GEPC and SMR quick help before Z

[moolman]

Hi everyone,
I haven't been here for awhile but it's the time of the year to wax the car. So it's been a long time, I have a quick question.

Using a PC, is using 3M SMR and P21S GEPC being repetitive, are they doing the same thing, so I should use either one?

Thanks

I will be adding some Zaino again. So I thought I would:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. PC using Orange Pad with 3M RCFC for the hood to get rid of light water spots.
4. SMR or GEPC with white pad the whole car, (don't know if I should do both or only one)
5. Dawn wash
6. Zanio steps.

Sound good

[robert]

I dont have any experience using either product but i would say that if u want to remove any swirls use a real swirl remover as 3M has oils and fillers if i remember correctly.GEPC im not sure if it has any oils that gives its gloss enhancing abilities unless its a pure chemical cleaner with no oils or fillers..Hopefully someone can chime in on this.

[raymond_ho2002]

GEPC has next to no abrasive properties and won't do anything against swirls. it acts more as a pre-carnauba glaze than a swirl remover, so i'd say to not include gepc at all in your prep.

3M smr will only help against very light swirling. It is definitely more aggressive than GEPC, but still very mild compared to other polishes, and contains fillers.

It sounds like you haven't had much time for the car, so my guess is that you'd have moderate swirling that would require a more aggressive swirl remover that should be worked in using a cutting pad.

[HRP]

Sal Zaino suggests using the Dawn wash first, then claybar, then Zaino wash before applying Zaino products. Since carwashes don't usually remove wax, polish, etc. Using Dawn first would seem to make more sense (why fill up your claybar with wax and polish), and a Dawn wash after using swirl remover would probably remove any oils or fillers. I'd Dawn wash, claybar (see if I needed PC, swirl remover, then car wash, then Zaino the car.

[dternst]

Use the following process:

Dawn Wash
Claybar (Z18)
Car Shampoo (Z7)
3M RCFC
3M SMR
Z5/ZFX (The ZFX is not necessary, it is only an accelerator)
Z6
Z2/ZFX
Z6
Z2/ZFX
Z6
Z2/ZFX
.
.
.
.

Apply the Z2/ZFX and the Z6 as many times as you like. The Z6 enhances each layer.