Somehow i get a ridiculous amount of tar and little brown spot (pollen?) on the back of my car. I try to get rid of these about once every two weeks or so just because they bother me. What i'm wondering is, what should I use on these?

a) tar and bug remover spray, brand? and that bug and tar sponge?

or

b) clay bar?, which is what I've been using.

 

IMHO, the best thing to do in this situation is preemptively protect against it. I am new to the Zaino world, but I am amazed at the protective qualities of it. I put 3 coats on, and yeah, it took awhile. But since then, almost anything has either rinsed off, or come off with VERY minimal sponge work.

 

I plan on getting Zaino this summer, but I have a few reservations about it. I read about how you can't use much else but Zaino since everything basically messes up the bonding if you use any other product. Also, it makes the car relective while I am a fan of a deeper look. I still plan on getting it though.

 

I don't know about a deeper look. My car looks wet after 3 coats (put on about a month ago). Someone told me that he puts on a coat of Carnuba after multiple coats of Zaino and really likes the look.

I got a complement on my polish just tonight at dinner. Mind you it wasn't from a person that I would consider a "car enthusiast", but it was nice all the same. 4 days since the last wash, and there is a great deal of pollen around my town this time of year.

Never heard that you could only use Zaino products. I use a a Mr. Clean (I think that's the brand) spotless car wash nozzle thingy (hows that for non-specific??) with the soap and the filter in the nozzle. I then dry with an Absorber. The Zaino wax is still there. Though I will probably do another coat before the All British Car Show here in Dallas at the end of this month.

 

Sorry, I was eavesdropping on this thread and I feel compelled to interject when not asked...just like my mother in law!

1. Mataku-While you "can" layer any type of carnauba on top of Zaino to change the look you do have to remove all traces of it if you intend to layer more Zaino on in the future. The Zaino polymer will not properly bond to the oils/fillers of the carnauba and it will hamper its durability-a trademark Zaino quality. But carnaubas are generally extremely easy to remove without even affecting the base Zaino so it's easy to do. A wash in Dawn, for instance will strip all carnaubas and will not harm Zaino.

2. MrV-I see you use Mr. Clean? I assume that is for convenience? The film left over by the Mr Clean system not only affects the shine of Zaino but especially the slickness. I have done many tests on painted panels (black) and after several washes the film build-up (this is what causes the sheeting action) creates a slow build up of film that when compared to a clean, Zaino finish, especially one that has Z6 QD on it, there is a noticible difference. You're car will get even more raves without the Mr. Clean!

3. MrV-Also, you mention the Absorber. I like synthetic chamois' as well, but only as a "pre-dry" tool. I use them to get about 80% of the water off the car by quickly laying them on the surface then pulling them back off. I never "drag" it across. They will easily cause mars and swirls. They are not plush enough to hold debris away from the surface and as you know they hold a huge amount of friction against the surface. "Pre-drying" with them takes about two minutes, tops. Then I follow up with a quality microfiber drying towel. One large for the body and one small for the sills, trunk, etc. Microfibers are MUCH safer on your paint and in time you won't build up swirls.

4. Mataku-I use several different things depending upon how hard the spots are stuck. Some definitely come off easier with clay. I clay once a month with the suds from my shampoo. (I use Zaino on a couple of my cars including my Mini)

For others I have a dedicated microfiber towel that I wet a small area with Tarminator. I really like the way this stuff works. It seems to be strong but doesn't harm paint. But there are other Bug and Tar removers you can use. Some are very potent so if yoiu use them you may have to rewax the area.

You can also consider using a paint cleanser for these spots. P21S is a popular one. It does most of it's work with solvents. This you can do more often.

 

Stoner Tarminator RULES - it has a home in my mobile detail kit Get it!

 

BradB, you are definitely one of the most knowledgable detailers out there, so eavesdrop anytime.

Ah, see, that is what I'm worried about with using Zaino. I find that most washes have carnuba in them, so I would only be able to use the Zaino wash. Also same with QD. is there any wash and QD that I can safely use with Zaino that is available locally?

Also, with the absorber, I have one as well, and i've been sort of using your method, but how exactly do you use it to pre-dry the side of the car? I can't really lay it down for obvious reasons, so I've been just pressing/blotting it for the sides and boot. is there a better way?

 

I'll ask around and see what I can come up with. But the Zaino Z7 shampoo is the most AWESOME shampoo. Have you ever used it? It's fantastic. It really enhances the ultimate shine and slickness of Zaino. Same deal with the Z6 QD, it really is a key part of the system that makes Zaino so durable and KEEPS it's fantastic looks for such a long time at such a high level. And the Z8 Spray Sealer that just came out is absolutely incredible, BTW.

Sure, you can get a carnauba to look glossy as Zaino and feel as slick...for a week if you are lucky. Then you need to re-do it. It starts to degrade immediately. With Zaino you can keep it at such a high level with such ease. That's why I use it on two of my four cars. I want perfection but I don't have time to be fussing with ALL my cars ALL the time. So two cars are perfect and low maintenance. The other two I play around with by using carnaubas and other tests, etc. But they are far more work.

As far as the Absorber, I just use the "slap-daddy" technique on the sides. I literally take two minutes or less for the whole car with the Absorber. Then I fold over the MF's and "draw" them from front to back (never wad them or swirl them) in flat folded sheets. It rarely takes more than one or two passes and never more than one towel. Plus a small one for the sills, like I mentioned.

 

For the "on topic" response: The tar issue just came up in another thread the other day. I use an old Turtle Wax product called "Bug & Tar Remover" that is amazing for anything that is truely stuck to the finish... but now that I use Zaino, that doesn't happen very often any more...

On Zaino: I agree that on dark colors (like my wife's dark blue metalic Nissan Murano) you get a very highly reflective surface that looks a bit sterile at times. If I get crazed about it, I'll put a coat of p21s carnuba on top, but it really only works for a few weeks... After the ease of keeping up a Zaino-ed finish, you just don't want to mess with it.