Graphicguy beat me to it- NAPA stores do carry the 3M Swirl Remover.
Sorry to hear about the "spots" on the truck. I am sure they were not caused by Zaino, but were "enhanced" by the application of the Zaino. Again, I think graphicguy is right. I had this problem on my 1990 Red Buick Riviera, long before I ever heard of Zaino. It was more like "craters" than spots though. They were only visible under fluorescent lights. I am sure it was from acid rain, which is VERY bad here in So. CT.
I forgot to check out who was asking about the Zaino shine before I started writing this. I can't go back now or I'll lose this message. If you want to see a Zaino shine, click on my name above and check out the 300M and the Acura. What you see is what you get. Sorry the photopoint.com site doesn't work, but there are other pics on other sites. I have car pics all over the net! ;-)) Sometimes I lose track myself.
Howdy neighbor! Did you ever go to Fairfield Pharmacy across from the church- St. Aquinas? or Clampette's Pharmacy next to the Fairfield Dept. Store? Both my uncle's owned those.
When I used to use Meguiar's, I filled out their on-line form for car care and they said that the New Haven area was bad for acid rain. All that pollution from surrounding states! ;-)
The only solution for acid rain is to constantly try to keep the rain water from drying on the car especially when the sun comes out. This isn't always possible. I thought I was going to clean my car today, but it's not as warm as I thought. It hasn't been washed in weeks despite our somewhat "moderate" temperatures considering that it's supposed to be winter!
I have some questions about Zaino. I have a 1996 Corolla DX in a dark green and I'd like to make it real nice and I've heard good things about Zaino. Is there anything I should be warned about concerning Zaino products. What Zaino product would give a dark green the best look? Is the Internet the only place I can buy Zaino? What is required when I want to use it? Thanks! Oh, and while I'm on the topic....I have some white paint on a bumper where I believe a car bumped up against mine when parking. What can I do to buff this out?
Just go to http://www.zainobros.com and read EVERYTHING there BEFORE you use it, then click on my name above and see what Zaino does for dark cars! I would get the clay, Z2, Z5, ZFX, Z car wash and Z6 to start with. Of course you'll need some made in the USA 100% WHITE COTTON towels and you're good to go as soon as the weather warms up! You'll love the shine, longevity and EASE of application.
In no time at all, you'll be part of the ZA group- Zainoholics Anonymous! ;-))
This is not good - now you're reminding me of how great town used to be - LOL!
Of course I remember Clampette's and the Fairfield Pharm. The Farifield D's gone now but we knew the family that owned it - and my grandfather used to manage the family Jewelry store (Spectors) down the street.
When you learn how to drive on I95 - nothing scares you - late night on the Merritt - good times!
Anyway, back to topic - yes, Meguiar's has great customer service.
But I wanted a good glass product - heard about Z12 and stopped off in Zainoville.
I'll bet the spots on my wife's glass I'm trying to fix are just what you describe as her's is outside in Cheshire a lot.
Just wanted to give you an update. First, thank you all for your suggestions on the spots on my husband's truck. I think there's a NAPA store around here somewhere and we will look for the 3M stuff there. I went ahead and did the Z process to my 4Runner last night. I started about 6:00 PM so my husband set up these spotlights we have so I could wash in the dark. Yes, I looked like a fool out there washing my car in the dark but I really did have plenty of light to see. I did the Dawn wash, clay (surprisingly I didn't get hardly anything off - the 4Runner was already really smooth), and Z7 wash. Then I dried the heck out of it with my 100% cotton white towels. We pulled it into the garage and I inspected it under the fluorescent lights and didn't see any spots. There were a few paint chips and scratches but since it is a year old that's to be expected. Then I put the Z1 on the then Z5 (I was hoping to hide some of the fine scratches). That whole process took me about 4 hours. I finally ate dinner at 10:00. I let it dry overnight and wiped it off this morning and put some Z6 on. It looks sooooo good and YEAH no spots!! Tonight or tomorrow morning I will probably put a coat of Z2 on. I'm in Florida so the temp. is well over 70. It's downright HOT for this time of year. I feel for you guys in the North. I hate the snow. Anyway, thanks again for all your help. I will keep you updated on my husband's truck. - Candi
Glad it all worked out! I knew it would. Also knew that the Zaino did not cause the spots on the truck.
Sunny and warm in CA, sunny and warm in FL and sunny and "cool" in CT. I HAVE to wash my car today. I can't stand looking at it anymore! Maybe I'll go buy some Playtex rubber gloves so I don't get frostbite from the cold water! ;-)) It looks nice out, but it's 48 degrees and breezy.
Just ran outside- nice in the sun, but cool in the shade. I'll take some before and after pics!
Thought i would pop in and share my experience and post my excitment, just finished claying my car. It's been 6 months since my first time zaino the car. I didn't use the clay last time, but thanks to everyone's advices and experiences (squidd espeically), now I know what baby smooth finish is like!
I don't think there were alot of contaminants from the look of the clay, and i hope i didn't rub too hard, just glide over the surface with solid contact but not too much pressure. Lots of lubrication with Z7/water, it was very interesting, I have never clay a car before til today.
So, from dawn wash, clay, Z1/Z5, after ~4 hours, I am now waiting for the finish to dry. I had some water beading, and water spots problem for the past few weeks when I dry my car, I am guessing maybe the Z1 was wearing off? Well, we'll see if this whole Z process will help,
I am a new Zaino user. When I first applied Z, I used 3 coats of Z5. Last weekend I applied my first coat of Z2. All I can say is WOW! That stuff is incredible!
I am fast becoming a Zaino true believer...seriously, though, I also like Z7- the best car wash I have ever used. As for Z6, the smell alone is so intoxicating that it makes me want to use more and more.
Ahhhhhh........ another Z addict! ;-)) I finally washed my car today after weeks of neglect due to the weather. It was last Z'd at the end of November. That Zaino shine is still there. I took some pics. All I did was wash the car. No time today to apply Z6. I was running late.
FINALLY. A nice enough day to actually clean my car. The crap on mine put yours to shame fastdriver ;-) I've been using a touchless car wash every week or so for the past couple of months, but it just removes the worst of the build up. There's always an ugly film of dirt left on the car. But it always seems like you can still see an amazing shine through all the crud.
Did a Z7 wash and a quick Z6 on the horizontal surfaces. The Zaino shine and beading appears to be holding up wonderfully in the Southern Ontario Salt Slinging frenzy.
Too bad it's going to get cold later this week. I probably won't have another chance to wash "Hooloo" properly until spring.
I hope those of you that live in warm climates appreciate what you have! 8^0 Brad
I received my Zaino a couple of weeks ago and work and the weather conspired to keep my new CRV Zaino free! Well, today was really nice, so I broke out my box, reviewed the application instructions and Zainoed the 02 CRV and my 94 Accord.
