a guy named kevin, he is a local rep but only sells it out of his basement as its not his actual job the first pic of my car is over at his house where he applied zaino to the car for free to show me how well the stuff was. his prices are the same as the ones on the site i belive.. hes in louisville off of hikes lane. he posts on the fbody forums kyfbody.org i belive under Kevinv2000ss.

 

So I've translated the instructions that Ridge provided (above).

Is this about right?

A few more questions:
1) Should I be rushing to do this (considered I just picked up my truck last week) or should I wait for a few months?

2) If I was going to use NXT (since I can get it quickly at Wallyworld) would I simply swap NXT for Zaino in the steps above?

3) What's a two bucket wash?

4) I'm having a plastic bedliner put in but before doing that should I do anything special to the box (ie. coat it with wax or oil, etc.)?

 

You're A-O-K to do it the day that you bring it home. The paint is catalyzed at the factory and, as such, you need not worry about dry times and solvent pop issues. You're good to go on day one.

I don't think that you're rushing in to it at all. I clayed, polished, and waxed the second day that I had the truck. It was quite suprising how dirty the paint was even after only sitting on the stealership's lot for about 2 weeks. Clay is a very impressive detailing item in the right conditions...


Uhh... he only used the term about 25 times in a 6 line post...

I assume you mean NXT wax rather than Zaino? If so, yeah. You're generally okay there.

One bucket is full of fresh, clean water. The second bucket is full of your shampoo/water solution. The theory is to wash a single panel (starting top to bottom) and immediately 'rinse' your mitt in the fresh/clean water. Then you go back to your shampoo solution.

This keeps your shampoo solution cleaner and you're able to trap most of the 'gunk' from your mitt in bucket #1. Change that bucket of water as needed during the wash.

Remember, washing, drying, and QD'ing are the steps in which MOST swirls and other paint problems are introduced. In short, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of trying to polish out the crud that you inadvertantly introduced into the paint. Technique... Technique.... Technique!

Reconsider?

Have you looked into Line-X or Rhino spray-in coatings?

I have a drop in and wish I'd gone the other route. I may still do that...

Other than that, there's not much you really can do. I would recommend waxing it but, that's going to be short lived and the vibrations of the bedliner will rub through it.

I hope that helps!

-RP-

 

Thanks for all of the advice RP.

Yes I'd certainly consider going to Line-X. Line-X is about $155CDN more than the plastic Ford OEM liner but I guess you're thinking that it's worth it.

Another question: For regular washing, would I just use dawn soap and the two bucket method you've described?

Thanks for everyone's help.. How much time should I assume to do the first treatment (4, 6 8 hours)?

Can the Zaino be applied in direct sun or do I need to find some shade?

Have a great weekend everyone.

 

Good plan on the line-X. Well worth the price IMO.

Whatever you do, DO NOT make Dawn a regular washing soap. It's great for a stripping soap, or when doing a customer vehicle for the first time, but very harsh for regular use. Invest in a quality, car-oriented, wash. A good example is Meguiars Gold Class Wash. Also, Poorboys wash is good, but it's a bit pricey. GC is very good (my choice), and cheap.

Also-- I don't see the point in claying with a soap. It works well, yes, but it's just as effective to use the provided QD spray. You'll need to plan about 8 hours minimum, if you plan on doing the interior, too. And definately do the work in the shade.

The shade is beneficial because it keeps the paint from getting freaking hot to the point where it dries too fast. Also, something about the formulation of all the detailing products and sun doesn't mix. I've done a detail on a Black truck in the middle of the summer, and it was hell. Not only did I have to use ridiculous amounts of products, but I was constantly burning my fingers, sweating all over everything, and it used an unreasonable amount of time. The good side was the $$$ that I got for it. The owner kept the undesirable conditions in mind... Just my 2 cents

 

Thanks! I'll go with the Gold Class since my wife has already got some mud on my new baby!

Can I do my regular washing in the sun?

 

Like he said -- absolutely NO washing regularly with Dawn. It'll strip off all of your work... It may be gentle enough to clean up water fowl after an oil spill but, it's not gentle enough to leave wax on a painted finish! *quack*

As for washing in the sun... I'd recommend aginst it if you can pull it off. Water spotting on any dark vehicle is a booger to contend with and can often be much more than an 'arm' can handle -- meaning, you'll almost definitely need a machine to get it taken care of -- if you can at all.

-RP-

 

Well guys, it looks like I will start out by doing regular washes for now, but I am looking into the Z-system that has been recommend. My only question is what Zaino products do I need?. I went to the website and saw a lot of stuff and really didn't know where to start. Any suggestions on what to start out with.

Thanks for the help,

LegIron

 

I bet Ridge can help you there...

(I don't mean to be mean ridge-- I just don't know nearly what you do about the Z system.)

 

There are lots of guys here that are VERY versed in Zaino. I've tinkered with it but would fall way short on saying that I am a Z expert. They are pretty well respected within the detailing world and do serve a niche market of sorts.

I believe that they protect as well as anything out there on the market but, from a looks standpoint, I don't think I like the look nearly as much as I do from a carnuba or similar natural wax... Z is far too glassy looking to me.

It's obviously good stuff but, it's just not for me.

 

Fair enough, I guess I'll start with a Meg's routine when work/kids allow it. Meg's seems to be well respected on this forum and for me that's a least a starting point.

Thanks again for walking me through this,

LegIron

 

Z is good stuff... don't let me steer you away from it... And yes, Meguiar's is a HIGHLY reputable name within the automotive detailing business...

It's 6 of one, a half-dozen of another... Z will give the longer durability but, in my opinion, a synthetic overlain with a pure carnauba will give a very good amount of durability and a fantastic look.

You know what they say about opinions...

 

I found this site in a posting here sometime ago.

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/how-to.html

I thought it was a pretty good guide for me when I was trying to learn about keeping my beastie looking good.
RP, would you give this site your seal of approval? Anything on there we should disregard?

 

Claims are from the pros these Duragloss steps (below) rival Zaino at a much cheaper price point. Admittedly I have not tried Duragloss other than their Auquawax product that was recommend here by qadsan--applied as a last step--worked excellent.

2) Hand wash using Duragloss 901 Car Wash.
3) Clay the whole car with an AutoZone Clay Magic Clay Bar Kit
4) Use Duragloss 671 Swirl Mark Remover as a pre-polish and cleaning agent
5) Apply Duragloss 601 Polish Bonding Agent, which works like an epoxy to form a chemical reaction with the paint and the next step (makes the protection last much longer)
6) Apply Duragloss 105 Total Performance Polish. Second layer if necessary.
7) Apply Duragloss 951 AquaWax as a finishing layer for extra protection and gloss.

 

really to choose if you wan Zaino or not you need to think about what type of shine you want, zaino isnt a very deep shine is more of a very reflective look, wax will have a deep look to it.