Here's the process I'm going to use to restore my paint. Everything that's not in bold below is what I'll be doing. Everything which is bold are questions I have regarding that process.

Wash car throughly with Dawn Dish Soap.

Mix together a bit of Z7 Zaino Car wash together with water and spray onto car while using Zaino clay bar. This water/Z7 mixture will lubricate the car surface to allow the clay bar to slide over it.

Apply 3M Finesse It II 39003 by hand and work it in like a wax. Apply a good two or three coats of this product. I would estimate that my swirls are quite intense but would two or three coats be overkill and possibly damage my paint? I’ve read that I should apply this by hand. Is that recommended? Also, I’ve read articles that suggest letting the 39003 dry on the car for a few hours and then work it in after it’s dried. Is that recommend? The direction on the bottle don’t mention this. Also, I’ve seen suggestions to wet the rubbing pad when working it in if the 3M dries before removing. Good idea?

Next step down to the 3M FinesseIt Machine Polish 39003. I’ve read that this should be applied with an orbital buffer which I will use. I think I will do three coats as that is what I’ve been recommended and read. Any advice regarding this? Should I again let it dry and then work it in? Should I let it remain on the car for a period of time?

Make sure everything was worked in nice and good. Make sure there isn’t any areas I missed or remnants of polish I missed.

Rewash the car again with Dawn Car Wash.

At this point the car is stripped of all it’s wax and needs to have the wax reapplied. I’m going to go ahead and use Zaino for the waxing.

I’ve been advised to use the claybar again. I think this is somewhat overkill. What do you guys think?

Wash car with Z7 car wash soap.

Apply Z1 polish Lok. Apply a thin coat and let it dry and haze. DO NOT WASH IT OFF! IT MUST REMAIN ON THE CAR THROUGH THE NEXT STEP!

Apply Z2 over the Z1 Polish Lok and let dry for 30 to 60 minutes. Then remove with a soft 100% cotton cloth. Be sure to use a LARGE towel.

After you have removed the Z2 let the car dry for 6 to 24 hours. The colder it is the longer you should wait.

Repeat the application of Z2 and Z1 and let dry again.

Use Z6 Gloss enhancer until you get the desired look you want.

At this point the process should be complete.

 

Apply 3M Finesse It II 39003 by hand and work it in like a wax.

You will not get very good results using this product by hand all over the car, it is very abrasive and needs a buffer (I use an orbit one) to break the product down on the surface.

Apply a good two or three coats of this product.

You do not "apply" a coat of anything when working with an abrasive, after working the product into the paint make sure you remove it before it dries and then wash the car to remove the oils left by the 3M. I would only do the car ONCE with this product. You should expect your car to be quite DULL after using this product.

I would estimate that my swirls are quite intense but would two or three coats be overkill and possibly damage my paint?

Yes, if you have swirls I would go with 3M Swirl Mark Remover part number 39009 instead of the product you listed above, the F IT II is kinda harsh and not for the novice.

I’ve read that I should apply this by hand.

Not the 3M, supposed to be used with a buffer

I’ve read articles that suggest letting the 39003 dry on the car for a few hours and then work it in after it’s dried.

Nope, don't know where you got that but I would not. Unless you buff the product until it turns into an oil you are not really getting the benefit of it.

Is that recommend?

Nope

The direction on the bottle don’t mention this.

That's because it is wrong

Also, I’ve seen suggestions to wet the rubbing pad when working it in if the 3M dries before removing. Good idea?

Yes, that is OK

Next step down to the 3M FinesseIt Machine Polish 39003.

If you do not have that much experience in rubbing abrasives on cars, I would skip the Finesse line and try the 39009 product.

I’ve read that this should be applied with an orbital buffer which I will use. I think I will do three coats as that is what I’ve been recommended and read. [b]Any advice regarding this?

see above

Should I again let it dry and then work it in?

NOPE

Should I let it remain on the car for a period of time?

Absolutely not, the 3M abrasives are to be rubbed into the paint, you are not trying to apply a "layer" of anything.


Make sure everything was worked in nice and good. Make sure there isn’t any areas I missed or remnants of polish I missed.

Rewash the car again with Dawn Car Wash.

At this point the car is stripped of all it’s wax and needs to have the wax reapplied. I’m going to go ahead and use Zaino for the waxing.

[b]I’ve been advised to use the claybar again. I think this is somewhat overkill. What do you guys think?

Clay BAR FIRST, before you use the 3M and NOT after, this would not accomplish anything.

Wash car with Z7 car wash soap.

Not needed if you wash with Dawn, skip another step here

Apply Z1 polish Lok. Apply a thin coat and let it dry and haze.

Nope, Z-1 is applied to the car and rubbed in until you can hardly see it on the paint, and then you immediately apply Z-2 or z-5, Z-1 will never dry unless it comes into contact with Z-2 or Z-5, Z-1 is the catalyst for the polish, Z-1 is ready for Z-2 and Z-5 as soon as you have it rubbed in.

Apply Z2 over the Z1 Polish Lok and let dry for 30 to 60 minutes. Then remove with a soft 100% cotton cloth. Be sure to use a LARGE towel.

OK, it may take longer than 30 min, you have two products on the paint.

After you have removed the Z2 let the car dry for 6 to 24 hours. The colder it is the longer you should wait.

Yes

Repeat the application of Z2 and Z1 and let dry again.

No, Z-1 is only used oncer per 6 months on a daily driver

Use Z6 Gloss enhancer until you get the desired look you want.

Yes

At this point the process should be complete.

Yes, you can add as many coats of Z-2 and Z-6 as you like



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96 Black Impala SS
Authorized Zaino Showcar Polish Distributor
www.zainobros.com
Remember #3

 

Dang, that was impressive Kevin!

Well said!

An old trick that poor detailers and other less than scrupulous paint finish people use is to take Meguiars #7 and put a medium light coat on the vehicle and let it sit for a couple hours. Wipe it all down and hand buff it to an impressive nearly flawless finish. Customers are well satisfied.

Until the sun cooks the #7 away in a couple days or less.

That may be where you got the "let it dry" suggestions.

I worked at a shop that an old timer used that technique. Boy was I embarrased to work there.

Jeff