clayed my car
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,110
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From: SoCal
MB
clayed my car
before we get our e500, i just wanted to practice and clay my 98 camry. i dawn washed, rinsed, clayed with dawn lube, rinsed, dawn wash, and then rinsed again
i thought everything went well....but for some reason, it is smooth when wet, but when dry, it is kind of sticky almost...
also, i cut it into 4...using only 1. it took me less than a hour.........did i not clay enough or what.....note that i did not do the bottom of the front fender, it was to rough...
i thought everything went well....but for some reason, it is smooth when wet, but when dry, it is kind of sticky almost...
also, i cut it into 4...using only 1. it took me less than a hour.........did i not clay enough or what.....note that i did not do the bottom of the front fender, it was to rough...
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 397
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From: Toronto, Ontario Canada
2002 C240 Classic - Orion Blue Beast!!
Why are you dawn washing your car 5 million times?
Regular car wash will suffice. Clay is abrasive, it would have stripped whatever wax you had on b4, no need for dawn.
Next time wash with regular car wash soap first. Then clay with a QD as your lubricant. Do a section at a time using a generous amount of QD. Once the panel is done, dry with a MF or cotton towel.
You dawn washed 3 times!!! Why!!! Dawn IS BAD!!! There is no need to dawn wash after you clay!!!!
Honestly, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE OBSESSION WITH DAWN!
I saw your post on autopia as well. Where or who on autopia gave you the idea that dawn should be used that often??????
YOU SHOULD NEVER NEED TO USE DAWN TO DETAIL!!!!!!
OK, I'm done ranting.
Regular car wash will suffice. Clay is abrasive, it would have stripped whatever wax you had on b4, no need for dawn.Next time wash with regular car wash soap first. Then clay with a QD as your lubricant. Do a section at a time using a generous amount of QD. Once the panel is done, dry with a MF or cotton towel.
You dawn washed 3 times!!! Why!!! Dawn IS BAD!!! There is no need to dawn wash after you clay!!!!
Honestly, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE OBSESSION WITH DAWN!
I saw your post on autopia as well. Where or who on autopia gave you the idea that dawn should be used that often??????
YOU SHOULD NEVER NEED TO USE DAWN TO DETAIL!!!!!!
OK, I'm done ranting.
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Washington D.C.
11' E-350 BlueTec
Hey there!!
I just used some Zaino products this weekend following some intructions from their web site and also some others from JustinTRW and everything worked perfect. I used Dawn for the first wash and I got that recommendation from Zaino and also JustinTRW. I'm not a master on detailing but I did it because different sources gave me the same recommendation (also they told me NOT to use Dawn regularly). I don't know if you are looking for some experiences but just in case here is mine.
Here is the step by step:
1) Wash the car with Dawn and rinse it very well!!!!
2) Use Blue Clay (from AutoZone) keeping surface well lubricated
3) Wash the car again using Zaino Z7
4) After the car was perfectly dry, apply first coat of Zaino Z2 with ZFX (accelerator) using 100% cotton pad (1oz per coat is enough for the C230).
5) Let it sit for about 20 minutes and buff it off using a 100% cotton towel (made in USA)
6) Spray 3x3 sections with Zaino Z6 and buff it off with another 100% cotton towel (don't let it dry!)
7) Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 two more times.
The results are AWESOME !!!! Perfect finish and great "wet looking" effect.
I just used some Zaino products this weekend following some intructions from their web site and also some others from JustinTRW and everything worked perfect. I used Dawn for the first wash and I got that recommendation from Zaino and also JustinTRW. I'm not a master on detailing but I did it because different sources gave me the same recommendation (also they told me NOT to use Dawn regularly). I don't know if you are looking for some experiences but just in case here is mine.
Here is the step by step:
1) Wash the car with Dawn and rinse it very well!!!!
2) Use Blue Clay (from AutoZone) keeping surface well lubricated
3) Wash the car again using Zaino Z7
4) After the car was perfectly dry, apply first coat of Zaino Z2 with ZFX (accelerator) using 100% cotton pad (1oz per coat is enough for the C230).
5) Let it sit for about 20 minutes and buff it off using a 100% cotton towel (made in USA)
6) Spray 3x3 sections with Zaino Z6 and buff it off with another 100% cotton towel (don't let it dry!)
7) Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 two more times.
The results are AWESOME !!!! Perfect finish and great "wet looking" effect.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,080
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From: San Diego, CA
C32 AMG
David,
I think he is using so much dawn because he doesn't have any other car wash solution to work with. I don't think clay removes all wax, but dawn isn't guaranteed to either.
Vishall,
If the surface is sticky, you have some kind of clay or soap residue still on the surface.
I think he is using so much dawn because he doesn't have any other car wash solution to work with. I don't think clay removes all wax, but dawn isn't guaranteed to either.
Vishall,
If the surface is sticky, you have some kind of clay or soap residue still on the surface.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Originally posted by bmms8
thanks im looking forward to it. is it ok if we just let the dealer wash the car w/o wax, just plain water, or is that bad?
thanks im looking forward to it. is it ok if we just let the dealer wash the car w/o wax, just plain water, or is that bad?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA
C32 AMG
Originally posted by bmms8
dude, i just wanted know other opinions thats all...its for my moms b-day, so we sont want it to be all dirty when she sees it..but ill see
dude, i just wanted know other opinions thats all...its for my moms b-day, so we sont want it to be all dirty when she sees it..but ill see
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario Canada
2002 C240 Classic - Orion Blue Beast!!
Originally posted by bmms8
i see, sorry, that was my idea, no one elses
i see, sorry, that was my idea, no one elses
As for your Mom's car. Ask the dealer to call you as soon as the vehicle arrives off of the truck. Go down there yourself and do the prep. A new car should have no wax on it, so you won't need to strip anything.
