Highest gloss-inducing polish for use with 845?

BMW335i said:
...........Will the 845 even bond well to the Z5? Since Z5 is a sealant, and 845 is a wax, they might not be compatible with each other?.........
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You can top Z5 with 845, but I doubt that you'll need to or want to. Z5 is very durable and also looks very nice. When using ZFX you can do three applications of Z5 in one day. If you like the looks of Z5 then stop there and just use some Z8 after you do a wash to bling it up.



Remember if you have swirls AIO isn't going to remove them, but Z5 will do some minor filling so it might come out looking fairly decent.
 
BMW335i said:
Can you reccomend me a process? If a PC will make the paint look much better than hand, I might invest in one. Thank you.
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Call the Lowes in your area to see if they are clearing out the PC "sanders". Pick one up. Then buy yourself a backing plate, counterweight (if required), and pads. Go to an online place for these. Get yourself a finishing polish - Menzerna FPII or PO106FF. The latter is more expensive, but cuts better. If the swirls are very light, FPII will be fine.



The sander is this one:



Random Orbit Sander



1) Wash

2) Clay

3) Menzerna FPII with a PC and a light cut pad (I used CMA's green pad for German finishes)

4) Zaino Z5pro/ZFX, 2-3 layers. Moist a MF with Z6 to buff the Z5pro after each coat.



You can sub the Zaino with another sealant if you like. You can sub the Menzerna with Optimum Polish.
 
BMW335i said:
Can you reccomend me a process? If a PC will make the paint look much better than hand, I might invest in one, but if possible, please stick to hand applications! Thank you.



Again, the swirling is VERY minimal. It is a new car.
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Really is no process by hand, you might be able to use ScratchX by hand but it won't do much either, you need a polish with abrassive qualities to break down, unless you have a hand that moves at 6K opm then. Plus I couldn't even imagine polishing by hand, with a PC you looking at around 5-7 minutes per panel, forget by hand. If you tried a polish like Menzerna (even a final polish) you'll pry cause more marring to the paint as you won't be able to break it down.



Also with "filler" products, after a couple washes you'll see the swirls come back again when the fillers disappear.
 
xspeedy said:
Call the Lowes in your area to see if they are clearing out the PC "sanders". Pick one up. Then buy yourself a backing plate, counterweight (if required), and pads. Go to an online place for these. Get yourself a finishing polish - Menzerna FPII or PO106FF. The latter is more expensive, but cuts better. If the swirls are very light, FPII will be fine.



1) Wash

2) Clay

3) Menzerna FPII with a PC and a light cut pad (I used CMA's green pad for German finishes)

4) Zaino Z5pro, 2-3 layers. Moist a MF with Z6 to buff the Z5pro after each coat.



You can sub the Zaino with another sealant if you like. You can sub the Menzerna with Optimum Polish also.
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Thanks. So you wouldn't go with 845 at all? Is the Z5 pro w/ ZFX or w/o? Thanks.



The real debate now is whether I should go with a sealant like Z5 or a wax like 845. The reason I am confused is because a few people have said 845 looks great on light colors like silver.



BUT, if you DO have a process for polishing by hand, PLEASE let me know! I don't care if ALL the swirls are removed, I just want a nice gloss for a polishing job by HAND. Thanks!
 
If you decide to go the Zaino route, ZPC works okay by hand and will prep the surface really well for Z. I prefer Z2pro over Z5pro on silver personally. I don't think PO106FF would break down well by hand.
 
BMW, the countless suggestions are somewhat confusing huh?



Well, I have another:



- Buy a PC

- Apply Optimum Poli-Seal with a polishing pad

- Then 2 coats of 845



Done, enjoy.



I recommend you this process because it is not only the most effective, but also the most user friendly - considering your beginner level. These products are simple to use; no learning curves, no nothing. Forgiving, honest results.



If you want to jump a level, it's up to you, but I don't think it is necessary.



Yes, 845 looks great on silver. Sealant or wax? If they are performing nearly at the same level and provide a wonderful appearance... One *may* last longer, the other protects more mechanically.
 
^ Yes, EXTREMELY confusing. Nearly pulling my hair out, lol...





Should I just forget my 845? I had alot of suggestions for it in the beginning (before I bought it), now I am starting to think the Zaino system would work better. I was thinking I could apply both, but since the 845 would be the LSP, the *periodic* application of the Z6/Z8 sprays would not bond to the Zaino...:nixweiss
 
BMW335i said:
^ Yes, EXTREMELY confusing. Nearly pulling my hair out, lol...
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You're getting a lot of suggestions, but you keep changing your mind so the suggestions keep changing.



