Detailing questions answered here!

[Moose]

Originally Posted by jtellez

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?

When I'm appling 3 coats, (usually 1 Z-5, followed by 2 Z-2) I'm OK using one towel, making sure to fold it to a clean section each time.

[Susantroy1]

High Moose

I have a TPW of 10/5 so I thought I might get my detailing products in order. I picked up the Zaino pro kit I think its called? along with the blond towels and also the porter cable 7424XP orbital polisher with the full line of pads that they recommend. I can see already that this can become consuming and I'm sure my wife will tell me so (her Camaro though) My question is how do you keep your supplies all together and in a understandable order I was thinking about putting all my detailer's supplies into a 5 gal bucket 20 pocket organizer or something like that so I don't have to look all over for what I need. does this sound OK or do you have a better solution that you could recommend? I'm also picking a 2 500W Halogen lights with the stand so I can inspect my work as I go along. I currently have an 06 dodge Mega Ram and it has not seen a Clay bar in its lifetime. though the clear on it is good I'm sure it will pop after Zaino detailing. I may need the porter cable polisher for this. Any thoughts on anything that I may be missing? I don't want to have to wait for an order to arrive after the Camaro gets here

Thanks for taking so much of your time with Us.

[jtellez]

Just thought of another question.

I have never used a clay bar before. When claying is it best to keep the bar intact, cut it into pieces, or does it not matter?

Thanks for taking your time to help us! I can't wait to detail my Camaro, but I'll make sure I practice on my current car before then.

[Moose]

Hi! I'm glad to help...anytime.

Well, it sounds like you're all set, detailing wise!

As for keeping your supplies in order;

I have a cabinet in the garage where I keep everything. Zaino is ONLY kept in the garage during the summer. You'll want to keep it inside your house, ie; the basement, during the cold weather.

Towels are always kept in the house.

Your idea of the bucket with storage sounds like a fine idea.

Also, Zaino does not recommend using a buffer with their products. I believe it has to do with the fact that you really use small amounts of Zaino, and using a buffer promotes waste. I do all my "Zaino detailing" by hand, and save the buffer for cars whose owners don't request Zaino.

I'd recommend keep all of your Zaino together. And if possible keep the towels inside, in a closet, away from dust, dirt, etc.

I hope that answered your questions? If not, please let me know.

Ed

PS Congrats on the Camaro!

Originally Posted by Susantroy1

High Moose

I have a TPW of 10/5 so I thought I might get my detailing products in order. I picked up the Zaino pro kit I think its called? along with the blond towels and also the porter cable 7424XP orbital polisher with the full line of pads that they recommend. I can see already that this can become consuming and I'm sure my wife will tell me so (her Camaro though) My question is how do you keep your supplies all together and in a understandable order I was thinking about putting all my detailer's supplies into a 5 gal bucket 20 pocket organizer or something like that so I don't have to look all over for what I need. does this sound OK or do you have a better solution that you could recommend? I'm also picking a 2 500W Halogen lights with the stand so I can inspect my work as I go along. I currently have an 06 dodge Mega Ram and it has not seen a Clay bar in its lifetime. though the clear on it is good I'm sure it will pop after Zaino detailing. I may need the porter cable polisher for this. Any thoughts on anything that I may be missing? I don't want to have to wait for an order to arrive after the Camaro gets here

Thanks for taking so much of your time with Us.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by jtellez

Just thought of another question.

I have never used a clay bar before. When claying is it best to keep the bar intact, cut it into pieces, or does it not matter?

Thanks for taking your time to help us! I can't wait to detail my Camaro, but I'll make sure I practice on my current car before then.

I tend to cut the bar in half. That way I get more for my money.

Half a bar is enough for most sized cars; suv's require more usually. Just make sure and keep kneading the clay to a clean section after checking it very often for debris removed from the paint surface. And DONT skimp on the lubrication!

Ed

[Gabe]

Looking to buy a polisher but was wonderin'....Besides the Porter polisher what other polisher are good but not this expensive?? The Porter's go for $120 to $200. Is there anything a little less expensive in price but still works pretty good?

[Andro]

Thanks Moose for reccomending Zaino products the more I use them on my car the better the shine becomes and it gets easier to apply and remove with application after application. Thanks again Moose and Zaino

[Chris@glimmerglass]

Originally Posted by jtellez

Just thought of another question.

I have never used a clay bar before. When claying is it best to keep the bar intact, cut it into pieces, or does it not matter?

Thanks for taking your time to help us! I can't wait to detail my Camaro, but I'll make sure I practice on my current car before then.

The only real advantage to cutting clay bars in to smaller pieces would be in case you drop a piece on the ground. Since clay tends to grab anything it comes in contact with, if you drop a piece, chances are, its going to have some type of dirt or debris on it that you dont want to rub against your paint. Having cut the clay in to smaller pieces allows you to just throw one away should it happen to hit the dirt

Claying is pretty straight forward though. If you need any help with it, dont hesitate to ask. I've clayed more vehicles than I care to remember

[Chris@glimmerglass]

Originally Posted by Gabe

Looking to buy a polisher but was wonderin'....Besides the Porter polisher what other polisher are good but not this expensive?? The Porter's go for $120 to $200. Is there anything a little less expensive in price but still works pretty good?

In all honesty, the Porter Cable 7424xp is the way to go. It has plenty of different size backing plates available for it, in case you'd like to run different size pads (ie: 4", 5.5", 6.5", 7"+) ((although I recommending 5.5" and smaller)), it has enough power to cut through the swirls and spider webs found on most vehicles, lightweight and Porter Cables are well known for their durability, but should something happen, they're serviceable at any of their outlets.

[Keith70Chevelle]

Im sorry this may have been asked before. Can I use Zaino products on my White vinyl stripes on my car. Just recieved it yesterday and plan on using the Zaino products this weekend. Thank You.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Keith70Chevelle

Im sorry this may have been asked before. Can I use Zaino products on my White vinyl stripes on my car. Just recieved it yesterday and plan on using the Zaino products this weekend. Thank You.

Yes you can. I've used Zaino on stripes and never had a problem.

Ed

[Keith70Chevelle]

Thanks Ed.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Keith70Chevelle

Thanks Ed.

My pleasure. Glad to offer any help anytime!

[crzycicada]

Greetings Moose. Long time follower of all your posts...great information!

I plan on doing the complete Zaino thing this weekend. I didn't buy any blonde towels () but they are on order. What can I use in the meantime? I know you've said 100% cotton towels made in the USA and that the brand you use is no longer available so what else would you recommend that's readily available at a store? Different brand of cotton towel? Different type of towel (like waffle)?

Your help is always appreciated!!