I thought I was finished spending lots of money on detailing supplies. I’m not a detailer, but I’ve always liked to keep my cars looking good. I guess it started with my 3rd car, a charcoal gray ’88 Honda Accord LX. A friend recommended Zymol Carbon, and I used it for a few years. It looked great, but it didn’t last long. This was the first expensive wax I’d used (Blue Coral and Turtle wax anyone?), and I thought it was awesome that the Zymol didn’t stain my trim. From around ’92 to ’96, I tried Pinnacle (didn’t last as long as the Zymol), P21S (replaced the Zymol for a while), and just about everything Meguiar’s made. (I still have some #2, #7, #9, and #26 in the garage.) In ’96 I discovered 3M IHG and One Grand Blitz, and I thought I was finished looking. OGB is still my favorite conventional wax, and the best bang for the buck. The joy lasted until ’99 when I discovered Zaino. The first experience wasn’t good. I put it on too thick, and it took over 4 hours to dry, but I’ve got the hang of it now, and can do 2.5 cars with an ounce. After I got the hang of Zaino, I gave all of my other waxes away except for the #26 and OGB. I got some ZFX this year. It’s great, and it addresses my main complaint, drying time.
I guess like Jngrbrdman said, nothing is perfect, so I guess the search will never end…. The Klasse twins sound interesting…. Especially AIO. Maybe when the Zaino is gone…
Anyway, I found this site, and in the past week, I’ve bought The Autopia detailing guide, a PC from Lowe’s, the PC accessory kit from CMA, a CCD (used a Kozak cloth previously), some MF cloths, 3M SMR & FI-II, some Stoner’s Invisible Glass, and the list goes on. I plan to go to work on my black ’99 LS400 once everything arrives, and I get a nice Saturday. I bought it used, and the paint needs some work. Here is my plan, please feel free to advise.
There are a few scratches that can be felt with my fingernail. I plan to try some FI-II with the PC and CMA wool pad to make them less obvious. (I’ve seen differing opinions on whether the wool pad should be used on clearcoat paint.) Then for all of the swirls and light scratches, I plan to go over the entire car with SMR and the yellow pad, followed by SMR again with a white pad if needed, then wash and Zaino by hand. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance, and keep the great information coming. I’ve learned a lot in the last week.
:xyxthumbs
Quentin
I guess like Jngrbrdman said, nothing is perfect, so I guess the search will never end…. The Klasse twins sound interesting…. Especially AIO. Maybe when the Zaino is gone…
Anyway, I found this site, and in the past week, I’ve bought The Autopia detailing guide, a PC from Lowe’s, the PC accessory kit from CMA, a CCD (used a Kozak cloth previously), some MF cloths, 3M SMR & FI-II, some Stoner’s Invisible Glass, and the list goes on. I plan to go to work on my black ’99 LS400 once everything arrives, and I get a nice Saturday. I bought it used, and the paint needs some work. Here is my plan, please feel free to advise.
There are a few scratches that can be felt with my fingernail. I plan to try some FI-II with the PC and CMA wool pad to make them less obvious. (I’ve seen differing opinions on whether the wool pad should be used on clearcoat paint.) Then for all of the swirls and light scratches, I plan to go over the entire car with SMR and the yellow pad, followed by SMR again with a white pad if needed, then wash and Zaino by hand. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance, and keep the great information coming. I’ve learned a lot in the last week.
:xyxthumbs
Quentin
Well, I just spent $600 on it at the dealers (30k service, coolant flush, brakes), so I guess I'm leaning toward keeping it, but if I happen to stumble across a perfect black/black w/ the Nak stereo, and the price is right, who knows. BTW, I'm not as bad as Sobers! Anyway, if I get it close to perfect, it will be easier to sell, right? Take care.