As I clayed the CRV I found a couple of scratches =(. I need a bug shield before the bugs come back this spring. The steps were not as hard as I thought when I first read about Zaino. I ended up with 2 coats of Z2 on my CRV. It is a silver one so I'm not seeing the deep shine I have seen posted on the darker colors .... but WOW the mirror like finish is awesome. The claying wasn't as hard I thought it would be. Since the CRV is only a couple of months old it didn't pick up much.
The Accord was a different matter - the clay picked up all kind of c**p off the paint. I will need to get some Z5 to follow up on the Accord with the swirls and scratches it has from being 8 years old. But after I was done it looked great too. Only thing is that I think the nice finish really shows up all the little dents and dings that inconsiderate parkers have inflicted upon the sides over the time I've had it.
Yesterday it was 60 degrees. Today could be a record breaker according to today's news. Just might have to put on some Z2/Z6 because we still have Feb. and March to get through. Only one snowstorm so far- 4 inches! ;-))
I went ahead and put another coat of Z5 on my 300M. She sure looks good, although they are calling for snow starting Tuesday, so it'll be short lived, but when nature gives you a day like that it the middle of winter, you just gotta take advantage of it.
I hear you. I was going to Z2/Z6 my car when I got home from work today, but I was just too tired. I felt like I was overseas hunting for Bin Laden today. Full moon days are "crazy" at work. I might have made the effort, but it looks great to me, so I'll wait for the next 60 degree day and hope that it falls on a weekend. ;-)) Supposed to rain here in CT on Wed., Thur. and Fri. At least I have the pleasure of driving a clean car for a few days. Can't wait until Spring!
Yeah, it got warm yesterday and today, but I've been at work. And my car hasn't been washed since the beginning of December! It looks terrible. Its driving me crazy! Whenever it warms up, I'm too busy with family or work. 'Can't wait 'till Spring! But remember the rainstorm last week? It washed the top of my car, the water still beads up, and the Zaino shine is still there. "There" being the top panels (hood, roof, and trunk). The side panels look like an M1A1 tank after a month in Kabul. Oh, Spring.
It's so comforting to read posts like pj's, fastdriver's, and pblevine's after a day at work with everyone saying "what's your problem...it's just a car" when I whine about dirt on my car. It's nice to know there are others like me 8^) Brad
Hi Zaino people. Have always loved black Hondas/Camrys, but each one I've seen has swirly paint.
Has anyone found, in their experience, that Zaino--if applied to a car starting at its purchase--keeps black paint from becoming swirled?
I'm in the market for a new car, and if Zaino will avoid the swirls then for the first time in my life I may actually buy a sweet black ride. Thanks for any input.
I just sent off my check to Sal to try Z on my dark garnet 300M. I elected to try the "Classic" Z treatment as follows: 1. Wash with Dawn 2. Clay 3. Wash with Z7 4. Z1 5. Z5 6. Z6 7. Z5 or Z2, depending upon how those minor swirls look 8. Z6 9. Z2 10. Z6
This seems like alot of work, but if it results in a good gloss which lasts an honest 6 months it will be well worth it!
I have 2 questions for this active group of Zaino experts: 1. I mistakenly used a 50/50 cotton/polyester terry applicator in hand-applying my last coat of wax. I now have the dreaded swirlies- those light swirls visible only by viewing the paint surface in strong light at an angle. In your experience, will Z5 cover these swirls or should I consider a mildly abrasive swirl remover first? 2. It seems that one of the more common mistakes of 1st-time Z users is to overapply the product. Would a flat 100% cotton applicator (e.g. flannel) be better for this than a terry applicator, or would flat cotton material be a bad idea? Any other suggestions to avoid over-application would be appreciated.
I have a black car that has been zainoed since about week two. From what I know, the age of the car is not really relevant to lack of swirls. On an older car, you just have to take off the wax (Dawn wash) and rub out any swirls that remain (swirls that weren't in the wax, but in the paint.)
A new car can have swirls also, depending on what the dealer does to "prep" it for you. Often, he has some minimum wage kid slap on some wax with an electric buffer. If you are getting a new car, just tell the dealer not to wax it at all, and hope he listens and gets the message down to the shop. I know of one person who insisted that the car (a Viper) be delievered to him with the shipping plastic still on it.
If you have no swirls on the car, new or used, and put on Z and maintain it as directed with the proper towels that don't scratch (100% white cotton USA no poly towels), you should be able to keep the car, regardless of color, free from swirls.
Go do it.
TWO ANSWERS to the guy with two questions:
1. Those swirlies may be in the wax, and if so will come off with the Dawn wash. If not, you should use a light prep product designed to remove oxidized paint, etc. This is what I have done on two used cars getting Zaino for the first time. This works pretty well. Use whatever you need to use to get all the spots and swirls out after the Dawn and before the first coat of Z1. (I hope you got the ZFX; that will speed your process up considerably and save you several days, because otherwise you should wait a day between coats of Z5 or Z2 for the coat to cure; ZFX eliminates the need for this wait and allows you to apply 3 coats one right after the other, with no wait in between; this saves two days right there.)
2. I would not use flannel on the car for anything. With your order, Sal will send you his "free" applicator: a sponge covered with a handsewn cotton cover. Use this, but don't put it in the washing machine with the towels, because the machine will pull out the cotton stitching used to hold the cover on the sponge. (Poly thread would scratch the surface, so Sal uses only cotton thread, which is more fragile.) In the alternative, you should use the same kind of towel to apply Zaino as you use to wipe it off: 100% USA white cotton. Use a hand towel. I have some wash cloths for this purpose, but you have to be careful here because in some lines, the washcloths are not as high quality as the towels and may not be 100% cotton. Anyway, you will get a Zaino applicator in your delivery, so use that.
As for overapplying, it's something that you just have to learn; use lots of light so as not to miss a spot, and just cover the surface; your inclination will be to spread it on like wax, and you will just have to learn to overcome that urge. It takes a while. Don't worry too much about that. If you overapply, it will take longer to dry (another good reason to use ZFX) and may smear some when you wipe it off (because it has not dried fully), but you can always remove the excess with a Z7 wash or a Z6 once-over. You won't hurt anything by putting on too much; you will waste time and money, but we all do that. (It's called a date.) By your 3d coat, you will get the hang of just how thin a coat you need, and you will be surprised at how little of the product is required to work.
