how to clean, polish, wax car?

Im looking for a stet by step guide on how to really take care of my paint. Im no detailist, so please list in order how I should go about cleaning and waxing my 95Z.

maybe something like this.

1-wash with dawn, to remove current wax
2-clean with ......
3-remove swirls and light scratches with.....
4-polish with......
5-wax with ......


also, how long should i go between doing this?

or what ever order yo uthink I should do this in. I have some light scratches in surf. as well as contaminants in paint on front of car from highway driving.

thanks Chris

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1985 Iroc Z, (not together yet)
1986 Iroc Z, (also not together yet)350 ported camel hump heads,750, 700r4, 10.5 comp, solid cam .501I .510E, 3:73posi,girdle, Edel. torker II, shift kit, 3500 stal, dynomax LT. headers, 4 gen seats, man. strg., lt1 starter, alum. w/p, msd 6al, coil, dist., and wires. will have dual. exh.
exp high 12's-low 13's

1995 z28,SS Hood, Iroc style spoiler, tints and black outs, 700r4,2400 act. stall, 17" budnick trilogy III wheels, 275/40 ZR17, 160 stat, man. cooling fan sw., homemaid CAI,1LE elbow, hypertech airfoil, t.b.bypass,!cat, flowmaster, !maf screen, relocated batt., 1LE front l.c.a.s', poly trans and torq.arm bushings, MSD 6AL, custom program, p&p maf, accel coil, and under drive pulley
best1/4: 14.25 @96.13 (I suck at the track)
best60': 2.13

mods that i have, just not on car yet:
msd wires, edelbrock mid. headers, edelbrock rpm catback

Well, you've already got a good understanding of the steps involved towards a show car finish. Here's what I think works best: and this process is initially very time/labor consuming, but WELL worth it if you're a perfectionist. http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif

1. DAWN wash

2. Clean with a claybar, I use Zaino's clay(works great), other good choices are Clay Magic (blue bar), or Mother's clay kit. I like using Z7 carwash for the clay lube, but a good quick detailer product will work fine also. Claying will remove most, if not all, of your contaminants and provide a super smooth surface to work from. Definitely a must!

3. Remove swirls/scratches with: Meguiar's #9 Swirl Remover 2.0 or 3M SMR #39009. I like Meguiar's product here b/c it works better by hand than the 3M, IMO. Repeated applications of either, or both, products should yeild good results. If these are not strong enough to get out most of your scratches/swirls try Meguiar's Fine Cut or 3M Finesse-It Fine Rubbing compound. These two products are about as abrasive as you'd want to do safely by yourself without the help of a buffer or professional. If either leaves a haze after use, go back over with Meguiar's or 3M swirl mark remover.

4. Polishing: Depends on your paint condition after the last step. If it looks like you need to restore gloss or clean up the paint further, try Pinnacle Paint Cleansing Lotion, P21S Cleansing Lotion, or possibly Liquid Glass Pre-Cleaner. All of these products help level the paint and restore gloss if needed. I'd personally skip this step on a newer finish, but on an older more abused/neglected car, it's worth the extra time and $.

5. Ahh waxing, the best part http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif! Well, there's literally hundreds of choices to choose from, many of which I've used in the past, and many more I'd like to try in the future. Right now, Zaino is the best option for me. It combines great protection/durability, beautiful, bright, clear shine and absolute ease of use to make it #1 in my book right now. If you choose Zaino at least start out with Z1, Z2/Z5 and Z6 or Z7. That will get you going until you're hooked like the rest of us. http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif There are other worthy systems you might like better though. Namely Klasse, Blackfire, Liquid Glass, Finish First etc etc... I personally look forward to testing a couple of these out later, such as Klasse. All of these offer above average protection, great shine and depth, and are relative easy to use. All are polymers or acrlyics as well just FYI. If you like the warmth/depth of carnauba instead, I'd suggest One Grand Blitz, or the Pinnacle waxes.

How long should you wait to do this? Well, polishing is a good idea about twice a year to remove surface contaminants. Otherwise, just using a swirl remover in certain areas for touch up is all that's needed, if at all. Otherwise just keep reapplying your favorite wax whenever you want another boost in shine.

A few places you might cheack out for info or products:
www.zainobros.com (http://www.zainobros.com)
http://properautocare.com/
www.motorhead.net (http://www.motorhead.net)
Lastly, your local supermart (for DAWN) and AutoZone for Meguiar's or NAPA for 3M. http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif

Good Luck!

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*Mike's 1992 Camaro RS 25th Anniv.* (http://mls77.homestead.com/92camarors.html)
Dark Red Metallic (ext.) / Flame Red (int.)
Flowmaster Crossflow, K&N
JL Audio 3 10", PPI PC2100, Kenwood eXcelon KRC-953H/U, Kenwood / Pioneer speakers
20% 3M Panther Black Tint
ZAINO! - Perfect Shine in Less Time!
My Guitars, Metallica Style! (http://mls1.homestead.com/espguitar.html)

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by MikeLS:

If you choose Zaino at least start out with Z1, Z2/Z5 and Z6 or Z7. That will get you going until you're hooked like the rest of us. http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif


[/B]</font>
so I need to get Z1, Z2 or Z5, and Z6 or Z7? all three steps?

whats the diff. in each, and I do all these applications each time for waxing?

These are hand waxes?

thanks

Well,
You really don't need Z1. It depends on whether you want ZFX or Z1. ZFX makes Zaino a one step instant cure product. ZFX mixes with Z2/Z5 and you apply the mixture up to 3 coats a day. However, if you do buy Z1, you won't need ZFX until you're ready to try it.

