JPS

Ok all you Zaino converts (I'm one of them).

Long story short, stripping down everything and starting over. This time want to put a bit more prep BEFORE starting the Z...get more microscratches out, etc.

What do people like, and just as importantly, where can I get it early on a Sat morning in San Francisco?

Thanks,

Phil

JPS,
I think you can only order it online <a href="http://www.zainobros.com" target="_blank">www.zainobros.com</a>

you will probably want to "clay" the car first

JPS

Sorry, I wasn't so clear. I have all the Zaino I need, but wondering what people like to use BEFORE they zaino...

GTR 993

I wash the car with a dish detergent to help remove as much wax as possible. Then I use a clay bar, I like the Meguire clay bar vs. the Blue Clay bar it seems to remove more of the dirt and road grime.

NEXT <img border="0" alt="[oops]" title="" src="graemlins/oops.gif" /> I take a road tar remover and clean all around the wheel wells and areas with any tar or bug spots the clay bar didn't remove. If you have a lot of swirl marks try using a scratch remover wax to even it out a little bit. When drying or waxing the car move back and forth instead of in a circular motion this will prevent new swirl marks.

After you are all done just use the Zaino Car Wash when cleaning and you will be in good shape.

GTR 993

Any of the local Pep Boys or Autozones will have these other products. The Absorber vs. a Chamois is a better product in my opinion.

swftiii

I have just gotten the Zaino products and am looking forward to trying them out - once (IF) it warms up!

GTR993 - I've never used the clay bar before and it makes me a little nervous. What do you use as the lubricant and what are the things to watch out for when using one. I can forsee making a very scratchy mistake... Is the result very noticable?

Thanks

-Skip

mike cap

JPS,

Zaino recommends washing the car first with "Dawn" dish detergent soap. His instruction sheet is specific on this. Something to do with the alkalinity of "Dawn" strips the old wax off.

For road grime, grease or tar still left on, use 3M's "General Purpose Adhesive Remover". This is what the body/paint shops use to remove wax and grease before painting.

Mike Cap
1997 C2
Arena Red

JPS

Yeah, I'm using Dawn...think I'll try some 3M swirl remover or such to polish up before going to the Z.

swftii...I used the clay bar on my car before...I sort of goofed it, so here is what you are SUPPOSED to do, as opposed to what I did.

A) If you are using Zaino's bar, cut it up into like 4-8 squares...don't do the folding over crap...that just begs for particulates to get recycled and scratch new areas. With this method, as you use up a square (and thin/stretch it out before you use it), just throw it away.

B) Use it with NO PRESSURE AT ALL. Put something like a diluted z6 as a lubricant, and KEEP IT LUBRICATED. And did I mention NO PRESSURE AT ALL? Just let it glide over the paint. You will feel any rough spots..just go back & forth until there are no rough spots.

C) Wash with Dawn again to strip off any clay.

This works great, but note that if your car is mostly in the garage when parked and kept very clean, you might not have too much crap. Don't assume just because you aren't picking up contaminants that it isn't working. It works. If it isn't picking up contaminants, you don't have them.

DON'T USE PRESSURE! USE THE FORCE TO GUIDE THE BAR.

Oh, one last thing...DON'T PUSH ON THAT BAR...DON'T USE PRESSURE.

Good luck.

bet

Be aware that some of the swirl mark removers (SMR) are difficult to use by hand as they are difficult to break down (the breaking down is how they work), and require a random orbital buffer to get good results. If you are doing every thing by hand and your micro scratches and/or swirl marks are not bad you should use a “hand glaze” or very light SMR. Mequiars makes a couple of good products to use by hand and these can be found at most auto parts stores. After using these products make sure to wash again using Dawn to remove any residue left behind. Then start the Zaino process.

swftiii

JPS - thanks.

I think I'll avoid the clay bar for now. I'm most interested in getting out all the swirl marks and it sounds like the Zaino will do that. At least I hope it will!

Happy cleaning...

-Skip

JPS

Skip...that is why I posted this post in the first place.

Zaino Z5 will remove SOME of the scratches. But it is VERY MILD. So I'm looking for something with a bit more oomph before I start the Z treatment. If you look, for example, at some of the pics on the zaino site...it is a deeper, wetter shine than I got last time...that is why I'm looking for a stronger prep first.

Keep in mind mine is a 95 with 101k miles...shiniest 101k mile car on the planet...but I want MORE MORE MORE!

Tim Ashfield

I have read a lot of posts singing the praises of Zaino products on the board but haven't been able to join in as they are not easily available in the UK.

I contacted Zaino direct and they do have an official distributor for Europe for those Euro Rennlisters who might also be interested here is the link

<a href="http://www.viper-lifestyle.de" target="_blank">Zaino in Europe</a>

The site is available in English as well as German. I will be ordering some products to see how they perform.

Best to all.

BradB

Let me clear some things up.

Z5 has some fillers in it to HIDE some of the swirls but no abrasives and it will NOT REMOVE any scratches or swirls at all.

Dawn diswashing detergent is recommeded as a prewax cleaner because it is a high alkaline detergent that will not harm paint but will cut through all waxes and dirt. It is pretty strong to use for this occasion. Just a couple squirts in a bucket will do.

If you are working by hand and are compounding (using abrasives) to remove scratches or swirls, always use back and forth motions with a pure foam applicator, not a terry covered applicator. Terry covered applicators do not allow even distribution of the solution and will caus more scratches and hazing.

3M makes the best abrasive products and can be gotten at pro auto paint supply stores locally. Check the yellow pages. The two best products, in order of abrasivenss, are Finesse It II and Swirl Mark Remover. Both work best with buffers but decent results can be had by hand it just takes much longer.

I WOULD clay the surface after washing. Use an auto shampoo as a lubricant. Cut the claybar into small pieces. Knead into flat wafers and use each side until dirty. Flip and use other side. Throw away when used up. Never knead dirty bar into itself. This is false economy and you can eventually get a piece of debris BACK into your paint. Claying is VERY fast and easy. You can clay a car in an hour. Rubbing takes very little pressure and is very safe. The difference in feel is tremendous!!

Use the Compounding AFTER the claying.

If you haveZaino shampoo, it is best to give the car a Zaino shampoo to be sure all compounding residue is off the car for the best bond.

Naturally, use microfiber towels, for buffing.

The Absorber synthetic chamois is ok if you "lay" it on the car and pick it back up again and move it around. Do not rub it against the paint. It will cause mars that way. It is, however, FAR better than the old natural chamois your Dad used to use! I like the Absorber as a way to get the majority of the water off the car and finish up with a waffleweave microfiber towel. This is by far the way to go. You will NEVER leaver swirls or marks on your car with one of these. FAR better than the softest 100% cotton towel and much more absorbant.

JPS

Brad...you are correct...remove wasn't the right word. I do have one question...did you mean that finess it II is MORE or LESS abrasive than the swirl mark remover?

Thanks,

BradB

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by JPS:
<strong>Brad...I do have one question...did you mean that finess it II is MORE or LESS abrasive than the swirl mark remover?

Thanks,</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">FI is MORE abrasive than SMR.

<img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />