Have read a lot on the subject. Have a couple of questions. I have ordered and received today ZFX, Z-2, Z-5 & Z-6.

1. I at first decided not to clay my new S. Now I am having second thoughts. I know the advantages. I did not order the clay from Zaino. I want to start this weekend. Will any clay work. What kind? Where can I buy? (Pep Boys, Auto part <Wal-mart)?

2. What do I Clay/Zaino, just the Yellow paint or what else do I include (Black trim around back, head lights, windshield) ??????

I have no visible blimshes in the paint, any other suggestions before my virgin run?

 

Definately clay the paint (only). Any clay will do and make sure to use lots of soapy water with the clay to avoid scratches. I mix a concentrated soap/water mix in a spray bottle and apply it to small areas as I clay.

Put several coats of Z5 on first to remove swirls and fill scratches. Then put on the Z2.

Remimber, put on EXTREMELY thin layers of Zaino, almost to the point that you think its not going on. The key is to put on multiple thin layers. btw, Zaino can go on the headlights but I wouldn't put it on the windshield.

 

a contrary opinion-
i clay only when my car really needs it (once a year at most for my car- each is different).
depends on where your car is parked and whether it has any contamination on it. take a plastic bag (like a baggie) and put your hand in it and rub it over the surface-
if it glides smoothly, no need to clay.
if it "hangs-up" at all, then you should clay.
if you do clay, follow the points above that my bad made- use plenty of liquid (he uses water, i use a detailers spray- but for a virgin car, water is prob the best choice).
after you clay, "feel" the car (use the backs of your fingers) and you will learn what a car feels like that does not need to be clayed, so you can easily check it any time.
good luck!

 

How much did all of that cost you?

 

Test your paint b4 you clay by rubbing your fingers on the surface. If it feels smooth then do not clay. If it feels like there are little stubs all over then clay it You want a surface that feels as smooth as glass b4 you Zaino.

TJ

 

I have read that all clays are the same. I do not think so myself. I have tried the Clay Magic clay (Wal-mart and Autozone) and the Zaino clay. I liked the Clay Magic clay much, much better. It seemed to remove contaminants much easier with less rubbing and did not seem abrasive. As a added bonus, it is cheaper. Not to go against Wannabe, who has much more experience with this, but I think you should definitely clay. Just be careful. I have read that it is possible to scratch or haze your paint doing this. My car is less than 2 months old. When I got it, I "spot clayed" it by feel as Wannabe suggested. The paint had picked up a lot of surface impurities between Japan and Mississippi. My car is a daily driver so I wanted to give it the best start I could. It is a tough battle to keep it clean and scratch free on a daily basis, no matter where you live. I have fun, Zaino can be addictive.......I have 15 coats so far on mine.

 

shift_9
about $70.00 including S&H, what the hell you only wax the S for the first time once.

 

Go to a pepboys or wherever; go get Mothers Clay. Comes with a bottle of wax, the lubricant, and the bar (i think the wax might be P21s, not sure... too lazy to go into my garage to check )

Basically how clay bar works (Mothers clay kits have good instructions also for when you do it).

You spray the car with lubricant, then take the clay and just rub it back and forth lightly, and it'll pick up particles you can/cant see. Clay the entire car body (no windows, headlights, just the clearcoated stuff).

After you clay bar, wash the car again (I suggest washing with dawn soap again) to get the lubricant off the car. Be sure to get it all off so that you dont wax over it, otherwise it's stuck there for a while.

After washing use the ZFX, a single coat on an s2000 is about 1/4th of the 2 ounce bottle, that is... if you do very thin even coats.

Despite not having any marks, I suggest starting with Z5. I thought i'd be ok with just Z2 after clay bar because it looked clear and I didnt' see any marks, but the Z2 brings out whats underneath, so ended up marks I didnt notice did eventually come out.

So again; I suggest maybe 2 coats of Z5 with Z6 in between, then a coat or two of Z2 on top as a protector.
So it'd look like Z5, Z6,Z5,Z6,Z2,Z6,Z2,Z6... something like that.

I usually get pretty tired after doing all of that, but the end result is worth it. For the most part follow directions on the products you buy and you should be ok. Good luck.

 

I went to the local Zaino distributor's house here in Austin today and had him fill me in on everything. After inspecting my car he said that I did not need z5 and only suggested zxf, z2, z6, z7, and the clay. I ended up getting everything but the clay and went to Pepboys and bought the claymagic clay. I went home and as soon as the sun went down I started everything. I washed with dawn and then clayed the entire car. It was waaay easier than I thought it would be and I was really surprised at how much dirt etc. it got off even though my paint felt as smooth as glass before. After claying I rinsed off the soap and dried the car thoroughly. Then, as was suggested to me, I did a coat of z6 first. The guy told me that this would remove any water spots that may have remained after washing/drying the car. Then I proceeded to do z2,z6,z2. I cannot believe how the car looks now. I plan on doing another z6,z2 tomorrow and then taking a small video walk-around clip of the results. I am really kicking myself in the arse for waiting this long to try this stuff out. I have used just about everything else on the market and nothing compares even by a long shot.

 

Any pics stinger?