I'll wash with Dawn and see what the paint looks like. I bet I'll end up using a swirl remover. My 300M is 7 months old now & it may be another several weeks before the next warm spell!!!! I may regret not getting the new ZFX, but I elected to go the Z1 route just due to its track record for duration of shine. Using ZFX may well match it (or even exceed it), but I have enough garage space that doing multiple coats over a few days is not that big of a hassle- I'll just drive another vehicle until I finish .
I seem to remember someone posting a tip on wiping down the car's surface using longitudinal strokes on the hood & roof and vertical strokes on the sides. Supposedly this maximized the appearance of the gloss to the viewer's eye. I don't remember exactly how this was supposed to do so. Any truth to this "tip"???
Looking forward to Zaino'ing for a better duration of shine. We had a warm spell about 5 weeks ago, and I waxed my M with Meguiar's liq Cleaner Wax, and my wife's Dodge minivan with Mother's liq wax. Neither product yields that nice a gloss- nothing approaching Meguiar's Gold Class for sure. More disappointing, though, is that the wax shine and beading are now essentially gone on both vehicles, and they are generally kept in the garage out of the elements. Talk about wasted waxing effort! Under those conditions, Meguiar's Medallion (when I could find it!) generally lasted 3mo+. Anyway, it's time to give Sal's juice a go.
That tip came from Sal; it's on the Zaino web page. If Sal says it makes a diff, I'll take his word for it, but I've tried it both ways and I don't have the eye to see the distinction. If a 300M is what I think it is, it's a pretty big car, and just using strokes in one direction on the hood and sides as directed gets pretty tiring. It did for me, and my car is pretty small. I don't think most observers would be able to tell the difference, unless you are going to exhibit the car in a show or something like that.
As for the shine, I last put a coat of Zaino on my Lexus in September, and when I washed it Saturday, at least 4 months later, the water beaded up like day one, and the shine is as fresh as the morning dew.
Wax don't work like that!
You will love the Zaino, and you will spend a lot less time working on keeping the gloss.
LOL... it seems like only yesterday when you were asking all these same questions. Now you are quite an expert. Your advice above is right on. You never sent me those other pics to post for you. Spring will be here soon.
When I got my Acura CL-S, I told the dealer not to TOUCH IT! NO WASH, NO WAX! They left the plastic on mine too. However, since I was going to drive the car from RI, where I bought it, to CT, I thought it would be best to take off the plastic. I was afraid that it might melt from the engine heat. I told them that I would not hold it against them that the car was not "sparkling" clean. I told them that most swirl marks on a new car comes from "prep" people washing and waxing the car.
Today would have been ANOTHER perfect day to Z my car. Temp was 70! On Tuesdays, I volunteer at an assisted living center working with the residents on the computer and sending e-mail, so today was out. Tonight it's supposed to rain and Thursday morning we're supposed to have snow, sleet and freezing rain!! Love this New England weather! NOT!
theocity - The black cars you have seen have been mis-treated - so they end up with swirls. The biggest problem is the towels and applicators causing the micro-scratches that end up visible as swirls. ANY wax can be applied without swirls, but Zaino will give the absolutely BEST gloss and appearance, as well as low maintenance.
jona57 - It is best to eliminate or reduce the swirls as much as possible in the beginning. Try the Dawn first as squidd suggests. If the swirls are in the paint, then use 3M Swirl Remover, etc. to take them out before your Z treatment, and use the Z5 to fill the inevitable.
For the longitudinal strokes- I believe that no matter what you do, you will get some light swirls. IF the swirls are circular, you will see some from every angle. If they are straight lines, you can only see them from a certain angle, and they will be less visible.
I don't believe I need to purchase any ZFX. I've used Zaino on my car since it was new almost two years ago, and by now I have 10 to 15 coats of Z-2 on it. I've applied an additional coat of Z-2 every few months, and the deep wet-look shine and water beading have never diminished.
So, I have no need to use ZFX and apply three coats of Z-2 in a single day. At least, that's my take on things. If anyone can prove otherwise, I'd appreciate the help. Meanwhile, I took advantage of the 70+ degree weather we had in Northern Virginia last week and did another Z-6, Z-2, Z-6 job on the car (I had washed it the previous day). It's gorgeous!
Any specific recommendations for swirl removers? Having used Meguiar's products in the past, I was thinking about their Scratch X product. Opinions I've read about 3M's various products are mixed.
... and if you ever have the urge to put on more than one coat in a day ZFX could be purchased at a later time.
As long as you don't have any drying problems and don't mind adding a Z1 coat every 6 months(some people complain about this "extra" step) you will be fine without ZFX.
I'm convinced & will soon Zaino for the 1st time.But I'm a little confused.If I Dawn,clay,Z7 wash and apply Z2 with ZFX followed by Z6...will I need to Dawn wash and repeat the process every 6 months?Or just Z7 wash and Z2 (w/ZFX) periodically?
My paint is new and appears swirl-free,so I don't think I'll need Z5.Does the above sound correct?Thanks!!
to remove any previously applied waxes. You should not use Dawn on a regular basis. The only time to use Dawn afterwards would be to remove oils left behind if some kind of polish like 3M Swirl remover was used. Dawn has a high alkaline content and is too harsh for regular use.
You should just Z7 wash and Z2(w/ZFX) periodically.
Z2 should be all you need. Some people prefer Z5. Some people use both interchangeably. I have a daily driver exposed to the elements 24/7 and use Z5 exclusively because of its filling capabilities. Z2 is supposed to have slightly higher optical clarity. If you are starting out with a swirl free/scratch free, light colored vehicle, Z2 would be a good choice.
3 days ago I purchased a new, black 2002 Acura TL-S. This will be the first vehicle, whose paint I will be religious to maintain. Been reading some of the posts from you "Zaino-holics". Sounds like a great product.
Acura dealer trying to sell me on a "protector" paint guard for my black clearcoat finish. Apparently its some DuPont teflon which goes over the clearcoat and is lifetime warrantied. Anyone ever hear of this?. Is it worth it?.
If there has been previous discussion of this subject, I apologize. Is doing it with products like Zaino, better and more cost effective?. I want to do something before driving it in the winter salts here in Chicago. Thanks
DON'T DO IT!!! Call the dealer NOW and tell them not to even WASH the car!! That's the start of the scratches and swirls. Go to http://www.zainobros.com. Read EVERYTHING and place the order or call Sal and see if there is a distributor in your area. DuPont teflon works on frying pans, but if I'm not mistaken, even DuPont says it does nothing for car finishes.
Good luck with the car! You're going to love it! That black will shine like something you've never seen. Click on my name above to see my pics with Zaino!
frule - Don't forget to use the Z1 "primer" before the Z2 (once only).
spartanman2 - What fastdriver said, PLUS the fact that in my nearly 40 years of being an auto fanatic, I have NEVER seen one of the dealer add-ons - paint protectant, interior protectant, undercoating, etc. that was worth the paper the "warranty" was printed on. Many such treatments caused more problems than they solved. The real idea behind them is that they prey on lazy people looking for a way out of proper car care (not you), and then count on them selling the car before they try to use the warranty. Don't EVER buy one of these things, it is a worse bargain than the extended warranties on Electronics products.
