I will receive my 03' E500 Spt OBS BLK/Charcoal in 2 months. I want to protect the finish and have it show well. But I also have to work hard ( I own 2 companies and my spouse is owner of a third) and time is a valuable commodity. I will admit there will even be weeks that because of travel or weather or work , the car will not be washed for 1-2 weeks running.

The question is- If I use Zaino System and start at delivery do a total job every 3 months will the finish keep up it's looks? Do I need to do a full cycle every month?

While I garage it at night, it does get full sun in the day, and we live in South Texas, so it will be hot 6 mos out of the year. It will have dark smokey tinteed windows, Roller blinds all the way around.

Is it true I should NOT allow the dealer to wash the vehicle as they offer? I suppose LASERWASH or TOUCH FREE washes at the filling station are out? Spouse has a tendency to run the cars through these when I am airport hopping for extended periods.

Any concrete input is appreciated.

 

Zaino is very low maintenance. If you don't have alot of time, then it's probably the best system out there. It will definately keep up it's looks, even if you only wash once a month. Many Z users here will attest to this.

You certainly do not need to do a full cycle every month. Here is what you should do:

When you take delivery perform a full detail. Dawn wash, clay, zaino wash, 3 coats of z5 or z2 mixed with zfx. That's it. Zaino wash whenever you can, up until you hit the 4 month mark. Then wash and add 3 more coats of z2 or z5 (whichever look you prefer more) mixed with zfx. At 8 months, do the same thing, and at 12 months, zaino wash, clay, 3 coats of z2/z5 mixed with zfx. This method will keep your car looking excellent as well as providing it with constant protection.

Don't worry too much about the sun. It's a fact of life we all have to deal with. As long as you can do what I outlined above then you should be able to meet all of your objectives: Keep your car looking nice while not investing too much time.

As for auto car washes:

I would only go to the touchless ones. They are OK. They will not swirl or strip your zaino. The washes I frequent here during the winter are operated by the major gas chains. Even the drying process is touchless. They have these huge blowers that literally blow all the water off of the car and out of the crevices. The "touchless" washes that have people drying the car off with dirty rags are a waste of time. Avoid those.

As for the dealer prep:

Do not let them touch your car! All they should do is take the plastic off.

Keep in mind, if you don't use proper wash and polish techniques with the proper tools, then you will make just as big a mess as the dealer. Be sure to read Al Boston's sticky notes at the top of this forum.

Any more q's let me know.

Later...

 

hi mark, Zaino sounds to be a pretty good choice for you then. I did 3 coats of Z5/ZFX on my black ML in june and it maintained its beading and shine pretty much for 3.5 to 4 months. After that period I would go ahead a reapply the Zaino WITH ZFX. Make sure you use proper wash techniques though and dry and buff your car with quality microfiber towels, i recommend Ian at microfibertech.com . Also, with what David N. said, if you follow what he told you clay using Z7 wash as a lubricant (read the claying sticky at the top of the forum). If you don't use Z7 wash as a lubricant I would Z7 wash first, clay, then dawn wash, then dry, then Z5 or Z2 with ZFX. Your car will look great!

Check this thread out, this is over a month after my initial application of Zaino. That was the first time i washed it in a month and it came out like this.

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...+after+a+month