Testing different products.

[MuhThugga]

I've always used Zaino, however the cost is getting to be a bit much. Especially if I can find good substitutes that do the same job for a lower price.
So, I've been looking around at other things.

I used to use layer upon layer of Zaino Z-2 Pro, since I found that Z-5 is an utter waste of money and doesn't do **** in terms of hiding/filling swirls and scratches. So, I started looking around, and Meguiars' Mirror Glaze product line really started to catch my eye.

So, here is my comparison between Z-2 Pro and Meguiars Synthetic Sealant 2.0:

Z-2 Pro: http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-2&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=6

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/images/z-2.jpg
$14.95 for 8 oz bottle

Z-2 Pro does deliver a nice shine to it, and does leave the paint finish smooth as glass. It goes on easily, covers well (should only need an ounce or so to do an average-sized car twice), and has that famous Zaino aroma.

Synthetic Sealant 2.0: http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.asp?T1=MEG+SEA2+16

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/imagesEdp/p84858z.jpg
$21.99 for 16oz or $48.49 for 64 oz

This can be used as a final coat, however I have used it as an initial coat. It covers much of the same as Z-2 Pro does. This means that it lasts longer, because you only need one coat of this. Zaino recommends layering the stuff. So, for $21.99, the 16 oz bottle, in theory, can cover 32 cars, whereas Zaino covers 8.

Another reason I looked at this sealant from Meguiars was to get away from having to use Zaino ZFX: the flash-cure additive Z-2 Pro requires in order to be "layered." The Meguiars Sealant you just shake, and apply. This eliminates another $19.95 you have to spend for Zaino.

In my honest opinion, this is a very cost-effective substitute to Z-2 Pro that delivers the same results. It helps me especially, since I've been using Pinnacle Souveran as a top-coat, and that stuff is $80 for 8 oz.... and is worth every penny.

Here is my buddy's BMW with one coat of Meguiars and one coat of Pinnacle. I swear, the first time I touched it after I was done, it felt like I was touching a cloud.

http://www.gastiresoil.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=5&stc=1&d=1248573558
http://www.gastiresoil.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4&stc=1&d=1248573543

[Daniel Linnett]

Nice write up! I will look into it.

[MuhThugga]

I just dropped $200 on Mirror Glaze stuff.

I would also highly recommend their #2 Fine-Cut. It works well on getting the swirls and scratches.

I just ordered their heavy-cut and a medium-cut buffer pad. I'm going to see how that does on my 2000 BMW 323i, which I don't think has been detailed or waxed ever.

[IBMROB]

Man I really do need someone to tell me the proper way of detailing a car.Seems like from what I've heard from you good detailers out there is that I don't do near enough when I do my car.

I have never used a sealant on any of my cars.What is the difference between sealant and wax?That may be a dumb question,but I really don't know what sealant is used for.

[Daniel Linnett]

Man I really do need someone to tell me the proper way of detailing a car.Seems like from what I've heard from you good detailers out there is that I don't do near enough when I do my car.

I have never used a sealant on any of my cars.What is the difference between sealant and wax?That may be a dumb question,but I really don't know what sealant is used for.

Join the club. I hate detailing a car. Betty gets a good was once a week with micro fiber sponges and dried with MF towels. I use turtle wax liquid ice car wash then dry the car. I do use a liquid wax but it is the maguiars NXT generation tech wax. I really want to get the swirl marks out of the car but dont want to spend 4hrs cleaning my car lol

[Country Goat]

**** my car gets washed when i get around to it. Only time it gets detailed is when Thug there does it. i despise waxing.

Nice write up Jeff.

[Youngguns350]

Working 6 days a week makes it hard for me to keep it clean but when I do have the time the car sure does look good.

Good write up OP.

[MuhThugga]

Man I really do need someone to tell me the proper way of detailing a car.Seems like from what I've heard from you good detailers out there is that I don't do near enough when I do my car.

I have never used a sealant on any of my cars.What is the difference between sealant and wax?That may be a dumb question,but I really don't know what sealant is used for.

The sealant is used for paint protection. Wax is, too, but sealant lasts longer.
Wax brings out the shine.