Zaino on black is amazing. Do it right, and the shine may cause accidents driving down the street!
Extended warranties on electronics products can be a good thing. I've come out ahead with my big screen TV and a receiver. One call with a TV and it can pay for itself. Meanwhile back to Zaino.
I posted similar messages on the Acura board to see if anyone has purchased a paint protection package through their dealer. I'll keep Zaino in mind. Great pictures of the CL by the way
3M has been highly recommended on this board. I Like Meguire's products myself. There is an entire spectum of products of varying abrasiveness. What I do is begin with the least abrasive glazes and work my way to the more abrasive polishes and rubbing compounds. When I get to the product that removes the offending defect, I go back until I'm using the very fine glazes to finish the job and really polish the surface. The buffer pad you use will also make a huge difference. Generally I use a foam pad for very fine work and a synthetic wool pad for the coarse work. Check out http://www.meguiars.com/ and look in both the consumer and professional catagories. Just be sure to stay with the hand rub or orbital buffer products, no the rotory buffer products unless you are experienced with a rotory buffer. Good Luck.
I think you may have mislead tmart about the use of Z-1. You are correct if you say that it should be used the first time Zaino is used. But the (only once) entry is misleading -- I believe Sal recommends Z-1 every 6 months or so, or after 1o coats of Z2 or Z-5, to "lock in" the subsequent applications of Z-2 or Z-5.
And tmart, I think you're very lucky that you were able to benefit from your warranties on electronic products -- usually, only the warranty issuer benefits. I agree wholeheartedly with automophile on this one. The only warranty I bought was to extend the bumper-to-bumper warranty on my 2000 Mercedes E320, from 4 yrs/50,000 miles to 8 yrs/100,000 miles.
I see that the whole "power buffer" idea has come back on a couple of posts. Long and short of the matter, while some wax brands may bennefit from using a power buffer (orbital or not), Zaino does not. As a matter of fact, I would say that using any sort of power buffer with Zaino will create more problems. Zaino is simply a wipe on, let dry, wipe off, type of product. Litterally, it's that easy.
As far a spider webbing and swirls are concerned, if a few coats of Z5 can't cure the problem, then if you're not experienced in using products that contain abrasives, I suggest going to a professional to let them tackle the swirls. I am a big believer in the 3M foam polish pad (called "Perfect-It"), but wouldn't want to use a power buffer with it (and I had used a power buffer for over a dozen years "pre-Zaino addiction"). I use the 3M product, but only by hand and get great results.
Again, if the swirls aren't coming out by hand (using either Z5 or 3M foam pad) then it may be time to go to someone who is a professional and has samples (before and after) of their work.
spartanman--as fastdriver and automophile point out, any dealer applied "lifetime" wax is more of a profit center for the dealer than any sort of lifetime wax. There's only one way that will keep your car looking its best (especially black) and that is keep it clean, use 100% washing/drying towels (make an exception for "THE ABSORBER", which is an excellent towel for drying your car) and use Zaino. My guess is that for what you would pay for the "lifetime wax" from your dealer, you could get a lifetime supply of zaino and have plenty of $$$ left over for a nice radar detector for that speedy new vehicle. Plus, your car will look 100% better with Zaino than what the dealer would offer.
t-mart - Yes - you were lucky that you needed your warranties. We develop and manufacture various types of electronic products, and in general, if they work for the first week or so, they will work for years. There are only 3 items that are worth getting extended warranties for: VCRs and camcorders (because they are still very mechanical) and for notebook computers, (because they are so incredibly expensive to fix). The rest is a sucker gamble that seldom pays off. Many of the super low-price retailers make most of their profit from the extended warranties, which is why they push them so hard.
mbdriver - You are correct that I wasn't clear. I meant that it is not necessary to use the Z-1 between each layer of Z-2 or Z-5.
All right...this isn't the correct forum for this, but I have to tell someone.
I've been searching for a BMW 540i for quite some time. New is way out of my price range.
Found one that had been in an accident. The guy who owned it bought it new. The story I got, he was in his "local pub" last Sunday watching the Super Bowl. He was parked "nose-to-nose" in the parking lot. The person parked in front of him was leaving. Instead of putting the car in reverse, the "other" person put it in drive and hit the front of the BMW and took off (hit and run). This scene was witnessed by someone going into the pub. He went into the pub, said someone had just hit the BMW. BMW owner runs out to find the grill and one of the headlights smashed and a "crease" in the driver's side qtr panel. Mr. BMW is understandably irate and calls the police. Police take statements from the witness and BMW owner. BMW owner goes back in the pub, watches the rest of the Super Bowl and attempts to leave. He then gets "popped" by the same police officer for DUI while pulling out of the pub. Talk about a bad day.
Anyway, I see the car parked at the neighborhood body shop (does custom body work on high end cars) with a home made "for sale" sign. I call the owner. He says his insurance is going through the roof after the DUI and decided to sell. We "dicker" a bit and come to a price of $19K predicated on only sheet metal work and no mechanical issues that will crop up after closer inspection. I give him a post dated check (2-10) for $1K until I can inspect it and have the car checked out. Car is a '97 and has ~60K miles and looks clean on the inside. It starts/sounds good....everything works, but I can't drive it until front 1/4 panel is pried away from the front tire. CarFax is clean.
It's black and needs some Zaino TLC but the "unwrecked" portion looks to be in great shape. I'm hoping for an estimate from the body shop around $2K-$3K.
>Tell me if I'm a sucker or a lunatic. >=============== Without any name calling... =;-) are you allowed to look at the accident report? After reading it, you'd have some idea if the guy was being truthful. Or not. Sounds like it MAY be a nice ride.
Ask Bill and Terry about this over at RWTIV's. goldengirl2 "Real-World Trade-In Values" Feb 5, 2002 1:09pm Give them all the details of the car (mileage, color, options, locations, and damage) and they'll give you wholesale pricing and a few comments. These guys are straight shooters so you can count on their opinions.
Police reports of accidents and arrests are "public records" in the US of A. They are usually filed by date and driver name, but some places file them by location of the incident. Same thing with arrest and ticket information. It's all public; you only have to know where to look or whom to ask.
In Hamilton County, Ohio, for example, all arrest and even traffic violation information is available on the internet to anyone (www.courtclerk.org) -- we can look up our neighbor's arrest record any time.
