Help Brad or other mini enthusiats!

I have read a number of posts on detailing routines over the past few weeks, trying to decipher the codes, products, techniques. A little clarification if you could. I have determined the following for a basic detailing routine:

1. Wash - Dawn
2. Clay - Using Autoshampoo for lubricant
3. Polish - Abrasive/cleaner to correct defects in paint
4. Wash - Auto shampoo
5. Topcoat - Polymer sealant.
6. QD = Quick top ups

I am determined to pick up some Zaino or Klasse products as they seem to be the overwhelming favourites here. Will have to order off web as these things are foreign to our Canadian stores.

Questions - Which Z product relates to each of the above steps...going a little spinny with all of those acronyms.

I don't have the time or patience to leave the car curing overnight so I am thinking that the Klasse AIO may be better for me? Question here - does this product replace step three (polish) above? I have seen a few suggestions that the Sonus Acrylic is the QD of choice for the AIO. However, when I click to that link it clearly states not to use this stuff as a QD ?! I am assuming that means with other products.

Thanks so much for all of the information. It is much appreciated!

 

Here's my understanding of the Zaino products and when you use them.

2. Clay - Z18 claybar, using Z7 shampoo for lubrication
3. Polish - Z2 Pro or Z5 (add ZFX to speed drying time)
3.5 Gloss Enhancer (Z6) Sprayed on between coats of Z2 or Z5
4. Wash - Z7 carwash
5. Topcoat - Polymer sealant. (Z6 again?)

Hope that helps. Zaino Total Protection Car Show Kit has everything you need.

 

My process... the same from INDIMINI, with a few more steps.

1. Dawn Wash
2. Clay (using dawn water as lube)
3. Wash with auto shampoo (Zaino makes a good one)
4. Insert paint polish step here (Sonus Paintwork cleanser with Porter Cable Dual-Action polisher and Sonus foam pads) if you want to eek out every last possible drop of shine
5. Wash with auto shampoo
6. Z6 (Zaino Quick Detailing Spray)
7. Z5 (Zaino sealant for Swirl Marks)
8. Z6
Repeat 7 and 8 if needed
9. Z2 (Zaino high-reflectvity sealant)
10. Z6
Repeat 9 and 10 as many times as you wish. I do atleast 2 coats of Z2.

If you come back in a week and want to do more coats of Z2
A. Wash with auto detergent
B. Z6
C. Z2
D. Z6
Repeat C and D as desired.

If you come back in 2-3 months and wand to do more coats, I'd do Step A with Dawn, just to make sure that you have all of the road oils/waxes off first.

I never put more than 3 coats of Zaino Z2 or Z5 on in a day. It only takes 15-60 minutes for a freshly applied coat of Zaino to DRY, but you should have a good 12 hour CURE step in there every 3 coats or so.

 

I'll elaborate on agrangers elaboration!

When claying I would prefer that you use Zaino shampoo as a lube instead of Dawn. The suds/soapy water lubricity of the Zaino Z7 Shampoo really aids in the cutting action without punishing the paint surface.

After several months when I decide to add more coats of Zaino I don't wash with Dawn. While it will strip the oils/dirt and has little effect on the Zaino, I still prefer to use Z7 Shampoo.

Just another way to skin a cat, that's all. You'll be sparklin' either way!

BTW, the new Zaino Z2 Pro (new improved Z2) is better than ever. It dries faster than ever before. It is far less sensitive to temperature and is not affected by humidity like before so drying time is VERY fast! It also wipes off much easier.

Also, if you use the ZFX additive you not only get fast drying but instant curing. Pretty cool!

 

Thanks for the insight gents!

A little clarification on a Klasse routine:

Can I simply Wash, Clay, Wash, Klasse AOI? Then use the Sonus Acrylic as QD?

Thanks for your help and patience!

 

That's what I do, except I follow the AIO with the Klasse Sealant Glaze.

 

Sounds good.

 

Thanks for the help guys! Feeling a little more OCD all the time!!

 

here's what i did/do

1st weekend with MINI:

dawn (remove dealer's ****)
rinse
(didn't feel any bumps anywhere, so no claying...YMMV)
dry
klasse AIO
ps21 wax


weekly:
sonus shampoo
ps21 tire cleaner
dry
sonus carnauba spritz (since i used ps21, i use carnauba instead of acrylic spritz)
1z vinyl/rubber care on the trim/tires


during the week, as long as it hasn't rained since i washed it, i use california duster daily and the spritz every other day...do the vinyl/rubber care on trim/tires maybe once or maybe just during wash, depending on condition...


basically, dawn is to strip away wax, etc
clay is for build-up imperfections
AIO is to seal it (once every 6 months)
wax it (every 3-4 months) or use the klasse glaze
QD with sonus acrylic if u used glaze or just AIO...QD with sonus carnauba if u waxed with carnauba wax...

vinyl/rubber care is great for tires/trim
wax/QD the rims as well
ps21 helps get grime off tires, but if u wax and then u wash often, then shampoo will be enough...
aerospace protectant is great for interior
vinyl/rubber cleaner once a month to clean the interior
microfiber all around for everything
absorber (walmart/pep boys/autozone) to dry car before u use waffle-weave microfiber towel

stay away from water blades, as they can scratch paint if a piece of dirt gets in the way...

use bottle brush to clean rims
lambs wool wash mitt
microfiber for buffing/qding/interior

neverdull is great for the tailpipes (walmart/pep boys/autozone)


there is some spray-on/leave-on no-wipe tire spray that brad likes, but i forget the name of it...

 

Just some tips I typed up...

http://www.geocities.com/ken350gt/detailing.html

 

So where's the beauty shots????? C'mon, don't leave us hanging!

 

Kenchan....I want your car! Not only is it beautiful but you have some great mods. I am also considering the Helix short shifter and Milltek exhaust. I am also getting lowering springs but am leaning towards M7. I want a comfy ride. Can I ask if you have any rubbing problems with your 17" wheels? How much did your springs lower the car? Whats the ride like?

Sorry to hijack the thread. Feel free to PM me.

Gotta love a guy who yields a wrench as good as a microfiber towel!

 

Thanks for all of the different routines. Much to choose from here! One more dumb question on claying...is it a process of lubricating the car and running your hand over for imperfections/tar/bird ****. etc, and claying those areas only? Or is this a run the clay over the entire car for good measure process? As this is a new car and I am thinking that the touch up is the way to go.

I'm with Brad, that is a sweet blue ride....

 

Clay the whole car. You will notice a distinct improvement even in a new car. You just rub lightly, a few strokes per area, and you quickly feel the difference. It gets slicker and more slippery. A new car can be clayed in an hour tops. If it takes you longer than that then you are rubbing too much or too hard.

 

Dandy!!

 

This might be a dumb question, but do you clay/wax/polish over vinyl graphics and an invisi-shield? Do you avoid any part of them, or do you just treat them like they were the finish on the rest of the car? Thanks for helping a newbie out!

 

Over Invinsi-Shield, certainly. Treat it just like paint. It's very durable. Minor mars and swirls can even be buffed out.

Vinyl graphics should be waxed to aid protection but I would not clay or polish them. It's too easy to degrade the inks used on the (usually white) film backing. It is very fragile.

 

So just to be sure: skip everything but the wax on the bonnet stripes?

 

Yep. Wax only for any colored vinyl. The clear stuff can be treated like paint.

You may want to try your wax in an out-of-the-way location first... if you use a wax with lots of solvents, you may smear the printing on some decals.

 

Much obliged.