Buying Product. Completely Overwhelmed. Need help.

E

enuttage

New member
Okay guys and gals,

Here's where I am and what I'm looking to do. I have two cars I'm trying to touch up and restore to their original paint condition. Neither are in bad shape. One just has some light swirls and scratches, the other has both of those, plus some water/bird stains.

I'm new here, so I'm more than a little overwhelmed with what I'll need.

Here's what I have:

A PC 7424
Pretty much the whole line of Zaino product, minus the swirl remover (Z-7, Z-2, ZFX, Z-6).

Here's what I'm understanding I should do:

1. Wash and clay
2. SSR2 or equivalent with PC (SSR2 is out of stock. Any suggestions on equivalents, or should I just go to SSR2.5?).
3. Another round with SSR1
4. Z-7
5. Z-2 + ZFX
6. Z-6

Questions:

1. What pads should I use? I'm totally clueless on this. I have a 6oz. counterweight, a hook and loop attachment and the pad that came with the PC.
2. Are there any missing steps or products?
3. What kind of towels should I snag (to prevent further light scratching).

That's all, for now. And thanks in advance for any help.

-E
 
I think you've got a pretty good handle on it. I would use a polishing pad to apply everything and do the zaino by hand. I like Meguiars pads, but any of them will be fine.


Hard to say wether or not you will need the 2.5 or not without seeing the paint. I would probably get both just in case.

I would pick up some high quality MF towels for removal. You can probably get them from the same place that you are getting your PB's

BTW, I am sure some purist would recommend a dawn wash between the PB's products and the zaino, I am not one of those people.
 
Okay, here's what I'm picking up at PB's:

1 of each -
SSR1- 16oz*
QD Plus - 16oz*
SSR2.5 - 16oz*
Trim Restorer - 16oz*
Bold N Bright - 16oz*
18"x21" Microfiber Chamois*
16"x16" Velvet Smooth Glass Towel
16"x16" Super Thick and Plush Towel
21"x36" Velvet Smooth
Spray and Rinse Wheel Cleaner

Look about right, minus the pads?
 
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I have never tried the MF chamois, but I really like WWMF for drying. Everything that you list that I have tried is top notch.

One thing you might as well pick up a gallon of is spray and wipe. You will want some sooner or later. :)
 
EBPcivicsi said:
I have never tried the MF chamois, but I really like WWMF for drying. Everything that you list that I have tried is top notch.

One thing you might as well pick up a gallon of is spray and wipe. You will want some sooner or later. :)
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Cool. Thanks for the input.

I'm also ordering some LC pads for the PC.

Do I need the orange cutting pad, or just a couple each of the white and black pads?

I would be getting the flat 6.5" ones here:

http://www.topoftheline.com/lake-country-polisher-pads.html
 
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^ I don't use cutting pads on the PC unless the paint is so bad that anything would be an improvement. Sounds like to me you will only need a few polishing and a few finishing pads.
 
EBPcivicsi said:
^ I don't use cutting pads on the PC unless the paint is so bad that anything would be an improvement. Sounds like to me you will only need a few polishing and a few finishing pads.
Click to expand...

Thank you once again!

And...last question (theoretically):

If I buy the LC pads listed above, will I be okay with the 6oz counterweight and backing pad I got from Coastal Tool?

http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/...ds.htm?L+coastest+tjyj4781ff31b231+1096435803

2nd product grouping down...

-E
 
enuttage said:
Cool. Thanks for the input.

I'm also ordering some LC pads for the PC.

Do I need the orange cutting pad, or just a couple each of the white and black pads?

I would be getting the flat 6.5" ones here:

http://www.topoftheline.com/lake-country-polisher-pads.html
Click to expand...

I've used the LC 6" cupped pads, the LC 6.5" flat pads, and the LC 7.5" Variable Contact pads and I think you're making a good choice going with the 6" pads, both white & black.

Good pads to learn with 'cause they offer the greatest area of surface contact, but remember to keep them flat (parallel to) on the surface, speed between 3.5 & 4 to start out.

All these pads work-out great with a 6oz counterweight & a 6" velcro backing plate but I'd stay away from the 6" pads 'cause they're the same size as the backing plate. You could bump the edge of the plate into a spoiler or mirror & scuff 'em pretty good.

Apply product either to the surface or pad, smear it amount on the surface BEFORE you turn on the PC & begin buffing. Turn the PC off while it's still in contact with the surface or you may sling the pad off like a frisbee.

You selection of products is excellent, I'd use a WW towel for drying but I have no experience with a MF chamois.

Take you time & you'll be pleased with the result ..... good luck.
 
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enuttage,

I think your plan is very good. EBP has given you some good info............ I'll add a little more.

