3M SMR & Zaino

O

Orange4jon

New member
Long time no post, had to come back to get some help.



My auto is a dark metalic blue that has been on the Zaino system for over a year now. I have noticed very little difference in the reduction of swirls (after to many applications of Z5 to count) and was considering something else to help me in the problem areas. I was looking to use the 3M SMR for dark cars on the hood and roof and was curious to know if I need to remove the Zaino before starting on the SMR? If I just do the hood and roof I will need to use Dawn before going back to the Zaino, will the Dawn remove all the Zaino on the car?



My goal is to remove/reduce swirls and eliminate some minor water spots (vinegar not working).



TIA
 
The SMR should do the job of removing the Z for you I would imagine. I don't have any experience with stripping Z from cars so I'm not sure. I would imagine that a Dawn wash, clay, and SMR should do the job for you.
 
This past weekend, I did some remedial work on my dark green Accord after a body shop put a haze of small scratches all over it from negligent washing. I had about 5 layers of Z5 on most portions of the car.



I Dawn washed. Then used 3M SMR after using the Zaino clay. Zaino clay did a great job of removing overspray, etc. After the wash, clay, SMR and wipe down, I was almost out of light--and pretty tired. So I put on a coat of Z5, right after the SMR, without Dawn washing again. Looked great!



But I then got worried that I messed up by not Dawn washing before the Z5, so I e-mailed Sal. His reply was a bit ambiguous. Here is the e-mail exchange:



SZ:Was this okay? [Putting on the Z5 without dawn wash first]



Sal: Not really, but you will be okay...

SMR contains a lot of oil....



SZ:or Should I Dawn wash and start over?



Sal: Don't worry you're okay...



So far, I'd say the car looks great after three solid days of rain. Beads like a 'pure' Z5 application. I hope to put on three more layers this coming weekend.



BTW, I used a borrowed 9" Sears orbital with a foam Turtle Wax bonnet on it. I was wary about this set up, but it worked great. I worked the SMR until it flashed off and the car was glossy, then wiped slight residue with a cotton towel.



So, if you have the stamina, Dawn wash again before Z5. But I'd be glad for company investigating whether Z holds up when layered right over SMR.

:D
 
Dawn should only be used to remove wax build and oils from the paint when getting ready to apply fresh layers of wax or sealants.



SMR being slightly abrasive will take of that and then some as will most paint cleaners.



DAWN is very hyped here and it should be something that is used with caution if at all.



It sort of becoming a common step in a paint cleaning process and people here are really not taking into consideration at which point it should be used.



It should be used as the last step before wax/sealing unless you're using a glaze in which case it's the second to last step. I still don't see much value in using it but hey, if it tickles your fancy. Just use car soap in the intial wash.



It's for assurance of having a nice clean surface in which to apply your finishing products.



Applying it before claying and polishing doesn't really accomplish very much.



Paco
 
Makes sense that it wasn't necessary before the SMR. Thanks, Paco.



But still...what about the oils in SMR interfering with Z5 adhesion? I guess I should call Sal.
 
Any car wash will remove the oils, so you can use a regular pH balance car shampoo. Dawn is unnecessarily harsh to just remove oils.
 
Unless you've been driving through a vat of pig fat or lard or Maple syrup. Normal car shampoo's should take care of any oils left behind by SMR's.



However, if it 's been months since you last wash, and you've been driving in a lot of rainy weather. Then perhaps where a lot of street oils are splashing on to the paint due to the wet weather and you going to apply a wax or sealant straight away after a wash, a dish soap may be more effective than a car soap.



Car soaps by their nature, have less cleaning abilities than dish soaps (so that the wax layer isn't completely removed) hence the old notion of using Dawn in the last cleaning step.



I'd say the difference is marginal if any though in real world use.



Paco
 
Technically, it should effect the cross-linking of the polymer to clear if there is any oily barrier between the two. With waxes, it doesn't technically bind to the clear so having it there is no concern.



For any polymer sealant, definitely wash the vehichle just prior to the application of it to ensure maximum cross-linking and thereby increasing the durability of the product.



Paco
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top