Need autopian approval ;)

S

soccercoach61

New member
Hey, guys, first post here (although I've been reading this forum forever!)



I'd like to get your opinion on the process I'm going to use on my car over the weekend.. it's a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Competition Group, Black with dark gray leather (looks just like the one in the newest Grand Prix Commercial :D )



When I took delivery, I didn't let the dealer do anything but remove the plastic and put the floor mats down. (No dealer name plate to remove either.) I did Dawn, clay, Z7 wash, 2 coats of Z-2 and a topping of P21S. The look was incredible, but there was still some light spider-webbing (or maybe even micromarring from the clay). So this weekend I'm going to take a little different approach, and wanted to know what you guys think:



Dawn wash

Clay

Z-7 wash

Meguiars Medallion Premium Paint Cleaner

Menzerna Final Polish

Z-2

P21S as a final topping



I've got a PC and an assortment of Lake Country and 3-M pads.



Thanks in advance for your opinions! This is a great site!!!

:xyxthumbs



Chuck
 
If you have swirls, light ones as you describe, I would suggest something more aggressive than MPPC or FP because neither or these IMO will do much for swirls. I would suggest something like Swirl Free Polish and then go over the car with alcohol/water mixture to remove the oils and to verify that the swirls are gone. Then proceed with Z2 and then P21S.
 
Nice car:xyxthumbs



The Megs MPPP is a chemical cleaner and does a good job on moderate/light swirls. Try it with a polish pad first B4 you have to use a cutting pad as this stuff is pretty aggressive for a chem cleaner.



Do one area first and check. If OK, keep going.



The Mez FP is great for that mirror look. I did my SC430 with Mezerna FP as a final polish and used the grey pad as I wanted ONLY the polish to burnish the finish, and not the pad. Worked darn well. If you look at my sig below (MY SC430) that was done with 3M PIII-MG/Menzerna-FP/Z5/Z2.



After polishing I washed the car to strip all oils from polishes with once wash of Dawn, followed by another quick one with Z7. Dry and started the Zaino. Have many coats.



I now topped it with Souveran paste. WOW after two coats, now I see a BIG difference. QD is now Megs FD not FI, but Clearkote QS gallon is on the way! I have yet to take new pics, but soon!



Towels play a big part. Make sure you have high quality MF towels and 100% USA cotton if you still use them. Look into the Autopia "CBT" towel or another fine finish/QD towel from DFTowel. These are the best finishing towels out! They are so soft it should be illegal!



Post some pics!!!



Regards,

Deanski
 
Thanks for the quick replies!



I also have Megs Bodyshop Professional Swirl Free Polish as well as Megs #9 (not sure what the difference is, they both have the same abrasive rating on the container). If the MPPP doesn't clear the marring, then I'll switch to one of these.



I've got some good MF towels and some very soft cotton towels - don't want to undo all that hard work.



Should I use the Dawn and Z-7 after the Menzerna FP and before the Zaino?



Thanks again for all your advice!!!
 
Greg said:
If you have swirls, light ones as you describe, I would suggest something more aggressive than MPPC or FP because neither or these IMO will do much for swirls. I would suggest something like Swirl Free Polish and then go over the car with alcohol/water mixture to remove the oils and to verify that the swirls are gone. Then proceed with Z2 and then P21S.
Click to expand...



The Swirl Free Polish you refer to is it this?



Meguiars No. 82 Swirl Free Polish
 
"Should I use the Dawn and Z-7 after the Menzerna FP and before the Zaino?"



Absolutely! You need to remove the oils from the polish or Zaino cannot bond and crosslink to the finish.



OR: A mix of alcohol/distilled water spray also works.



Remember, after all the oils have been removed, spray the finish with Z6 B4 you apply Zaino. As you get ready to do the Z6 spray of the finish, shake up the Zaino bottle, mix up your amount of ZFX/Z2 or ZFX/Z5, shake that really well! Put it down, now do the Z6 spray on the finish and wipe as you QD with the Z6. Once that's done, spray your applicator with Z6 lightly and apply the mixed Zaino. THIN THIN THIN... It should be hard to see it on the finish, THAT THIN! Let it cure, then wipe off. Grab the Z6, spray the finish again. Apply another coat, let cure and repeat for a total of 3 coats in one day. Do NOT ally more Zaino for at least 24 hours so it can fully cure and crosslink.



Next day, same thing, Z6/coat/Z6/coat etc.



After your done, enjoy your hard work and the beauty of Zaino.



FYI, Some of us top Zaino with a true carnuba for more depth if you do not like the high brightness.



Regards,

Deanski
 
Thanks deanski!



I've been using P21S over the Z-2 - I think it gives it a much deeper feeling than just the Z-2 alone.



I appreciate all the advice!!



I'll try to get some pics up when I get through.
 
Well today turned out to be cloudy and dry, so I decided to take the next couple of days off and go ahead and work on the car...



So far I've gotten through the Dawn wash and claybar, and a good compounding with Megs PPC.. so far WOW! The difference that the 7424 makes is just outstanding. Two of my neighbors have come over to look at it. When I told them I had more to do to it they said "Why??" I also got a "Could you do that to mine?"



I'm off to put the Menzerna FP on then grab a bite of lunch.



Thanks again for all of your suggestions!
 
Here is some more reading you can go through regarding Zaino. It's very well written and has some good tips and tricks!



Zaino tips by Nick



Take your time with th FP. It can be a bear to remove. But once you get the hang of it the finish will be stunning.



Then you can wash all the oils off from all the polishing and start your application of Zaino. Just make sure you shake the bottle of Zaino well before you pour some out to mix with ZFX as it does seperate if left too long on a shelf.



The P21S over Zaino should be wild looking!



I now have Souveran paste on the SC430 now over all the Zaino and after two coats, boy did that make a difference! Much wetter and deeper. Problem is I miss how slick Zaino was. Prior to the Souveran, if I used an Autopia CBT towel on it, it would slide all over! Had to keep good control of it or it'd be on the ground. Now with the Souveran, not as much glide at all. I even did another QD with Megs FD that I just got. Nice stuff that FD. Still waiting for my gallon of Clearkote QS! Now THAT is a QD from what I hear.



The PC does make a BIG difference when it comes to polishing a finish. Sure beats hand! For my tuffer jobs I have a rotary that I use, then switch back to the PC for fine polishing/glazing.



Love the way Menz FP looked after I used it with the grey finish pad. This really burnished the finish to a very high gloss. Looks like a piano laquer finish!



Good luck!



Regards,

Deanski
 
Dawn wash

Clay

Meguiars Medallion Premium Paint Cleaner

Menzerna Final Polish

Dawn wash

Z6 QD

Z-2 x 2( I would do two coats)

P21S as a final topping
 
Last time I called Zaino, they said not to use Meg's QD on the Zaino since it contained silicone. True or just a way to get me to buy some more Z6?
 
Beowoulf said:
Last time I called Zaino, they said not to use Meg's QD on the Zaino since it contained silicone. True or just a way to get me to buy some more Z6?
Click to expand...



I used Megs QD over Zaino .. then before I added more Zaini O Dawn washed really good .. no problems
 
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