I have always been a detailer at heart and I love washing and waxing my rides.

I always had good results with Meguiers and 3M products, then i started using Adams (very pricey), Griots, and others, and I was not impressed. Some where hard to remove and while providing an amazing gloss it only lasted until the car was washed again with a car shampoo and the beading was gone.

I am looking at Zaino...but not sure yet.

I have a Silverstone that has no deep scratches....but some light/med swirls due to previous owner using automatic car washes.

I need a new clay bar.....polish...and wax. My Porter cable random orbital burnt out...should I buy a new one?

So far I am looking at
Zaino leather cleaner
Zaino Z2 plus
Zaino Z5 (is it really needed)
and some sort of wax..I dunno what they offer

So what do I really need? and will I be pleased with this company and will it work well with my color.

 

I'd suggest giving Migliore a try, of course .

Here is a shot of a Silverstone Z we did, it was dripping wet. I've been told by customers that they've seen three months easily out of Migliore: Original.




Here is the full thread:

https://my350z.com/forum/cleaning-and-detailing/359827-migliore-detailed-silverstone-350z.html

 

I liked Zaino, but in the end I found other products gave a similiar result with less complications and effort. Plus I still prefer the look and feel of a carnauba wax. I think your choice to get another buffer or go back to applying by hand is a big factor in what products you could go with. I might be upgrading to a Flex XC 3401 and might be able to hook you up with my used Porter Cable.

In terms of products that I have always been happy with, 3M Swirl Remover and Imperial Machine/Hand Glaze always give good results for the money. The Meguiars Hi-Tech #26 (haven't tried the new NXT) is also a decent product you can find at local stores. These are good if you will be going back to applying by hand.

I recently switched to Menzerna for polishes, and will not be going back to anything else anytime soon. They give perfect results and are always easy to buff out with minimium effort (, but there is some dusting). Waxes are very much about preference IMO. I was pleased with Natty's Blue Paste Wax, but my favorite still is P21S Carnauba Wax.

Give Greg a call and talk over your expectations and concerns, he was great at helping me piece together my last package. Ask him about the Menzerna polishes and what might be best for you should you go back to using a PC or Flex.

Full Molecular Jacket

Final Polish

Intensive Polish

Ceramic Clearcoat Polish

If you go back to hand applications, I really only liked the above referenced store products, you will still have swirls, but with the glaze you can cover them up for a month or so and have a great shine.

 

zaino z2/z5 are sealants, topping with a non cleaner carnuba will deeper/ warm the look. If you get the leather cleaner also get the conditioner. Ive used all of those and always end up back with a carnuba. On my personal; vehicles Im using s100 because its cheap and I hate my car. On cars that I have a sponsorship with like for example a 2007 supercharged shelby gt, he has dodo juice blue velvet on, where as he used to have pinnacle souveran. Soon to switch to swissvax mystery. But what most non detail geeks dont get is that 90% of the look is in the prep work, and for that you need a buffer, porter cable flex or a rotary.
Heres what I would do for a budget. Follow these links
http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Pack...-Package-P157/
flex starter pack
http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Pack...mate-Kit-P141/
ultimate washing/ drying kit
http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Pack...rter-Kit-P150/
polish/ protection starter kit
and youll need mf towels and some other things but thats 90% of what you need. I strongly reccomend detailed image for their service and shipping. The migliore wax looks very promising as well so thats worth a shot.

 

I can understand your frustration. Getting good results requires a combination of the right products and techniques. I think you are on the right track and Blue Boxer had some good recommendations.

After washing and drying a clay bar will help you deep clean the paint to remove surface imperfections. I would recommend our Clay Magic Fine Grade Clay Bar and Poorboy's World Spray and Wipe for a clay lube. It's easy to use and works really well.

I would recommend getting another Porter Cable 7424 or other quality buffer. A buffer helps you polish, which I consider to be one of the most important steps in the detailing process. Polishing is the step that actually helps correct the clear coat by removing surface imperfections such as swirls, fine surface scratches, oxidation, water marks, etc. A buffer helps you apply the proper amount of heat and pressure to break down the polish and work it in to the surface. I would use a two step combination (medium, light) with the Menzerna Intensive Polish and Final Polish II. This will help remove light to medium imperfections on the surface. This makes the clear coat more optically clear so the light can pass directly through it and reflect back the paint.

After you have the clear coat optically clear, smooth and vibrant again you can enhance the gloss and protect the surface with a wax or sealant. A sealant protects far longer so I would apply this first. For the best value try the Poorboy's World EX-P or the Blackfire Wet Diamond. If you want to try one of my favorite sealants use the Chemical Guys Jetseal 109 or the Menzerna FMJ. Both are excellent and produce exceptional results.

After applying the sealant you can further enhance the gloss by adding a layer of carnauba wax. The Poorboy's World Natty's Blue Paste Wax offers exceptional value that will really make the paint pop. If you want an even deeper shine try the Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax or the Chemical Guys 50/50 Limited Edition Paste Wax.

I would do this whole process 1 - 2 times per year to keep the paint looking top notch. For maintenance steps you can just wash and seal/wax as desired. The sealants should protect 3 - 6 months so I would apply another coat every three months or so.

If you want a quick step for leather care try the Poorboy's World Leather Stuff. It's a quick way to clean and condition the leather.

This process should help dramatically improve the appearance of your paint. I can also help you tailor a package to best meet your specific needs. If you have any other questions please let me know, I would be happy to work with you.

Greg @ Detailed Image

 

Greg,

How does the Menzerna FMJ compare to Wolfgang DG Paint Sealant? I am pretty happy how it looks on the Black Xterra. My Z is garaged and takes alot less punishment. The Pilot & Xterra sit out all the time. So they take alot more maintenance.
Can you just go straight to a light polish like Menzerna PO106FF or FP II if the vehicle only has light swirls/imperfections?

 

The nice thing about the Chemical Guy's 50/50 is that it comes in a 16 oz. tin, which means that it actually costs about the same as the P21S Concours on an ounce by ounce comparison. I have been dying to try it, I smell a group buy from Greg??? Please...

 

Which Menzerna polishes are you using? I am planning to get a Flex kit & some of the Menzerna polishes. Thanks.

 

I went with the Intensive Polish and Finishing Polish combo. It is a lot of work to go through both stages, but it is only necessary every six months while I just use the Finishing Polish and Full Molecular Jacket every one or two depending on the weather and level of swirls.

Full Molecular Jacket



Final Polish



Intensive Polish




If you are already pleased with your wax and protection, go with their finishing glaze or Chemical Guy's glaze, less expensive than the FMJ and it really does help fill in those final little swirls.

 

Nice info!

 

Both are quality sealants and I don't think one is universally better. Those two are pretty close, but I give a slight edge to the FMJ. They both provide considerable protection (3 - 6 months) but I find the FMJ unbelievably easy to apply and remove. Additionally I think the FMJ looks a little deeper and wetter than most sealants.

You can certainly go right to a light polish (PO106FF or FPII) and then apply your favorite glaze, sealant or wax next. However a light polish like these will only remove the lighter imperfections. If you want a deeper shine you'll probably want to use a more aggressive process. It's really just a judgment call on what you think will work best for you and your specific goals.

Greg @ Detailed Image

 

^ Thanks Greg.