Merry Christmas to Me! Zaino and a PC! Now I need some advice!

smurph98gt · 12-25-05, 01:24

I just bought a 2001 Corvette a little under a month ago, (early Christmas!) and then my parents got me a PC7424 and my girlfriend bought me a full lineup of Zaino products (ZFX, Z2, Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z1 [she didn't know ZFX replaced it!], along w/ the Z-18 Claybars). I'm super excited to polish the hell out of my new toy.

So I guess I'm looking for a little guidance here. The car has some wax on it, should I wash with Dawn first to remove all of that?

After that, Claybar using the Z7 for lube, then wash again. Now's the part I'm not sure of. I have some fairly obvious swirls, and I've heard that Z5 does a decent job at hiding them, but I'd rather diminish them a little bit first. Would using the ColorX first be a problem, then hit it with Z5 and lastly Z2?

Also, the PC only comes with one pad.. just some plain white cotton one. Since I want to wash/wax my car tomorrow, is that going to work for say the ColorX if I decide to use it? I looked at Meguiars.com and found a Carquest thats near me carries their Professional line, so I'm hoping they carry the pads and such, but I'm not sure what all I should get from them?

I have some blue MF towels that I bought at Walmart awhile ago, and some super soft cotton "Finishing Clothes" she also bought me, but that's it as far as that kind of stuff goes.

Any bits of advice, things I should purchase, and where? Thanks everybody, and Merry Christmas!

smurph98gt · 12-25-05, 02:57

Also... do I need to go around the big corvette emblems on the hood/trunk, or can I go over them? Will the ColorX or Zaino mess them up? Thanks again!

cwcad · 12-25-05, 04:03

here is what i would do if it were my corvette.

Z7 wash
clay using z6 as a lube
z7 wash
Purchase ZPC Fusion to cleanup the paint for the Z line up. Using a white LC pad or a green propel pad to take care of the swirls. I would not use Color x with a Zaino detail.
Purchase Z8 to aide in durability and looks.
Z5 x 3 with ZFX 4 drops per ounce for the three coats. Z6 wipedown between each coats
24 hours later Z2Pro x3 with ZFX 4 drops per ounce for the three coats. Z6 wipedown between two coats with a Z8 wipedown on the last coat. 24 hours later another Z6 wipedown followed by another Z* wipedown.

Go and purchase quality MF towels from Pakshak or Excel or any forum sponsor to help with the detail. Use your Costco MF towels on the wheels, wheel wells, and engine compartment.

You would be well served to get several wool wash mitts and a waffelweave MF towel or two to complete the whole arsenal for the detail.

Stay away from emblems using the PC. I would not go over any emblems with any powered equipment.

This is what i would do if I had a 2001 Corvette sitting in my yard.

LexAtlanta · 12-25-05, 06:23

cwcad hit it dead on!! Follow that advice and everyone will be amazed at how awesome your 'Vette looks.

Remember to only use the Z7 wash to wash your 'Vette. Follow the wash up with a coat of Z6 and if you feel good throw down a coat of Z8. At $20 per bottle, I use the Z8 periodically.

smurph98gt · 12-25-05, 08:40

I was hoping I could get some stuff locally instead of having to order more and sit and wait.

Do I need to use ZPC, or would some other type of SMR like Meguiars #9 Swirl Remover 2.0 work? If I do that though, I'd have to do another dawn wash to get rid of it all before putting Zaino on, right?

Also, are the Meguiars pads any good? The only reason I'm interested is because it would appear I can get them locally, and damn if I'm not antsy to go crazy with this **** tomorrow.

I've got some wool mitts that I use, and I plan on getting a couple of towels from one of the vendors. I'll look into getting that Z8 also, sounds like a good quality product.

The rest of those steps look great to me, I can't wait to get in there and start detailing her.

cwcad · 12-26-05, 02:52

First off...Nice looking ride!

Yes some other swirl remover will work. Find some KAIO to use after the swirl removal. Then apply Z1 so as to get proper bonding. Then do the process as I had mentioned earlier.

I know that you are chomping at the bit to get started on your detail. With that said, please consider your vehicle for a moment. It is a classy motor vehicle which you are very proud of. Settling for products that will do the job rather than using products that will make the job complete is settling for something other than an Autopian detail.

There is a saying( I think that I just made this up) the difference between a good shine and a Zaino shine is the prep. If you slack off on any element of the detail, from that moment on the detail will be less than it could have been. If you are willing to settle for a step that will not completely enhance the process, why are you using Zaino?

smurph98gt · 12-26-05, 10:10

Thanks! It's such a fun car, I still have trouble believing its mine.

I know... thats the thing I've been mulling over in my head. It's more like I'm settling for something now, just so I can go and do something, and then redo it later the proper way. It obviously doesn't make any logical sense to do it that way.

I've resolved myself to hold off a little longer and get some quality products. I think I'm going to pick up some ZPC, MF Towels, and some pads/back plate this week, so I can start the proper detailing this coming weekend instead of doing it all over again.

Time to start perusing the vendors and see what I can come up with.