Zaino/Claybar HELP!

[deano]

I am ordering my set of Zaino products this week, in preparation to wax my brand new 3 GT black mica sedan (also to be picked up this week ). Has anyone on the board used 1)Zaino or 2) a clay bar on their new car yet? I am a little apprehensive using a clay bar on the black paint, as I haven't used one before, and have heard that you can really hooch the paint if you don't do this step carefully. Would any of you guys recommend skipping this step in the Zaino process, as it is a brand new car, or would you just "spot"-clay it. Or, do you have any other recommendations?

The tentative plan is: wash with Dawn, clay-maybe, wash with the new Mr.Clean wash to get rid of water spots, then 3 coats of Z2 w/ZFX and Z6 between each coat.

Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[jim3s]

deano
Clay will not hurt your finish if done properly. Because it is new and I shouldn't have had many contaminants present (and didn't). I spot clayed mine. I have 5700 miles on my 3 and have waxed it for the third time last weekend.

IMO the best source of information for keeping your car looking it's very best is a forum at http://www.autopia.org

edit: tons of zaino users at the above forum. I can't help you with questions about the product. I don't use it.

I have learned so much about keeping a car 'swirl' free from the above forum. Most causes of swirls are from washing and drying incorrectly. And with a black car. You are going to need all the help you can get. (thumb)

 

[Newf]

I'm about to order some as well. Just waiting on this strike thing at work to happen or not happen.

I'm curious, I posted a thread in the appearance section about Zaino. But no replies. Any users of Zaino here?

 

[sndsgood]

i love clay bars. if i'm not going to wax the car i'll usually clay it after a wash to get all the contaminents off of it. its really easy to use.

 

[bazooka joe]

I am ordering my set of Zaino products this week, in preparation to wax my brand new 3 GT black mica sedan (also to be picked up this week ). Has anyone on the board used 1)Zaino or 2) a clay bar on their new car yet? I am a little apprehensive using a clay bar on the black paint, as I haven't used one before, and have heard that you can really hooch the paint if you don't do this step carefully. Would any of you guys recommend skipping this step in the Zaino process, as it is a brand new car, or would you just "spot"-clay it. Or, do you have any other recommendations?

The tentative plan is: wash with Dawn, clay-maybe, wash with the new Mr.Clean wash to get rid of water spots, then 3 coats of Z2 w/ZFX and Z6 between each coat.

Thanks in advance for the replies.

i was always told not to never wash the car with dishwashing liquid??

 

[Newf]

dish liquid is used to get rid of the old crappy wax buildup that's on your car. You do this so that the new wax can bond properly to the car.

Dish liquid will not harm your paint directly. But, it does strip the car of any wax, leaving it unprotected which will obviously be a bad thing.

 

[pr5owner]

only claybar your car when your paint is not smooth anymore, claybaring a new car is useless

 

[jim3s]

My opinion on claying a new car. Based on this article. And experience with my new 3.

my decision process.

Why is clay used on a car's paint finish?
To remove contaminants from the paint. Whether the paint is single stage
(color only) or clear coat finished, airborne particles (fine metal dust, acid
rain, chemicals, minerals from water marks....etc.... ) become imbedded in the
surface of the paint. Not all of the contaminants can be easily felt.

Does a new car's paint benefit from claying?
IMO: A car's paint is only new when it still sitting in the assembly factory not having it's paint exposed to the atmosphere. These cars are shipped thousands of miles from Japan. I don't think that they are wrapped in plastic bags to make the trip. They do have some protective plastic covering some of the paint. But I believe there is still paint exposed to the atmosphere. I don't know if movement by train is part of the shipping. But, the air around railroads and rail yards contains high amounts of metal dust in the air. But, really the most important part is that you car's paint is starting to be contaminated with industrial pollutants the moment it is exposed to the outside atmosphere. In Japan. During shipping. Sitting at the car dealer.

My experiences with claying my new car.
Was there any contaminant present when I started to do a full detail on my new car? Yes. Most were not easily detected. I had to use a plastic bag over my hand to magnify the feel and sound. A few spots were easily felt with my fingers.

Bottom line: There was atmospheric contamination on my new car's (less then 1,500 miles) paint.


Would I recommend clay for a new car after my experience?
Yes.
Spot claying.
If you spot clay beginning with the first detail and you maintain your car by this standard. You should never have to clay the entire surface. IMO.

My daughters Winning Blue, 5 Door, 3 is due to arrive 1st week in May. As soon as I can get her to park it for 4 or 5 hours. ( That will be hard. I know I just wanted to keep driving and driving and driving when I got mine).

I will:

1. Wash it.

2. Spot Clay it by using a plastic bag over my fingers to find contanimation and just clay those spots.

3. Follow with a cleaning/glaze/wax

4. Ending with a finish wax.

That is what I did for my 3 and what I will do for my daughter's 3. I hope you can benefit from the information I tried to provide. The final decision on how to precede will be dependent on how close to perfect you wish your paint to stay.

Best of Luck and enjoy your 3.

 

[msubullyfan]

i was always told not to never wash the car with dishwashing liquid??

He's not talking about dishwashing liquid. He's talking about that new Mr. Clean dry-free car wash liquid.

 

[nate0123]

He's not talking about dishwashing liquid. He's talking about that new Mr. Clean dry-free car wash liquid.

Dawn is a dishwashing liquid

The tentative plan is: wash with Dawn, clay-maybe, wash with the new Mr.Clean wash to get rid of water spots, then 3 coats of Z2 w/ZFX and Z6 between each coat.

 

[ZippityZoomZoom]

I use Zaino - I am up to 5 coats or so. Works great. After a recent rainstorm I came out to my car and the thing looked like nothing happened to it. As for the Dawn step - I skipped it and just washed my car twice with Meguiars Gold Class. The wax is 'bonding' just fine. Between using a chamois for drying, Meguiars soap, Zaino and a high-quality microfiber towel for wax clean-up; my car is swirl free and looks better than it did at the $tealership. Except for the damn scratches left by a cat that slipped off the car. I hear the Meguiars 'high-tech' wax line is really good too.

 

[deano]

Thanks you guys...great posts.

I just picked up my car today (sorry, no pics yet). The dealership kind of made fun of me a little because I wouldn't let them wash my car...I just let them rinse it, but why risk it? The car is still a little dirty in the areas that were not covered by plastic, but I am taking it to the touchless wash tomorrow to see if I can do a better job. Unfortunately, there was one very minor half inch clearcoat scratch on the bottom rear quarter panel that was on the car before I took delivery, and somehow I got another half inch scratch on the roof during the 30km I put on it tonight. I have no idea where that one came from. I guess this is something I will eventually have to learn to live with, given the my color choice. Although, even dirty my car still looks awesome. I can't wait to polish it up with Zaino, even if I only spot clay it.