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latekkies

New member
Good morning to all,



In about a week I should be taking delivery of a new car painted black. My question is, is there something that I can do to ensure that the car is going to look good for some time.



My biggest problem is that I do not have a garage and time is always very short. Any tips would be appreciated.



Thanks,

Brad
 
Welcome...



Your question is so overwhelmingly broad that it may get little response. Narrow it down a bit and the answers will start flying in.



First set some parameters for yourself...what are your goals? You want to wax and forget it? Do you park outside? Know the differences between carnuba and sealants? Do you own proper detailing tools? Are you willing to invest time on a regular basis? Etc.Etc.



Check the FAQ. This will set you on the right path then come back with more specific questions.



Again, welcome!











[Edited by Brad B. on 08-17-2001 at 06:01 AM]
 
Ummm, Brad (of Sanctuary fame and legend) -- hello!?



He said he does not have a garage. So I am betting otherBrad parks outside. And time is short.



So, here's what I think for best protection and good enough looks with the least investment of time or money.



1. Don't let the dealer do ANYTHING to the car. Not even wash it! What kind of car, by the way?



2. Buy a clay kit, Klasse All In One, any car wash shampoo, a wash mitt, some foam applicators and five Miracle Towels from CMA, the site's sponsor.



3. Buy 2 five gallon buckets from a local place.



4. Clay the car, wash it, All In One it. Get technique details from the archives or ask questions.



5. Done for 6 to 9 months.
 
Brad,





Thanks for the reply.



I do not have a garage, and finding a covered location is extremely difficult. However I do get some shade in the late afternoon so it looks like I will be doing my work then.



As for the amount of materials I have, I must admit to being a newbie. Pep Boys has kept me stocked with Megulier's (sp?) products for most of the time but as for proper tools, I would have to say no. I do not believe that I will go out and spend $$$ on an orbital buffer or some other product like that. However while reading through some of the posts around here, it seems that I do not need such items.



As I said before time is crucial but I normally work on my current vehicle once every two weeks to keep it clean, however I think I can commit to once a week working on the car.



I was leaning towards the Zaino products for the new car. I am from Pittsburgh so does anyone of a distributor from around here.



Thanks to all,

Brad
 
I agree, but would substitute a "Klasse twins" package (AIO and Sealant Glaze) for just the AIO.



blue skies,

Andy
 
Great responses,



The car by the way is a 2002 Nighthawk Black Acura RSX Type-S





Brad Gross (now being called the "otherBrad" :) )
 
My goal for this car is to attempt as best as possible to keep the car looking "showroom" condition. However will I be capable of keeping the car looking as good as some of the cars on this site? Probably not. As this will be the daily driver I cannot expect miracles.



Thanks for all the advice so far,

Brad
 
Hook, obviously I would also go with a couple of coats of SG. And now that I know the car, I definitely recommend that you do so also, otherBrad.



I was giving the BARE minimum for a new guy.



oB, the XJR pic in my signature is Klasse AIO, Klasse SG with a carnauba top coat. The racing green is so dark that it acts a lot like black.
 
If you are already leaning toward Zaino you will not be disappointed. Purchasing a "system" of supplies is easy.

Get:

Z1 Polish Lok: this preps the surface for proper bonding.
Z2 Show Car Polish
Z5 Polish for swirl marks
Z6 Gloss Enhancer spray (quick detailer)

Thats the basics for the finish.

Z16 Tire Gloss is also great.

For maintenance down the road (especially since no garage) get a clay bar. The Z18 clay bar is among the best. I just used it for the first time recently and was very impressed.

Zaino is available mailorder. See http://www.zainobros.com


For all your detailing tools and cleaners, etc check out the Autopia site. Microfiber towels, applicators, etc.
 
I must stress getting zaino car wash Z7 as part of the system. If you want to start out small, till zaino proves itself to you, get



Z1, Z5 (because u have black), Z6 and Z7. The car wash is amazing....it really adds slickness and gloss wash after wash and prolongs zaino life. You will find that a zainoed car is very easy to maintain and after each wash looks like you just detailed it! Zainobros.com has a lot of info and tips, or you could post questions here.