Are you going to do this by hand or PC? Do you want to correct the swirls or fill them? Do you want a sealant like Zaino or a wax like 845?



There are 100's of combo's you can do, but first decide if you're going to do this by hand or with a PC. Either way you probably already have enough suggestions posted in this thread alone to cover almost all of your bases.
 
That's why I said simple. Even the Z-process is quite easy, but when you have to add steps like IPA wipedown after polising/measuring/mixing/shaking/wipedowns between layers/final wipedown, you are better off with the simpler approach. Of course, these steps are quick, easy and soon become natural, but they are definitely more steps.



The simplest process?



OPS - PC/polishing pad

OCW - right over the OPS residue, wipe off, ready.



You can add more OCW as you wish or even 845, but that's truly optional.
 
Eliot Ness said:
You're getting a lot of suggestions, but you keep changing your mind so the suggestions keep changing.



Are you going to do this by hand or PC? Do you want to correct the swirls or fill them? Do you want a sealant like Zaino or a wax like 845?



There are 100's of combo's you can do, but first decide if you're going to do this by hand or with a PC. Either way you probably already have enough suggestions posted in this thread alone to cover almost all of your bases.
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To put everything dead honest and straight...



Everything is going to be done by hand. I do not want to practice on any of our cars and risk messing up.



Completely removing swirls are absolutely not a priority. Giving the best gloss without breaking out a PC is. I know ALL swirls will not be removed without a PC. I am fine with that. Filling swirls is fine!



I understand its been beaten to death a little but if someone can sum up a process for me regarding this criteria I would be grateful.
 
if you've got the money for a 335i, then it would be a disservice to your paint if you didn't have a PC. Trust me it's worth it. pays for itself the first time you use it.



i've had great success with optimum polish underneath collinite.



Zaino isn't really a polish, you can use it underneath as a sealant for added protection though. But you will still need to prep your paint



BMW335i said:
Cool. What about Zaino? By the way, this will be done by hand. I just don't have $200 lying around for a PC!
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alexis said:
if you've got the money for a 335i, then it would be a disservice to your paint if you didn't have a PC. Trust me it's worth it. pays for itself the first time you use it.



i've had great success with optimum polish underneath collinite.



Zaino isn't really a polish, you can use it underneath as a sealant for added protection though. But you will still need to prep your paint
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Winter is coming, and the PC will wait until spring. For now, I am interested in getting very good gloss and maybe some protection.
 
BMW335i said:
......Everything is going to be done by hand. I do not want to practice on any of our cars and risk messing up......Completely removing swirls are absolutely not a priority. Giving the best gloss without breaking out a PC is. I know ALL swirls will not be removed without a PC. I am fine with that. Filling swirls is fine!



I understand its been beaten to death a little but if someone can sum up a process for me regarding this criteria I would be grateful.
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OK two simple processes (both include a wash and clay first):



1. AIO to clean the paint and then a couple coats of 845.



2. AIO or Z-PC to clean and prep your paint, then 3 applications of Zaino Z5 with ZFX. Use Z6 before each application. After each wash hit it with some Z8 (will add some bling and slickness).



The second process is just a bit more complex, but that is the way I would do it if I were you. Aio will work fine (and Z will bond to it) but Z-PC also seems to do OK by hand.



Also consider buying one of these (you'll be glad you did):



Lake Country Manufacturing Pad & Handle Kit
 
Eliot Ness said:
OK two simple processes (both include a wash and clay first):



1. AIO to clean the paint and then a couple coats of 845.



2. AIO or Z-PC to clean and prep your paint, then 3 applications of Zaino Z5 with ZFX. Use Z6 before each application. After each wash hit it with some Z8 (will add some bling and slickness).



The second process is just a bit more complex, but that is the way I would do it if I were you. Aio will work fine (and Z will bond to it) but Z-PC also seems to do OK by hand.



Also consider buying one of these (you'll be glad you did):



Lake Country Manufacturing Pad & Handle Kit
Click to expand...





Thank you so much as a matter of fact I am going to do #2. Just what I had in mind!
 
BMW335i said:
Yes, but taking this from what people say, it cannot be broken down as well as Z-PC.
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106FF is very good (but I haven't tried it by hand), but to keep things simple just get Z-PC when/if you order the rest of your Zaino.
 
I have used 106ff by hand in small hard to get areas and it had work GREAT! Zpc is very very close also. If this was my choice by hand and wanted to get everything from 1 place then I would get from zaino. Zpc, zfx, z-5 pro, z-2 pro, z-6, z-8. Very easy to use with outstanding results!
 
Cut all this crap out and use Menzerna PO85RD and lay down your coats of 845 with 24 hours between coats...
 
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