Protecting and cleaning interior of Gen 3

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by dbacksfan

Jeff, this product looks like something I could handle. Have you used this particular polish?

Z-2 PRO Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Car Finishes: Zaino Store

Originally Posted by Paradox

Not Jeff, but I have been using Zaino for years now so here is my info on Zaino products:

Z2 Pro is better for lighter colored cars. The Z5 Pro is better for darker colored cars as it hides cwirl marks better.

Remember that Z2 and Z5 have no cleaners in them. So you have to have a clean surface to put them on or else you are sealing in stuff you do not want to.

Before using any Zaino products, first wash your car with dawn to strip off all other stuff on the paint. Then clay the vehicle. People think claying is hard but it is rather easy and done in 20 minutes or less. After claying, clean with something like the Z-AIO (All in one). It is good for daily drivers as it removes light oxidation.

Now you can seal with Z2 or Z5, and layer multiple coats. If you want to do multiple coats per day (up to 3) use ZFX as it makes it cure faster.

I do the whole above two times a year before winter and after winter in the spring... But that's because of the winters we have here. I wash weekly and once a month I apply a coat of Z5 (since my 2006 is/was (it is now sold just waiting for my 2010 next week).

Also, everytime I wash the car, when there is still water on the car while I am drying it I spray the wet paint with Griots Garage Spray on Wax. Then as you wipe the car dry it applys a small coat os 'wax' to protect until the next washing.

It seems like a lot of work but once you get a method going it is rather quick and becomes part of your normal washing/sealing routine.

Good luck!


Oh, and it is 'rumored' that their car wash has small trace amounts of Z2 in it. This I cannot confirm but it is a great car wash, so if you get a kit that includes it, it works well.

I want to add one more thing about Zaino... Their ZCS, the clear seal, works great and protects for a LONG time like the Z@ and Z5.

It costs more but what is the advantage? Well, you apply it in a back and forth motion and that's it. The haze it leaves, well you just let it sit on the paint. Depending how thick you apply it (a little goes a LONG way) it could take a few hours to go away but it does go away and you do not have to buff it off... A real time saver and worth the extra few bucks. I have been using this so much I have half bottles of z2 and z5 that I have not touched in a while...

[dbacksfan]

Paradox, thanks very much for your input. I'm going to give the Zaino products a try. For a premium product, they seem to be competitively priced. There's a local shop that carries their products just a few minutes from my home.

Originally Posted by Paradox

Not Jeff, but I have been using Zaino for years now so here is my info on Zaino products:

Z2 Pro is better for lighter colored cars. The Z5 Pro is better for darker colored cars as it hides cwirl marks better.

Remember that Z2 and Z5 have no cleaners in them. So you have to have a clean surface to put them on or else you are sealing in stuff you do not want to.

Before using any Zaino products, first wash your car with dawn to strip off all other stuff on the paint. Then clay the vehicle. People think claying is hard but it is rather easy and done in 20 minutes or less. After claying, clean with something like the Z-AIO (All in one). It is good for daily drivers as it removes light oxidation.

Now you can seal with Z2 or Z5, and layer multiple coats. If you want to do multiple coats per day (up to 3) use ZFX as it makes it cure faster.

I do the whole above two times a year before winter and after winter in the spring... But that's because of the winters we have here. I wash weekly and once a month I apply a coat of Z5 (since my 2006 is/was (it is now sold just waiting for my 2010 next week).

Also, everytime I wash the car, when there is still water on the car while I am drying it I spray the wet paint with Griots Garage Spray on Wax. Then as you wipe the car dry it applys a small coat os 'wax' to protect until the next washing.

It seems like a lot of work but once you get a method going it is rather quick and becomes part of your normal washing/sealing routine.

Good luck!


Oh, and it is 'rumored' that their car wash has small trace amounts of Z2 in it. This I cannot confirm but it is a great car wash, so if you get a kit that includes it, it works well.

[golfette44]

Hi,
I've noticed the Nav screen collects fingerprints like crazy. Does anyone know if there is a screen protector you can purchase to cover it? Something like what you put on iPods to protect the screen?

[stream]

Originally Posted by golfette44

Hi,
I've noticed the Nav screen collects fingerprints like crazy. Does anyone know if there is a screen protector you can purchase to cover it? Something like what you put on iPods to protect the screen?

I don't think those screen protectors lessen the fingerprint marks--and they'll probably cause a reflection issue. I got a giant box of eyeglass lens cleaner wipes at Costco for $10 which work great.

[dbacksfan]

Do you think it would be safe to spray sparingly the display with an optical eyeglass cleaner and dry with soft microfiber cloth?

Originally Posted by stream

I don't think those screen protectors lessen the fingerprint marks--and they'll probably cause a reflection issue. I got a giant box of eyeglass lens cleaner wipes at Costco for $10 which work great.

[golfette44]

Originally Posted by stream

I don't think those screen protectors lessen the fingerprint marks--and they'll probably cause a reflection issue. I got a giant box of eyeglass lens cleaner wipes at Costco for $10 which work great.

Oh, ok Stream. Thanks for the recommendation.

[stream]

Originally Posted by dbacksfan

Do you think it would be safe to spray sparingly the display with an optical eyeglass cleaner and dry with soft microfiber cloth?

I don't see why not. Or just pick up the jumbo box of wipes the next time you're at Costco. They also work great on eyeglasses, cell phone screens, iPod screens, etc.

[Paradox]

Yeah, I use a microfiber cloth on the screen. When you spray it, I hold the cloth at the bottom of the screen so it cannot drip down into the unit in any way shape or form... then begin with an upward motion and start cleaning. Just a small step to 'play it safe'.

Used microfibers on my 06's screen and never ran into a problem...