In your county or city, you may have to ask for copies at some precinct house or county record keeping building. The accident report should be available to you; sometimes they black out the SS number of the drivers, but everything else is there.
I would check this out, because if there was no report and no DUI, then you are not getting a straight story from this guy, and you don't know what else is fishy about his story. He's already admitted to being a drunk driver.
Be sure your agreement with him, however informal, is contingent on the body work being done to your satisfaction (unless you are paying for that) and completion of an inspection by a mechanic of your choosing. Don't make the inspection a "satisfactory inspection" because that's open to what should be satisfactory to a reasonable buyer of a used car with visible damage; use the inspection to buy more time to find the reports.
Your risk is that you have $1,000.00 in the wind, and that's a pretty big meatball to have hanging out there.
Good luck; those 5's are nice.
Finally, you are right about this not being the right board for your question, but if you promise to clay the SOB and put zaino on it, we are OK this time.
I decided to pass on the 540i. Way too many stumbling blocks. I was going buy it "wrecked" and pay for the body work based on the fact that it's probably a mid $20K car. The more I thought about it, I always came back to the fact that I was buying a "pig-in-a-poke". Didn't get the warm and fuzzies about that scenario. Fortunately, I post dated the check. According to my bank, no one has cashed the check. I put a stop pay on the check and left a voice mail with the "owner" to that effect. He hasn't called back. If his story is true, then he's got much bigger issues than my "news".
I'll keep looking as I've driven a friend's 540i and fell in love with his.
squidd---you live in Hamilton County? If so, whereabouts? I went to college up the road from there in Oxford.
fastdriver--the plan was to keep the 300M and have the 540i as a "project car".
A couple of weeks ago, we hit temps of 60 so I put a quick Z2 coat on. First one since August. Really didn't need it. I know your "christine" caused you grief, but my 300M seems to be getting stronger. It runs better now (once I got over 15K miles...have almost 40K miles on it after about 1.5 years) than when I first got it. At this rate, I'm going to be in the market again in a couple of years, maybe an '03 or '04 Crossfire, a Caddy CTS or one of the new design Grand Prix(s) with 280HP and 280 lbs/ft of torque. I saw your most recent pictures of the "red rocket". As always, you keep it "a looker". Sounds like you are loving the ride, too.
I've had to use the drive through "touchless wash" places mostly this winter. I loath doing that, but had no choice. About once every couple of weeks, I go to these places and the Zaino holds up very well.
Comments
Graphicguy beat me to it- NAPA stores do carry the 3M Swirl Remover.
Sorry to hear about the "spots" on the truck. I am sure they were not caused by Zaino, but were "enhanced" by the application of the Zaino. Again, I think graphicguy is right. I had this problem on my 1990 Red Buick Riviera, long before I ever heard of Zaino. It was more like "craters" than spots though. They were only visible under fluorescent lights. I am sure it was from acid rain, which is VERY bad here in So. CT.
I forgot to check out who was asking about the Zaino shine before I started writing this. I can't go back now or I'll lose this message. If you want to see a Zaino shine, click on my name above and check out the 300M and the Acura. What you see is what you get. Sorry the photopoint.com site doesn't work, but there are other pics on other sites. I have car pics all over the net! ;-)) Sometimes I lose track myself.
fastdriver
Thanks for another reason to keep waxing!
Howdy neighbor! Did you ever go to Fairfield Pharmacy across from the church- St. Aquinas? or Clampette's Pharmacy next to the Fairfield Dept. Store? Both my uncle's owned those.
When I used to use Meguiar's, I filled out their on-line form for car care and they said that the New Haven area was bad for acid rain. All that pollution from surrounding states! ;-)
The only solution for acid rain is to constantly try to keep the rain water from drying on the car especially when the sun comes out. This isn't always possible. I thought I was going to clean my car today, but it's not as warm as I thought. It hasn't been washed in weeks despite our somewhat "moderate" temperatures considering that it's supposed to be winter!
fastdriver
Just go to http://www.zainobros.com and read EVERYTHING there BEFORE you use it, then click on my name above and see what Zaino does for dark cars! I would get the clay, Z2, Z5, ZFX, Z car wash and Z6 to start with. Of course you'll need some made in the USA 100% WHITE COTTON towels and you're good to go as soon as the weather warms up! You'll love the shine, longevity and EASE of application.
In no time at all, you'll be part of the ZA group- Zainoholics Anonymous! ;-))
fastdriver
This is not good - now you're reminding me of how great town used to be - LOL!
Of course I remember Clampette's and the Fairfield Pharm. The Farifield D's gone now but we knew the family that owned it - and my grandfather used to manage the family Jewelry store (Spectors) down the street.
When you learn how to drive on I95 - nothing scares you - late night on the Merritt - good times!
Anyway, back to topic - yes, Meguiar's has great customer service.
But I wanted a good glass product - heard about Z12 and stopped off in Zainoville.
I'll bet the spots on my wife's glass I'm trying to fix are just what you describe as her's is outside in Cheshire a lot.
Just wanted to give you an update. First, thank you all for your suggestions on the spots on my husband's truck. I think there's a NAPA store around here somewhere and we will look for the 3M stuff there.
I went ahead and did the Z process to my 4Runner last night. I started about 6:00 PM so my husband set up these spotlights we have so I could wash in the dark. Yes, I looked like a fool out there washing my car in the dark but I really did have plenty of light to see.
I did the Dawn wash, clay (surprisingly I didn't get hardly anything off - the 4Runner was already really smooth), and Z7 wash. Then I dried the heck out of it with my 100% cotton white towels. We pulled it into the garage and I inspected it under the fluorescent lights and didn't see any spots. There were a few paint chips and scratches but since it is a year old that's to be expected.
Then I put the Z1 on the then Z5 (I was hoping to hide some of the fine scratches). That whole process took me about 4 hours. I finally ate dinner at 10:00.
I let it dry overnight and wiped it off this morning and put some Z6 on.
It looks sooooo good and YEAH no spots!!
Tonight or tomorrow morning I will probably put a coat of Z2 on. I'm in Florida so the temp. is well over 70. It's downright HOT for this time of year. I feel for you guys in the North. I hate the snow.
Anyway, thanks again for all your help. I will keep you updated on my husband's truck.
- Candi
Glad it all worked out! I knew it would. Also knew that the Zaino did not cause the spots on the truck.
Sunny and warm in CA, sunny and warm in FL and sunny and "cool" in CT. I HAVE to wash my car today. I can't stand looking at it anymore! Maybe I'll go buy some Playtex rubber gloves so I don't get frostbite from the cold water! ;-)) It looks nice out, but it's 48 degrees and breezy.
