I plan to detail my FX35 and I have some questions.

[charliebauer24]

Hi to everyone!

okay i`ve been lurking in this board for quite sometime now, trying to search for some answers so I don`t have to bother you with newbie questions but I guess everyone has different situation.

this might be a long post and i apologize.

so the subject vehicle is my daily driver, 2010 Infiniti FX35 (Platinum Graphite). It is said that the paint has a cross linked clear coat, assume this is a hard clear coat?! or am i wrong?

as for paint condition:

- i can see orange peel but i don`t plan to correct that.
- no major scratch or swirls.
- I can see about 5 very small paint defect (maybe manufacturer`s); if i touch it i don`t feel any bump, it is smooth.
- I can see some small hard water spots in the hood and top, these spots can only be seen at an angle (perpendicular to light source).
- I`ll probably see more small defects under halogen lamp but i`m sure there is no major ones.
- I have only detailed the FX by hand.

What I am currently doing

when I got the FX I was using the old Meguiars NXT wax, a left over from my previous vehicle.
about 3 months ago I switched to Zaino products. I see big improvement in shine (probably because of layering?), but durability wise love it. I don`t get a lot dust and paint is still smooth after 3 months.

When I got my Zaino about 3 months ago, here`s what I did:

Dawn
Clay with z-18 (did not remove hard water spots, i gave up)
Z7, Wipe/Blower, Z-AIO (did not fix the paint defect)
Z6, Z5, Z6, Z-CS
Z8 the next day.

Then on the next week
Z7, Wipe/Blower, Z5, Z6, Z-CS
Z8 the next day.

I also used Z-AIO for glass and wheels.


My Plan

I want to buy a PC 7424XP, my hand can still do it but I want to try doing it by machine. I also plan to get Meguiars 105 and Menzerna PO85RD.
My goal is to remove the water spots and fix any defects that I am not seeing by using Megs 105 (with Orange CCS 6.5).
Then finish it with PO85RD (with White or Grey CCS 6.5).
An then Proceed with Z-AIO, Z5, Z6 and Z-CS. I am also planning to get a Z-2 and ZFX so I don`t have to wait longer when layering.


My Questions

Do I have to strip the current Zaino application? If so, will a Dawn wash do it? Or I don`t have to remove it and can just wash with Z-7, dry, then use Megs 105?
Do I really need the Meguiars 105 if I only plan to do light cutting with orange pad? Or can I use Po85RD with yellow pad then finish with Po85RD with white pad? Or I don`t make any sense?!
Do I need to do IPA wipedown after Megs 105?
Do I need to do IPA wipedown after PO85RD even if I plan to do Z-AIO next?
If I need to do IPA wipedown, is there an alternative to that?
Is my plan okay? does it make sense? if not, I would really appreciate any input... Any alternatives that you would suggest?

thank you, i really appreciate it.

here`s my FX... it`s raining and getting cold here in Atlanta.

[Harleyguy]

Welcome to the forums.

As far as correction you always want to start with the least aggresive combo of products.Start with Megs 205 with a white pad and see if that corrects what you are trying to remove.

If the 205 and white doesn`t help move onto a orange pad .Always do a test spot and yes i would do an IPA wipedown after every panel you do .This will remove all the oils left behind and give you a true finish.

The PCXP should be fine do some reading about the KBM method that should help some also.I`m not 100% sure but you clear coat might be the self healing clear coat i believe there is a sticker on the door edge or the b pillar post if it does have that type of clear coat .Everything you listed looks like a plan and i`m sure others will chime in and add parts that i missed .

[charliebauer24]

Welcome to the forums.

As far as correction you always want to start with the least aggresive combo of products.Start with Megs 205 with a white pad and see if that corrects what you are trying to remove.

If the 205 and white doesn`t help move onto a orange pad .Always do a test spot and yes i would do an IPA wipedown after every panel you do .This will remove all the oils left behind and give you a true finish.

The PCXP should be fine do some reading about the KBM method that should help some also.I`m not 100% sure but you clear coat might be the self healing clear coat i believe there is a sticker on the door edge or the b pillar post if it does have that type of clear coat .Everything you listed looks like a plan and i`m sure others will chime in and add parts that i missed .

thanks!

yeah i`ve had some reading with the KBM method, and I think that would really help.

i believe the self healing stopped in 2008 models and will come back on 2011. Some car magazine website says it`s scratch resistant paint.
i tried to find the sticker for the paint but i cannot find it, not in hood or door jamb i`ll try to look at it again.

if i go with 205, i could still finish with 85RD?
okay so i have to IPA wipedown after every panel/section? and not after doing the whole vehicle?

[imported_broker99]

Welcome to the forums.

As far as correction you always want to start with the least aggresive combo of products.Start with Megs 205 with a white pad and see if that corrects what you are trying to remove.

If the 205 and white doesn`t help move onto a orange pad .Always do a test spot and yes i would do an IPA wipedown after every panel you do .This will remove all the oils left behind and give you a true finish.

The PCXP should be fine do some reading about the KBM method that should help some also.I`m not 100% sure but you clear coat might be the self healing clear coat i believe there is a sticker on the door edge or the b pillar post if it does have that type of clear coat .Everything you listed looks like a plan and i`m sure others will chime in and add parts that i missed .

I agree with Harleyguy. I have been able to get some decent correction with 205. Plus with the 205 I dont think you would need to follow it up with PO85RD on that color. 205 will do a great job on it own. But try it out. IPA would be a good idea before polishing. If you use 205 or 105 you should not need to do a IPA wipe down after polishing.

[charliebauer24]

I agree with Harleyguy. I have been able to get some decent correction with 205. Plus with the 205 I dont think you would need to follow it up with PO85RD on that color. 205 will do a great job on it own. But try it out. IPA would be a good idea before polishing. If you use 205 or 105 you should not need to do a IPA wipe down after polishing.

what about the existing zaino application i have in the vehicle. do i have to remove it? with what?

or i can just do a regular car wash and then 205 or 105?

thanks!

[bmw5541]

If you plan on doing any paint correction, you should remove whatever lsp you have on the car. Do a Dawn wash, then clay, and do an IPA wipedown. I agree with Chad (broker99), about the 85RD. For a silver car, you might not really notice that much of a difference. The M205 should be just fine to finish with.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Also, welcome to TID!!

[Street Dreams]

IPA is my best friend, it should be yours as well.

When doing any sort of polishing...

-IPA wipe after claying to remove lubricants and residue just before polishing
-IPA wipe several times after every single stage of polishing, ensures your not filling in defects and also helps remove any smearing of streaking from your microfiber
-IPA wipe just before applying your sealant to ensure the finish is 100% clean and dust free

I would go with a 60:40 mix (91% isopropyl alcohol:distilled water)

Also Zaino has a fantastic line of products but they really like to complicate the steps of things. If you did a nice job polishing the paint than a few coats of Z5 or Z5 is all you need. layering in Z-CS and applying Z-AIO as a basecoat is not needed at all IMO.

[charliebauer24]

thanks a lot for all your help.
i`ll try 205 then... and ipa wipedown as well.

[charliebauer24]

sorry for double post.

if i finish with 205, will Z-5 bond properly without using ZFX or Z-AIO?

Thanks!

[Puckman]

if i finish with 205, will Z-5 bond properly without using ZFX or Z-AIO?

Thanks!

Yes if the paint surface is completely clean. Again, the use of iso alcohol and/or Z6 after M205 and before you lay down the Z5 should clean the paint of anything left behind from the previous steps.