while zaino is good, their z5 swirl remover isn't all that. Plenty of other polish/swirl removers that do a better job and are less expensive. The Zaino z2 does last long, so if you got a newer car and only want to do it once a year zaino is a very good choice. But for a 7 year old car unless it's been garaged and well cared for then their are better products.
if you want to do a **complete** exterior detail, then the "details" are in the prep work before you apply the final wax or sealant for a shine. Claybar is a very good idea but not an absolute necessity. Pre-wax cleaners/polish is what you want to use before the final wax/sealant step. If the finish has oxidation, stains, fade, minor to major clearcoat scratches then you'd want to use a real polish (ie swirl remover, compound, the naming convention is kinda loose). I have a 2002 black camaro and I use poorboy's swirl removers. I have SSR1, 2, and 2.5. To give you an idea and I've only used them by hand so far, the SSR1 does virtually nothing because it's so fine. This one's best done with an orbital unless you want to spend lots a time by hand. The #2 works well by hand on minor clearcoat problems- the minor scratches or when you want to get the clearcoat nice and clean fairly quick and easy by hand before waxing, for a really good wax application and shine. The #2.5 has enough abrasive in it when you use it by hand you hear it, kinda scary, but it works very well and is the most effective taking out clearcloat scratches by hand. I would be careful using this stuff with a machine. I can't imagine how abrasive the #3 is. Poorboy's also has a "professional polish", again the use of the work polish is loose but this is the kind of "polish" you'd want to use when all you need to do is a cleaning prep before applying wax/sealant and don't need to polish away the clearcoat. Not pushing the poorboy's products, just using them as an example because I know their lineup and it's straightforward. Meguiars, mothers, klasse all-in-one, are all very good and you can't go wrong with them. autogeek.net is a good resource for comparing products (and buying). Also http://www.autopia-carcare.com
One last thing, applicators for applying wax/polish are important. I highly recommend something like this for applying polish, not wax, as opposed to the typical foam applicator or rag:
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/vk-101.html
for applying wax, use foam pads. for removing or buffing off wax and polish, microfiber towels are not a necessity but are really really nice and worth their cost. Otherwise, full size 100% cotton bath towels work well. Stay away from cotton/polyester blends, don't buy automotive towels from walmart or autozone or pepboys, etc. Their foreign knockoffs and only good as shop rags. I bought my towels at sears 5-6 years ago, were fieldcrest which are now out of business i think. I beleive Zaino recommends a cotton bath towel brand. Also be careful buying store bought microfiber towels, which are also likely to be foreign knockoffs, best to stick with mail order from a reputable place like autogeek, autopia, etc. not to mention they will have the best prices minus the shipping cost.
[ February 13, 2006, 12:44 PM: Message edited by: 1 FMF ]
if you want to do a **complete** exterior detail, then the "details" are in the prep work before you apply the final wax or sealant for a shine. Claybar is a very good idea but not an absolute necessity. Pre-wax cleaners/polish is what you want to use before the final wax/sealant step. If the finish has oxidation, stains, fade, minor to major clearcoat scratches then you'd want to use a real polish (ie swirl remover, compound, the naming convention is kinda loose). I have a 2002 black camaro and I use poorboy's swirl removers. I have SSR1, 2, and 2.5. To give you an idea and I've only used them by hand so far, the SSR1 does virtually nothing because it's so fine. This one's best done with an orbital unless you want to spend lots a time by hand. The #2 works well by hand on minor clearcoat problems- the minor scratches or when you want to get the clearcoat nice and clean fairly quick and easy by hand before waxing, for a really good wax application and shine. The #2.5 has enough abrasive in it when you use it by hand you hear it, kinda scary, but it works very well and is the most effective taking out clearcloat scratches by hand. I would be careful using this stuff with a machine. I can't imagine how abrasive the #3 is. Poorboy's also has a "professional polish", again the use of the work polish is loose but this is the kind of "polish" you'd want to use when all you need to do is a cleaning prep before applying wax/sealant and don't need to polish away the clearcoat. Not pushing the poorboy's products, just using them as an example because I know their lineup and it's straightforward. Meguiars, mothers, klasse all-in-one, are all very good and you can't go wrong with them. autogeek.net is a good resource for comparing products (and buying). Also http://www.autopia-carcare.com
One last thing, applicators for applying wax/polish are important. I highly recommend something like this for applying polish, not wax, as opposed to the typical foam applicator or rag:
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/vk-101.html
for applying wax, use foam pads. for removing or buffing off wax and polish, microfiber towels are not a necessity but are really really nice and worth their cost. Otherwise, full size 100% cotton bath towels work well. Stay away from cotton/polyester blends, don't buy automotive towels from walmart or autozone or pepboys, etc. Their foreign knockoffs and only good as shop rags. I bought my towels at sears 5-6 years ago, were fieldcrest which are now out of business i think. I beleive Zaino recommends a cotton bath towel brand. Also be careful buying store bought microfiber towels, which are also likely to be foreign knockoffs, best to stick with mail order from a reputable place like autogeek, autopia, etc. not to mention they will have the best prices minus the shipping cost.
[ February 13, 2006, 12:44 PM: Message edited by: 1 FMF ]
