[Josh49]

I'm building my list for products to buy. I want to get fully setup, maybe try polishing. I want all of the right stuff. I get my towels mixed some times, etc. I'm going to get organized, and get the right stuff. I think I was pretty thorough, but if I'm going through all the paint prep I want to go through, I don't want to be putting swirls into the paint when I wash it.

Some quick questions -
1. Applicators for Z-5, etc - What do you use? The zaino ones seem a bit pricey. Is that what I should be getting, or is there a better option.

2. Towels for drying - What should I use? Can you send me a link to autogeek or something? Thanks. I'd like to order all new ones.

3. Washing the car - I should order some new stuff. I was using a sheepskin mit. What do you recommend.

For the above products, if you could include a link to the actual product on autogeek or something, I would really appreciate that..

Other than that, here is the list. Feel free to make suggestions.
Exterior -
Two new buckets
2-3 (3.'s)
a bunch of (2.'s)
I have enough Zaino car wash
I use old cotton t-shirts to details the wheels, I think that should be okay..
I should get some poorboys wax for the wheels
Zaino Tire dressing
Zaino windshield polish
something to polish my exhaust tips (I have a thread bookmarked)

Interior -
Usually I just use a damp white t-shirt.
I would like to add Z-9 and Z-10 to the process.
Aerospace 303 for the dash and everything

Polishing -
PC Orbital
Zaino PC
backing plate
polishing pads (light scratch through final polishing)
I already have Z-2, Z-5, Z-6
A bunch of applicators (1.)
Maybe CS?

If I'm polishing this first huge detail, do I also need AIO?? Maybe that would be good to prep the paint where I don't really need to polish..

How many pads does it take to polish the car?

I have one spray bottle with water. I should get another one for a Z-7/water mix.

Some big tupperware containers or drawers labeled for what cloth goes in there. I want to really isolate my drying towels from the rest of the stuff..

Anyone see anything I am missing, or anything that would be real handy to have??

Thanks for reading this and helping out.. I want to have everything ahead of time, so once I start working I don't need to go anywhere (I only have one car, and would like it to be in the garage this entire process).

TIA,
Josh

[Josh49]

Also, Picus, a while ago you linked me to a polishing thread you wrote. I think it was for a G35 page or something. I searched all my pm's and threads and I can't find it. Could you resend those links. It talked about the different combinations of polish and pad, which ones to start with, and how to get more aggressive. It was a really helpful read, I'm pissed I can't find it now.. Thanks!! J49

[picus]

Originally Posted by Josh49

Also, Picus, a while ago you linked me to a polishing thread you wrote. I think it was for a G35 page or something. I searched all my pm's and threads and I can't find it. Could you resend those links. It talked about the different combinations of polish and pad, which ones to start with, and how to get more aggressive. It was a really helpful read, I'm pissed I can't find it now.. Thanks!! J49

http://g35driver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141057

1. Applicators for Z-5, etc - What do you use? The zaino ones seem a bit pricey. Is that what I should be getting, or is there a better option.

I use these: http://www.pakshak.com/yellow-foam-applicator-pad.html
They are $1/ea and work for zaino, wax, etc. Alternatively you can use your PC with a finishing pad for sealant application

2. Towels for drying - What should I use? Can you send me a link to autogeek or something? Thanks. I'd like to order all new ones.
http://www.pakshak.com/waffle-weave-...l-24x36-1.html
1 will do an entire car, two is even better.

3. Washing the car - I should order some new stuff. I was using a sheepskin mit. What do you recommend.
Sheepskin mitts. Grout sponges are ok too, heck even chenille mitts are ok, but I like sheepskin best.
http://www.pakshak.com/eurow-genuine...wash-mitt.html

Exterior -
Two new buckets
2-3 (3.'s)
a bunch of (2.'s)
I have enough Zaino car wash
I use old cotton t-shirts to details the wheels, I think that should be okay.
As my old microfibers start to get lame I use them on wheels too. I also have a microfiber mitt I use (never on paint, only wheels), you'll accumulate stuff too. For now t-shirts on stock wheels are ok
I should get some poorboys wax for the wheels
Zaino Tire dressing
Zaino windshield polish
What for? Just wondering. Polishing glass is very difficult, unless you're just trying to make water bead in which case just use your paint sealant on it
something to polish my exhaust tips (I have a thread bookmarked)
Lots of options. Wenol, P21S polishing soap. Mothers Mag or Alum polish.

Interior -
Usually I just use a damp white t-shirt.
I would like to add Z-9 and Z-10 to the process.
Aerospace 303 for the dash and everything
only thing I'd add is some megauirs quick interior detailer, it's good for interim cleaning, when you don't want to use 303

Polishing -
PC Orbital
Zaino PC
backing plate
polishing pads (light scratch through final polishing)
I already have Z-2, Z-5, Z-6
A bunch of applicators (1.)
Maybe CS?
You can try CS, but if you have z2/z5 I'd skip it. How bad are your swirls? ZPC is a very light polish, you might need something with more bite

If I'm polishing this first huge detail, do I also need AIO?? Maybe that would be good to prep the paint where I don't really need to polish..
It doesn't hurt. I'd get ZAIO though, since you're using Zaino products. If you end up polishing with a more aggressive polish than ZPC odds are you can skip this, though having a chemical cleaner around is always good.

How many pads does it take to polish the car?
It depends on how much you polish. Figure each polishing step will take three pads, or cleaning three times. So if you only use ZPC once on the entire car, then two-three pads. If you need to use a more aggressive polish before ZPC, then 4-6 pads. Make sense? Applying a sealant only takes one pad. I normally tell guys to get two of each to start, and if they add more add more orange/white...

I have one spray bottle with water. I should get another one for a Z-7/water mix.
If you're going to clay, yes. I like having spray bottles for APCs, clay lubricant, alcohol/water, etc.

Some big tupperware containers or drawers labeled for what cloth goes in there. I want to really isolate my drying towels from the rest of the stuff..
Good idea. Wash your mf's separate for everything else too

Anyone see anything I am missing, or anything that would be real handy to have??
Detailing brushes, they rock for little spots on the interior. You have clay, right? Rubbing alcohol for polish residue removal (if needed), a lot of good microfibers (16x16). Possibly a more aggressive polish if needed. A wheel cleaner (if needed). Some baking soda (put it on your carpets for 30 min before vacuuming, works great). I think that's it.

[Josh49]

You are the man. I am reading this right now.

[KL2DC]

Hey Josh, do mine too, while you're at it

[Josh49]

Thanks for that thread again. Awesome..

I was wondering that about Z-2, Z-5, etc? Do you apply those by orbital or by hand, and buff by orbital or hand? I'm guessing apply by hand and maybe buff off by machine? I'm sure for the bigger areas you use a PC somehow.

I've heard really good things about the windshield polish from my boss (C5 Z06), I want to give it a shot.

Swirls are light but I guess I'll say light to medium. I've had them since I took delivery. I think I want to take this next step and get rid of them. About needing more bite to get rid of the swirls, I'm assuming you would recommend the products from your G35 thread and they can be bought on that same website?

Pads - I got what you're saying. It sounds like I should order a bunch though, especially if I can use the PC RO for the z-5 steps.

APC? Sorry I have not heard this before. Just curious what it stands for. I'm sure once you say it I will smack myself in the head.

You say to order a bunch of 16 x 16 MF's. Is that for buffing. I need a bunch of towels for buffing, etc. I want something extremely soft. What do you recommend? Again, an exact product name or link is great.

Is it okay to use the white cotton t-shirts on the inside, or do you use these same mf towels for the inside (dash, seats, etc.). To apply 303 or Z-9/10 for instance.

I've never heard of the baking soda thing. I just shampooed the carpets this weekend though, so they're all set for the summer. They are pristine.. What does the baking soda do, that's interesting..

Thanks, I really appreciate all of this. I can't wait for the weather to warm up and do this..

This order correct:
Wash with dawn
Clay
Wash with Z-7
Polish
AIO areas that don't need polishing
Z-5, Z-2, with Z-6 in between, etc.
CS possibly
Show car shine possibly (Z6 or Z8)

[Josh49]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

Hey Josh, do mine too, while you're at it

No problem mon!!

[turbojet3]

I picked up the toro electric leaf blower for under $30. I still dry with the
towels, but the blower gets all the water out of the crevices and review mirriors.

[Ninjaneer]

Originally Posted by picus

Some baking soda (put it on your carpets for 30 min before vacuuming, works great). I think that's it.

picus what's the baking soda do for the carpets exactly? Remove odors?

Originally Posted by Josh49

This order correct:
Wash with dawn
Clay
Wash with Z-7
Polish
AIO areas that don't need polishing
Z-5, Z-2, with Z-6 in between, etc.
CS possibly
Show car shine possibly (Z6 or Z8)

Josh, my understanding is that you could skip the wash with Z-7 after claying. As you clay and use lubricant/QD (use some Z7 with water in a spray bottle for example) you'll also buff that area dry with an MF as you go, so you don't need to wash (you could if you really want to).

[Josh49]

Originally Posted by Ninjaneer

picus what's the baking soda do for the carpets exactly? Remove odors?

Josh, my understanding is that you could skip the wash with Z-7 after claying. As you clay and use lubricant/QD (use some Z7 with water in a spray bottle for example) you'll also buff that area dry with an MF as you go, so you don't need to wash (you could if you really want to).