Once your car is properly prepped, Zaino is almost fool proof and very easy to apply and remove. Here's what you do(if you buy Z1, not ZFX): Apply Z1 to the entire car, DO NOT REMOVE Z1. Then, simply apply either Z2 or Z5 over Z1 and let it completely dry. It may take at least an hour for the first coat to completely dry. Then, buff off with a Fieldcrest 100% cotton towel. If it smears when you buff, it's not dry so let it set longer.

Z1 is required for initial application ONLY. When you are ready to repolish, only use Z2 or Z5. Z1 is only needed twice a year or every 10 coats of Z2/Z5. Here's another tip: apply very very thin coats of Zaino for best results. If you overapply it, you're not only wasting product but it will be harder to remove.

Z6 is Zaino's quick detailer/gloss enhancer product which you can and should use between each and every coat of Z2/Z5. You can also use it as a boost in gloss after washing or whenever you like really. It's a wonderful product!

Z7 is Zaino's car soap. Z7 a very good soap designed to be used with the Zaino system. It really helps bring out your Zaino shine. I highly recommend this as well.

I recommend you get both Z2 and Z5. Z2 has higher optical qualities than Z5, but Z5 helps fill in swirls and scratches with multiple coats. I love both! http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif

And, yes, all of Zaino's products are hand applied for best results.


http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by MikeLS:
Well,
You really don't need Z1. It depends on whether you want ZFX or Z1. ZFX makes Zaino a one step instant cure product.

Z1 is required for initial application ONLY. When you are ready to repolish, only use Z2 or Z5. Z1 is only needed twice a year or every 10 coats of Z2/Z5


I recommend you get both Z2 and Z5. Z2 has higher optical qualities than Z5, but Z5 helps fill in swirls and scratches with multiple coats. I love both! http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif


http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif</font>

1) so whats the benefit of zfx?

2) so Z5 is a swirl remover, and Z2 is a gen. light polish?

3) if so, than what wax do I need? or is Z2/Z5 in place of wax?

4)can I use Z 5, for the swirls, and then Z2 on top of that?

thanks for all the help, Im new to this stuff really. Just put on wax b4, never really had a system or anything. too bad I didnt fig. this out last week, cause i got a car show this weekend and there's not enouight time to get the products b4 thurs. when I need to setup.

sorry for the long list of questions.

[This message has been edited by IrocSS85 (edited February 05, 2002).]

1) ZFX™ Show Car Polish accelerator solves the wait problem. ZFX accelerator additive is designed as a substitute and/or replacement for Z-1. It causes the polymers in Zaino Show Car Polish to set rapidly (10 to 15 minutes, instead of 30 minutes to an hour). Using ZFX™ with your choice of Z-2, Z-3 or Z-5 Show Car Polish, it is now possible to apply two or three coats of polish in a single day to create beautiful show car special effects.

ZFX™ saves you time and effort. It's no longer necessary to keep your car in the garage for a whole weekend just so you can apply two or three coats of polish. Using ZFX™, you'll apply multiple coats in just a few hours.

2, 3, &4) Zaino is technically neither a polish or wax, in the traditional sense. Traditional polishes are for improving surface gloss only (usually with abrasives), not protection. Zaino is a synthetic sealant (polymer) designed for protection and outstanding shine. Z2 and Z5 are both protectants, it's just that Z5 helps fill in swirls without abrasives, whereas Z2 is for high shine and greater clarity. Some people prefer Z5 alone and most like a combination of both, like me. You will NOT need to wax over Z2/Z5 for protection. Z2 and Z5 ARE the protection. Both Z2 and Z5 will give an outstanding shine and durabilty, Z2 just shines a tad more that's all.

I like to switch up a bit. I'll layer a coat or two of Z5, and then add Z2 over that for final high shine. Zaino builds layers so you can add as many coats as you wish for greater shine and protection. I've probably got around 8 coats of Z5 and at least 12 of Z2 built up on my car. But, don't misunderstand that that many coats is required for adequate protection. ONE or two coats is fine is you don't detail often. I love detailing, so I add another coat anytime I get a chance. http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif

ok, thanks man.

Dear god!! The mans got it down to a science.
http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif

doesnt everybody ! http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif

I went as far as writing out a 6 page instruction guide for new customers I get - about how to wash, what to use and how to apply Zaino.

it has been well received by a lot fo my customers, because it covers more than "apply Zaino" - but also offers tips etc on supplies, some what to, and what not to do suggestions . . . pretty basic - but useful in one little email.



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1980 Z28 - Project Car in the works now!
2000 SSEi - Black , loaded
Best Times (yes, it races) 14.47@96.49mph
* * Authorized Zaino Distributor - Toronto Area * * *

Homer, would you e-mail me the file you made. Thanks!!!!

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Kevin Villier, 2002 SS #186 - 6M with Hurst and "short-stick", TT, navy blue, chrome SS wheels, Bilstein suspension, SS grill, STB, SLP loudmouth, Direct-Flo lid with Holley filter and Mallory polished MAF ends.

Louisville, KY

chalk one up for KLASSE here.

best stuff i've ever used.

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BLK 94 TransAm, M6, SLP-CAI, SLP!CAGS, Leather, T-Tops, Chrome 98 wheels, every factory option. more mods 2 follow.

homer can u send me it to? thanks in advance

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1993 CAMARO Z28
A4, black/black, 3.23

slp loudmouth exhaust, clear turn signal covers,
white vinyl badge replacement decals, pioneer head unit, pioneer 3-way speakers