Join the club. I hate detailing a car. Betty gets a good was once a week with micro fiber sponges and dried with MF towels. I use turtle wax liquid ice car wash then dry the car. I do use a liquid wax but it is the maguiars NXT generation tech wax. I really want to get the swirl marks out of the car but dont want to spend 4hrs cleaning my car lol


Heh, either one of you guys want to buy me a plane ticket and fly me in, I'll give you a few lessons and a detail.
Of course, with the way airport security it, I don't know if I'd be able to bring the products along with me. They might think I'll try to blow up the plane with some sort of chemical bomb or something. LOL

[silverls2gto05]

I just dropped $200 on Mirror Glaze stuff.

I would also highly recommend their #2 Fine-Cut. It works well on getting the swirls and scratches.

I just ordered their heavy-cut and a medium-cut buffer pad. I'm going to see how that does on my 2000 BMW 323i, which I don't think has been detailed or waxed ever.


Good lord!!!!!! That mirror glaze better of come with a babe in a bikini to wax the car for ya

[MuhThugga]

Good lord!!!!!! That mirror glaze better of come with a babe in a bikini to wax the car for ya

lol

It wasn't $200 for wax.

A bunch of different products like clear glass polish and cleaner, wet sandpaper, heavy-cut cleaner, medium cut buffer pads, and some other things.

[iblubyu]

I use the Meguires NXT wax. I think it works very well

[Trents_goat5.7]

Good lord!!!!!! That mirror glaze better of come with a babe in a bikini to wax the car for ya

If you think that's bad, you should see what Spyral will drop on some detailing stuff. He uses top of the line stuff, and it gets very expensive. I like to clay bar, wax, and polish every 6 months.

[schufflerbot]

i cant wait to get my car back and detail the hell out of her.

[soonergto]

If you like Meguiars stuff, also check out the #80. Its pretty much the go to product in my garage for swirl removal with the DA.

[DEyellowgoat]

nice write up jeff. i use products from griots garage.

[soonergto]

I love meguiars stuff.

Here are a few detail pics of cars ive done with Meguiars.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s198/quicksilverautodetail/Toyota/94supra3.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s198/quicksilverautodetail/Toyota/94supra2.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s198/quicksilverautodetail/Honda/mycar4.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s198/quicksilverautodetail/Lexus/IS30014.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s198/quicksilverautodetail/VW/00Passat008.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s198/quicksilverautodetail/Detailingexamples002.jpg

[MuhThugga]

If you like Meguiars stuff, also check out the #80. Its pretty much the go to product in my garage for swirl removal with the DA.

Speed Glaze, huh?

I'll have to give it a shot on my next go-around. I'll probably use that for the final polish before putting on the sealant and wax.
Right now I just have the Zaino ZPC and that sh*t is a waste of money.

[soonergto]

I always make sure to have some of the #80 speed glaze. Its a very versatile product. Great for removing light swirls, and its body shop safe. If you apply it like a wax, you can actually put it on fresh paint so you have some protection until you can wax it properly.

Check it out, ive always got a bunch of that and some #83 when I use the DA. Always gives me the results I expect.

[MuhThugga]

Right now I've been using Fine-Cut, Medium-Cut, and now just picked up Heavy-Cut cleaner.
Have you used their #9 Swirl Remover? I was looking at that, as well. Meguiars appears to recommend using #9 as a follow-up to the #4 Heavy-Cut.

[soonergto]

#9 is ok, its good for a final polish after some heavy removal. I have some, never really use it. Some of the meguiars products (#80, 83, 9, ScratchX, and a few others) have diminishing abrasives, so once they are only so aggressive. Because of this you can use #80 as the last step, and sometimes the first, when polishing it out. Once you get into the higher abrasives for rotaries (84, 85, 95, etc.) they don't diminish like that, so they always need to be followed up with something else.

Are you using a DA or a rotary with these?

[05cyclone]

I need to learn how to properly do this stuff.

[soonergto]

I need to learn how to properly do this stuff.

Call this guy, he is in the LA area.

http://www.superiorshine.com/index.html

The owners name is Joe, he does amazing work on some amazing cars.

Also, the meguiars office in CA is always having open garage nights and detail days. If you have a car club, they will often have dedicated detail days for that and will teach you how to do it. Check out the meguiars forum and see when they are offered.

[gtohmy]

Actually if your San Diego area you can pm me and we can talk about getting your car taken care of. I am glad there is some love here for megs pro/semi pro lines, they make a good product for the dollar. The 105/205 and 151 have been excellent in performance and time savings for me when used correctly.

The #9 has a filler in it, so if your using it as just a polish, you need to be sure to remove it properly if you want the sealent to seal correctly. Now if your going to use a pureish type of wax, then you don't need to worry about it.

