detailing tips

[41husk]

As it is getting real close to show and cruize season, does anyone have some good tips for detailing?  I like to use lemon pledge for my interior and vynil, I like never dull wading polish for my chrome,  Any other suggested products or tips?

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

www.zainobros.com for the paint !

[41husk]

how do the Zaino products compare to Mothers or McGuyers?  they seem a little pricey after adding shipping?

[MGBRingo]

You can't beat Zainos.  I have tried mast every McGuiers products and many others.  I get comments all the time with my cars asking me how I got them to shine like they do.

With each coat they shine more and they are also the longest lasting shines I have ever had.

The only negative is the cost.  But considering the shine and how long they last it probably isn't much more expensive than the otehrs.

[BigBlockSam]

i suck at cleaning my cars. 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

how do the Zaino products compare to Mothers or McGuyers? they seem a little pricey after adding shipping?

Night & day....really nice stuff  I Use all their products.  We have a distruibtor that comes to shows so shipping isnt a problem for me

[Mopar440+6]

All I use on my car is Meguiars, 3M and Systems1 products. Of course I only use the professional level stuff. I always use a bucket and brush to wash the car because a good quality wash brush is less likely to hold dirt and scratch like a wash mitt or sponge would. A very mild degreaser (always check it on an inconspicuous spot) on a good, lint-free rag works well for getting dust and dirt off the interior surfaces, but always wipe the area again with a dry cloth and use a good leather, vinyl and/or rubber cleaner/polish afterwards. And an old toothbrush works well for cleaning the cracks and crevices in the dash, seats, console, etc...

[472 R/T SE]

I usually take what Chris says to the bank.  I bought a bunch of zaino products several years ago and finally got to use them last summer.
I don't walk very well when I do try, and their polish is almost too slippery for me.  I need to hold on to a car when walking and after using that stuff, it about knocked me on my arse several times as I tried to hold on to the car.    It had to be funny watching,lol.  I was very impressed with the polish.  My buddies all use that tech wax, maybe I should switch to keep from falling,hehe.  Naaa, I'll stick with zaino.  The leather cleaner and conditioner worked great as well.  I need to place another order.

The little toy I like is the wheel cover.  You hold it over the wheel and then put your tire shine on.  No crap on your wheels.  I had made one out of cardboard and was using it until my wife came out one day and started laughing at me.  I had no idea they made one out of plastic, works great.  I use bleach-white to clean the tires before hand, so it comes in handy keeping that nasty stuff of the wheels.  This little toy saves time and headaches.
Clean wheels and tires make a car, IMO. 
And put your tire shine on before you take your car somewhere to show.  I think it's tacky when people do it at the show and leave their 4 marks on the pavement, but that's just a cranky old guy's opinion.

I use wenol on my aluminum and stainless.
I was in crane rental for quite a while so I've had my share of glass cleaners.  The best so far has been Zep 40, (Non-Steaking Cleaner).
No easy way to detail dash cluster, so I break out the Q-tips.
I used to steer clear of vinyl top cars, now I have two of them.  No advice, but am listening for what others say.  What I have found is the detailed vinyl top seems to ruin your nice tarp the minute you put it on.

Now get busy...make sure you take pix of your labor of love. 

[Brock Samson]

i agree with all the above, i've begun using the Zaino and i love it and no longer use the Mguires' no. 7 i used to use.. 

I would add that the natural horse-air attachment brush for my shop vac is worth it's weight in gold as it cleans the dust and fuzzies off of damn near anything especially in the interior and being as it's really soft hair it doesn't damage anything...
And I'm now using a turtle wx product to shine my tires and the shine is applyed with a round foam applicator, solving the crap on the wheels problem..
wendol is th stuff to use on chrome and stainless i agree...

[Silver R/T]

I like to use GS27 on chrome, polishes up trim real nice

[41husk]

were do you get Wenol?

[472 R/T SE]

were do you get Wenol?

I got mine at the Big Portland Swap Meet.  But I know I've seen it at like speed shops in town.  It doesn't take much of the stuff to do the job.  That's how they were selling it, pushing how you save money by not using so much quantity. 

