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Ok, never used wax or sealant before, ever. So when I am about to order some zaino I am a bit nervous about technique. I am ordering the big zaino kit, plus some foam applicators (any reccomendations?). I have read the sticky at the top a bunch of times, but am still slightly unclear on application technique.
CLAY:
After getting a small amount off the bar to do each body panel, what am I 'lubing' the car with as I go? And am I washing it after each panel? ie: Clay hood, wash hood, clay roof, wash roof, clay door, wash door etc etc.
And I am moving the clay in a 'back and forth' from front to back or up and down motion correct? (obviously not in circles?)
PC:
Without an orbital, what is the best way to do a PC job on a car? What applicators to use? I plan on using this on my 2 other cars that are neglected slightly and have some swirls. Is this a back and forth motion like the zaino or?
ZAINO:
The mixing and how much to use I can read the instructions about, so after putting some Z6 on my foam pad, I put a little Z2 or Z5 on the pad and do one body panel at a time in a back and forth motion. Is that right? Also, on a PW/PW/PW car, how do I tell where I have been and where I am going?
Ok, I know these questions are completely stupid, but if someone can point me in the right direction I will be fine. Maybe someone knows of a great wash/pc/clay/zaino detailing DVD?
When you get your kit, it will have instructions, step by step. I just did mine for the first time this past weekend, and it was very straightforward. The kit will have everything you need, incl instructions but you will need
Dawn dishwashing soap
Better applicators if you want
100% cotton towels for removal of wax
Spray bottle to mix zaino car wash with water and spray for lubbing clay. I clayed entire car, then washed it with zaino (after dawn wash) and then waxed.
I did it all by hand, and the waxes all come off very easily. Enjoy it. Except for the dang heat and my sweat getting on my wax job as I was applying it, it was very easy and very rewarding.
This covers defect repair using the PC and also doing it by hand. Really great stuff on technique. He uses Meguiar's products but the end steps for wax application are essenitally the same for Zaino application. The DVD is like 3 hours long primarily because he describes every small step in great detail along the way. He could not make the process easier.
Here are some videos here that are worth watching just to see technique with clay bar and other detailing steps.
Clay:
I use clean wash water as my claybar lube. I wash the car, rinse, mix up some fresh wash water (water + auto detergent), slop the water on the car and clay away. After you clay a section, you can then re-wash w/ the same water to get the clay bits and residue off of the car and rinse well.
For horizontal surfaces, move the claybar along the length of the car (with the wind as it moves front to back). For vertical surfaces, go up and down. 2-3 passes w/ claybar usually does the trick. Use your fingertips on a lubed surface to feel when you need to keep working. A properly clayed surface should be very slick and smooth.
PC:
If you are already spending the $150-200 for the PCDA polisher, pads and polish, you would be well served to spend the extra few bucks and buy the polishing DVD available in the NAM store. One of our regulars (OctaneGuy) helped to put it together and it's supposed to be top notch... as is his detailing/polishing advice that he shares with us regularly.
Zaino on a PW car:
I put a spritz or two of Z6 on a foam applicator and then apply Z2 or Z5 (mixed w/ ZFX) onto the applicator. 1oz should do your MINI easily for 1 coat. It will leave a smeary-haze behind and there is no problem knowing where you have and have not been on a PW car (I've done it more than a few times ) Apply the Zaino in the same front-back, up-down directions described above for claybar. Give your Zaino at least 15 minutes to cure after applying to the car and test by dragging your clean fingers across the surface gently... if the Zaino comes off w/ no streaking, you are ready to buff off. If it streaks, give it another 10 minutes and try again.
PS: Zaino makes a PW finish POP! This is after a claybar, a paintwork cleanising (very fine machine polish), a coat of Z5 and a coat of Z2.
I put a spritz or two of Z6 on a foam applicator and then apply Z2 or Z5 (mixed w/ ZFX) onto the applicator.
You mix the Z6 on the applicator with the Z5 or Z2? I've always treated those as two independent steps. Do you apply another coat of Z6 after you wipe off the haze?
Z2 and Z5 will apply easier if your applicator is a bit damp with Z6... especially on a hot day like the 105 degree day last Sunday when we did 2 coats of Zaino on a car in the driveway...
I start and end with a Z6 wipedown and do one between each step. If I were to claybar, apply a coat of Z5 (swirl mark filler sealant) and two coats of Z2 (regular sealant) it would go something like:
Wash with Dawn - removes waxes and oils on the finish
Claybar
Wash with auto shampoo
Dry
Z6 wipedown
Z5 - sealant w/ swirl mark fillers
Z6 wipedown
Z2 - sealant
Z6 wipedown
Z2 - sealant
Z6 wipedown
PC:
If you are already spending the $150-200 for the PCDA polisher, pads and polish, you would be well served to spend the extra few bucks and buy the polishing DVD available in the NAM store. One of our regulars (OctaneGuy) helped to put it together and it's supposed to be top notch... as is his detailing/polishing advice that he shares with us regularly.
Dont have the PCDA, but need to do it by hand until I can get one.
I can't imagine trying to polish a car by hand unless it was 99.9% of the way there. I like to do spot repairs by hand, but doing the entire car takes enough time with the PCDA... I spent over 18 hours restoring the finish on my old Nissan Altima. I can't imagine how long that would have taken by hand!
Anathema - I did mine by hand, it really wasn't that bad but my Mini was new. I did the whole process and really the most taxing was the clay. I was constantly having to reform it or turn it or kneed it, and was not quite sure how hard to push .
The Z-5 went on easy and with the molded foam applicator it was easy to work it. Same with the Z-2 (spreading it thin here boss). So other than being about a million degrees in the shade when I did it, I rather enjoyed it.
Based on my experience the first time, I am not buying the PCDA. I did get OctaneGuy's DVD though and it was well worth the price (nice work Richard!).
So try it by hand if your paint is not too bad - there is even some additional satifaction when you do it without a machine's help .
However you choose, have fun and enjoy the quality time with your Mini .
Chuck
) Apply the Zaino in the same front-back, up-down directions described above for claybar. Give your Zaino at least 15 minutes to cure after applying to the car and test by dragging your clean fingers across the surface gently... if the Zaino comes off w/ no streaking, you are ready to buff off. If it streaks, give it another 10 minutes and try again.
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