Some Pics Of My T

[Iconic Bionic]

So your a kiwi, but that's ok, we will all still talk to you. You should one day come over to Aus and drive around the mainland for a bit. Anyway one of the best articles on washing cars is at this link.

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=40605

Its very indepth and talks about everything you could imagin. It reccomends only washing your car with baby shampoo and not carewash stuff as it is too harsh, where as baby shampoo is gentle enough for babies eyes and therefore gentle enough for our cars. Only thing I use now.

[nang3]

  muncher said:

Guys thanks for the comments and advice. Nang3 mate  Black is a difficult colour to shine and keep clean. If it lasts that long then I would give it a go.

When I was looking at the Ford Stealers they mentioned a product they put on the paintwork that is supposed to last 3yrs I think. When it comes to a wash you only use sponge and water. Any one now what this is or is it just a gimmick, it aint cheap either.

Thanks ...........muncher

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yeh black defo gets dirtier than the other coloured cars ive had, worst being fingerprints and smudge marks..

with the zaino you still get a bit of dust etc on it, but a lot less of it and less water marks etc etc.. plus every time you wash it it looks freshly polished because it is so durable.. best thing I find is that a high pressure rinse at carlovers gets it looking like new again because nothing sticks to the paintwork

[nang3]

  RNGTR said:

Zaino is the go, for my money its the best product on the market now.

http://www.waxit.com.au/brandDetail.asp?br...3C/font%3EZaino

Best results would be : Good Wash with a quality carwash (Zaino Z7 or something similar), Claybar to remove surface nasties, Zaino Z5 followed by 1 or 2 coats of Zaino Z2Pro.

Did something similar on a customers car today, the results were stunning.

Cheers

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sounds good but I reckon start with a 1st wash with an alkali based dishwashing liquid to remove all the oily road grime and previous polish layers etc.. then everything else you said..

my method is;

1.) dishwashing liquid wash then thorough rinse

2.) claybar with soapy water with Z7 in it

3.) full wash with Z7, then touch up missed clay bits then full rinse and dry

4.) 2 layers of Z2, about 6 hours apart followed by a final coat of P21S carnauba wax for a wet look

[loopism]

Should never use dishwashing detergent. It is quite alkaline (as you've mentioned) and contains nasty salts that will etch your paint and cause rust in those little bits of panel that it gets into, and you don't get it out.

[RNGTR]

nang3, yep all true. As Im normally doing new cars, I dont bother with stripping the "old" polish/wax off, but if the paint requires it then yes.

I'll take some pix of a recent effort on a clients 1992 Cressida, as it was a well cared for car once all the old polish was removed & the process begun the end result was a clear 3D optical effect.

As I use many products day-to-day, im interested in your thoughts on the P21S range of products as Ive not used any of them as yet.

Cheers

Edited 15/05/06 03:48 AM by RNGTR

[nang3]

  loopism said:

Should never use dishwashing detergent.  It is quite alkaline (as you've mentioned) and contains nasty salts that will etch your paint and cause rust in those little bits of panel that it gets into, and you don't get it out.

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Yeh the only time I use dishwashing liquid is the very very 1st time before I ever clay it or anything and I make sure its very watered down..

hehe I remember about 10 yrs ago thinking if I pour the detergent straight on my car, then high pressure spray it with plain water, that would save time.... for the next 2 years my paint had permanent marks from the detergent eating the top layer of clear coat , what a dikk-edd!

  RNGTR said:

nang3, yep all true. As Im normally doing new cars, I dont bother with stripping the "old" polish/wax off, but if the paint requires it then yes.

I'll take some pix of a recent effort on a clients 1992 Cressida, as it was a well cared for car once all the old polish was removed & the process begun the end result was a clear 3D optical effect.

As I use many products day-to-day, im interested in your thoughts on the P21S range of products as Ive not used any of them as yet.

Cheers

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hey buddy, your not off the Z forums are ya BTW??

its amazing the difference a good wash/clay/zaino makes to an older car (cressida) isnt it?? I did my GF's 3-4 yr old lancer that hadnt been washed in about a year, and it came up looking better than a new car..

Ive only just started using the P21S range, in fact I only use the carnauba wax (Concourse Carnauba Wax ~$48) from them and 1st thing that struck me was that it was like very thick like butter almost??? quite weird and not like zaino or mequires etc..

Anyway, from the few times ive used it, it definitely gives a deeper wetter gloss on my Phoon (black) than Zaino but would not be as shiny without the zaino coat underneath.. it doesnt last as long either which is to be expected being a more natural product compared to synthetic zaino..

Its sposed to be really good on red as well so I might give it a go on the GF's lancer soon and see how it goes..

what do you use for swirl marks etc on dark cars??? ive been using PoorBoys SSR1 which seems pretty good but it doenst quite get them all out..

cheers

[RNGTR]

No Im not on the Z forums...... Visit it sometimes though.

As for Swirl Removers have you tried the Detailers Pride Swirl remover? ( DP mild swirl eliminator ) I've found it to be quite good.

Got a interesting one for tomorrow, Black '05 Camry Sportivo with heavy fallout caused by living outside for almost 12 months & light scratches all over it caused by owners repeatedly using automatic carwashes......