Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics AAAARRGGGG!!!

roger that on the clay bar...damn I knew I should have gotten that damn thing Could I use Meguairs or Mothers clay bar?? I really don't want to wait another 2 weeks to do this.

I'm gonna try the t-shirt thing...let you know how it goes

and I knew that about the Dawn, that's why I polished the car everytime.

sniperpain www.zainobros.com

You can use whatever kind of clay bar you want. Just use a solution of Z7/water on a sponge to prime the surface. If you order the Zaino clay bar, you get two bars for $18. If you pick up the one at the local store in a kit, you get one bar for $18 plus all the extra stuff you don't use.

As John said, the surface should be smooth. After Dawn it will be just as smooth as after any car with a good wax, just not as slick, more squeaky clean like dishes after Dawn. My 2000 SVT was more rough than the 99 F-150. Boy did it make a difference.



Wow, you must never drive your car! If I wait about 24 hours between coats of Z5 and Z2, it takes me at least a week to Zaino each vehicle. I park it between coats in the garage and don't drive it. With 3 running vehicles, I try to keep at least one clean all the time so right when the rain dries up on the street, I can have the most sparkling car on the road.

Seriously, when you do the complete Zainio process to a T, you really don't have to keep applying it so often. If you've got the time, I suggest after you wash it once a week or whatever your schedule is, just apply another coat of Z2. There is no sense in stripping it all down once a month. I only have one coat of Z2 on my F-150 and one on the SVT.

T-shirts will work fine. Sal mainly says they are just not large enough to to a whole car. So, when yours are worn and ready for replacement, pick up some full size bath towels. I have three which seems to work out pretty well for two vehicles. The dedicated Z6 towel lasts a long time, as John mentioned. Dryer sheets are a no-no, according to Sal's site. Added chemicals you don't want on paint. Dryer works fine for me, just staticy.

Sorry to get lost in here.

I have a Silver SVT. I bought Zaino for the other dark vehicle, but used it on the SVT also. I bought the car new last July, so not too much experimenting for waxes, just Meguiers cleaner/wax once in the fall. It was all gone before winter ended and desperately needed protection.

Zaino probably isn't worth it for Silver cars. It's a lot of initial work. However, it is very easy to maintain as washing/drying takes about 25 minutes. It also is supposed to outlast everything else by far. It doesn't break down on the 160 degree paint temperatures. I can only tell you this. I've never seen my reflection in a silver car like mine after just one coat of the Z2 polish.

Aaron

Use Mothers Clay Bar, that is if you're already ordered the Zaino. If not, order the two bars for $18.

I just used Meguiar's Clay bar, and wasn't too thrilled with it. The clay is very soft, and leave markings on the paint, so you have to scrub like hell to get it off washing the car again.

John

I slightly disagree.

The stuff works great on all colors.

I've seen a few pictures of a white Corvette which had a few coats of Zaino, and I never thought a white car could look so damn good.

Yes, the initial process is sort of a pain, but after that, it's easy sailing. Like Aaron said, the stuff doesn't melt like a normal wax would when your car is out in the sun. Not to mention one coat lasts up to 6 months!!! Of course, the more coats you do, the shininer the car will get.

John

I've got one coat of Z5 and one coat of Z2 on my green SVT. It looks great, and I even kinda cheated on Sal's instuctions (please don't kill me John! :D) I really need to go get some good towels though, and find a good place to wash the car (I live in an apt )

Mothers...ok...now exactly what am I doing with this clay bar...wiping, scrubing??? which direction...same as zaino recommends for applying the stuff.

couldn't I just use a running hose instead of squirting spray to keep the bar wet?

After I clay do I wipe each section as I go or what?? or do I do the whole car then wash it again...will it hurt the paint if I let this dry?

Slpain the whole process please...no I'm not dumb I just want to get it right?

thanks guys...rainshdw!!!

Rainsdw

I would follow the directions for the Zaino clay bar. You should mix a bottle of like 1/4 cap z-7 and some water and use that. It lubricates the surface way better than just water alone.

Rainshdw,

Here's what I did, following my interpretation of all of the things I've read about the clay bar.

In a medium sized bowl, I put in about 1/2 cap of Z7 car wash. Then added some water to dilute. I used a sponge to saok up the mixture and apply to car surface. Using the sponge across a section of say 2 square feet at a time, I rubbed the area with the clay bar. I didn't pay much attention to the direction of rubbing as the idea is to remove impurities, not add scratch or buffing lines. Try not to let the solution dry either before you've rubbed a section clean or after. If it happens (it will), just use the sponge to get it wet again. A dry clay bar will not rub on the surface and you'll know it need more solution. Also, you'll know when to stop rubbing a section as the clay bar will actually slide easily over the lubricated paint, no bumps.

Wipe the completed section with one of the towels (or T-shirts) after done with that small area and still wet.

That's about it. A little pratice is all it takes. It took me half a vehicle before I think I understood the whole process.

Aaron

Exactly what Aaron said, but if you buy the Mothers kit, it will come with its own lubricant.

Good luck.

John