My Favorite Detailing Products

This is just my opinion but definitely go with the traditional 12" brush. I hate the control you have using those things on a stick to wash the car... The 'new' model 12" i just got them to send me as a replacement for my old model from 2001 is superbly made and soft. Also, the flow through of water is unnecessary imo. I use their car wash, I buy it in the gallon size, and it is plenty slippery on the paint so flow through from the brush is not warranted.

Again, just my opinion, but I would stay away from that round one.

 

Hi Edward! After living in NYC my whole life with only a break while in the USAF, I'd take having no detailing shops to have the scenery you get to see every day! First off, congrats on your purchase I am certain you will be very happy with it. As for maintaining the car 'cosmetically' from onset, After getting the car I feel it best to get a good coat of a premium sealant down on the paint. This means washing the car with Dawn dishwashing detergent, claying the paint, rewashing with regular ol' carwash and then applying the sealant such as Zaino. (Zaino is what I would recommend) Once Zaino is down on the paint and applied properly following the prep instructions, regular car washing and maybe a spraydown with Z6 after each wash will really keep the car looking spectacular and extend the life of the sealant. In your situation having to get someone to do it, Id say seal it once a year and use Z-AIO which has small amounts of polish to actually remove contaminiants. ANything else from them just seals and doesnt clean the paint... Just keep in mind if you go to automatic car washes after applying everything it'll all just come off... Automatic car washes and their soap are killers as are the brushes they use.

If you've got any questions or concerns please feel free to PM me, I'll try and help and answer any questions you may have.

Not sure if you saw this page, but it goes through the steps pretty well:

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=Z&Category_Code=APPLICATION

And for anyone using Z5 etc, it is always best to always end with a top coat of Z2...

 

stream,

As tempting as Zaino is, the heat in AZ would make it near impossible to do anything more than a coat before the sun was too intense. Thanks for the RejeX suggestion!

 

Lol, the master. I do hope you enjoy their stuff, I have been using their products since 2000-01 and the quality has always been top notch. If you are getting 35oz bottles, be sure to save them with the sprayers if you like the spray on wax and speed shine so you can save by getting gallon size refills... That's what I always do anyways. Enjoy, and be sure to post back with pictures of your baby when done!

 

If you're already buying Zaino just Zaino the bumper aplique as well. Wait, are you talking the clear on or the black one? Clear Zaino right over it, black while Zaino doesnt leave residue on plastics, I would leave it alone and if you want to keep it looking black just apply a little vinyl and rubber dressing every so often...

When I used to buy cars with sunroofs, I always would Rain-X them along with the rest of the windows on the car. I don't have the solar option (Prius V) but if it is glass like the sunroof etc, I would Rain-X it as well...

 

Yup, for Dawn use regular blue dawn, none of the new fancy ones with Oxy in it, the apple smelling one etc. Just the old blue dawn...

Maggie, looks beautiful. Silver is a hard color to get looking clean or dirty but everytime I see Zaino on a silver car it really does make it look beautiful as well! Glad you like the results and I hope you had some fun while doing it as well!

 

Definitely then, I would suggest after washing with dawn clay the vehicle before using any surface sealant on it. If you do not clay it to remove all the tree sap etc., you'll just end up locking in all that nasty stuff. I'm sure after the work you put into it, the results will be amazing! And you'll be taking a huge step in protecting your vehicle from future 'messes'.