Give it try and if you don't like it you can always send it to one of us. 

[41husk]

AllblueRT, try lemon pledge on your vynil top, thats all I use.

As far as the wenol, if I buy it , it will have to be terrible for me not to use it, even if I like something better.  Im sure if some of you have recommended it, its not bad stuff.  Thanks and I am going to order some of the Zaino products to give them a try.  It looks like you only save about $5 going with the package deal so I will probably go with some individual products.  Any opinion on what zaino products are a must have?

[Brock Samson]

The Wenol is a German two step polishing paste and sealer.

like most of the specialty products I get it at the larger Rod and Custom show every Jan.



The first i belive it's the Orange tube, applys like tooth paste, alittle wetter,.. when it sets and drys a bit it hardens and seems to react and soak up the oxidents...

Then you remove that thick yucky cruddy paste and apply the second Blue tubes sealer.
    What a difference... 

& that's how i kept my deep dish slot mags looking brand new...



PS>  If anyone doesn't know of or use "The ABSORBER"...

                                                   http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000381.php

...ya' need to check it out, i have four which i keep extra clean rotate and they have lasted me since i started using them in the mid '90s!

for sure the best at combating waterspots... 


 

[limey]

I don't know if you can get it in the states, but I always use "Autoglym" products. It may be a british thing (recommended by Aston Martin Lagonda, Rolls Royce and Jaguar) but I have always found they work great together. The vinyl and rubber care is really good on vinyl roofs. No gloss, just a rich satin sheen. Great.



But then, I've never used zaino.....and I've seen pics of Chris's car....mmm shiny shiny!
Nick

[Brock Samson]

i ain't never heard of that.

[limey]

According to the royal crests on the label, both the Queen and Prince Charles use it on their cars..

In my minds eye....I can just see Her Royal Highness detailing the rubber hoses on her Bentley with "Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber Care"...
Enduring image
Limey

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

AllblueRT, try lemon pledge on your vynil top, thats all I use.

As far as the wenol, if I buy it , it will have to be terrible for me not to use it, even if I like something better. Im sure if some of you have recommended it, its not bad stuff. Thanks and I am going to order some of the Zaino products to give them a try. It looks like you only save about $5 going with the package deal so I will probably go with some individual products. Any opinion on what zaino products are a must have?

You definately need the Z-1 (they do have the ZFX fast cure additive but I've never used it)
I use the Z-2 & the Z-5 on the Charger....I alternate products because the Charger has a few swirl marks and the Z-5 every other application does the trick

I use the Z-7 car wash once a year (I only wash the car once in the spring) and the new Z-8 Grand Finale spray inbetween waxes and before every show/cruise...Honestly, I dont notice much of a difference between the Z-6 and the Grand Finale.....I bought the Z-8 because it was new......When it runs out back to the Z-6 for me

I use the Z-10 leather in a bottle on the vinyl seats etc in the interior because I LOVE the smell....smells just like a $500 soft leather jacket......I use it on the leather in my daily as well.

The Z-16 Perfect tire is just that......perfect.
Leave a nice "new tire" look....not overly ricer glossy.   I also use it on the vinyl top again because it has a nice satin sheen to it....not overly glossy

Good luck on your purchase and make sure to follow the application directions correctly......you'll love it! 

[MGBRingo]

I have been impressed with the new Z8.  I definetly see the difference on my black bike.  I have also used the new ZFX and it speeds up the drying process if it is colder out and you don't have to wait so long before re-coating.  Other than htat it is pretty expensive.

I always us the Absorber and then dry cotton towels to wash my cars/bike.  Then just follow up with the Z6 or Z8.

When all I have is dust I like the California Car Duster.  It really takes the dust off without scratching and without wasting more Z6 or Z8.

With the Zaino products be sure you follow the directions.  They do work, like wiping up and down on the verticle surfaces and front to back on the horizontal surfaces.  That seems to make a difference also.

[41husk]

I ordered some monday, when I came home from School Tuesday the product was on my porch.  I have Printed all the application tips from the web site and plan to try it as soon as the weather breaks.  I am impressed with the next day service!

