I just took delivery of my new 2002 Sunset Orange Metallic Firehawk #764 last week and the first thing I did when I got home was start the Zaino process. This was the first time I ever used ZFX and all I can say is WOW! I applied two coats of ZFX-enhanced Z-5 and then two coats of ZFX-enhanced Z-2 and the results were stunning!

But that really does not have anything with a problem I encountered today. Today was the first day I drove my new Hawk since delivery and put roughly 60 miles on her. When I got home, I decided to Z-6 my car to remove any road dust that naturally occurs when driving. I used one of the Charisma towels I bought from KevinSS and went to town. Naturally, the white towel was showing the dirt it and the Z-6 were removing so when a side of the towel became soiled, I would refold the towel to a clean side and continue. I did all this inside my garage and when I pulled the car out into the sunlight, I noticed some swirls.

What could I have done wrong? I used a clean 100% cotton towel, was in the shade, and always used a clean side of the towel on each panel of the car and I still got swirl marks. I am positive that the towel is NOT the problem, KevinSS's towels are top notch and I did not have a problem with them when I went through the ZFX process above.

Could it be the way I wash the towels? I have a front-loading washer, I use only Wisk High Efficiency (HE) liquid laundry detergent made specifically for these kinds of washers, and every single time I wash a set of towels, I always remove the fabric softener tray and wash and dry it to remove any residue of fabric softener in the tray before washing the towels. After washing, I put the towels in the dryer (with NO dryer sheet) and when dry, I fold them and put them in a new Ziplock bag until future use.

Also, what is the proper way to Z-6 in between washes? Should I do this or not? This is not the first occurrence of swirls for me after using only Z-6 and a clean towel, the car was not dirty at all, just slightly dusty after sitting outside or being driven for one day.

I am truly baffled here. What do I need to do differently?



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2002 Pontiac Firehawk Trans-Am #764
Sunset Orange Metallic

Previously Owned:
1997 Pontiac Trans-Am
Blue-Green Chameleon

1985 Renault Alliance (1.7L)

1983 Chevrolet Camaro (2.5L) 4-cylinder, 3 speed automatic.

 

I don't spray Z-6 onto dust from driving, I remove the loose dust FIRST with a California Car Duster and then Z-6 and towel the car, my Z-6 towels are usually clean as a pin when I get done Z-6ing.

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

 

Ahh, I figured that wasn't the way to go. Thanks for the reply Kevin, I am going out this weekend and buying a California Car Duster. Where do you recommend buying them? Also, I will be hitting you up for some more Charismas soon!

 

I guess I'm even more cautious than Kevin when it comes to Z6 QDing. I only use Z6 after washing or in between coats of polish, i.e. when the car is completely free of dust and soiling. I've learned that's one good way to avoid swirling is to not Z6 (or use any QD) over dust/dirt, even if it's very very light. You only use a few drops of Z6 per panel, and IMO that's not enough to thoroughly lubricate the surface to prevent swirling. Would you wash your car with a few drops of car wash and a towel per panel? Scrubbing the dirt across your finish without proper lubrication will always cause swirls. I think this may be your cause...

I do use the Cali duster to remove very light dust, but anything heavier gets washed.

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*Mike's 1992 Camaro RS 25th Anniv.*
Dark Red Metallic (ext.) / Flame Red (int.)
Flowmaster Crossflow, K&N, 20% 3M Panther Black Tint
JL Audio 3 10", PPI PC2100, Kenwood eXcelon KRC-953H/U, Kenwood / Pioneer speakers
Shine by ZAINO! - Special Thanks to Sal Z!

 

yeah same thing happened with me when I used the quick detailer. What your doing is just rubbing in the dirt!

I wash the car then use the quick detailer!

 

Thanks for the reply! Believe me, the only time I did this was when the car had very light dust on it. I am like you, anything more and it gets washed. The swirls I have are not bad, I believe a coat of Z-5 will remove them easily. But boy have I learned a valuable lesson.

One other question, the towel I used that got dirty, is it ruined now? Can I wash it like stated above and be able to use it later?

 

I know, if I would have just thought beforehand I could have avoided this. But believe me, it is not going to happen again!

 

I've seen the California Dusters in Walmart and Pep Boys before.

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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

 

Yeah, some lessons are unfortunately learned the hard way. Take it from someone who used to use shop rags and t-shirts for buffing wax years ago, we learn from mistakes.

No, your towel is far from ruined. Just wash it with liquid detergent in the machine and good as new.

 

So what is the story with making sure you didn't have a dryer sheet in the dryer? I take it you're talking about those fabric softner/static cling sheets? My wife always uses those, even on my cotton car towels. If that's a problem, I may have to start washing them myself

I never read this forum much but I guess I better start. I have always used the QD on my car when it is pretty dirty. I thought that's what it was for. No wonder I have a hard time keeping swirl marks out!

I thought it was just because my paint is pretty old but then I started using Zaino on my wifes brand new black E320 and I started noticing swirls in it too. It must be that I'm using the QD when they are dirty.

Well, you learn something everyday!

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Paul
Blown 1996 Harley-Davidson Limited Edition WS6 TA; 1KWKBRD
http://www.socal-fbodies.org/images/paul96ta.jpg
Vortech Supercharged 355
Dyno Data:
Motor; 463 rwhp & 421 ft lbs
Nitrous; 592 rwhp & 629 ft lbs

 

I used Z-6 right after washing and waxing it (z-1, z-2 etc...)..and noticed the dust doesn't stay on the car, it just blows off and it stays cleaner a LOT longer than it used to..and when it rains, the water just runs right off..

And the Fabric softener sheets make the towels greasy I think..Make it easy to get streaks in your paint...

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Steph
I've got a Beautiful Red '95 z28 (used to have a Red '95 v6)
Loaded with T-tops & Leather

 

The best California car dusters have the wood handle, there is one with a plastic handle sold at WalMart and so forth, the wood handle one has a bigger and fuller mop head than the plastic handle one. I called the Calfornia duster company and asked why they have two kinds, and simply stated they said they just make a cheap version for WalMart to sell cheaply (9 bucks at WalMart) the better one is sold by California Car Cover Company and other "car guy" shops.

I show my car and carry it to Zaino vendor booths that I run, I rely heavily on the duster and my bottle of Z-6 to get the car show ready. No washing or water is available at most car shows so you gotta do something before the judges come around.



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