Just ran outside- nice in the sun, but cool in the shade. I'll take some before and after pics!
fastdriver
I don't think there were alot of contaminants from the look of the clay, and i hope i didn't rub too hard, just glide over the surface with solid contact but not too much pressure. Lots of lubrication with Z7/water, it was very interesting, I have never clay a car before til today.
So, from dawn wash, clay, Z1/Z5, after ~4 hours, I am now waiting for the finish to dry. I had some water beading, and water spots problem for the past few weeks when I dry my car, I am guessing maybe the Z1 was wearing off? Well, we'll see if this whole Z process will help,
I am fast becoming a Zaino true believer...seriously, though, I also like Z7- the best car wash I have ever used. As for Z6, the smell alone is so intoxicating that it makes me want to use more and more.
Ahhhhhh........ another Z addict! ;-)) I finally washed my car today after weeks of neglect due to the weather. It was last Z'd at the end of November. That Zaino shine is still there. I took some pics. All I did was wash the car. No time today to apply Z6. I was running late.
Check it out-
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=86058222303&n=2003954155
fastdriver
Did a Z7 wash and a quick Z6 on the horizontal surfaces. The Zaino shine and beading appears to be holding up wonderfully in the Southern Ontario Salt Slinging frenzy.
Too bad it's going to get cold later this week. I probably won't have another chance to wash "Hooloo" properly until spring.
I hope those of you that live in warm climates appreciate what you have! 8^0
Brad
As I clayed the CRV I found a couple of scratches =(. I need a bug shield before the bugs come back this spring. The steps were not as hard as I thought when I first read about Zaino. I ended up with 2 coats of Z2 on my CRV. It is a silver one so I'm not seeing the deep shine I have seen posted on the darker colors .... but WOW the mirror like finish is awesome. The claying wasn't as hard I thought it would be. Since the CRV is only a couple of months old it didn't pick up much.
The Accord was a different matter - the clay picked up all kind of c**p off the paint. I will need to get some Z5 to follow up on the Accord with the swirls and scratches it has from being 8 years old. But after I was done it looked great too. Only thing is that I think the nice finish really shows up all the little dents and dings that inconsiderate parkers have inflicted upon the sides over the time I've had it.
Yesterday it was 60 degrees. Today could be a record breaker according to today's news. Just might have to put on some Z2/Z6 because we still have Feb. and March to get through. Only one snowstorm so far- 4 inches! ;-))
fastdriver
I hear you. I was going to Z2/Z6 my car when I got home from work today, but I was just too tired. I felt like I was overseas hunting for Bin Laden today. Full moon days are "crazy" at work. I might have made the effort, but it looks great to me, so I'll wait for the next 60 degree day and hope that it falls on a weekend. ;-)) Supposed to rain here in CT on Wed., Thur. and Fri. At least I have the pleasure of driving a clean car for a few days. Can't wait until Spring!
fastdriver
Brad
Has anyone found, in their experience, that Zaino--if applied to a car starting at its purchase--keeps black paint from becoming swirled?
I'm in the market for a new car, and if Zaino will avoid the swirls then for the first time in my life I may actually buy a sweet black ride. Thanks for any input.
1. Wash with Dawn
2. Clay
3. Wash with Z7
4. Z1
5. Z5
6. Z6
7. Z5 or Z2, depending upon how those minor swirls look
8. Z6
9. Z2
10. Z6
This seems like alot of work, but if it results in a good gloss which lasts an honest 6 months it will be well worth it!
I have 2 questions for this active group of Zaino experts:
1. I mistakenly used a 50/50 cotton/polyester terry applicator in hand-applying my last coat of wax. I now have the dreaded swirlies- those light swirls visible only by viewing the paint surface in strong light at an angle. In your experience, will Z5 cover these swirls or should I consider a mildly abrasive swirl remover first?
2. It seems that one of the more common mistakes of 1st-time Z users is to overapply the product. Would a flat 100% cotton applicator (e.g. flannel) be better for this than a terry applicator, or would flat cotton material be a bad idea? Any other suggestions to avoid over-application would be appreciated.
Jon
A new car can have swirls also, depending on what the dealer does to "prep" it for you. Often, he has some minimum wage kid slap on some wax with an electric buffer. If you are getting a new car, just tell the dealer not to wax it at all, and hope he listens and gets the message down to the shop. I know of one person who insisted that the car (a Viper) be delievered to him with the shipping plastic still on it.
If you have no swirls on the car, new or used, and put on Z and maintain it as directed with the proper towels that don't scratch (100% white cotton USA no poly towels), you should be able to keep the car, regardless of color, free from swirls.
Go do it.
TWO ANSWERS to the guy with two questions:
1. Those swirlies may be in the wax, and if so will come off with the Dawn wash. If not, you should use a light prep product designed to remove oxidized paint, etc. This is what I have done on two used cars getting Zaino for the first time. This works pretty well. Use whatever you need to use to get all the spots and swirls out after the Dawn and before the first coat of Z1. (I hope you got the ZFX; that will speed your process up considerably and save you several days, because otherwise you should wait a day between coats of Z5 or Z2 for the coat to cure; ZFX eliminates the need for this wait and allows you to apply 3 coats one right after the other, with no wait in between; this saves two days right there.)
2. I would not use flannel on the car for anything. With your order, Sal will send you his "free" applicator: a sponge covered with a handsewn cotton cover. Use this, but don't put it in the washing machine with the towels, because the machine will pull out the cotton stitching used to hold the cover on the sponge. (Poly thread would scratch the surface, so Sal uses only cotton thread, which is more fragile.) In the alternative, you should use the same kind of towel to apply Zaino as you use to wipe it off: 100% USA white cotton. Use a hand towel. I have some wash cloths for this purpose, but you have to be careful here because in some lines, the washcloths are not as high quality as the towels and may not be 100% cotton. Anyway, you will get a Zaino applicator in your delivery, so use that.
As for overapplying, it's something that you just have to learn; use lots of light so as not to miss a spot, and just cover the surface; your inclination will be to spread it on like wax, and you will just have to learn to overcome that urge. It takes a while. Don't worry too much about that. If you overapply, it will take longer to dry (another good reason to use ZFX) and may smear some when you wipe it off (because it has not dried fully), but you can always remove the excess with a Z7 wash or a Z6 once-over. You won't hurt anything by putting on too much; you will waste time and money, but we all do that. (It's called a date.) By your 3d coat, you will get the hang of just how thin a coat you need, and you will be surprised at how little of the product is required to work.
It's a wonder.