[Arigmaster]

For Vynil and plastic parts I use "Orange Clean" (no not the hand cleaner) It comes in a spray white bottle with a green spray head. Then I follow up with some Armor-all. You can find both at the grocery store.

For any chrome trim and wheels, I found a product called "Flitz" available at Ace Hardware that works great. It works on plastic too. For the exterior, I use "Race Glaze" instead of wax. Its available at most body & paint supply stores.

[4402tuff4u]

www.zainobros.com for the paint !

Hopefully they'll be at Carlisle, PA this July.

[41husk]

I have checked with a few parts stores in town and they dont carry Wenol, I will keep looking.

[plum500]

Never heard of Zaino -- will definitely check it out.

I really like Never Dull for the chrome, and have been using Blue Magic some for areas where paste residue getting left behind is not as likely or as much of a problem.

Vinegar and water and newspaper for the glass.

Interested in the pledge use on vinyl.... doesn't it contain anything that will harm it? - I'm paranoid I suppose... I would expect one benefit would be less likely attraction of lint etc that can attach itself after a nice cleaning...

I use a little vegetable oil and a lint free cloth to wipe down (wipe it off) rubber hoses, bumpers/stops, weather strip, body plugs and such.... leaves the stuff flat and somewhat conditioned (or it would seem)....actually, when I pulled apart the interior, I soaked all the body plugs from the floor in a light oil for a couple days, wiped off clean and they look great...

...really thinned out mixture of gas and black paint and a rag can bring some life back to old tires, when the foam or other conditioner doesn't seem to return (for any decent period of time) the blackness...

Just my two wacky cents...

[41husk]

some good tips there.  won't the gas harm the rubber on tires?

[4402tuff4u]

Never heard of Zaino -- will definitely check it out.

I really like Never Dull for the chrome, and have been using Blue Magic some for areas where paste residue getting left behind is not as likely or as much of a problem.

Vinegar and water and newspaper for the glass.

Interested in the pledge use on vinyl.... doesn't it contain anything that will harm it? - I'm paranoid I suppose... I would expect one benefit would be less likely attraction of lint etc that can attach itself after a nice cleaning...

I use a little vegetable oil and a lint free cloth to wipe down (wipe it off) rubber hoses, bumpers/stops, weather strip, body plugs and such.... leaves the stuff flat and somewhat conditioned (or it would seem)....actually, when I pulled apart the interior, I soaked all the body plugs from the floor in a light oil for a couple days, wiped off clean and they look great...

...really thinned out mixture of gas and black paint and a rag can bring some life back to old tires, when the foam or other conditioner doesn't seem to return (for any decent period of time) the blackness...

Just my two wacky cents...

You could use Silicone spray (armorall is silicone based) that leaves a shine and does not hurt rubber products. You should'nt use any petroleum base solvents or lubricants as cleaners. The petroleum base chemistry will definetly breakdown the rubber/plastic materials. 

[41husk]

I had heard the same thing on the petroleum products, many of the cleaners are petroleum based.  I try to avoid those.

[Paul G]

I have been using Zaino for several years now. After I tried it and my friends saw what it does they have all switched over to it. When one of us makes an order we all get something and split the shipping. Here is the link. http://zainostore.com/ Our club sponsors a car show every summer. Before last years show I phoned Sal Zaino asking for a donation. (It's a charity event) He sent one of his $80 kits for us to give away. Top shelf guy in my opinion.

After cleaning the car and applying the Z1 polish lock or using the ZFX accelerator you will be ready. Like stated above you should start with the Z5 swirl mark remover/polish.  Give it several applications till you are happy with the finish. It works. Then switch to the Z2 show car polish. You have to wait between coats, and let each coat fully cure to get the max results. It's all in the tips and tricks / instructions on the Zaino site. Follow the instructions to the T. It's actually extremely easy once you get the hang of it. No rubbing hardly at all. Use great big white 100% cotton towels only. 

I use the leather conditioner mostly because it makes the interior smell like brand new leather.  The tire shine looks great, not greasy, and wont sling off like the other products do.

