I did a quick search and didn't turn anything up so forgive me if this is a repeat.

I'm heading over to Howell, NJ to pick up some Zaino in the next couple days. I've never used anything from them before (been using Griot's Garage for several years). I'm considering getting the clay bar, but I'm still not convinced I really need it since my car is only 6 months old.

So here's my question... Assuming I DO decide to get the clay bar, do I avoid the areas near the edge of my stripes and clear bra entirely? I'm picturing having clay stuck all along the edges of both those areas.

Thanks in advance! :smile:

 

Clay will not stick to or harm the stripes if you use plenty of lubricant. My recommendation is this:

1. Wash well first and rinse. Do not dry.

2. Fill your bucket with fresh water and normal amount of wash shampoo. If the temp is below 65 or so, use warm (not hot) water to keep your clay pliable.

3. Mold your clay (1-2 ounce chunk at a time) into a flat waffer.

4. Use your wash mitt to soap up a small area of your MINI and start claying. Rub lightly, giving every inch of hard surface (includes glass) 3-4 passes. Keep the clay rinsed well in the soapy water and re-mold often.

5. Rinse the MINI frequently and check your work with your finger tips. You will see the diry coming of on the clay. When it gets excessively dirty, get a new chunk.

db

 

>>do I avoid the areas near the edge of my stripes and clear bra entirely? I'm picturing having clay stuck all along the edges of both those areas.

The Zaino clay bar will not stick along those edges. I have strips and used the clay bar on my car twice without any issues on my bonnet stripes.

 

Another misconception about Zaino is that you have to use the same amount as you would for a typical wax. Not at all! Seriously, apply Zaino extremely conservatively...a little goes a Looooong way. It's a synthetic polymer. It takes just 2 or 3 dime size squirts on a 100% cotton terry cloth applicator (I use a fine foam applicator, works just as well, maybe even better) to coat the entire MINI bonnet. Let dry for 15 to 30 minutes or more, don't worry, you can't keep it on too long. Be sure to apply it on a cool surface out of direct sunlight when it's not too hot out...you don't want to "bake" it on. When dry, gently buff off with the clean side of an applicator. It comes off real easy, minimal elbow grease required.

I've talked to Sal Zaino...he'll tell you himself -- don't use too much! I bought the complete Zaino system last summer, have Zaino'd my MINI about 10-15 times and still have more than half a bottle of Z2, Z5, and Z6 remaining. It'll probably last through this entire summer as well. Well worth the $100 or so investment for the entire Zaino kit and kaboodle.

Good luck, take some photos of Nittany pre- and post-Zain and share the results with us!

Rock On,

-Joe

 

Robyn,

In addition, what you can be most conservative about is Z6....it's a great final touch but you really need very little. Also, if you end up dropping a piece of the clay bar, just throw it away. Who knows what it'll pick up off the floor that could then scratch your car. It's pricey hence the importance of cutting it into little pieces.

Have fun!

 

Thanks guys! I guess I'll get some clay after all. If nothing else I can use it on the M3 to get it ready for sale.

Hope it's nice this weekend. I'm itching to be able to really clean the car.

 

It won't effect the stripes at all as long as you clay in the direction of the strip - don't clay back and forth up against the edge - but instead clay with the edge so that half the clay is on the strip and half is off...if you just clay across the strip and edge over time it will pull it up slightly.

 

>>
>>Good luck, take some photos of Nittany pre- and post-Zain and share the results with us!

I will have to do that. I'm mainly getting the Zaino because I don't want to deal with the white residue on my black trim anymore. I'm still not convinced that it's going to make Nittany THAT much shinier than what I've been using. We'll see! :smile:

 

Picked up all my Zaino supplies yesterday afternoon. Not too bad. The shop is only about 30 minutes from the house on some pretty nice roads.

I'm hoping this nice weather we're having holds up til the weekend so I can try everything out.