Improvements/additions to me current cleaning regime...
Discussion
Here's what I do currently:
Hose car down.
Wash wheels and bottom 6" of car with wash mitt and Zaino 7 show wash stuff (though I've just ordered some sonos wheel cleaner), using two bucket/grit guard method.
Rinse.
Get clean wash mitt and wash the rest of the car using two bucket method using Z7.
Rinse.
Spray on Meguiars Last Touch.
Microfibre towel dry.
Then, sometimes I use Zaino Z6, for a final go over and 'polish'/shine.
And sometimes I use Z-AIO for a 'polish' (though I understand it's not a dedictated 'polish').
I've ordered some claybar, which I intend having a go at this week.
SO what's missing from my regime? What else could I be doing to get:
1) better/deeper shine and
2) better paintwork protection?
Which wax/polish should I use as part of a new regime? Where does a 'sealant' fit into the process and which should I use?
I should note, we've a few cars in the family and I get alot of satisfaction from spending a bit of time giving them a good clean. I'm not bothered (yet) about getting into machine polishing/paint correction myself (the 911 was paint corrected and detailed a yr ago by Gucharn at Elite and has held up very well, I will clay bar it, but it probably does not need it).
Hose car down.
Wash wheels and bottom 6" of car with wash mitt and Zaino 7 show wash stuff (though I've just ordered some sonos wheel cleaner), using two bucket/grit guard method.
Rinse.
Get clean wash mitt and wash the rest of the car using two bucket method using Z7.
Rinse.
Spray on Meguiars Last Touch.
Microfibre towel dry.
Then, sometimes I use Zaino Z6, for a final go over and 'polish'/shine.
And sometimes I use Z-AIO for a 'polish' (though I understand it's not a dedictated 'polish').
I've ordered some claybar, which I intend having a go at this week.
SO what's missing from my regime? What else could I be doing to get:
1) better/deeper shine and
2) better paintwork protection?
Which wax/polish should I use as part of a new regime? Where does a 'sealant' fit into the process and which should I use?
I should note, we've a few cars in the family and I get alot of satisfaction from spending a bit of time giving them a good clean. I'm not bothered (yet) about getting into machine polishing/paint correction myself (the 911 was paint corrected and detailed a yr ago by Gucharn at Elite and has held up very well, I will clay bar it, but it probably does not need it).
Hi Tom
The clay is going to be a real step up, ultimately helping shine and durability of products applied to paint. So it's good you have one ordered.
You need a proper LSP (wax/sealant) as well. The Last Touch is a quick detail spray (no protection there) and the Z6 is a QD once again. The ZAIO is better but it will have less protection than Z2 or Z5, the proper sealants.
So after a wash and clay, I'd advise a proper polish (use the ZAIO or a polish like Autoglym SRP, our Lime Prime etc.) then a couple of layers of wax or sealant ontop. You're not using anything, so I won't recommend anything specific - whatever you use should be a step up in regime terms.
Afterwards, use a protection quick detailer/spray sealant after the LSP has fully cured. These leave behind sealant ingredients, rather than just being a fancy water style quick detail spray. A few layers of these can add extra shine. Use Zaino Z8 or our Red Mist.
Remember also that claying is necessary ever 6 months or so for cars in industrial areas left outside for most of the time, no matter who or what has been done to the paint beforehand - it is removing contamination from the paint; all exposed cars are affected. But use a very fine grade clay and lots of lube to avoid damaging Gurcharn's nicely machine prepped paintwork.
The clay is going to be a real step up, ultimately helping shine and durability of products applied to paint. So it's good you have one ordered.
You need a proper LSP (wax/sealant) as well. The Last Touch is a quick detail spray (no protection there) and the Z6 is a QD once again. The ZAIO is better but it will have less protection than Z2 or Z5, the proper sealants.
So after a wash and clay, I'd advise a proper polish (use the ZAIO or a polish like Autoglym SRP, our Lime Prime etc.) then a couple of layers of wax or sealant ontop. You're not using anything, so I won't recommend anything specific - whatever you use should be a step up in regime terms.
Afterwards, use a protection quick detailer/spray sealant after the LSP has fully cured. These leave behind sealant ingredients, rather than just being a fancy water style quick detail spray. A few layers of these can add extra shine. Use Zaino Z8 or our Red Mist.
Remember also that claying is necessary ever 6 months or so for cars in industrial areas left outside for most of the time, no matter who or what has been done to the paint beforehand - it is removing contamination from the paint; all exposed cars are affected. But use a very fine grade clay and lots of lube to avoid damaging Gurcharn's nicely machine prepped paintwork.
Edited by domster on Monday 29th June 15:50
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