You should just wash it with car wash soap, clay if necessary, z1, z2, dress the tires and clean the windows. Vaccum the interior if necessary. That will be enough to get you home with a shiny car. From there you can add subsequest layers of z.
Hope this helps.
PS: I let my delaer prep my car and they did an excellent job. Ask to see recently prepped cars to get an idea of their work. You may end up letting them prep it if you like their work.
Thread Starter
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From: SoCal
MB
i see, thanks, but dont apolahize, i know it was wrong to wash w/ dawn 3 times, but the water kept on beeting....also, i have seen thier prepped cars, they look nice, but i have never seen a zainoed car in my life, so i ant compare..but we wont let thm prep it....if it comes after the 10th, then i wont let them prep it, after 10th, itll be a debate
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario Canada
2002 C240 Classic - Orion Blue Beast!!
Originally posted by bmms8
i see, thanks, but dont apolahize, i know it was wrong to wash w/ dawn 3 times, but the water kept on beeting....also, i have seen thier prepped cars, they look nice, but i have never seen a zainoed car in my life, so i ant compare..but we wont let thm prep it....if it comes after the 10th, then i wont let them prep it, after 10th, itll be a debate
i see, thanks, but dont apolahize, i know it was wrong to wash w/ dawn 3 times, but the water kept on beeting....also, i have seen thier prepped cars, they look nice, but i have never seen a zainoed car in my life, so i ant compare..but we wont let thm prep it....if it comes after the 10th, then i wont let them prep it, after 10th, itll be a debate
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,161
Likes: 1
From: Obama Land
K Car
I'm not sure what you mean when you say "i cut it into 4...using only 1". Are you talking about the clay bar? If you do clay your car (and I recommend this, for even a new car could have grime embedded in the paint from trucks/trains etc.), you need to make sure you work in small areas and keep folding the clay bar. The clay bar should be big enough for you to be able to do this. If you do not do this, you could end up rubbing the grime into the paint. Also use plenty of lube for this.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,080
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From: San Diego, CA
C32 AMG
Rev,
Ali suggests cutting the bar into four pieces to make it both easier to work with and less of a waste if dropped on the ground. However, Ali also switches pieces instead of using just one for the entire car.
Ali suggests cutting the bar into four pieces to make it both easier to work with and less of a waste if dropped on the ground. However, Ali also switches pieces instead of using just one for the entire car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 1
From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
Originally posted by amiras
Here is the step by step:
1) Wash the car with Dawn and rinse it very well!!!!
2) Use Blue Clay (from AutoZone) keeping surface well lubricated
3) Wash the car again using Zaino Z7
4) After the car was perfectly dry, apply first coat of Zaino Z2 with ZFX (accelerator) using 100% cotton pad (1oz per coat is enough for the C230).
5) Let it sit for about 20 minutes and buff it off using a 100% cotton towel (made in USA)
6) Spray 3x3 sections with Zaino Z6 and buff it off with another 100% cotton towel (don't let it dry!)
7) Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 two more times.
The results are AWESOME !!!! Perfect finish and great "wet looking" effect.
Here is the step by step:
1) Wash the car with Dawn and rinse it very well!!!!
2) Use Blue Clay (from AutoZone) keeping surface well lubricated
3) Wash the car again using Zaino Z7
4) After the car was perfectly dry, apply first coat of Zaino Z2 with ZFX (accelerator) using 100% cotton pad (1oz per coat is enough for the C230).
5) Let it sit for about 20 minutes and buff it off using a 100% cotton towel (made in USA)
6) Spray 3x3 sections with Zaino Z6 and buff it off with another 100% cotton towel (don't let it dry!)
7) Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 two more times.
The results are AWESOME !!!! Perfect finish and great "wet looking" effect.
Is the Z6 necessary or can I just apply the Z2 again after buffing off the first coat?
I got a bottle of Z1 before the ZFX came out. Just got ZFX this week. What do I do with this unused bottle of Z1?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA
C32 AMG
Originally posted by avlis
I got a bottle of Z1 before the ZFX came out. Just got ZFX this week. What do I do with this unused bottle of Z1?
I got a bottle of Z1 before the ZFX came out. Just got ZFX this week. What do I do with this unused bottle of Z1?
Thuged_out: You can use Z6.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,265
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From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
I washed the car yesterday (I still haven't had time for the Zaino).
I noticed the paint is still very smooth to the touch. The only rough areas are the rocker panels and front bumper. Should I bother to clay the entire car or just the rough spots?
I also have to re-ask: Is the Z6 absolutely necessary or can I just apply the Z2 again and again after buffing off the previous coat?
I noticed the paint is still very smooth to the touch. The only rough areas are the rocker panels and front bumper. Should I bother to clay the entire car or just the rough spots?
I also have to re-ask: Is the Z6 absolutely necessary or can I just apply the Z2 again and again after buffing off the previous coat?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,600
Likes: 1
From: Earth
GLB 250 4matic
personally, i don't think Z6 is required. and i don't notice that much a difference... but it makes me feel like i did something 
i refuse to use ZFX until my Z1 runs out, dammit!
--
btw, after the service, the dealership washed the car and i think they stripped some of the zaino. that slippery feeling is gone! remind me to remind them not to wash the car for me! (except for the wheels
)
i refuse to use ZFX until my Z1 runs out, dammit!
--
btw, after the service, the dealership washed the car and i think they stripped some of the zaino. that slippery feeling is gone! remind me to remind them not to wash the car for me! (except for the wheels
)