I'll wash with Dawn and see what the paint looks like. I bet I'll end up using a swirl remover. My 300M is 7 months old now & it may be another several weeks before the next warm spell!!!! I may regret not getting the new ZFX, but I elected to go the Z1 route just due to its track record for duration of shine. Using ZFX may well match it (or even exceed it), but I have enough garage space that doing multiple coats over a few days is not that big of a hassle- I'll just drive another vehicle until I finish
I seem to remember someone posting a tip on wiping down the car's surface using longitudinal strokes on the hood & roof and vertical strokes on the sides. Supposedly this maximized the appearance of the gloss to the viewer's eye. I don't remember exactly how this was supposed to do so. Any truth to this "tip"???
Looking forward to Zaino'ing for a better duration of shine. We had a warm spell about 5 weeks ago, and I waxed my M with Meguiar's liq Cleaner Wax, and my wife's Dodge minivan with Mother's liq wax. Neither product yields that nice a gloss- nothing approaching Meguiar's Gold Class for sure. More disappointing, though, is that the wax shine and beading are now essentially gone on both vehicles, and they are generally kept in the garage out of the elements. Talk about wasted waxing effort! Under those conditions, Meguiar's Medallion (when I could find it!) generally lasted 3mo+. Anyway,
it's time to give Sal's juice a go.
Jon
As for the shine, I last put a coat of Zaino on my Lexus in September, and when I washed it Saturday, at least 4 months later, the water beaded up like day one, and the shine is as fresh as the morning dew.
Wax don't work like that!
You will love the Zaino, and you will spend a lot less time working on keeping the gloss.
LOL... it seems like only yesterday when you were asking all these same questions. Now you are quite an expert. Your advice above is right on. You never sent me those other pics to post for you. Spring will be here soon.
When I got my Acura CL-S, I told the dealer not to TOUCH IT! NO WASH, NO WAX! They left the plastic on mine too. However, since I was going to drive the car from RI, where I bought it, to CT, I thought it would be best to take off the plastic. I was afraid that it might melt from the engine heat. I told them that I would not hold it against them that the car was not "sparkling" clean. I told them that most swirl marks on a new car comes from "prep" people washing and waxing the car.
Today would have been ANOTHER perfect day to Z my car. Temp was 70! On Tuesdays, I volunteer at an assisted living center working with the residents on the computer and sending e-mail, so today was out. Tonight it's supposed to rain and Thursday morning we're supposed to have snow, sleet and freezing rain!! Love this New England weather! NOT!
fastdriver
jona57 - It is best to eliminate or reduce the swirls as much as possible in the beginning. Try the Dawn first as squidd suggests. If the swirls are in the paint, then use 3M Swirl Remover, etc. to take them out before your Z treatment, and use the Z5 to fill the inevitable.
For the longitudinal strokes- I believe that no matter what you do, you will get some light swirls. IF the swirls are circular, you will see some from every angle. If they are straight lines, you can only see them from a certain angle, and they will be less visible.
So, I have no need to use ZFX and apply three coats of Z-2 in a single day. At least, that's my take on things. If anyone can prove otherwise, I'd appreciate the help. Meanwhile, I took advantage of the 70+ degree weather we had in Northern Virginia last week and did another Z-6, Z-2, Z-6 job on the car (I had washed it the previous day). It's gorgeous!
Jon
As long as you don't have any drying problems and don't mind adding a Z1 coat every 6 months(some people complain about this "extra" step) you will be fine without ZFX.
Dawn wash and repeat the process every 6 months?Or just Z7 wash and Z2
(w/ZFX) periodically?
My paint is new and appears swirl-free,so I don't think I'll need Z5.Does the above sound correct?Thanks!!
You should not use Dawn on a regular basis. The only time to use Dawn afterwards would be to remove oils left behind if some kind of polish like 3M Swirl remover was used. Dawn has a high alkaline content and is too harsh for regular use.
You should just Z7 wash and Z2(w/ZFX) periodically.
Z2 should be all you need. Some people prefer Z5. Some people use both interchangeably. I have a daily driver exposed to the elements 24/7 and use Z5 exclusively because of its filling capabilities. Z2 is supposed to have slightly higher optical clarity.
If you are starting out with a swirl free/scratch free, light colored vehicle, Z2 would be a good choice.
Acura dealer trying to sell me on a "protector" paint guard for my black clearcoat finish. Apparently its some DuPont teflon which goes over the clearcoat and is lifetime warrantied. Anyone ever hear of this?. Is it worth it?.
If there has been previous discussion of this subject, I apologize. Is doing it with products like Zaino, better and more cost effective?. I want to do something before driving it in the winter salts here in Chicago. Thanks
DON'T DO IT!!! Call the dealer NOW and tell them not to even WASH the car!! That's the start of the scratches and swirls. Go to http://www.zainobros.com. Read EVERYTHING and place the order or call Sal and see if there is a distributor in your area. DuPont teflon works on frying pans, but if I'm not mistaken, even DuPont says it does nothing for car finishes.
Good luck with the car! You're going to love it! That black will shine like something you've never seen. Click on my name above to see my pics with Zaino!
fastdriver
spartanman2 - What fastdriver said, PLUS the fact that in my nearly 40 years of being an auto fanatic, I have NEVER seen one of the dealer add-ons - paint protectant, interior protectant, undercoating, etc. that was worth the paper the "warranty" was printed on. Many such treatments caused more problems than they solved. The real idea behind them is that they prey on lazy people looking for a way out of proper car care (not you), and then count on them selling the car before they try to use the warranty. Don't EVER buy one of these things, it is a worse bargain than the extended warranties on Electronics products.
Zaino on black is amazing. Do it right, and the shine may cause accidents driving down the street!
And tmart, I think you're very lucky that you were able to benefit from your warranties on electronic products -- usually, only the warranty issuer benefits. I agree wholeheartedly with automophile on this one. The only warranty I bought was to extend the bumper-to-bumper warranty on my 2000 Mercedes E320, from 4 yrs/50,000 miles to 8 yrs/100,000 miles.
As far a spider webbing and swirls are concerned, if a few coats of Z5 can't cure the problem, then if you're not experienced in using products that contain abrasives, I suggest going to a professional to let them tackle the swirls. I am a big believer in the 3M foam polish pad (called "Perfect-It"), but wouldn't want to use a power buffer with it (and I had used a power buffer for over a dozen years "pre-Zaino addiction"). I use the 3M product, but only by hand and get great results.
Again, if the swirls aren't coming out by hand (using either Z5 or 3M foam pad) then it may be time to go to someone who is a professional and has samples (before and after) of their work.
spartanman--as fastdriver and automophile point out, any dealer applied "lifetime" wax is more of a profit center for the dealer than any sort of lifetime wax. There's only one way that will keep your car looking its best (especially black) and that is keep it clean, use 100% washing/drying towels (make an exception for "THE ABSORBER", which is an excellent towel for drying your car) and use Zaino. My guess is that for what you would pay for the "lifetime wax" from your dealer, you could get a lifetime supply of zaino and have plenty of $$$ left over for a nice radar detector for that speedy new vehicle. Plus, your car will look 100% better with Zaino than what the dealer would offer.
