exterior maintenance basics

It's not necessary to dry before claying, as you're going to get it wet again with a lubricant during the claying.

A member here prefers Z-5 Pro to Z-2 Pro for silver, so you might want to try both and see which you like better. It's fine to layer one over each other and you can end with whichever you like best. But be sure to add ZFX when layering.

 

More durable? I thought Sal's recommendation always to top with Z-2 is for its higher optical properties/gloss? If durability is a factor, it shouldn't matter if Z-5 is over Z-2.

Either way, I don't much like the way Z-2 looks on black (too much gloss and not enough depth), so I always top with Z-5 on black.

 

You don't have to do the voodoo suggested strongly by the Zaino's. I admit that Zaino products are first class polymer protectants, but all of the multiple coats and the time between coats and all the rigmarole really turned me off. I used Z for a few years but I have found that there are a few other really good products on the market that don't require that much time and energy. Try some good polymers from the auto store like Meguiars NXT. There is a new Mothers product that looks interesting and I will probably buy a bottle of that soon to try it out. Some people swear by the ICE line of products (I found that they go on easily but don't come off as easily as I like).

Don't drink the coolade! We don't want to have to send a cult de-programmer after you!

 

Thanks for the information. I'd argue Z5+Z5+Z2 and Z5+Z2+Z5 are equivalent in terms of durability, so it's really a personal preference which to use as LSP.

 

I cut down a step and clay bar while washing with dawn, since dawn is a "lubricant" and the car is already super wet. I keep the clay bar in the clean bucket, then after I wash a panel with the wash mitt, to get rid of the surface dirt, I quickly clay it.

I've also use the spray Z-CS and it works remarkable well. Very quick to apply and one coat does the job. The Prius is my commuter appliance so that's all I want to use on it. I do the more labor intensive Zaino on my other cars.

 

Well my new vehicle is black. I've owned black before and I think it looks great when clean. But yes, I know. It's very hard to maintain. When I was younger and I had a black Truck, I washed it at least weekly sometimes more, I find at this age I'm just not able to maintain that effort in appearance. But here's what I do...

I use the "I Care Less" product line. I use the I care less if it's dirty, sit in my recliner virtual nothing clay bar system. It's touchless and leaves no marks and is perfectly safe for clearcoats.

Sometimes when I notice a layer of dust or dirt dulling the shine of my vehicle I break out a big bucket of I care less car wash.

I think there is real value to maintaining finish and having a vehicle that looks good. But I find that now at this age I can allow myself to Care Less. I do not clean weekly and shudder at the descriptions of massive clay barring followed by numerous numbered finish protectant applications.

A careful home washing using a good car wash and a high quality washing mitt, gives me a nice weekend of a good looking car. I foresee yearly waxes and eventual polishing...but for now this is good enough.

I never want to let my vehicle get so dirty that I'm compromising the finish, but I have found that I can live with a certain amount of non-perfection. My car does not have to look like it's just rolled off the show room all the time....that's the finish the Care Less line of products offers....I heartily recommend them...and believe it or not, you already have them.

I've also heard good things about the "I Pay More" line of products...that involves paying someone to detail your vehicle....I might try that eventually. But for now, I simply Care Less and that dust on my vehicle? Just a source of pride in showing that my vehicle is operating in the real world.

 

I have white Prius (Blizzard white pearl) and I use the ICE wash soap liquid and it looks good enough after wash.

How about usign the TOYOGUARD that came in the bottle. I plan to apply it every 2-3 months as said on bottle. Is it good stuff?

 

Check out the "I Couldn't Care Less" product line. I heard it's easier to apply.

 

I personally have never understood the Zaino thing, other than pointing to the fact that some folks like to spend quality time pampering their cars (not that there's anything wrong with that ).

Having to apply multiple products, multiple times, allowing cure time in between steps, is simply too much of a hassle for me. And what's really perplexing to me is many folks then apply a coat of conventional wax (which will wear off faster) to get a better finish.

Here's my advice, which is based on decades of car care, and having gone through the various stages of the disease know as car care-itice.

Zymol provides the most beautiful (depth of color and shine) finish of any product I've used (probably why many Pebble Beach winners use it), but it wears off so quickly. Years ago (after reading good reviews on a Porsche site) I switched to One Grand Blitz wax, a high quality carnauba with easy application and removal (apply to entire car, buff off), and lasts a very long time for a conventional wax (around 3 months). And it's much less expensive than Zymol or Zaino.

Polymers might last twice as long (I say might--who knows) but you're spending 4, 5, 6 times longer with products like Zaino. I use Blitz 3 or 4 times a year--takes all of 30 minutes.

 

Ignoring the time to haze, you can Zaino the whole car, on and off, in less than 30 minutes. A few more hours of your time (for two more coats) and you're good for 6 months (or longer if you maintain with Z-6, which takes minutes). Apply a coat of Clear Seal and I bet you can go even longer. This isn't really any different from 4 times a year with Blitz.

People who then apply a coat of conventional wax seem to be in the minority. Sure, there are fanatics who apply a coat of Zaino every week, but they're no different from fanatics who change their oil at 1000, 2500, 5000 and 10,000 miles

 

First--please don't lump me and that guy in the same category.

Second--it's not care less, it's WORK less. Working smart, vs. working hard. I care a lot about how my cars look.

Having said that, I totally understand if you decide you want to spend "quality time" with your new baby (I know--I've been there ). Just don't be fooled that spending hours on end with something like Zaino will keep your car looking better than, for example, Blitz wax.

 

I think you've actually helped make my point. If I use Blitz 3 or 4 times a year, that's 1.5 - 2 hours total (and spread out over several weekends, as opposed to consuming a whole day or 2). By your account, you need 30 minutes (ignoring the time to haze ) plus a few more hours of time, to be good for 6 months.

I'll admit I've never used Zaino, but given all the commentary I've read over many years, on this and many other enthusiast forums, it's a time-and-labor intensive process. Not for me. Not to mention that polymers have a fake or plasticky (if that's a word) finish vs. the natural depth of color and shine that a high quality carnauba provides (witness those that apply a coat of carnauba after Zaino).

Hey, whatever floats your boat.