Detailing questions answered here!

[Chris@glimmerglass]

Originally Posted by Moose

I'd recommend NOT using fabric softener next time you wash your drying towels. This is taken from Zainos site: "When washing your towels. Only use Liquid detergent such as All or Tide, etc. Do not use Bleach, Powdered Detergents or any kind of fabric softener. They will leave a chemical residue on the towels which will transfer to your paint finish. Make sure to run rinse cycle twice to remove all detergent."
Ed

You should also avoid washing your drying towels w/ your standard polish/wax towels. The drying towels can pick up and hold the residue, even after washing, and make them slightly less effective. Additionally, do not wash w/ any cotton products either.
And as mentioned above, avoid fabric softeners, powder detergents and bleach.
From our microfiber section on our website:
Microfiber products do not like bleach, bleach breaks down the polyester and poly-amide micro-filaments, rendering them less effective. Fabric softeners provide a layer of "softness" on your clothing, which is nice for clothing that you wear, but this coating clogs the microfibers, rendering them less effective. It is not that microfiber products do not like cotton products or other fabrics, it is that when you wash your cotton products with microfiber the microfiber products grab and hold onto the lint that the cotton produces. So if you do not want your microfiber towels to lint then you should not wash them with cotton products.

[Chris@glimmerglass]

Originally Posted by Ricown

Hey Ed thank you for the tip I did that my call looks good for now waiting for my Zaino's kit to get here. I do have another question though. when it comes to drying the car I tried to fold it and just drag it didn't seem to work to well any help there would be good. Also How many towels should you have to dry the car? Should I use one mitt to wash or should I have three one for each side of the car and then one for the wheels? Thanks again for all the help and time!

It'll depend on which towel you're using. Usually one or two towels to dry is enough. But that depends on the size and how absorbent they are.
As for wash mitts, 2 should be plenty. One for your wheels and one for the paint surface. Of course you can use more if you'd like, but just be sensible. If you find that you're going over heavy debris on the lower rocker panels, you may need to thoroughly rinse out the mitt, or even change to a new one to finish the job.

[Turbodog]

Ed,
Have you had any experience using Z-8 versus Z-6? What's the difference?

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Turbodog

Ed,
Have you had any experience using Z-8 versus Z-6? What's the difference?

I've used both and prefer the Z-6. It's much more "forgiving" in that it doesn't streak as much.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Ricown

Hey Ed thank you for the tip I did that my call looks good for now waiting for my Zaino's kit to get here. I do have another question though. when it comes to drying the car I tried to fold it and just drag it didn't seem to work to well any help there would be good. Also How many towels should you have to dry the car? Should I use one mitt to wash or should I have three one for each side of the car and then one for the wheels? Thanks again for all the help and time!

Right now I'm using the Fieldcrest "Charisma" towels for drying. I rinse the car by removing the hose nozzle, allowing a mojirty of the water to sheet away. Using the "fold and drag" method, I use the "good towel" for the body, and a lesser quality towel for door jambs, underhood, etc.

As for wash mitts, I use two, (1) body, (1) wheels

[Ricown]

Cool thank you Chris and thank you Ed!

[rmpackers]

Originally Posted by Moose

Right now I'm using the Fieldcrest "Charisma" towels for drying. I rinse the car by removing the hose nozzle, allowing a mojirty of the water to sheet away. Using the "fold and drag" method, I use the "good towel" for the body, and a lesser quality towel for door jambs, underhood, etc.

As for wash mitts, I use two, (1) body, (1) wheels

We just started doing the "remove the nozzle" method and were amazed! Probably half as much water to dry off. Who knew?!

[jtellez]

Hey Ed,

I plan to Zaino my Camaro when I get it. Does this sound right:

Dawn pre-wash
Clay
Z7 wash
Z5+zfx followed by Z6
Z2+zfx followed by Z6
Z2+zfx followed by Z6

[Ricown]

So I was on Zaino's website and I saw this,
"Another great tip is to use a Toro 210mph Electric leaf blower. Dries your car in about 5 minutes.... without even touching the paint surface."
Any thoughts on if this is a good Idea or not? Would drying you car this way really be better than towles or would this leave a lot of water marks?

[Chris@glimmerglass]

Originally Posted by Ricown

So I was on Zaino's website and I saw this,
"Another great tip is to use a Toro 210mph Electric leaf blower. Dries your car in about 5 minutes.... without even touching the paint surface."
Any thoughts on if this is a good Idea or not? Would drying you car this way really be better than towles or would this leave a lot of water marks?

Yep, that works too, especially for drying out the crevices. I've done it before and had no problems. imo, using a waffle weave drying towel is going to be more effective and thorough though. Just dont use a gas blower as the blow by can get on the vehicle surface.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by jtellez

Hey Ed,

I plan to Zaino my Camaro when I get it. Does this sound right:

Dawn pre-wash
Clay
Z7 wash
Z5+zfx followed by Z6
Z2+zfx followed by Z6
Z2+zfx followed by Z6

Sounds right to me!

Make sure you're using chenile or sheepskin wash mitts, and good quality towels to dry and remove polish.

Ed

[ace2777]

what are the best towels to dry the car??? microfiber?? waffle?? terry??

[jtellez]

Originally Posted by Moose

Sounds right to me!

Make sure you're using chenile or sheepskin wash mitts, and good quality towels to dry and remove polish.

Ed

Thanks Ed! One last question, should I use different towels for removing Z2 and Z5 or does it not matter as long as they are used solely for removing polish?

[Moose]

Originally Posted by ace2777

what are the best towels to dry the car??? microfiber?? waffle?? terry??

I personally prefer 100% cotton, white, "Made in America", high quality bath towels for drying and polish removal.

I've been using Fieldcrest "Charisma" towels, but they're no longer made. So, I'll be picking up the "blond towels" offered by Zaino.

I use microfiber strictly for interior cleaning.

Ed