Ok....I would really like to take care of my new S2000 within a reasonable budget.
I see tons of product recommendations in this forum, but could someone give me a quick care guide?
I've babied cars in the past, but this is a different type of car (convertible) & I used Zymol (which local retailers no longer carry).
Yes, I've washed cars before
And I thought I knew what I was doing...but from the looks of this tread, I am very much the beginner. Heck, I don't even know what a clay bar is used for.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated, Thanks

Alan

Ps: Quick possible goofus question:
Is it ok to drive through one of those gas station automatic 'brushless' carwashes if you need an emergency wash (bird, heavy mud,etc)?

 

Do a search on 'Zaino'... Should be a lot of info to be found. Also www.zainobros.com



-- Aaron

 

NO!

 

Really, the key is good technique and good towels.

Make sure you get 100% cotton towels (fieldcrest/canon) made in the USA. That's very importanat as a lot of towels say 100% cotton and the nap actually is, but the backing is polyester which will scratch your clearcoat. I recommend Royal Velvets or Charisma's. White of course.

Use towels to wash and dry your car. If you wash with a sponge or polyester mit, you're scratching your clear. I suggest actually using a leaf blower, but you need to make sure your car is slick (freshly waxed, zainoed, etc).

Remember, touch lightly on your car. NO hard rubbing etc.

Of course, I recommend Zaino products for your paint. www.zainobros.com

Take care

 

Some basics

Use a automobile shampoo

Use two buckets - one with clean water and one with water and shampoo- when you wash your car - use the one with clean water to rinse the mitt before you after you have washed a section.

Clay is to remove surface contaminates - even brand new cars usually have some - feel the top part of your bumpers - if there are contaminates, you can feel the grit.

Use Zaino, Blitz, Blackfire, Klasse, PS21, Zymol, Griots, etc - they are all good and they all have their limitations. I like Zaino myself.

Alot of people think that Zaino is expensive, but about $100 should set you up with everything you need. And you use so little of it, this $100 worth of stuff will last a long time.

Use good quality 100% cotton towels to dry or an absorber (I use both). Synthetics can leave small scratches on the finish.

Check out the forums at http://www.autopia-carport.com - and they have a e-book on car detailing that is free to download.

And never, ever, ever take you car through one of those gas station washes.

 

I think I'm sold on Zaino from all the recommendations here, but a few quick questions still remain:
1. How's this for a 'Starter Kit' (Z2,Z6,Z7,Z9,Z10,Z18,ZFX)? Sounds good from their website, but am I possibly overdoing it for a new S2k?
2. What is the recommend product for cleaning the wheels? I don't see a 'wheel cleaner' on the Zaino site. I've used the Zymol cleaner before with good results, but as I stated earlier in the thread, my local dealer no longer carries Zymol products.

Thanks again for all the information & tips

Alan

 

You might want to add Z5 to your list.

I haven't used a cleaner on my wheels. If you wash them on a regular basis, you really don't need anything more than Z7 and water to take care of them

 

P21S wheel cleaner works very well for me when my alloys get particularly filthy. A good coat of the same wax you use on your body work applied to your wheels makes dust and dirt a lot easier to remove too.

 

One last question....actually, check is in the mail to Zaino, but here it goes
Griot's Garage wash products?
Good, Bad or just Ugly
Picked up a few of their detailing products (wash,polish,wax) for Christmas and I'm wondering if I should avoid them or if they'd be a nice alternative until the Zaino arrived.
Thanks again for all the advice

Alan

 

They're good products, but since you already have the Zaino ordered, I would save the Griots for a car that has less than desireable paint. Maybe the wife's daily driver or something