Hmm. When I clayed last time, the clay/QD left such a mess all over the car that I wanted to wash it all off before moving onto the next step.. I guess I could skip that wash. Maybe just a hose down. Where I wasted time last year was drying before the clay. That's a complete waste. The clay and qd makes such a wet mess anyhow, who cares if its a little wet to begin with..

Thanks for posting!!
Josh

[picus]

Thanks for that thread again. Awesome..

I was wondering that about Z-2, Z-5, etc? Do you apply those by orbital or by hand, and buff by orbital or hand? I'm guessing apply by hand and maybe buff off by machine? I'm sure for the bigger areas you use a PC somehow.
I use a PC to apply then then buff off by hand. I would not buff off by machine. Using a PC to apply is optional, you generally use a little more product but you get the sealant applied quicker and usually more uniformly.

I've heard really good things about the windshield polish from my boss (C5 Z06), I want to give it a shot.
Ok.

Swirls are light but I guess I'll say light to medium. I've had them since I took delivery. I think I want to take this next step and get rid of them. About needing more bite to get rid of the swirls, I'm assuming you would recommend the products from your G35 thread and they can be bought on that same website?
Well Z-PC is a great finishing polish and since you're using zaino I would stick with that as your finisher. I might also grab a bottle of something with a tad more bite, like Optimum Compound, Poorboys SSR2, Menzerna Intensive Polish... Of course you can try ZPC first, it might work; it's hard to say without seeing the car.

Pads - I got what you're saying. It sounds like I should order a bunch though, especially if I can use the PC RO for the z-5 steps.
You'll only need one pad for z2 and one pad for z5 if you go that route. They won't get saturated with product. The reason you need more for polishing is when the pad gets saturated it loses it's effectiveness. So ya I'd get 2-3 orange, 2-3 white, and 2 grey min

APC? Sorry I have not heard this before. Just curious what it stands for. I'm sure once you say it I will smack myself in the head.
All purpose cleaner. Sorry. I always dilute it.

You say to order a bunch of 16 x 16 MF's. Is that for buffing. I need a bunch of towels for buffing, etc. I want something extremely soft. What do you recommend? Again, an exact product name or link is great.
Yep, removal pf polish residue while polishing and for buffing off your sealant. I like these a lot:
http://www.pakshak.com/ultra-fine-mi...l-16x16-1.html
They are pricey, but awesome at buffing. You'll only need 2-4 for the Zaino buffing, you'll use most of them when wiping off polish residue while polishing.


Is it okay to use the white cotton t-shirts on the inside, or do you use these same mf towels for the inside (dash, seats, etc.). To apply 303 or Z-9/10 for instance.
I use mf's, but cheaper ones (or older ones that I don't use on paint anymore). Locally available ones at Costco, Target etc will do.

I've never heard of the baking soda thing. I just shampooed the carpets this weekend though, so they're all set for the summer. They are pristine.. What does the baking soda do, that's interesting..
Ah, you're good then. Baking soda neutralizes odors. Just sprinkle it on, let sit 30 min, then vacuum normally. Also, if you're carpets are in pristine shape you might consider scotchgaurding them. I do this when I do new car preps and it works great.

Thanks, I really appreciate all of this. I can't wait for the weather to warm up and do this..

This order correct:
Wash with dawn
Clay
Wash with Z-7
Polish
AIO areas that don't need polishing
Z-5, Z-2, with Z-6 in between, etc.
CS possibly
Show car shine possibly (Z6 or Z8)

Yep. As mentioned you probably don't need to wash after clay since you're polishing, but you can if you like (just saw your last reply, wash away ). When you polish, polish the whole car at least with ZPC, if you only polish parts you might notice some differences in the tone of the paint in some light. So if you end up using a more aggressive polish only use that where needed, but ZPC the whole thing. You can probably skip AIO if you're claying and polishing. I'd keep it around though for future use.
[/QUOTE]

[picus]

Originally Posted by Ninjaneer

picus what's the baking soda do for the carpets exactly? Remove odors?

Yep.

Your moms never did that to your carpets at home? Must be a Canadian thing.

Oh, turbojet3's leafblower suggestion is a good one too. I use one a lot for drying.

[Josh49]

Thanks picus. The above information is incredible. I can't wait to get this all in. I'll take pictures..

[SoYank]

Originally Posted by picus

3. Washing the car - I should order some new stuff. I was using a sheepskin mit. What do you recommend.
Sheepskin mitts. Grout sponges are ok too, heck even chenille mitts are ok, but I like sheepskin best.
http://www.pakshak.com/eurow-genuine...wash-mitt.html

Just make sure you haven't recently tiled your kitchen or bathroom.