I am the proud owner of a new 2005 350Z Roadster in Super Black. I have been reading a lot on this site and Autopia.org and feel like I have learned a lot about detailing from all of you fine people. Given that, I'm also the proud new owner of a PC, multiple LC pads, foamgun, dedicated "drying" leafblower, DF towels & a Zaino Ultimate Protection Show Car Kit . Unfortunately, the dealer who cared for my car didn't give it the necessary care while it was on the lot and it has swirl marks. The marks aren't deep, just a product of bad washing habits. Given that the car is new, I was planning on doing the following to get her prepped for the Zaino process:

1) Z-7 wash (foamgun & dual bucket method)
2) Z-18 claybar
3) Z-7 wash (foamgun & dual bucket method)
4) 3M™ Perfect-It™ Swirlmark Remover 39009 - applied with PC (at speed 5) & LC white polishing pad
5) Dawn wash (foamgun & dual bucket method)
6) Z-6
7) Z-5 w/ ZFX
8) Z-6
9) Z-2 pro w/ ZFX
10) Z-6
11) Z-2 pro w/ZFX
12) Z-6

Am I missing a critical step and is my swirl removal step (#4) sufficient? Just wanted to get some feedback on my plan prior to getting started for the first time...

 

Congratulations! That's a gorgeous car!

4) The speed is probably a little high IMHO. Start lower and work up to that speed if you feel necessary

6-12) sell your Zaino kit, buy a $20 jar of Klasse; save 5 hours, 3 products, 5 steps, and $40.

On a black car, you may wish to finish your sealant (Zaino, Klasse, etc) and then apply a carnauba over the final product to bring out more depth. P21s, S100, Natty's Paste Wax are all popular high-carnauba waxes.

 

Thanks for the input. I'll slow it down at first and work up as necessary. Where is a good starting point? 2? 3?

I was planning on checking out the Zaino finish to see if it was the "look" I liked and then topping with a carnauba if I thought I needed more depth. I have seen many pictures of cars with just the Zaino and loved the look. We'll see if it impresses me in person - especially on black...

 

Start at 3, maybe 3.5.

You'll get a nice SHINE out of the Zaino, but some people prefer more "depth." On black, S100 is probably your best bet, should you decide to go that route.

 

Thanks for the tip - I'll give it a run at 3 first and see how that works. I've heard that Z2 pro has better depth than the original Z2 but being that I've never seen either in person that is kinda irrelevant. I'll definitely consider the S100 if it isn't meeting my needs. Thanks for the input...

 

Step 11 in your post does not require ZFX since you used it in the previous 2 coats and you shouldn't exceed 3 applications in a 24 hr. period.

Post pic's. Oh, & get some Z8 for step 12.

 

Good catch bixby. I planned on leaving the last coat on overnight without ZFX as many have recommended - just a typo on my part. So is Z8 that much differnt than Z6 on a black vehicle? I have seen mixed reviews of it as being not much different to being the cats meow. Also, does Z8 help in reducing dust collection over time? If so, I might try it just for that benefit as I live in Denver and it gets pretty dusty here. Pics will follow as soon as I get it all done - travelling currently, so probably next weekend...

 

Based on the feedback thus far, here is the ammended steps.

1) Z-7 wash (foamgun & dual bucket method)
2) Z-18 claybar
3) Z-7 wash (foamgun & dual bucket method)
4) 3M™ Perfect-It™ Swirlmark Remover 39009 - applied with PC (starting at speed 3) & LC white polishing pad (Poorboy's recommended - open to further recommendations if the 3m product is not "good")

3m Clear Bra installation

5) Dawn wash (foamgun & dual bucket method)
6) Z-5 w/ ZFX
7) Z-6
8) Z-2 pro w/ ZFX
9) Z-6
10) Z-2 pro overnight with no ZFX
11) Z-6 or Z-8

 

Well, In my review of Z8 I notice a huge difference on my brickyard compared to Z6. It has been said by SB owners that they notice no visual difference between Z6 & Z8.

I think the real advantage for SB owners will be that it last longer & provides more protection. And yes it does seem to repel dust better. I just applied it for the first time on Sunday. When I got home last night I went to apply another & found after that not only did I not need to dust the car (Cali Duster), I didn't need to reapply the Z8. I really wanted to but at $30.00 a bottle I refrained.

I drive 90 miles a day btw.The nice thing about Z6 is it does a great job, can be applied (guilt free $$) almost daily, works great on glass (thanks for the idea Dr. Bonz) and is a fraction of the costs. You may also delute Z6 50/50 with water to use less and maintain good results.

I'm not certain you should do this with Z8 but Doc will know.

 

thenutz, can you explain to me your steps? like.. what the products are and the two bucket method? i have a 2004 super black coupe... and i have the same problem with the dealership effing up my car... and id love to make my car much more show quality.. but i dont know JACK on detailing a car... so please help !

 

Products:

Zaino products: Kevin Overall can provide these and is a member of this site. (koverall@cddn.com or http://www.geocities.com/kevinoverall1/orderform2.htm) Kevin has proven to be a great resource for Q&A as well as a reliable vendor for the Z-8 I just purchased - recommended...

These are basically a show car sealant / polish that has a long life span and offers excellent protection. Can really make a car "shine". See this URL for a description of each of the Z items below. http://www.zainobros.com/files/info.htm

3M™ Perfect-It™ Swirlmark Remover 39009 - Used to remove swirls and can be picked up at Pep Boys. Applying via a Porter Cable Orbital Polisher (PC) model 7424. From what I have read, anyone that owns a black vehicle should own one of these. See http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/inf-pc7424.html for more info on using this product.

The "dual bucket" and "foamgun" methods are just ways of reducing the marring associated with washing a vehicle and are further explained on autopia.org. A great explanation of this method can be found here: http://autopia.org/forums/showthread...threadid=35232

I'm just getting started myself, but this site as well as www.autopia.org have been a big help in getting me a basic understanding of detailing "do's" and "dont's". Good Luck!

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1) Z-7 wash (foamgun & dual bucket method)
2) Z-18 claybar
3) Z-7 wash (foamgun & dual bucket method)
4) 3M™ Perfect-It™ Swirlmark Remover 39009 - applied with PC (starting at speed 3) & LC white polishing pad

3m Clear Bra installation

5) Dawn wash (foamgun & dual bucket method)
6) Z-5 w/ ZFX
7) Z-6
8) Reat Z-5 until I'm happy with paint appearance... (no more than 3 coats of Z in one day)
8) Z-2 pro w/ ZFX
9) Z-6
10) Z-2 pro w/ ZFX
11) Z-6
10) Z-2 pro overnight with no ZFX
11) Z-8