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Keeping the Prius shiny...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Jon S, Aug 17, 2009.

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  1. sumguy

    sumguy Junior Member

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    Nice looking car. I didn't care for the color on the website and never got to see one at the dealer but yours looks great.
     
    #21 sumguy, Aug 22, 2009
  2. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

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    A Question About Zaino ...

    I used Zaino on my 2006 silver. I had been told that before applying Zaino for the first time, it's best to strip any previous finishes by washing the car with Dawn dishwashing detergent, which I did. In fact I don't think I had even used any other waxes before I did this.
    I clay-barred and applied several layers of Zaino as directed. I never used any other product on subsequent polishings, only Zaino. Although I got a very smooth glass-like finish, I never achieved a high gloss. I assumed it was because of the silver color. My BF says it's because I had stripped the factory applied clearcoat and spoiled the finish!

    Now I have a Winter Grey 2010. I still have a lot of Zaino products and would like to use them, but I'm afraid of making the same mistakes, if indeed I did make a mistake.The grey looks good just by being cleaned and I think it would be quite awesome if polished to a high gloss. Can I use these products without stripping the finish with Dawn?
     
    #22 PriusRos, Aug 22, 2009
  3. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Re: A Question About Zaino ...


    You did not strip off anything except old waxes or sealants by using Dawn... For these sealants like Zaino to properly adhere and bond with the surface it must be free of other silicon waxes/sealants , carnuba waxes etc. Do not worry about using the Dawn and then claying the vehicle, you are following the proper steps.

    As to why you may have thought you never achieved that glass like finish, some feel Zaino leaves a more plastic looking finish. What some people do is after applying the Zaino finish with a coat of a good carnuba wax to give it that deep gloss.
     
    #23 Paradox, Aug 22, 2009
  4. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

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    Re: A Question About Zaino ...

    Thanks...if I haven't applied any other waxes or products, would there be any reason for me to use Dawn?

    I'm also puzzled by the suggestion to finish with a carnuba wax after applying Zaino. Wouldn't you have to strip that off the next time you applied Zaino?
     
    #24 PriusRos, Aug 22, 2009
  5. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Re: A Question About Zaino ...


    If I was going to take the time to clay and Zaino my whole car I would still give a quick wash with Dawn. Why take the chance that the dealer may have applied something, even a detailer spray which contained silicon etc.

    I personally do not apply wax over my Zaino, I am plenty happy with the finish but I guess the rationale is the carnuba lasts no where near as long as the Zaino so it'll be gone by the time to re-zaino(?)
     
    #25 Paradox, Aug 22, 2009
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Looks great Denise!
     
    #26 Tideland Prius, Aug 22, 2009
  7. dmvp

    dmvp Member

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    Thanks! I'm really happy with the color myself. It was my color of choice.
     
    #27 dmvp, Aug 22, 2009
  8. Jon S

    Jon S Member

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    Re: A Question About Zaino ...

    You could have some greasy areas which would prevent the Zaino from adhering. So it is always good to Dawn wash your car beforehand. You're gonna have to wash the car first anyway so this step still needed to be done anyway.

    Washing your car with Dawn, Claybarring and applying Zaino does not strip your clearcoat and will not harm your paint as they all are non-abrasive.

    As a whole, light colored paints will never look as shiny as darker colored colors, that's why blacks, reds and dark blues look so nice. My car is silver and has a good reflection but does not look shiny unless you come close to the car.

    regarding applying carnauba waxes over Zaino. some people do that do give the car a shinier look. With some waxes, it will give a deeper shine, but you will now have to use Dawn again before you can reapply any more coats of Zaino.

    You also will have to realize that with the dark gray on your new Prius, waxes will not last as long as waxes break down under heat, and darker colored cars get a lot hotter than lighter colored cars. You would probably have to wax your car every month.
     
    #28 Jon S, Aug 23, 2009
  9. eddiehaskell

    eddiehaskell Member

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    Any suggestions for drying? The Zaino website says to use 100% high-quality cotton towels, but I have no idea of which towels would qualify. They sell some on their website, but they're small and $25 for a 3 pack! I'd need 6 of them to dry and buff.
     
    #29 eddiehaskell, Aug 23, 2009
  10. indianagreg

    indianagreg Member

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    A couple of Zaino questions:

    (1) Six months after using Zaino, I assume that you use the clay again? If so, does this remove the old Zaino, or what's left of it?

    (2) Which Zaino would you use on Blue Ribbon Metallic?

    Thanks!

    Greg
     
    #30 indianagreg, Aug 23, 2009
  11. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    1- If you feel stuff on your paint, yeah claying again is fine. I tend to do it twice a year anyways. Most people say yes it does, but there are some who say it doesn't. I know after I clay water still does bead somewhat, but then things like surface tension etc come into play.

    2- For blue ribbon metallic I'd say use Z5 since it is a darker color, but many people including Sal Zaino himself says to always finish up with a coat of Z2. Z5 is just better at hiding swirl marks than Z2 and swirl marks show up more on darker colored cars...
     
    #31 Paradox, Aug 23, 2009
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  12. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

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    Re: A Question About Zaino ...

    Thank you.

    One other question -- I've heard that one should wait a month or two at least before applying any type of wax or polish -- because the clearcoat needs a little time. Is that right?
     
    #32 PriusRos, Aug 23, 2009
  13. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Re: A Question About Zaino ...


    By the time the car is clearcoated in Japan and shipped over here, the port does their thing, the dealer takes delivery and you receive the car, the surface is plenty ready, so no waiting period is necessary...
     
    #33 Paradox, Aug 23, 2009
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  14. Jon S

    Jon S Member

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    Old cotton t-shirts is fine, wash and dry them before using... if you throw them in a dryer do not use any fabric softener...... as long as they have no silk-screened or printing on it... You can also use microfiber towels. just make sure you remove any tags before using it as the tags are sometimes rather stiff and can scratch the paint....
     
    #34 Jon S, Aug 24, 2009
  15. Jon S

    Jon S Member

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    1. If you feel your paint and it is glass smooth, then claybarring is not necessary. If it has any fine "bumps" in it, then claybarring is necessary...

    2. I have used Zaino Z2 Pro and Zaino Z5 Pro... On my previous car (a VW) I preferred Z2 Pro... on the Prius I actually prefer Z5 Pro....
     
    #35 Jon S, Aug 24, 2009
  16. Jon S

    Jon S Member

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    Re: A Question About Zaino ...

    My wife has a Lexus in winter gray metallic... to be perfectly frank, I have used Zaino and car waxes on her car and I prefer carnauba waxes with that color. the dark gray has a deeper shine with waxes than with Zaino.... but, that is just my opinion...
     
    #36 Jon S, Aug 24, 2009
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  17. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    The website says to buy MADE IN USA white 100% cotton towels. You can look at the tag to see if it's made in the USA. Cut off all the edges (including the fancy trims at each end) of a bath towel.

    The small towels they sell are better suited for applying some of the products such as Z8.
     
    #37 32kcolors, Aug 24, 2009
  18. Jon S

    Jon S Member

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    for polishing, I just use old Hanes v-neck undershirts... the newer type without any tags... works great for me...

    for drying, I use a chamois...
     
    #38 Jon S, Aug 24, 2009
  19. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    #39 Paradox, Aug 24, 2009
  20. GoSkins

    GoSkins Member

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    If you have a Costco in your area, check it out. They have a pack of 20 Microfiber, waffle wash cloths and towels for $26. The towels are large just like the one offered on Griots. They also have a pack of 3 just for car care, in the auto section that were around the price you would pay for one at car shops.
     
    #40 GoSkins, Aug 24, 2009
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