Discussion
I've used many quality waxes over the years, but of late my favourite is Zaino sealant. On a metallic you just can't beat that gloss. Like others have said, its all in the prep. My newest polish is Sonus SFX-3 final finish. Very mild but fantastic results. Autobalm is very good too, but a right bugger to remove if applied to thick and left on for a while. Theres loads of great products out there, head over to detailing world for top advice. I'm not a dodo fan by the way, find it all a tad tacky and aimed at a max power market. They really need to employ a decent graphic designer for their products.
Edited by markbigears on Friday 26th September 18:50
Clay then polish then wax.
Clay takes all of the dirt and contaminants from your paint so allowing the polish to better work its magic providing a very smooth finish.
Think of all the swirl marks/fine scratches on you paint and iamgine the amount of crud your car will have driven through over the years. The crud gets stuck in these imperfections. Clay takes it out.
Imagine using a lump of blue tak to skim over blue tak smeared on a wall, it removes it in a similar way to clay removing dirt.
You might doubt it until you try it, the difference is staggering and you'll see plenty of dirt being lifted from what is superficially clean bodywork.
Clay takes all of the dirt and contaminants from your paint so allowing the polish to better work its magic providing a very smooth finish.
Think of all the swirl marks/fine scratches on you paint and iamgine the amount of crud your car will have driven through over the years. The crud gets stuck in these imperfections. Clay takes it out.
Imagine using a lump of blue tak to skim over blue tak smeared on a wall, it removes it in a similar way to clay removing dirt.
You might doubt it until you try it, the difference is staggering and you'll see plenty of dirt being lifted from what is superficially clean bodywork.
Edited by Wigeon Incognito on Friday 26th September 12:16
GTiRlover said:
What is the purpose of using a clay before waxing?
Run your fingers over the paintwork when wet - feel gritty? That's bonded contaminants (brake dust particles, etc) which is embedded in the paint's pores.After claying, you'll have a glassy smooth surface for your wax/sealant to bond to.
domster said:
markbigears said:
I'm not a dodo fan by the way, find it all a tad tacky and aimed at a max power market. They really need to employ a decent graphic designer for there products.
You're right, we should use the guy who does Zaino's labels. Absolute genius. 
Each to their own, as ever.
Ok I understand. I polished my car just the other day after giving it a thorough wash and did find that the I got through a lot of polishing cloths because after applying the polish the cloth was getting very dirty. This was especially so on the lower panels. Although I did make sure to only apply polish with a clean part of the cloth, hence why I used so many!
Thanks again guys for the pointers! Any other hints and tips you may have please feel free to share
Thanks again guys for the pointers! Any other hints and tips you may have please feel free to share
TheDetailDoctor said:
domster said:
markbigears said:
I'm not a dodo fan by the way, find it all a tad tacky and aimed at a max power market. They really need to employ a decent graphic designer for there products.
You're right, we should use the guy who does Zaino's labels. Absolute genius. Each to their own, as ever.
Oh my god! Dom I had no idea it was YOUR company! On detailing world I see you as Dom but didn't realize you are Domster from Pistonheads. I hang my head in shame as we are both long serving Pistonheaders and retract all that I said in my utterly stupid off the cuff post. Yes i've sold my soul to the Zaino devil, but will now have to look again at my waxing regime, maybe the DoDo way. Crikey I feel a pillock.
Edited by markbigears on Friday 26th September 18:40
markbigears said:
Oh my god! Dom I had no idea it was YOUR company! On detailing world I see you as Dom but didn't realize you are Domster from Pistonheads. I hang my head in shame as we are both long serving Pistonheaders and retract all that I said in my utterly stupid of the cuff post. Yes i've sold my soul to the Zaino devil, but will now have to look agian at my waxing regime, maybe the DoDo way. Crikey I feel a pillock.
Why change your tune because you've now realised who Domster is?Smacks of hypocrisy to say what you thought, only to retract when you realise something after the fact, that bears no relation to your original thoughts.
Dom's a big boy, and knows his products don't meet with everyone's approval.
Be true to yourself.
Edited by PJ S on Friday 26th September 17:44
LOL, crikey guys, you are funny. Mark, it is kind for you to be a little less hostile because of our PH brotherhood but honesty in feedback is fine - we have our Supernatural range for the super premium end of the market and if Dodo Juice's irreverent branding isn't to all tastes, that's fair enough. Some will want royal crests in gold leaf, or (conversely) labels that look like they have come off a daisy wheel printer in the chemist's tea hut. From a design point of view I really like the Dodo look and feel or wouldn't have signed it off. It captures 'Dodo-ness' completely and puts some much needed fun into the world of 'stick-up-a55' car cosmetics.
There's no shame in liking Zaino but from a graphic design point of view, the products are shocking so it was funny that you mentioned that brand as your favourite
As for Phil (PJS), that is why this guy is a legend. Defender of the faith, the honest and true! Calls a shovel a shovel and is never afraid to wade in to deep forum waters. Thanks chaps, you've both made my day in two slightly different ways
There's no shame in liking Zaino but from a graphic design point of view, the products are shocking so it was funny that you mentioned that brand as your favourite
As for Phil (PJS), that is why this guy is a legend. Defender of the faith, the honest and true! Calls a shovel a shovel and is never afraid to wade in to deep forum waters. Thanks chaps, you've both made my day in two slightly different ways
GTiRlover said:
TheDetailDoctor said:
Have you got a jet wash?
No sir, I thought jet washing a car can cause damage to the paintwork?...Jet washing won't damage paintwork unless you have lacquer that's peeling already, you blast it at the ground inadvertently, or you haven't rinsed the car properly to begin with and it is still heavily soiled.
So make sure you get most of the surface dirt off first, using a quick rinse, then use a traffic film remover or snow foam to dissolve surface grime. Then jetwash it at a medium pressure (no need to have it at max). After jetwashing, use two buckets and a wash mitt or clean sponge to contact wash the car - load up with shampoo solution in the wash bucket and rinse the dirty mitt in the rinse bucket (use grit guards if possible). After the contact wash, rinse with the hose or jet wash, and then dry with a soft, clean microfibre.
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