Detailing questions answered here!

[Johnny1]

I e-mailed Zaino the other day and asked what product to use on my stripes when my 2SS comes in. They said to use Z2 Show Car Polish on the car and the stripes.

[Sevn86]

The first time i washed my car (only washed it once since i got it) i used Murphy's oil soap (its a wood floor cleaner that you can also use to wash cars, atleast thats what it says on the back of the bottle)...do u think its something i should continue to use or switch to something else? this is my first car and i want the paint to look good for years to come...What should i do? i bought microfiber towels, terry towels, a microfiber sponge, and i use a leaf blower to dry my car...do u have any other suggestions on how to take car of my car?

thanks

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Sevn86

The first time i washed my car (only washed it once since i got it) i used Murphy's oil soap (its a wood floor cleaner that you can also use to wash cars, atleast thats what it says on the back of the bottle)...do u think its something i should continue to use or switch to something else? this is my first car and i want the paint to look good for years to come...What should i do? i bought microfiber towels, terry towels, a microfiber sponge, and i use a leaf blower to dry my car...do u have any other suggestions on how to take car of my car?

thanks

Hi!

Congrats on the new car.

First, I'd STOP using Murphys oil soap. Purcahse a good quality car wash, ie; Mothers or Meguires. You want to use a product specifically designed for car finishes.

Also, you want to get some protection for the paint, ie; a good quality wax/polish, again, Mothers or Meguires.

(These are over the counter products. You'll find other good products, ie; Zaino, Adams, mentioned in the thread, but they're products you order.)

I'd also recommend good quality towels for drying. I only use microfiber for interior detailing.

And as for washing, I prefer chenile or sheepskin wash mitts.

Ed

[Sevn86]

Originally Posted by Moose

Hi!

Congrats on the new car.

First, I'd STOP using Murphys oil soap. Purcahse a good quality car wash, ie; Mothers or Meguires. You want to use a product specifically designed for car finishes.

Also, you want to get some protection for the paint, ie; a good quality wax/polish, again, Mothers or Meguires.

(These are over the counter products. You'll find other good products, ie; Zaino, Adams, mentioned in the thread, but they're products you order.)

I'd also recommend good quality towels for drying. I only use microfiber for interior detailing.

And as for washing, I prefer chenile or sheepskin wash mitts.

Ed

Thanks for the great information...I really appreciate it...

[WhyMe]

Well to test the waters I used the LP Aero Plastics Inc. Acrylic Polish & Sealant for Aircraft Windows I mentioned earlier in this thread on the matte black stripes today. I figured if it messed them up it would speed up having them painted on. Well they look AMAZING!! No streaks or white residue just a smooth as glass feel like the rest of the car. Kept the flat black look and now they are protected like the rest of the finish.

[Sevn86]

Im starting to see lots of light swirl marks on my car and i dont even know where they are coming from i use a microfiber sponge and rinse it alot during the wash and i also start from the roof and work my way down finishing with the rear defuser(or whatever its called) and i try to dry my car with a leaf blower so i have less contact with the clear coat and paint...what am i doing wrong? How can i fix the light scratch like lines all over my car?

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Sevn86

Im starting to see lots of light swirl marks on my car and i dont even know where they are coming from i use a microfiber sponge and rinse it alot during the wash and i also start from the roof and work my way down finishing with the rear defuser(or whatever its called) and i try to dry my car with a leaf blower so i have less contact with the clear coat and paint...what am i doing wrong? How can i fix the light scratch like lines all over my car?

Well, first, they're almost inevitable, so don't worry too much.

Second, I'd personally "ditch" the microfiber sponge. I prefer either a chenile or sheepskin wash mitt. I also prefer 100% cotton towels for drying (I like the "blonde" towels offered from Zaino the best) and polish removal.

You can hide the minor swirl marks with a good quality wax/polish - Mothers and Meguires are two of the best "over the counter" products available. Meguires offers 'Swirl X' which is good, and you'd follow that up with some of their polish...using a cotton applicator in application.

I prefer to use microfiber ONLY for interior detailing.

Ed

[Sevn86]

Originally Posted by Moose

Well, first, they're almost inevitable, so don't worry too much.

Second, I'd personally "ditch" the microfiber sponge. I prefer either a chenile or sheepskin wash mitt. I also prefer 100% cotton towels for drying (I like the "blonde" towels offered from Zaino the best) and polish removal.

You can hide the minor swirl marks with a good quality wax/polish - Mothers and Meguires are two of the best "over the counter" products available. Meguires offers 'Swirl X' which is good, and you'd follow that up with some of their polish...using a cotton applicator in application.

I prefer to use microfiber ONLY for interior detailing.

Ed

Thanks again for your help

[NAHURRY]

Moose, ole pal....You deserve a reward for this thread..

Are you going to get you a 5th gen?

[Chris@glimmerglass]

Originally Posted by Moose

Well, first, they're almost inevitable, so don't worry too much.

Second, I'd personally "ditch" the microfiber sponge. I prefer either a chenile or sheepskin wash mitt. I also prefer 100% cotton towels for drying (I like the "blonde" towels offered from Zaino the best) and polish removal.

You can hide the minor swirl marks with a good quality wax/polish - Mothers and Meguires are two of the best "over the counter" products available. Meguires offers 'Swirl X' which is good, and you'd follow that up with some of their polish...using a cotton applicator in application.

I prefer to use microfiber ONLY for interior detailing.

Ed

Agree re the Chenile but just to clarify, typically a wax or sealant won't necessarily hide the swirls like a glaze. Perhaps a more effective approach would be a coat or two of wax then a coat of glaze to hide everything else the wax couldn't.

[Moose]

Originally Posted by NAHURRY

Moose, ole pal....You deserve a reward for this thread..

Are you going to get you a 5th gen?

Well THANK YOU!

To answer your question, "Yes", one of these days I'll get around to ordering.

I love my '99 SS too much to sell it (and my family wouldn't let me either) so I've got to find a place for storing, and, I want to consider all options for a 5th Gen., ie; Tom Henry, Z28,.....

Thanks again for the kind words..it's my pleasure.

Ed

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Chris@glimmerglass

Agree re the Chenile but just to clarify, typically a wax or sealant won't necessarily hide the swirls like a glaze. Perhaps a more effective approach would be a coat or two of wax then a coat of glaze to hide everything else the wax couldn't.

Yes, thanks for clarifying. Swirls will need to be addressed with something other than a wax/polish.

In my instance, I use Zaino Z-5 which does a great job with the swirls, followed by multiple coats of Z-2.

Ed

[Dangeruss]

Moose,

I noticed recently that I have a blueish stain on the seat of my IOM leather. It looks to me like the dye from my new pants rubbed off onto the leather. I have Zaino Z-9 leather cleaner at the house. I'm assuming the Zaino is safe to use on my orange leather? Do you think it will take out the stain?

Thanks

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Dangeruss

Moose,

I noticed recently that I have a blueish stain on the seat of my IOM leather. It looks to me like the dye from my new pants rubbed off onto the leather. I have Zaino Z-9 leather cleaner at the house. I'm assuming the Zaino is safe to use on my orange leather? Do you think it will take out the stain?

Thanks

Zaino leather cleaner is safe to use. It should work. If it doesn't, send me a PM.

Ed