Just bought a black 2005 Saab, have questions

[abester45]

Cool. Thanks for the info guys. I plan on giving the car its first wash and detail this weekend. I will update with pics. BTW what do u guys reccomend for cleaning and shining the door sills and something to protect the head lights for potential scratches and scuffs. Thanks

[papi_jay]

I sent you a PM abester , but I will tell you here the same . Unless you want to chat on aim or msn , then send me a private message in response to the one that I sent you .

1st - Learn how to wash properly
2nd - please learn how to clay
3rd - Learn how to dry
4th and Finally - Learn the do's and dont's of applying Zaino
Get 2 buckets & a fireman hose nozzle ( from sears or Ace hardware ) http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=4118 < looks like that , but Sears is better quality with warranty and Ace's too .
Washing & drying out of the sun are rule #1

Bug & tar remover is optional - but you will need it one day

Recommended wash n' Dry needed supplies :

1.) Bug & tar cleaner citrus is safer on paint than Tarminator & works the same
1a.) Bug sponge
2.) Glass Cleaner
2a.) Glass MF towels get TWO
3.) Wash Mitt Lambskin no scratch and a good clean . Wash it 1st by hand and air dry or dry on lowest setting in dryer .
3a.) EXCELLENT drying towels
4.) Microfiber wash solution

>> NO FABRIC SOFTENERS with this OR your other wash/dry towels
__________________________________________________________________________

Zaino kit purchase below :

-Zaino kit is here
-Also get the z8 spray
3 tips - First - dont use their applicator on the finish . Only use it on glass and rims , interior etc .. Its not great at all .
2nd - follow their directions , but your 1st wash with Dawn , only use a little bit like 2 tablespoons to 1 gallon of water . Maybe a FEW drops of simpleGreen added to water .
Good through rinse down , then while car is STILL WET rinse buckets again and start claying with a spray bottle with z7 car wash and distilled water( important for no spots since water MAY dry ) . Keep the car wet though with the hose on areas you arent working on little by little . Clay your glass also ( not plastic ) and rims if you like Lastly - ONE MORE wash while car is still wet ( sorry ) rinse buckets completely and wash completely every nook and cranny with Z7 car wash . 3 washes yes , but not too much really if you know why 3 . This is prep , and other washes in future will be once
Dry completely and let sit in sun a few hours to dry , then move car back out of sun to dry more and cool and start applying Zaino .

Get some green+yellow makes blue zip lock bags for your clays after use to store in jar
Car may not even need claying , might as well prep it well though so Zaino will last it's full course right ?

BTW - Wash your microfibers all together in one load warm water the night before . Never wash with anything else , especially your mitt . hand wash that with Tide liquid and be sure to completely rinse out ....
Third - use z6 between coats 1-3 . Next day after wiping car down again with z-6 and a microfiber use z-6 on only the first coat and z-8 between coats 5 and 6 ( day 2's coats #2 and 3 )
Let it sit in the sun a few hours and give it a good Z8 spray and wipe off w/ Concours towel after you spread it with concours applicator ( THIN EVERY TIME )

Products for applying your zaino :


[b]
1.)Applicators for first 2/3 coats
2.) removal towel for first 2/3 coats
3.) Applicator for coats 3,4,5,6
4.) Luxurious removal towel for 3,4,5,6
5.) microfiber for wiping while claying/lubing

Realize that the way Zaino is there is ZFX , the activator which comes with vials .
If you mix 5 drops to a little over 1 ounce of Z2pro you will have enough mixed to do 3 coats in approx 60 min time total . Then you have to let those 3 coats sit 24 hours and apply 3 more .
__________________________________________________________________________

Optional but excellent add-ons:

1.) Glass polish
2.) Plastic polish ( if windows are tinted use Sonus to clean inside .Also for lights )
3.) Detail brush for emblems and such
4.) Wiper blade conditioner
5.) windshield cleaner treatment fill resoiver < ? With distilled water and one of these each refill for spot free wiping
6.) weatherstrip dressing
7.) Detail brush for crevices and interior
8.) Wheel cleaner
9.) pick a tire dressing and tire brush

Phew I feel like I wrote a book browsing Autopia's store and such ...
Buy it all and read the info links ( not every single post just first page or so ) to do the job RIGHT ! lol


What are your door sills made out of BTW ? Metal or plastic ?

[papi_jay]

BTW dont think of how much all that stuff is total now . This is your arsenal for the next 4 years probably so break down cost$ like that .
Zaino is not a wax and is the most maintenance free protection you can use really . Twice a year and it's like a " permanent wax " to try and explain it in non-autopian terms .
All the varying microfibers and such are different grades for different jobs . I didnt just throw a list together so you could say wow I bought a lot of sh!t , just look att his variety . IT really is a complete list for a proper job from all angles
Anyways , any questions just ask

[papi_jay]

I almost forgot the good part .
Here are various coupons for percentage off .
http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=51866

I think the only one that still works is AUTOPIA . Try MFT and AUTOPIA and see which yields the largest discount as they are not combinable

[InTheAir]

Papi -

Excellent write-up.

Thanks.

[abester45]

WoW P. Jay, very informative. Many thanks! Your one of the few who gives a full detailed response. Thanks again
-Abe

[Corey Bit Spank]

Originally Posted by abester45

I got this bad boy for $20,200 with Cold Air package ! Includes GM discout. A real head turner.

Wait. That's the turbo one? For 20k? That's a steal.

[Ben Kenobi]

Looking good! I would get that film put on like yesterday if you're going to do it. I had it put on my car in April and it has been great. Bugs wipe right off with little effort and it has saved me from some stone chips. Do get some sealant and/or wax on your Saab as soon as possible.

Take care,

Paul

[papi_jay]

Corey and if you look on Saab's site the other prices NEW aren't all that bad either ..
Good buy abester !!

[papi_jay]

Another tip - even though youre going to use the next coat of Zaino probably " right after the last " since it will take about 20-30 minutes to get all around the car and back to starting point to wipe off , make sure to wash your applicator off when youre done with the 1st coat or it wont come clean .
Wash it while the coat sits and let dry , then proceed to wipe off with towel .
Also make sure you lightly spray the applicator with Z6 or z8 depending on what stage you are at before applying the coat