Will polishing help much

D

ddbrook

New member
Going to be getting my first shipment of Zaino in a few days, but haven't decided what type of applicator I should use, foam or cotton. I've looked at a bunch of old posts but can't seem to make my mind up! What kind do you like/use?? Brand?
 
allows you to apply very, very thin coats. I personally give my foam app a shot of Z6 prior to application of Z2/Z5 but not for Z1. If you ask yourself, did I put enough on the car, you probably have. I like the Pinnacle foam apps from tacscar.com or the sponsor of this site, properautocare.com.



Good luck with it, very easy to use!
 
there's no comparison.



the foam soaks up the zaino and gets "saturated" in such a way that you can only use a drop or two of Z2 to do a whole panel. i personally feel there's less potential for swirls with cotton terry but it's just a feeling, not based on hard evidence.



i find the foam to be easier to regulate how much Z i'm putting on the surface - gives you better control because there's less material between your hand and the finish.



GO FOAM!
 
I just tried Zaino for the first time last weekend and bought Meguiar's foam applicators. After using the foam to do Z1, Z5 and another Z5 after 24 hours, I noticed that there were light scratches on my car which I know were from the foam. I emailed Sal about it and he said that he doesn't like foam as it can sometime scratch. Granted, I may have been doing something wrong (but don't know how I could since polish application is a no-brainer) and my car is known to have a very weak paint job (shame on Acura), but I'm going to play it safe and use the Zaino applicator. Besides, the Z applicator is just a foam pad wrapped around a thin layer of terry. Now I have to Z5 a few more times in hopes that the scratches will go away.

Everybody else is right: The foam does spread the polish so easily. But I don't think it's worth the risk of scratching. Stick with what Sal uses and go with his applicator.



How about microfiber applicators? My guess is that they're good as far as not scratching but poor for even distribution since MF is good about absorbing everything it touches.
 
I am a HUGE proponent of using foam applicators for any kind of compounding or when using cleaner waxes. They give the most uniform application which is especially important when using abrasives.



For Zaino application, (and most other sealants and non-cleaner waxes) however, you are not pushing hard into the surface so the applicator position and flatness is not an issue. The Zaino applicators you will be shipped will be fine.
 
I have used both the Zaino applicators (I have about 20 of them now) and the Viking heavy-duty foam applicators (available at AutoZone and other places local to you.) I like both of them, and I use them almost interchangeably. It seems that I use a bit more product when I use the Zaino applicators, but I haven't noticed any scratches to speak of from either one. I have washed and reused them several times each, and they work great after washing. I never ever ever use them twice in a row without washing, but I'm not to particular about making sure I use the same product exclusively on a given applicator like some recommend. It is either Z1, Z2, or Z5 in any case.



I did use some el-cheapo yellow foam applicators once with Z and didn't like it much. They seemed kind of scratchy and draggy. So I use them for polishing glass and sometimes wheels.
 
I find slightly dampened microfiber apps (CMA) make for a very smooth and even application of Klasse. I plan to use them for the Z in the same manner.
 
As a newbie to this stuff, I am still learning when to use what method/product. This is a pic of my 2 month old Avalanche that was washed with Dawn to strip it, clay barred, and treated with 2 coats of BFWD.

shinydriver.jpg


I don't know if polishing it will give much better results, or just give it a couple coats of carnuba and move to the next vehicle in the garage. I have a PC, M105, M205, and a bunch of pads on the way, so I will be able to play a bit. Does it look like it would be helped by polishing?
 
Hntbambi said:
As a newbie to this stuff, I am still learning when to use what method/product. This is a pic of my 2 month old Avalanche that was washed with Dawn to strip it, clay barred, and treated with 2 coats of BFWD.

shinydriver.jpg


I don't know if polishing it will give much better results, or just give it a couple coats of carnuba and move to the next vehicle in the garage. I have a PC, M105, M205, and a bunch of pads on the way, so I will be able to play a bit. Does it look like it would be helped by polishing?
Click to expand...