Your approach to removing "all" the paint imperfections prior to the Z2 is the correct one. The Z2 is very clear, and will hide nothing. Therefore, the SSR2.5 followed by SSR1 should get the paint in the best condition possible prior to the Zaino.

I would get some Spray & Wipe as EBP suggested, and wipe down the vehicle after the polishes, just prior applying Z2. You want to have a perfectly clean paint surface in order for the Z2 to bond properly.

I would get "several" quality MF towels for removing the polishes, QD'ing/Spray & Wipe, and for remove the Z2.

You can get the QD+ for other purposes, but I wouldn't use on the Zaino. It has carnauba in it, and will prevent the bonding of additional coats of Zaino.

I think the 6 ounce counterweight will work fine with those pads.
 
Thanks guys. I really appreciate it.

I'll post back with results after the weekend (assuming my supplies show up before then). :)

-E
 
Boss_429 said:
I would get some Spray & Wipe as EBP suggested, and wipe down the vehicle after the polishes, just prior applying Z2. You want to have a perfectly clean paint surface in order for the Z2 to bond properly.

You can get the QD+ for other purposes, but I wouldn't use on the Zaino. It has carnauba in it, and will prevent the bonding of additional coats of Zaino.
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D'oh!

Already ordered. In which case, two questions:

1. Any other recommended brands of Spray 'N Wipe esqe stuff I could pick up locally?

2. Will the QD+ look nice *over* the Zaino? I don't want to lose my adhesive abilities for later Zaino coatings (as in, 1-2 weeks when I do the cars again), but my understanding is some carnauba over Zaino may give my shine some extra depth.

And once again, thanks for lending your ear and time to a noob.

-E

edit: spelling
 
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enuttage said:
D'oh!

Already ordered. In which case, two questions:

1. Any other recommended brands of Spray 'N Wipe esqe stuff I could pick up locally?

2. Will the QD+ look nice *over* the Zaino? I don't want to lose my adhesive abilities for later Zaino coatings (as in, 1-2 weeks when I do the cars again), but my understanding is some carnauba over Zaino may give my shine some extra depth.

And once again, thanks for lending your ear and time to a noob.

-E

edit: spelling
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You won't find anything locally like S & W. You could use the Z6 instead, but it won't clean the surface like S & W. It probably won't be much of a problem though, as SSR2.5, and SSR1 don't contain any oils, waxes, or silicones, so there won't be much left behind to clean up. I just recommending that you make sure there is nothing but a clean paint surface for the Z2 to bond to.

I belive you "will" loose you bonding if you put the QD+ on over the Z2, and then try to layer more Z2. However, the QD+ will probably add a little "pop" to the look......... it's up to you.

Good luck.
 
Poorboy said:
don't worry i'll substitute in in for you:D
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Cool! Thanks Steve!!

-E

edit: Thanks Boss. I'll probably hold tight on applying anything besides Z-6 on top of the Z-2, until (or if) I give up on the Zaino.

Right now though (and for the past two years or so), I'm liking the Z-look. :)
 
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EBPcivicsi said:
I have never tried the MF chamois, but I really like WWMF for drying. Everything that you list that I have tried is top notch.
Click to expand...
If you were planning to use the MF chamois for drying, I'd recommend going with a waffle weave towel instead. The chamois is an interesting towel with its own strong points, but I personally prefer a WW for drying purposes.
 
awd330 said:
If you were planning to use the MF chamois for drying, I'd recommend going with a waffle weave towel instead. The chamois is an interesting towel with its own strong points, but I personally prefer a WW for drying purposes.
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Yup. For drying. And thanks, I'll keep that in mind for the next time around at PB's. I have a feeling it won't be the last time I order.

Might be for awhile though, as I'll be gainfully unemployed soon. :)

-E
 
enuttage said:
Thanks Boss. I'll probably hold tight on applying anything besides Z-6 on top of the Z-2, until (or if) I give up on the Zaino.

Right now though (and for the past two years or so), I'm liking the Z-look. :)
Click to expand...

No problem! I understand about the "Z-look"....... it's nice stuff!

One last thing........... I would use the Spray & Wipe to QD your vehicle anytime there is any dust or dirt on it. That will help keep the swirls down to a minimum. Then, you can follow that up with some Z6 for a little extra gloss/protection, as I believe the Z6 has a tiny bit of "Z" in it. :bigups
 
I'm a long time Zaino user too and the advice given so far is excellent.

All I would add is to definitely use Z6, it really adds 'pop" and slickness to the finish and it will not compromise the Bonding of later layers. I dilute my Z6 2:1 with distilled water, it makes the Z6 go further and gives you additional working time in which to buff it off. Something I have experimented with and like is to apply the diluted Z6 to a MF bonnet on the PC and "spit-polish" the newly applied Z2 finish IMHO it adds to the finish. After the initial application I just use Z6 after washing as a normal QD with a MF towel.
 
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