Going to try the Clay Kit for the first time

Re: Gong to try Clay Kit for first time

After you take out the majority of particulate debris and have the paint feeling super slick, you can then turn to a paint cleaner (zaino zaio, duragloss 501, etc). Paint cleaner with a soft foam pad (blue or black) and a random orbital machine (or by hand) will take a lot of the remaining contaminants out. DG501 will make a white car white again. And as icing on the cake, the all-in-ones all contain sealant, so you are done with sealant application too! :rockon: (Unless you are completely OCD and want to apply another layer of pure sealant...)

 

Re: Gong to try Clay Kit for first time

Interesting. maybe there was too much soap in the mixture? I've never had a preblem with it though. Next time I clay I will try it both ways again and see if that makes a difference. Thanks for reporting back.

 

Re: Gong to try Clay Kit for first time

Question for you guys: in an effort to save time and an extra step, can I use Zaino Z2 (or any other polish/sealant) as the lube for the claying? I would clay the car and then wipe off the Z2 after it dries. I save 2 steps: 1) washing the car after claying; and 2) applying Z2 after the wash.

Has anybody tried this? Think it would work? Does Z2 even have enough slipperiness to act as a lubricant? Any potential drawbacks?

Jay

 

Re: Gong to try Clay Kit for first time

Actually, if you don't want to use a mixture of auto soap and water, you'd really want to use Z-6 spray as a lubricant. If you use Z-2 first what you're probably doing is sealing in the dirt which is already partially imbedded in your paint --- not a good thing...

Moreover, you'd still need a wet lubricant to make the clay work.

___________________________
Mark

Model V w/ATP, Blue Ribbon Metallic, Dark Grey Interior

 

Re: Gong to try Clay Kit for first time

Clay is great for removing stuck on impurities on your paint, but if the stuff coming off is also the same color as your paint or whitish, you've got oxidation and a buffer + GOOD polishing compound like Menzerna Intensive Polish will restore shine.

When I detailed cars for a dealership, I used good old water if I didn't have any body shine on hand - Meguiar's Quick Detailer is one such product that works great as a lubricant. Don't use the Z2.

 

Re: Gong to try Clay Kit for first time

Okay. Thanks Mark. I have Z6. After claying with Z6 as the lube, so I need to wash and dry the car again, or can I apply Z2 directly on top of that? Basically, would Z6 interfere with Z2 bonding with the paint?

Jay

 

Anyone got any techniques on how to hold the claybar against the side of the car? I can't seem to do the sides - especially the lower sides - without dropping the claybar :/

Also, how do u guys clean off all that gunk that gets flung by the wheel?

 

Re: Gong to try Clay Kit for first time

I know it's a little extra work, but I would wash & dry the car again to make sure that all clay and any other residue is removed.

Z-6 is designed not to interfere with other Zaino products (and I assume you'll be wiping it off as you go along, since it's not supposed to dry on the car's surface), but your problem still could be left behind clay and other loosened residue.

When you apply either Z-2 and/or Z-5, you want that surface to be as clean and smooth as possible, because they are essentially sealants without any cleaning properties on their own.

I say this from experience and the same experimentation you're going through.

__________________________________________
Mark

Model V w/ATP, Blue Ribbon Metallic, Dark Grey Interior