Questions about claying?
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28
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From: Chicago
1999 C43, 1992 BMW 325iC
Questions about claying?
I recently clayed my car, and have a few questions. I already read the sticky and didn't see any info about this. I bought the "complete" Zaino system, and spent the day, from 9am to 6pm working. Will post some pics once I get a dig camera....
First I Dawn washed the car. Then began to clay. I mixed a capful of Z7 in a spray bottle with 16oz H2O per the Zaino website. I didn't see any specific instructions as to how much of the car to clay, so I did the whole thing. It went along well until I went to wash the clay residue off! I tried the Z7 wash and there was still residue after 2 washes so I used Dawn which seemed to get the last of it off. Then I looked at the instructions that came with the bar and it said to use 1/2 a cap of Z7. Does anyone know which it is, or what do they use? It was a real pain going through these extra steps. Should I only do a section at a time then rinse, or less Z7. How do I keep this residue from becoming so difficult to remove?
After that I used the ZPC with my PC7424 with the orange pad then white pad from www.properautocare.com. Then went to town with Z2,Z6,Z2,Z6. Car looked GREAT, and the Z2 is by far the easiest stuff I've ever used to apply and remove!!
Just had a major rain storm last night and the "beading" was awsome! Even better it still looks great this morning. I wanted to do a third app. of Z2 but was awfully tired by that point
Next time will finish off with Z8!! BTW can I apply another few coats of Z2 (with ZFX of course) in a few weeks for some extra shine and protection?
Sorry to be so long, just frustrated and excited at the same time. Any input as to your techniques appreciated.
First I Dawn washed the car. Then began to clay. I mixed a capful of Z7 in a spray bottle with 16oz H2O per the Zaino website. I didn't see any specific instructions as to how much of the car to clay, so I did the whole thing. It went along well until I went to wash the clay residue off! I tried the Z7 wash and there was still residue after 2 washes so I used Dawn which seemed to get the last of it off. Then I looked at the instructions that came with the bar and it said to use 1/2 a cap of Z7. Does anyone know which it is, or what do they use? It was a real pain going through these extra steps. Should I only do a section at a time then rinse, or less Z7. How do I keep this residue from becoming so difficult to remove?
After that I used the ZPC with my PC7424 with the orange pad then white pad from www.properautocare.com. Then went to town with Z2,Z6,Z2,Z6. Car looked GREAT, and the Z2 is by far the easiest stuff I've ever used to apply and remove!!
Just had a major rain storm last night and the "beading" was awsome! Even better it still looks great this morning. I wanted to do a third app. of Z2 but was awfully tired by that point Next time will finish off with Z8!! BTW can I apply another few coats of Z2 (with ZFX of course) in a few weeks for some extra shine and protection?Sorry to be so long, just frustrated and excited at the same time. Any input as to your techniques appreciated.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
I don't know why you had residue - did you wipe down the area after you clayed it? I always re-wash the car with Dawn after claying - I want the surface stripped and clean before I apply Zaino.You can apply as many coats that you want - just wash the car 1st with the Z7.Make sure you post some pics of your C43! 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Atlanta
03 C32 AMG
I believe you can use ZPC in place of another dawn wash. It should take the clay residue off.
Edit: this might work, but when i clayed today, the thought made me uncomfortable so i washed instead. It could work tho.
Edit: this might work, but when i clayed today, the thought made me uncomfortable so i washed instead. It could work tho.
Last edited by King320; Aug 11, 2006 at 08:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28
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From: Chicago
1999 C43, 1992 BMW 325iC
Originally Posted by C43AMG
I don't know why you had residue - did you wipe down the area after you clayed it? I always re-wash the car with Dawn after claying - I want the surface stripped and clean before I apply Zaino.You can apply as many coats that you want - just wash the car 1st with the Z7.Make sure you post some pics of your C43!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
Originally Posted by Carnag
What do you use to wipe the clay off? A bufiing towel?(Microfiber vs. cotton) And do you clay the whole car then wipe off, or a section at a time? eg hood, trunk doors, etc......
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Boca Raton Florida
S 430
Are you spraying enough solution to keep the clay bar slidding back and forth...when I clay a car the clay doesnt stay on the vehicle..you continue to ball the clay up as you take the **** off of the top of the paint...It sounds like you are claying the car dry....do a quarter of the hood..spray it with solution and rub the clay across it like a slip and slid...then take a rag and wipe down the solution...the car should be smooth as glass
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28
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From: Chicago
1999 C43, 1992 BMW 325iC
Originally Posted by lorinserSclass
Are you spraying enough solution to keep the clay bar slidding back and forth...when I clay a car the clay doesnt stay on the vehicle..you continue to ball the clay up as you take the **** off of the top of the paint...It sounds like you are claying the car dry....do a quarter of the hood..spray it with solution and rub the clay across it like a slip and slid...then take a rag and wipe down the solution...the car should be smooth as glass