You can cut the Z6 gloss enhancer spray up to 50% with water if you want. It makes it stretch and still works just as good. Sal clued me in to that one. I to notice just a little more pop from the Z8 Grand Finale spray before a show.

At the last show I had the car to a guy asked me if it was just painted. Thats the Zaino for ya. 

[Charger1973]

Its not a Charger but this is the car I had a couple years back.  It was a 96 and people thought it was brand new.  Zaino all the way. 



Also I agree with the guy who brought up the Absorber.  Theres nothing better for drying a vehicle, its amazing.

[41husk]

I can't wait to get out and use my zaino products.  It almost sounds to good to be true.

[bill440rt]

I have yet to try the Zaino products. I'm actually using many products from Griot's Garage. Their detailer Speed Shine works great. I also use their cotton polishing cloths, micro-fiber hand dusters, plastic cleaner, etc. I use their blue wipes & Stoner Invisible Glass for cleaning glass.
I use pure carnauba wax from Fleetwax on my paint. It goes on almost oily, & seems to melt across the surface as you wipe it off. ZERO abrasives. If any polishing is needed before wax, I use 3M's Liquid Polish. For chrome, I also use the liquid form of this wax, zero abrasives. Chrome actually scratches very easily, and once it's scratched you'll never remove it no matter what you use.
For tires, I use Black Magic's Tire Wet and their Pro Shine Protectant for interiors. I put the Tire Wet on with a half-round FOAM applicator. The tires are not glossy, and it doesn't spray all over the car when driving. For white letters, a little dab of Tire Wet on a rag with your finger does the trick.
Oh, & I NEVER use a hose to wash the Chargers. Ever. I basically wipe them down after every time I drive, and use a California Duster. The mini duster works well in door jambs, wheels, underhood, trunk, etc. Undercarriage gets wiped down twice a year. The Glosser cloths (I think they're made by Meguiars), work great for wiping down under the hood & undercarriage. It all depends how well detailed your car is in order to use them.

[plum500]

I have a question about wheels -- Torq Thrust Originals - I have a new set I'm putting on this year, and I've been warned about the blasted finish of the spokes and how difficult they are to keep clean...and if you let em' go, some stuff will seem permanent -- brake dust/grease and such. I mean I've seen fingerprints show up on these things -- just wondering what others have done/experienced....

...are they really that difficult? is there anything I can spray them with to make cleaning easier? should I shoot them with a coat of clear? -- I had one suggestion to paint them but not really thinking I want to do that -- most of the (visual anyway) reason I chose them is for that blasted finish....

[Brock Samson]

   But Ya' Know...

There's sumpthin beautiful about a Charger! Driven hard and put away wet.   

[bill440rt]

Another good detailing tip for those really hard to reach places: You know, the kind that leaves your fingers numb and knuckles bleeding.
Try using a little spray of detailer on foam paint brushes, the kind from your local hardware store or Home Depot. They come in different widths & sizes. They are perfect for around power steering pump/alternator brackets, horns, K-frames, and on distributor cap between all the posts & wires. Even in the grille spokes & other hard to reach corners. You can also spray or dip them in Simple Green to get rid of any hard to reach grime. (Grime? GRIME??? What is that??) 

For windows: after wiping using your favorite glass cleaner, wipe the inside of the windows with a dry micro-fiber cloth. Your windows will be streak-free.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

on distributor cap between all the posts & wires.

damn Bill you are hard core!!    

I don't even go there.....

[bill440rt]

You could learn a lot...from a dummy!!!   

[Black and Blown]

I got tired just reading these posts.

[472 R/T SE]

41husk, how did your Zaino experience turn out? 

[Rizzo]

Lots of people seem to dig the Zaino and from what I've seen it does a sweet job.  I use Zymol Carbon wax on my vehicles.  This summer two people asked me if my truck had been repainted.  It's still wearing the original paint and has lived through 11 Canadian winters and doesn't get parked in a garage.  www.zymol.com.  They have some really really expensive blends they call Estate Glazes.  Most of those are so hard you have to warm them with your hands before applying to the paint.

[41husk]

I love the Zaino products, I am hooked thats all I use now.