Well a digital camera and a post here in Detailing101 is the next best thing to me being next door.

Here are some samples of a car with Zaino that looks great under diffused lighting, but doesn't hold up under direct sunlight, it's got light swirls, and on the sides, light hologramming. The owner is a hardcore Zaino user. What's funny is that he actually went into the dealership to buy a MINI, and the dealership convinced him because of his size--he's a really wide guy--that an M6 would be better suited for him! I don't have pix of the swirls--I will be working on this car in about a month- but just wanted to show that gloss isn't everything.

I found that two to three passes of Prima Swirl with a white pad on my PC will remove the swirls.

Pictures Can Lie--this looks flawless but isn't at all!

whether you use the best sealant/wax or the worst, you will get swirling....unless you use Octane Guy's 2 bucket method, Grit Guards, wool wash mitt, and enough lubriciousness (I thought the word was 'lubricty' but that means lewd or obscene behavior, I think) in your wash bucket with a good quality car shampoo.....the owner of that car needs to watch OG's 'how to wash' video.

OG...do you think there is a difference between Klasse/Zaino/Epic as far as being able to resist swirls?difference in hardness or slickness?

Yeah, umberto, I think you're right about that! It's all in the preparation, proper washing and cleaning of the surface, before maybe polishing and wax application, be it a polymer or a carnauba wax based product. Thoroughness and proper use of products is more important than which products.
We had a detailing clinic at our local MINI dealer and all was revealed!

yes, I used to use just one bucket with just enough soap to make it sudsy and an old large cellulose sponge.....and would use the cheapest car wash, Zip Wax car shampoo, or Dawn!!!!! if i was out of car wash, and would use the same sponge and wash water to clean my wheels, and dry with some old terry cloth towels.....of course that was all before I had the MINI and became somewhat obsessed (more than some; less than others)(my wife would say very obsessed though)

Well, I'm back in the country and looking foward to gettin back to my Mini (whenever that will be). I have decided to go Prima since so many of you here recommend it. The only misgiving I have is the Zaino answered my emails promptly and helpfully whereas DP didn't necessarily answer them all or always promptly (but always helpfully). With y'alls raving about Heather's customer service I think I'll try them anyway.

Did you email Sal Zaino or one of his associates?? Heather is a busy gal and it's not like I have that much more free time, but I AM also a Prima dealer and user--so questions can be asked to me if she doesn't get back to you soon enough, however if your question reads like a book with a list of 20 questions--the chances of getting a reply back quickly is much lower than a few questions.

These types of questions are best asked here on the Detailing101 forum. A lot of times people don't realize that when they ask a question---it might already be answered or there might be others interested in that question, so a PM prevents others from learning, and it consumes valuable time which already is limited.

Other types of questions that take longer to reply are product comparisons and questions that aren't product specific about Prima.

Just my 2 cents.

Richard





According to Dictionary.com, Lubricity is correct--look at definitions #1 & #2
lu·bric·i·ty /luˈbrɪsɪti/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[loo-bris-i-tee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -ties.
1. oily smoothness, as of a surface; slipperiness.
2. ability to lubricate; capacity for lubrication: the wonderful lubricity of this new oil.
3. instability; shiftiness; fleeting nature: the lubricity of fame and fortune.
4. lewdness; lustfulness: lasciviousness; salaciousness.
5. something that arouses lasciviousness, esp. pornography.

re: Sealants ability to resist swirls
I don't think any polymer wax which is applied as a microscopic layer can do anything about preventing swirls. It can fill in very light swirls to mask them during application, but it won't prevent them, and it won't hide all swirls--so it's not like swirls suddenly disappear because the wax has fillers. I mean a wax isn't going to protect from bird poo etching or a person rubbing their hand on your paint to wipe off the dust! It might offer some protection over not having any wax at all though--the question is how much?

As per Sal Zaino or general. I emailed the general question line and Sal Zaino replied. I try not to ask to involved questions. Last one that wasn't answered was about Nero - asked whether it was a good tire dresser. Guess maybe it's a case of demand quickly going ahead of supply (at least of owner time).

What is a good tire dressing to you?? For me, especially on MINI's I like gloss, I use Meguiar's Endurance High Gloss gel. When used properly, it won't sling off, and lasts a very long time. For other tires, especially large truck tires, a dark matte look is preferable. Just remember that whenever you dress a tire, you need to clean it first before you dress, otherwise it won't last.

If you go to DetailersParadise.com and search Nero, you will see they describe Nero as not being glossy.

"Nero leaves tires with a look of newness, adding almost no gloss. If you are looking for the glazed donut shine, Prima Nero is not for you."

http://www.detailersparadise.com/Vie...20060915171340

Seems to me that your question could have been answered pretty quickly and easily without delay. You could also have posted it here on Detailing101 about how people like using Nero on tires.

Richard

OG....my dictionary tool on my computer for 'lubricity' only lists lewdness, lasciviousness......shows you where my laptop's mind is

as far as different sealants resisting swirls, I guess I wasn't thinking the hardness resisting swirls but was figuring that slickness would contribute to resisting swirls......any thoughts on comparing Epic and other sealants to how their slickness holds up and their degree of slickness? Does that make sense that a slick finish would be less apt to swirl?

thanks

I apologize for not getting back to you more quickly! I'm not at my work computer right now so I can dig through my emails, but I remember emailing with you yet don't remember anything about Nero. If I missed it, I'm really sorry.

Richard is right... working with customers is just one thing I do on a looong list of things each day (I do almost everything to run DP and Prima). BUT, it's the most fun working with customers and I wish I could do it the whole time! So, please don't take my busy schedule as a message to not ask questions... please do! Just know that sometimes I'm not even in my office for a day or two at a time because I'm working in our retail store, meeting with people, testing products, or traveling to events (although other times I feel like I never leave my office!). Then, when I am there I have 10 million people asking me to jump through hoops (suppliers, retailers, IRS, city, fire dept, tenants, etc, etc!). On average, I receive about 125 "real" emails a day (plus literally thousands of Spam/Junk mail), of which anywhere from 15 to 50 are from customers with questions. Shwoo! If we could hire more staff to help with all this, we would! (btw, Sal has a large staff so no fair ) In the meantime, I do the best I can.

Again, please keep the questions coming and I'll get to them as fast as I can. Also, feel free to resend an email if you haven't heard back. I keep having problems with my Spam/Junk mail folder, even with people with whom I've already emailed. (which makes no sense to me, Microsoft Updates!)

Again, I apologize for not getting back to you about Nero (which can be used as a matte finish tire dressing, although it is not as long lasting as other options. It's best suited for interior use.).

-Heather

That's ok Heather. I understand. And like I mentioned, when I get settled again I plan to place an order.

The reason I asked about Nero as a tire dressing is because it was listed under the tire and wheel section and I had thought about it as you sad as an interior product. Can't wait to see the results on my Mini and my wife's SUV when I can get my order finally.

cadfael tex - I've used Nero on the tires. I really like the matte look instead of shine. It won't last very long though as Heather & OG have said. So I leave the interior work for Nero and use either Wizard Black Renew (from DP) or Z-16 from Zaino as my primary tire dressing. Both provide me with a little more durability and the same matte finish.