Hi everyone,

I thought I would share a couple of pictures on my new Redline Track 350Z, but I can't figure it out. I have tried imbedding the image url from Yahoo!, linking to the directory on my hard drive, and everything in between, and all I get when I hit the "Preview Post", is something like this:


""

No picture is showing up. So for now you will have to imagine a bright new Redline Z sitting in the Arizona sunshine.


I finally had the opportunity to acquire my new Z(I bought a house), and found this car sitting in the ABC Nissan overflow lot in Phoenix. When I first saw the car it was completely covered with dust and dirt. I knew this car had to have been sitting there for a while, since the VIN # is 08758.

I do have a question related to waxing/polishing, etc. I have put 3 applications of a store bought polish and wax, and I still cannot get rid of the darn swirl marks. I can see a little orange peel under the swirl marks which I can live with, but these swirl marks are driving me nuts! I have been reading about Zaino and the like, so are the really better than store bought brands such as Mequiars??? Should I expect some swirl marks on this color Z??? I mean, my car looks good now, but not great.

Glad to be a new Z owner.

 

As far as Meguair's, to me it seems to provide an excellent shine and protection. Don't think you'd need the polish since the car has a clear coat finish over the paint anyway and polish is really made to restore old paint.

I just wax every so often with the Meguair's Carnuba wax, putting on a thin coat and letting it dry to a haze and then working off that haze with a soft, lint-free cloth, but putting the final finish on with a 2nd, cleaner, lint-free soft cloth. This method should not cause any swirl marks. I have a crome silver Z, but I've had several red cars before and not had any problems.

Then, you can use the Meguair's Detailer to spray on to remove small amounts of dust/dirt and, if you're careful, you won't scratch the wax job. Plus, you could also use the Meguair's Touch-Up Wax spray to touch up places that you've had to clean an extra amount (eg., bird poop areas).

Others that use the Zaino swear by it - and you will see pics of Zs on this forum with incredibly glossy shines. However, it is more expensive and it does require a lot more work. Meguair's was the best choice for me. You can see my car in the link in my signature below.

Good luck!
WayneTN

 

HMMM. Maybe I'm not using a soft enough cloth. I'll try finding something better. Now if only I could get these darn pictures to post correctly.

Thanks!

 

Moved.

 

If the car was sitting on a dealer's lot for a while, swirl marks are inevitable. Hang around a dealership in the morning and watch the guys clean up the cars. They use high-pressure hoses, and all that dust that is on the car is going to scratch the finish as it is blasted off. The guys who wash the car are paid to be FAST, not to be NICE. If you order a car, make sure you DEMAND that no one wash your car!

As for getting rid of the swirl marks, it can be done, but it depends on how much work you want to do. If it were my car, I'd start by buffing with 3M swirl mark remover using a random orbital buffer. The 3M product is an abrasive, but it is so fine, you don't have to worry about causing more harm (just be sure your car and buffer are CLEAN before you start, and use plenty of 3M). Then wash the 3M off with dish soap (the 3M has lots of oil in it). I wash it off rather than buff it off to prevent any scratches. You have to be very thorough when washing, because the 3M stuff does not just rinse off. I'd finish the job by adding 2 coats of Zaino Z-5. The Z-5 will flow into your swirls (the 3M won't buff them all out) and turn clear, making the swirls invisible.

Is Zaino better than store-bought waxes? You bet! I was using wax when Sal introduced me to Zaino, and there is no comparison. Zaino lasts MUCH longer than wax (so it really isn't more expensive), and it doesn't leave sticky wax or oil on your car, so you won't create new swirls as fast. It's easier to use than wax (no buffing on or off - just wipe on, let dry & wipe off). You WILL notice a difference.

 

almost all internet wax's will be much better than anything from a store.

Id second the 3m swirl remover, but if your not comfortable with it, might be in your best interest to bring it to a proffesional detail shop, go somewhere expensive, and talk to the manager, tell him the situation, and tell him that you will not accept anything short of perfect when the car leaves his shop.

he should have all the tools needed to remove all the swirl marks. this could cost you 200$ or so tho.

after that, use zaino Z-5 to keep the swirls away, one of the deepest wax's youll find, not quite as shiny as Z2 or CG or any of the others, but it will cover swirl marks very well.

good luck and have fun.

 

Thanks alot. I'm not surprised that the finish is in such bad shape, considering what the car looked like when I found it. I will try the 3M and invest in a nice orbital buffer. If I can't make a dent(opps, that's not the right word) in the swirl marks, then I'll talk to a professional shop. This is the first nice car I have ever owned and I'm committed to making it look first class.

Thanks again.

 

Congrats - you are going to try to do it yourself. I like that!

Get a foam pad for your orbital. A 10" buffer will cover a lot of ground fast, but a 6" buffer will get to more areas. Wash the car thoroughly first. Use a LOT of 3M. Do a 2' square at a time. It'll go on gray, but as you work it, you'll notice it turns greasy. Once it does, add more 3M to your pad and move to the next area. Don't try to buff it off. When you're finished, WASH it off with Dawn dish soap & water (mix Dawn & water in a squirt bottle - squirt this on your car and wipe with a soft, wet cloth, then rinse). You should wash each area twice to be sure you get all the 3M. Dry your car (I use Z-6 spray while drying to pick up all of the water droplets). Put on 2 thin coats of Z-5. Be VERY gentle when wiping off the Z-5, and use a SOFT cotton towel. Remember, the Z-5 is not as hard as your paint, so if you are rough, or use something like a t-shirt, you could put swirls in the fresh Z-5, which is NOT what you want! A light wipe with a towel, and then another wipe with a mist of Z-6 will uncover the shine without adding swirls.

 

I have used zaino for the past two years. I have put 7 coats of Zaino on my 6 week old Z and it looks great. I do not find it difficult to use. In fact, it's some of the easiest stuff I have ever worked with.
I use Turtle Wax car wash... and Girot's products as well