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I just got my Zaino kit in the mail. I plan on doing the clay bar and then the wax this weekend. I have read that it is best to wash the car with dawn prior to doing the clay bar... I'm Kind of wondering what the thought process behind this... Some people say it is to remove all of the wax so you have a clean slate. I agree with that statement, BUT, then you use the detail spray (apply wax) along with the clay bar. Then after clay barring the car, you would want to wash it again with dawn... Am I correct? I guess I'm big dealing this and I shouldn't be, but I don't see the purpose of washing with dawn just to wax/clay bar the car and wash with dawn again. If someone has some insite, I have open ears!!! (Besides, the dawn is cheaper than car soap... so why should I care)!!!
Also, if anyone thinks they have any additional tips tricks they would like to share about the zaino process, I'm all ears! I have watched many videos and read as much as I can... The biggest thing I get is use very very little zaino wax...
I'm not a big believer in using Dawn. It's a harsh cleaner ment more for cleaning stains off dishes rather than car finishes. My concern would be if used enough it will play havoc with weather striping and other rubber type seals. Having said that, you will find many who will say it's ok to use.
The clay bar process itself should be enough to remove old finishes and impurities from the paint. The detailer itself just acts as a lube to the clay. It is not a wax in itself. The lube is critical in that it prevents the clay from scratching or maring the paint surface.
The process I use is to first wash, then clay. Then wash again. After you've dried the car you can apply a polish if need be. Finally you apply a good wax or sealant. Good luck and let us know how it turns out. There is a lot of good reading on the car care section of the forum.
I have been a Zaino user for more than 12 years and it works awesome for me. Your only gone to use to Dawn once, the first prep. Wash it with Dawn. Use the clay bar with Dawn soapy water. Rinse well, wash with Zaino soap your ready to go.
I won't be posting a picture of my Corvette because it was just professionally detailed a month ago after some body damage,so that would not be a fair assessment of a diy detail job, but, below is a picture of my 02 Dakota R/T..
This pic was taken about 6 months ago when I had just one fender finished.
To begin with, dawn is the way to go for the first step of any detail.
Now, I don't use a clay bar, but something that works every bit as good, and a hell of a lot less expensive.
I found that good ole plumber's putty from the hardware store works just as well as a clay bar.
After claying (or in my case using the putty), I applied a coat of turtle wax(definitely no washing after claying) and this is the result.
The finish is as clear as a mirror.
I have never felt those designer detail products do any better than turtle wax.
I think they are a waste of money.
Bob.
The purpose of using Dawn the first time (in theory) is to remove any non-Zaino branded products (usually waxes) from the surface. Zaino will not bond to a waxed surface.
When you begin to clay-bar with a Zaino detailer (Z6 or Z8) - those are NOT waxes. Zaino sealers (Z2, Z5, etc) are not a "waxes", but "sealants" and the entire Zaino line is compatible with itself.
I personally use Griot's Pre-Wax Cleaner after Clay-bar just to be sure I have a really stripped down surface for the first layer of Z2 or Z5 when doing my bi-annual major detailing, but it should not be necessary.
Go with what zanio recommends. When it comes to the clay bar don't make it a bigger deal then it is. After the wash with dawn rinse real well, then with the car wet with the clean rinse water go over the whole car lightly with the clay bar. The clay bar removes any contaminates in the finish. Rinse, dry and polish with the zanio. You will like the results. 16 years using zanio on my car.
I'm more of an Adams guy, however I do use a few Zaino products.
Since my C5 vert is a weekend driver, I usually perform one major detail per year and one minor detail per year.
On the major detail (which I just completed last week), I use the Dawn wash method to remove all wax, coatings, etc. as most of the time I use the waterless car wash method (again Adams). I also pull my polished CCW wheels and perform a wetsand and polish.
After I clay, I simply spray some waterless car wash cleaner on a MF towel and lightly wipe off any excess residue. It's not a perfect science, but it works for me.
With all of the talk on polish, wax, etc., the key for me is the paint sealant which is applied after the polish and before the wax. This is what truly protects your new, clean finish!
I have used a 50/50 mix of Isopropyl alcohol and distilled water to remove wax build up after washing before clay bar with good results. I have never used Dawn. Adams all the way!
I didn't have a clay bar but a forum member said he used plumbers putty so i used that and a quick detail for lubricant and then went back over it with chadwicks. I was pleased with the results
What's with the push to use Dawn? Soapy water, or detail spray is easier as I can wipe it clean as I clay. You'll know the finish is clean when you can't feel the grit on the paint. Polish to enhance the color and wax to preserve it.
Thanks for all of the advice and great pics. I look forward to seeing how great my car will look after I do all of this. When I bought it, it had some half @SS wax job done where the guy didn't even remove half of the wax!!!
What's with the push to use Dawn? Soapy water, or detail spray is easier as I can wipe it clean as I clay. You'll know the finish is clean when you can't feel the grit on the paint. Polish to enhance the color and wax to preserve it.
I have been a Zaino user for more than 12 years and it works awesome for me. Your only gone to use to Dawn once, the first prep. Wash it with Dawn. Use the clay bar with Dawn soapy water. Rinse well, wash with Zaino soap your ready to go.
Yep, you are ready to go and add 4, 5, 6 coats your preferred zaino polish to it.
Think about it. The clay bar is removing contaminants that are embedded in the valleys of the paint. These are the same contaminants and valleys that wax is applied over. You can't get to the contaminants unless the way is out of the way, thus, the clay bar is removing both the wax and the contaminants. All you need is some detail spray; no need for Dawn beforehand or during the clay bar process.
You could always use the dawn as your lubricant for the clay bar, I have never used the detail spray for clay baring, I just use my Zaino car wash in a pump up sprayer and soak the panel I am clay baring.
Clay Bar
