I am wondering if I still need to use claybar and/or wash with Dawn before applying zaino to a one week old car. Or I can just wash it with Z7 and go directly to Z2? I don't think claybar will make surface any smoother than it is now.

I am not sure if it was waxed at the dealership or not. What happenend if I apply Zaino over the wax? Thanks.

 

You don't *need to claybar or wash with dawn* but I think claybar will help, and it'll have the added benefit of stripping any wax that's on there. Zaino won't bond over a wax.

 

I agree with JackieO about the claybar. The finish may feel smooth, but who knows how long the vehicle sat in the lot. Claying will ensure a cleaner surface and will remove any contaminants as well as whatever the dealer applied. You want a sterile surface so Z-2 can bond to the surface.

 

Yes another vote for Claying. Clay it, when car moves from shipping to dealer or from dealer to dealer on the trucks, it gets lot of dust, dirst and rail dust from train shippings. Also using DAWN will strip off most of the wax. I'll say do both. At least I did when my TL was new.

 

Please people.........let's stop with the dishsoap junk

The claybar will remove any wax that is on the car. I don't get why people still believe in the Dawn method? Think about it for a second. Why strip the paint of its richness. A pure paint polish adds that depth using special oils and lubricants. Does this Zaino stuff only work on paint that is free of these oils?

 

The best way to do it is by using Z-PC after claying. Dawn wash will strip the oils of the paint.

 

Thanks. Since the paint is brand new I don 't think I need to use Z-PC. And I think, I will skip Dawn. Will wash with Z7 first and then claybar.

 

Z-PC doesn't remove much swirls. It is more of a cleaner with a very mild abrasive. I find that after claying there is marring. And I use SSR1 by hand just to remove it (doesn't take much effort). I imagine Z-PC can serve this same purpose and at the same time clean the surface ready for Z2/Z5.

 

I did both the darwn and claybar when i first got my TL. Then use the Zaino detailing spray Z6 to get rid of anything else on it...leaving it ready for Z2 and Z5. I used Z5 once, since it new and dont have much swirls. Then put on 2 layers of z2 with zfx ( not sure if it worth it).

I can say that I love the Zaino stuff. After washing and raining there is no water marks on my car. I never see any swirls on my car...only paint chips :o( .