Good luck
 
It was my understanding that Z2 should be my preferred wax for the car and to use z5 if i see swirls. Am I wrong on that?



Brad
 
BradGross: First thing I would do is tell the dealership NOT to clean it, buff it, wax it, do *ANYTHING* other than inspect it. It's been the consensus of me and many of my peers on VWVortex atleast that the dealerships seem to like to "professionally install swirl marks". (Basically what michaelb said)
 
that fills swirls. Z2 is supposed to have higher optics. Peoples opinions differ...some like Z2, and some like Z5 better depending on the color of the car. They are very close though, and will give great results. I would start with the Z5....on a black car, you will always have some swirls.........And you can always add Z2 later on.
 
Yes, Detailking, I forgot the Z7 car wash. Great stuff. I would make that part of the must-have list if you decide to go the Zaino route.
 
oB,



I agree with DK. If you go with Zaino, you should wash with the Z7.



I put Pinnacle Souveran over the Klasse to "warm up" the finish. Both Zaino and Klasse provide a very shiny, glass-like finish. The car is highly reflective. Some describe it as a bit "candy." The carnauba over the Klasse softens that shine a bit by giving the traditional warm carnauba glow.



My Jags are almost garage queens so doing the Souveran every 4 weeks is no big deal. Garage at home, underground garage at work. XJ gets about 9-10,000 miles a year; the XK about 4,000.



I do use Zaino on the Subie. One day I will post its picture -- after I spend a whole bunch of time on it. We got it about a year ago with 48,000 on the clock. I have done maintenance kind of detailing on it but really need to give it the full treatment! It looks real good from 20 feet, though.
 
I agree with your initial reaction to go with the Zaino, except for the fact that you don't have a garage to work in. My experience with Zaino was that it took <strong class='bbc'>all day[/b] to put on a coat of Z1, Z5 and Z2, which means that you will be in the sun most of that time. Not the best of conditions, especially on black. Don't get me wrong, I love the Zaino look and feel on my black 528, just not sure if I would tackle that combo with out a garage to work in.

Klasse or Zaino will be a very good choice. Make sure you get a few good towels in the beginning. Black is the hardest to keep scratch free, and the towels you use can make the biggest difference. Micro fiber or Fieldcrest Charisma terry cloth are your <strong class='bbc'>only[/b] two choices in my opinion.

My suggested start up kit would be:

2 buckets
1 wash mitt
5 towels of your choice
Z7 car wash
foam applicator pads
Klasse or Zaino wax
clay bar(use Z7 wash as lubricant)
and a QD of your choice. I like Zaino Z6 or EF Clear Pearl.

Don't feel intimidated by all of this. Exactly 14 months ago I though Turtle Wax and old bath towels were good enough! Take it one step at a time and you will be fine.

Oh yea, and welcome to Autopia!
 
I always apply zaino in the sun and let the car bake in the sun while it is drying. It reduces dry time and no matter how long u let it bake, it always comes off EASY and clean. You would not want to APPLY KLASSE SG in such conditions or you would be in for a work out!



Anyhow, you should be able to put a coat of Z1 on in 10 minutes, a coat of Z2 on in 10 minutes.......go eat lunch and let it dry an hour, and then buff off in 15 minutes max. Don't sweat it! The sun also speeds up the curing of zaino so let it bake outside!
 
Now thats interesting.



I didn't think that doing the Zaino thing would take me all day! I will probably give about an hour or two on a Saturday morning while listening to the radio (Car Talk on NPR) working on the car.



Should I be thinking of another plan instead of the Zaino? I have heard such good things. The new car is definetely going to be outside for most of its life as I do not have a garage and work doesn't either.



Another question is should I look into a car cover to protect it when I'm going to be somewhere for an extended period of time, or not worry about it?



Thanks all,

Brad
 
It won't take anylonger than most other products, and will wipe on and wipe off the effortless, and won't stain rubber or leave residue in the cracks! How's that sound?
 
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