Keeping the Prius shiny...

I don't believe it would inhibit ice buildup, bit should make it easier for the ice to release from the surface. Why just on the windows?

 

For anyone who might be interested, here's a 5 minute video on claying...

 

I remember the first time I used a clay bar when I was 16....I had just heard of it and decided to use it. Anyway, I sprayed a little lube on and worked it in until it was DRY. Haha....wish I would've had good access to the internet and automotive forums back then. I don't remember the car looking too bad, but I'm sure it wasn't good for the clear coat.

 

Thanks a lot for the great video, that helped a lot. Got to buy some of that!

 

Hello fellow detailers -

here's a nice detailing technique that will keep you from having to do much towel drying on the new Prius. I've finally gotten around to posting a short video that shows the sheeting effect in action. (Sorry for the low res - it's my first!)

The idea is basically to use low pressure water flow to draw the water off the car.

I'm still amazed every time I wash and rinse, as it cuts my towel dry time to almost nothing. There is some technique to work out and I've found that less water pressure is better, especially on the sides and bumper areas.

I hope you find this tip useful…

 

Thank You

 

Zaino is not work.. it goes on so easy.. you can do the whole car then wipe it off, its a very thin film, you will think you need more.. but you don't. Then it last and last.. even bugs have difficulty sticking to it.
Yes a clay bar is work, but you don't do it very often.

And I love the idea of using my leaf blower to dry the car.. only problem is I can't let any of the drops dry or I will have a calcium spot.... tons of it in our water in central texas.... a Chamois works very well... but I will investigate the leaf blower idea when I'm in a hurry!

 

My car won't be here until Friday, but I have already ordered a new supply of Zaino products. Having chosen black I will probably be putting on 2 or 3 coats.

The detailing spray works great in enhancing the shine.

 

This works well... learned about this many years ago from some old timers when I was on the fire department. It works because of the adhesive properties of water although I find the Prius a snap to wash and dry after doing the Highland Hybrid for three years!!!

 

Wow. My 2006 silver never quite looked like that after a Zaino treatment. I guess I wasn't doing it right.

 

WOW that's a nice shine for sure! Any special hints on the application process? Is it easy or time consuming? Special cloths and applicators??

 

This technique worked well. Never would have thought of it. Thanks a lot.

 

When I used the Zaino and accelerator it took quite a bit of work to completely remove the wax. I used the Z6 inbetween coats. Is it usually hard to remove it all or is it because of the accelerator, or is it me? My shoulder was a bit sore after all the washing, Zaio, Z5 and Z2. Next day I still found spots that had some residual wax. Since this is the first time I used it I just wondered if I did it wrong.
Thanks

 

Wow, I haven't had to use accelerator once since I'm now in Texas where its warmer... I used that when I was in Washington and didn't want it to take all day to dry. When they first came out with that product it was "only" for shortening the dry times in cool climates... now they make it sound like you can't live without it... humm... marketing...

I will say I still use the "regular Z2" rather than the Z2 Pro.
The Z2 Pro is supposed to be superior and therefore also needs the accelerator to cure properly.... I don't know if it would cure just fine in a hot climate or not... I would certainly think so?

And if its "extremely" hot.. like upper 90's or more.. its good if you can pull into the garage or a covered area, then you can do the whole car and it wipes off easily.

Yes, Zaino goes on crazy thin!... it looks like your not doing anything but getting it wet.
Use enough "several drops" per 2 X 2ft section so you can tell your getting it on, but you need no more... I'm not even sure if multiple coats does anything as Zaino bonds with the surface... once the surface is bonded and covered.. re-applying may just be wasting product.
If you really want to go crazy, I would recommend doing the job more often rather than multiple coats at one time. This way you recoat spots that are wear spots and resistant. Plus, you will be less likely to let road grime build this way.

I"m amazed at just how long one treatment lasts.. I can wash my car multiple times before I feel like it no longer has that silky bead quality.

Its definitely not in the same class as a wax and much more superior than a simple polymer bond.

Some folks read all the complexities of how it can be applied and what bottle to use for what and prejudge that its harder to mess with than conventional waxes, but I disagree, its easier IMO.
When you read the promotions on each product on the Zaino page, they make it sound like every product is necessary to do the job as otherwise the job is incomplete.

At the risk of disturbing the purist, to make it simple, you can cheat in the following manner and get practically the same results.....
If your car is new, use the Z2...

you can finish with the grand finally spray only if you want but its not necessary.... thats more like a Cherry on top of the pie. There is a difference in shine but not obvious. The initial application is overwhelming enough that the added 5% or so of shine from the grand finally spray is not really noticeable unless your a purist.

If your car is older and has light scratches just from wear and tear and maybe "bad car washes", you can just use the Z5 bottle "for minor scratches". This product will give you basically the same shine as the Z2 but designed to carry abit more clear coating qualities to fill scratches.

If your car is pathetic and/or doesn't even have a factory clear coat, you can use Z3.

 

I used 4 drops per ounce and ended up using about 1.5-2oz for the whole car each time. I thought I was doing thin layers, but as I last waxed a car many years ago (using a thick coat) I probably used too much. I don't intend to do it again for 6 months so I hope it will last. Sounds like it will form what I am reading. Thanks for the help.

 

Thank you, this is very helpful. Sounds like I used too much Zaino. I felt like I had to see the coating-Wow did not realize you only needed a few drops for a 2x2 area. I used the claybar, ZAIO, Z5 & Z2. It was an all day job-appropriate for the Labor day weekend The car does looks nice for all the hard work.