Well , polishing would have been done prior to sealing ....I hope I dont get busted for saying that...I am not a pro like all these guys are....Black Fires wax Iam told will enrich the gloss.....I am going to watch this thread ! :2 cents:
 
As I am sure you already know a wax or sealant is only as good as the prep work done before hand. The true gloss will be done in the polishing stage. Without seeing more detailed pictures of your Avalanche, it is hard to tell if you needed to polish it. Just from the one pic you posted, it looks real good. If you see any swirls or any defects in the paint, then you can strip the sealant, and then polish it and seal it again.

Good luck!
 
Almost right

Hi
Everything you said up to the point of putting a carnuba wax on was right.
Using Dawn to wash, claying to clean and prepare the surface, and using a
sealant is right on. Although, the wax does not compute. A paint sealant
is designed to bond to the clearcoat and prevent harmful things from damaging the clear. Wax sticks to the surface and works like flypaper
in the sense that it causes things like dirt,grime,salt,and treesap to adhere
the finish, and it melts at low temps.

You have a nice looking SUV, wash your vehicle when it is dirty. Use the clay
bar and reapply the sealant as recomended. This will keep you from having
to use a polisher on it, and swirl marks.
 
Welcome to the forum!

From those pictures it is hard to see if polishing is really going to improve the surface or not. The pictures look great but the best way to tell is to thoroughly evaluate the surface.

Look at the paint in direct sunlight and look for any imperfections, light swirl marks, scratches, etc. These scratches will act to disperse light and reduce gloss and shine.

Give this thread a once over.

Removing Paint Defects

If you see any defects then there is a great chance that polishing them away is going to improve the appearance of your already great looking paint. However if the paint looks great to your eyes, that is all that matters, and enjoy it.

I would 100% recommending getting the paint to the condition you prefer then applying the Blackfire Wet Diamond sealant AND topping with the Blackfire Midnight Sun wax for the ulimate deep-gloss shine.

Great looking truck!
 
[ Although, the wax does not compute. A paint sealant
is designed to bond to the clearcoat and prevent harmful things from damaging the clear.]

An organic wax also provides a sacrificial surface that will resist acid (salt brine, bird excrement, acidic rain, etc) better than a polymer, which forms a molecular bond with the paint, whereas a an organic wax forms a semi-hard protective shell (although it lacks durability)
 
Thanks guys! The only thing detracting from a perfect finish (IMO) is a little orange peel. But, this is a daily driver and I know it will not be perfect. I will add the wax to give the shine a little more depth. I don't care about little stuff that needs to be seen in certain lighting conditions from less than a foot away. If it looks great from 5 feet away in the sun, its good enough for me. The above pic is in direct morning sunlight. Just like the Krusty the Clown seal of approval, "It's not just good, it's good enough"
 
Hntbambi said:
Thanks guys! The only thing detracting from a perfect finish (IMO) is a little orange peel. But, this is a daily driver and I know it will not be perfect. I will add the wax to give the shine a little more depth. I don't care about little stuff that needs to be seen in certain lighting conditions from less than a foot away. If it looks great from 5 feet away in the sun, its good enough for me. The above pic is in direct morning sunlight. Just like the Krusty the Clown seal of approval, "It's not just good, it's good enough"
Click to expand...

If you happen to get the detailing virus thats inherent on this forum ,the virus that most of these guys here have,there is no perfect 10...they are always looking for a better mousetrap product....its like them drop dead blonde women...if ya ever find a perfect 10....what else is there....I have never found over an 8.5 myself.....:D
 
Yes. Even as a minimum it will show you and you will then feel what polishing will improve. While it looks great now see what it feels and looks like after you polish it, even by hand!

My favorite analogy is the ice cream cone that was "dipped" in chocolite after it was filled. That's the carnauba wax. The screen over my Florida home's pool with a screen enclosure is the polymer sealant and is the "polymer sealant". Additional layers crosslinked adds to the durability and the bonded protection! And diffuses the UV attack.

I spend a lot of time 5 feet away but more time 1 feet away! If you're happy 5' feet away you're happier 1 feet away.
 
Ok, I will check it out. I'll practice on a Toyota Camry and then move to the Av. But after the first trip through the mesquite and creosote brush, it will look so bad it will feel like I wasted all that time and $. :out: We'll see. Maybe a good sealant and wax coating will make it slide through brush that much easier.
 
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