"Most 'fresh' mineral deposits (water spotting, acid rain, etc.) can be
removed using household white vinegar full strength. This is acetic acid and will
loosen and remove the mineral deposits and not harm the paint surface. Most of the
time, the water spot etching you see is simply the hardened mineral deposit, giving
the illusion of etching into the paint. Believe me, when these mineral deposits
harden. They become really tough and hard to remove. The trick is to not give them
a chance to harden.
If the above fails, then use a Clay Bar to remove them....
If those water spots on your car have been there for a while. They might
be already etched into the clear coat. If Clay Bar will not remove them. Then what
you are seeing is an etched spot in the paint surface, similar to acid rain mark
etching..
Although, I am totally against using an abrasive product on todays clear
coated finishes. It's possible in your specific situation, you might not
have a choice. I would try 3M Foam Polishing Pad Glaze Swirl Mark Remover
part #39009 by hand, not by machine, using very light pressure. This should do
the trick. Be careful when doing this and only do the water spot areas, as the 3M is
abrasive and will remove paint material. Don't forget to reapply your favorite wax
or polish as the 3M product will remove any polish/wax.
If you opt to go with the 3M Foam Polishing Pad Glaze... see following tips...
3M Foam Polishing Pad Glaze use By hand:
Simply apply a small amount (about the size of a quarter) to a cotton diaper or piece
of cotton towel and rub back and forth into about a 1'X 1' section using light to
medium pressure until it starts to dry out. Then take a second towel and lightly rub
back and forth until the polish residue disappears and the gloss comes up. If there
are still some swirls visible you can repeat this step until they are minimal. I prefer
using a less aggressive product a couple times instead of using a more aggressive
product once. After you have done the entire car you can Dawn wash and reapply
your favorite wax/polish or Zaino Z-1 and Z-5/Z-2."
I've got a lot of catching up to do...
_julie
Welcome back! I thought you were recuperating from Z'ing the "land yacht"! ;-)))
fastdriver
VCRs and camcorders (because they are still very mechanical) and for notebook computers, (because they are so incredibly expensive to fix). The rest is a sucker gamble that seldom pays off. Many of the super low-price retailers make most of their profit from the extended warranties, which is why they push them so hard.
mbdriver - You are correct that I wasn't clear. I meant that it is not necessary to use the Z-1 between each layer of Z-2 or Z-5.
I've been searching for a BMW 540i for quite some time. New is way out of my price range.
Found one that had been in an accident. The guy who owned it bought it new. The story I got, he was in his "local pub" last Sunday watching the Super Bowl. He was parked "nose-to-nose" in the parking lot. The person parked in front of him was leaving. Instead of putting the car in reverse, the "other" person put it in drive and hit the front of the BMW and took off (hit and run). This scene was witnessed by someone going into the pub. He went into the pub, said someone had just hit the BMW. BMW owner runs out to find the grill and one of the headlights smashed and a "crease" in the driver's side qtr panel. Mr. BMW is understandably irate and calls the police. Police take statements from the witness and BMW owner. BMW owner goes back in the pub, watches the rest of the Super Bowl and attempts to leave. He then gets "popped" by the same police officer for DUI while pulling out of the pub. Talk about a bad day.
Anyway, I see the car parked at the neighborhood body shop (does custom body work on high end cars) with a home made "for sale" sign. I call the owner. He says his insurance is going through the roof after the DUI and decided to sell. We "dicker" a bit and come to a price of $19K predicated on only sheet metal work and no mechanical issues that will crop up after closer inspection. I give him a post dated check (2-10) for $1K until I can inspect it and have the car checked out. Car is a '97 and has ~60K miles and looks clean on the inside. It starts/sounds good....everything works, but I can't drive it until front 1/4 panel is pried away from the front tire. CarFax is clean.
It's black and needs some Zaino TLC but the "unwrecked" portion looks to be in great shape. I'm hoping for an estimate from the body shop around $2K-$3K.
Tell me if I'm a sucker or a lunatic.
>===============
Without any name calling... =;-) are you allowed to look at the accident report? After reading it, you'd have some idea if the guy was being truthful. Or not.
Sounds like it MAY be a nice ride.
Give them all the details of the car (mileage, color, options, locations, and damage) and they'll give you wholesale pricing and a few comments. These guys are straight shooters so you can count on their opinions.
LOL.....Don't get that Inferno Red beauty mad at you by looking at another car! ;-))
fastdriver
In Hamilton County, Ohio, for example, all arrest and even traffic violation information is available on the internet to anyone (www.courtclerk.org) -- we can look up our neighbor's arrest record any time.
In your county or city, you may have to ask for copies at some precinct house or county record keeping building. The accident report should be available to you; sometimes they black out the SS number of the drivers, but everything else is there.
I would check this out, because if there was no report and no DUI, then you are not getting a straight story from this guy, and you don't know what else is fishy about his story. He's already admitted to being a drunk driver.
Be sure your agreement with him, however informal, is contingent on the body work being done to your satisfaction (unless you are paying for that) and completion of an inspection by a mechanic of your choosing. Don't make the inspection a "satisfactory inspection" because that's open to what should be satisfactory to a reasonable buyer of a used car with visible damage; use the inspection to buy more time to find the reports.
Your risk is that you have $1,000.00 in the wind, and that's a pretty big meatball to have hanging out there.
Good luck; those 5's are nice.
Finally, you are right about this not being the right board for your question, but if you promise to clay the SOB and put zaino on it, we are OK this time.
I'll keep looking as I've driven a friend's 540i and fell in love with his.
squidd---you live in Hamilton County? If so, whereabouts? I went to college up the road from there in Oxford.
fastdriver--the plan was to keep the 300M and have the 540i as a "project car".
A couple of weeks ago, we hit temps of 60 so I put a quick Z2 coat on. First one since August. Really didn't need it. I know your "christine" caused you grief, but my 300M seems to be getting stronger. It runs better now (once I got over 15K miles...have almost 40K miles on it after about 1.5 years) than when I first got it. At this rate, I'm going to be in the market again in a couple of years, maybe an '03 or '04 Crossfire, a Caddy CTS or one of the new design Grand Prix(s) with 280HP and 280 lbs/ft of torque. I saw your most recent pictures of the "red rocket". As always, you keep it "a looker". Sounds like you are loving the ride, too.
I've had to use the drive through "touchless wash" places mostly this winter. I loath doing that, but had no choice. About once every couple of weeks, I go to these places and the Zaino holds up very well.