car before the snows came to town. Ah, Spring!
Is that the right formula?
Can you post your step by step application?
I liked the way your project turned out-TL
You must wash before claying to be sure that you do not rub any existing dirt particles into the paint while claying. I used Z7 first to wash, then clayed, then washed with Dawn. Don't forget to clean your tires to get off all the greasy goop the dealers put on. A good tire cleaner is called Westley's Bleche-White. Spray it on and then scrub with a stiff brush, then spray again and let set for a few minutes.
Then I drove to the nearby Freeway and drove a couple miles eash way to totally blow off any remaining water.
THEN, I mixed the ZFX, and put on the first Z2 coat. While it is drying, I carefully vacuumed the carpets and sprayed with Scotchguard. Then remove #1 and do Z coat #2. While that's drying, I cleaned the interior and polished everything with Lemon Pledge. Then wipe off 2 and add Z #3. While that's drying, fully clean all the windows with Sprayway. Remove Z3, spritz and polish with Z6.
Don't forget to polish your wheels at the same time to help keep them clean, and to Z the tires as well each time.
THEN - Stand back, admire, take compliments from jealous neighbors! Total elapsed time after return from freeway - 2 hrs. Have Fun!
After going through all that work to clean/claybar/clean, I would be very concerned about the fine film of road dust and airborne particulates that your vehicle's finish would acquire during that 4-mile sprint on the freeway, even during the best of weather. (An easy way to demonstrate the presence of this dust after such a drive would be to wipe the front windshield with a paper towel moistened with glass cleaner, then look at what comes off on the towel.)
Freeways (or most any roads) are inherently dusty-- just walk even briefly along a freeway sometime and notice how much crud gets blown into your eyes, mouth, and nostrils. And, freeways are regularly traveled over by vehicles that may be slowly leaking such things as coolant, oil, diesel fuel, etc., and this is one reason why roads are often deceptively slippery shortly after a rain begins. Also, car and truck exhaust (especially DIESEL exhaust) contains soot, unburned fuel, traces of oil, etc., and these airborne contaminants are concentrated along roadways. I would be real concerned about mixing that fine film of road grime with the polishes.
I believe that the best way to dry a vehicle is through the use of clean white towels, and I don't believe the vehicle needs to be bone-dry in every nook and cranny before proceeding with the polishes. In addition, I believe that the best way to detail a vehicle is to plan on leaving it in a clean garage for the duration of the project. But again, this is merely my opinion.
1. I dust the car carefully with a California duster before polishing, and
2. The water that remains in cracks and crevices creeps out into the polishing, and more so the wiping off of the polish, leaving streaks, unremoved wax, etc.
I find the freeway dash to be the lesser of the evils. Perhaps an electric leafblower would be an alternative?
Personally, I agree that the leaf blower is a bad idea.
I would imagine a leaf blower would work, too. It can't be any worse than washing my car on a breezy day.
Just kidding! How's the scratch?