Hey everyone. im new to the forums, and very curious about some of the products out there. I just got my new LB/B MC 2007 Cooper last week and for some reason i am addicted to the car. My mom started cracking up when i almost flipped out because she tried using her nail to get a piece of dirt off the top of the front bumper. I was afraid she would scratch the paint .

Anyway, i am looking into these 3 products. I want the car to have good protection for as long as possible, but also i want it to stay clean and shine like its polished weekly. I have never detailed a car before, so im the ultimate newb but i do want to learn.

Which of the 3 products will give me the best results on a lightning blue / metallic paint ? Ive heard that zaino is incredible and produces an amazing shine. Ive read alot about 5 star shine, but i dont know many who have used it. I know alot of people on these forums love hydro as well. Im looking for a non biased opinion and has anyone tried 5starshine ?

Before i go, i just wanted to get some quick advice hopefully on my interior. I bought some interior cleaning wipes and used it on the inside of the door and dashboard. That hard rubbery / plastic surface . I am not sure if what i was using was the proper product so i stopped midway because i saw some soapy white coming from the wipes as i was rubbing it along the interior. Now because i stopped halfway fearing i was using a product that may damage my car i now have parts inside the car which are dark shiney black where i wiped and next to it is the original kind of dull looking color. It looks dull to the eye compared to where i used the wipes. Is this just because its a wet look or is there some sort of soapy / gel in the wipes that can have a bad effect on that surface ? it gave the surface a wetish shiney look which i like, but would have to use all over now to make it look even, because it looks like the interior of my car has two shades now. I ordered the interior all purpose cleaner that is made by mini to be on the safe side and was planning to use this to clean everything over again.

ANy tips i can get would be much appreciated. i want to keep this car looking good for a long time. Last little tid bit , the little rubber flip that comes out of the door by the windows looked like it has some fuzz on the top , did i rub it out or something from the wipes ? is this part of the car especially delicate ?

I need to make a sig !

Sam

 

First Hydro is not really a wax like the others, it is a spray-on wax. You would compare the others more to Epic.

Zaino will be the most durable/last the longest of the those three. Epic will probably have the deepest color. I haven't heard of many people using 5star though I'm sure it's not that bad. It is kind of up to what you want.

You should be fine with the interior wipes. It is normal for them to make a little white suds on the door panels, produced by the texture on the door panel. You may instead want to use a vinyl protectant like 303 etc but I'm sure they are fine. And yes it is normal for them to have a little bit of a wet look from most products. You can use the same stuff on window seal you are asking about.

 

so zaino would last longer then 5 starshine ? they say that product lasts 5 years, which i am sure is bs, but even if it lasted 1/5th of that it would seem more durable then zaino dont you think ?

I am looking for the best possible shine and durability combo. So if zaino looks way better then 5star and but doesnt last as long i would probably go with Zaino. I just started hearing more about Epic recently, is that product more durable then zaino ? does anyone have pictures of a car recently waxxed with Epic ? wish i could get side by side comparisons. hehe

 

i can vouch Zaino that it does last 6 months.... thru winter and it still lasts and lasts! if you are after endurance then klasse AIO and sealant are a great choice... i have it on my mother's car, which doesnt get hand washed and everytime it does, it still comes out shining... since october when i last applied it, paint's still slick!

 

you should definitely start with Zaino (or Epic) and if you want you can even use Hydro in between washes after your initial Zaino application. Detailing is fun stuff!

 

I never believe any manufacturer marketing. I don't think I've seen any reports of actual use so I don't consider it at all. If you want to be the guinea pig, feel free.

I would say, if you want to wax once a month, use Epic. Once every three months, Zaino. Once every 6+ months, Klasse twins. The depth however is inverse. Zaino is the all-around winner for me. But I may instead be switching like I do my tires, and using Epic for the summer and Klasse for the winter. Also, you can always layer a shorter lasting but better looking product over the longer lasting products, like a good carnuba wax or Hydro and really get the best of both worlds. It's all up to how you want to go about doing things.

 

I would say once a month with Epic is excessive. My current round of Epic is going on 3+ months!

 

thanks for the advice. i guess i have to order some zaino.

On a new car . lightning blue , should i use the ZX with Z2 only or do i need Z5 pro as well ? i heard Z2 has a better shine .


What do you guys recommend for the interior of the car ? dashboard / inside of doors ? i ordered the interior mini cleaner, wondering if anyone has tried that and likes something else ?

Regards,

 

Sorry..those times are meant for those who do NOT live in california.

Z2 is all you need.

 

Prima Nero.

It is a protectant and it doesn't have the sudsy effect. Oh and it smells like banana smoothie too. I use it about once a month or so and it works well.

Oh and I have not tried the interior mini cleaner.. but I have tried the Meguiars interior wipes (which I think is the same product that you first tried?) and I wasn't a fan of the suds.

Hope this helps.