[slowgoat]

Where is Dr. Jay when you need him most LOL

[gtohmy]

I have never used a sealant on any of my cars.What is the difference between sealant and wax?That may be a dumb question,but I really don't know what sealant is used for.

Thanks for the invite by the way. It's not a dumb question is a good question. If people knew the difference maybe they would stop using the term "wax" for every last step product on a car. The most basic explanation is a wax usually has products made from nature in it (most usually carnauba) and sealants are synthetically based products in it (man made).

The differences are in length of protection and the way the paint looks/appears/etc with the product. Usually sealants can last longer then waxes and usually waxes have a "deeper" and "wetter" look to them. I am being extremely general though in those comments. There are always exceptions to the rules and the way paint looks is often very subjective. Some people even combine wax on top of the sealant so they can get the protection while obtaining the look they desire.

In my opinion you need to ask yourself several questions before you decide which kind of product and which manufacture of product you start to look at to use as an LSP.

[MuhThugga]

#9 is ok, its good for a final polish after some heavy removal. I have some, never really use it. Some of the meguiars products (#80, 83, 9, ScratchX, and a few others) have diminishing abrasives, so once they are only so aggressive. Because of this you can use #80 as the last step, and sometimes the first, when polishing it out. Once you get into the higher abrasives for rotaries (84, 85, 95, etc.) they don't diminish like that, so they always need to be followed up with something else.

Are you using a DA or a rotary with these?

Porter Cable Random Orbital

[soonergto]

A random orbital or a dual action polisher?

There is a difference, and there is a difference in what products should be used.

Just trying to clarify.

[MuhThugga]

Porter Cable 7424
I'm going to have to double check to see if it is the XP or not when I get home.

[soonergto]

Ok, so thats the DA.

With the DA you should avoid using the products with higher abrasive qualities such as the #4, #84, #85, etc. They are made for use with a rotary only, some of them are made for use with a wool pad on a rotary only.

Be careful, the DA is a great tool, but has its limitations when it comes to what products you can use and the severity of defects it can remove.

[Pappa Prich]

Wow, I really need to pay attention to this thread ...suscribed for sure!

I consider myself a good detailer and I always have car looking good, but in all honesty I wish I had more knowledge on which products to use. When I first got started I went to the Steve at 'tropicare' because he was a board sponsor and helped to point me in the right direction. I have been using a claybar, sealant, and wax ever since. I typically claybar the car a couple times a year and seal and wax pretty much everytime it is washed.

Usual process - clean/shampoo, repeat, claybar, seal, wax. ...Am I on the right track here? I use a porter cable as well. The products that I currently have are almost gone so I was thinking about switching...not getting the right shine that I want. I was originally thinking about Zaino, but damn that stuff is expensive.

[soonergto]

Ive tried Zaino and im really not a fan. It leaves an incredible glossy finish, but lacks any depth in the reflection. They are also big on "layering" which doesn't happen.

The key to detailing your own car, is to find a system/product you like and use it often. Youre the only one that has to be happy with it.

Detailing someone elses car is another story.

Steve at Tropicare is a cool guy, met him at Goatfest this year. They have some good stuff, and ive tried a few samples, but nothing that would make me change what I am doing now.

I am certianly open to new stuff though, poor boys makes some great lsp's.

[MuhThugga]

Ok, so thats the DA.

With the DA you should avoid using the products with higher abrasive qualities such as the #4, #84, #85, etc. They are made for use with a rotary only, some of them are made for use with a wool pad on a rotary only.

Be careful, the DA is a great tool, but has its limitations when it comes to what products you can use and the severity of defects it can remove.

So, use #83 with a light-cut foam pad.
Follow up with #80 on polishing pad.

That is what you usually do?

[soonergto]

Yeah, #80 can be used on a cutting pad as well if needed. But if its your final polishing, then use the polishing pad.

[MuhThugga]

Well, of course, that's a given. :)

I guess I'll give a few things a shot the next time I go at it, which shouldn't be too long from now.

[SteveP]

Porter Cable 7424
I'm going to have to double check to see if it is the XP or not when I get home.

Some of the visual differences between the 2 machines are:

The 7424XP has a longer, little more narrow body than the regular 7424.

The power trigger on the XP is also slightly larger and more protected(against accidental start/stop than the previous model.

The speed dial is also been relocated to lower base of the XP machine compared to the butt end of 7424.

[SteveP]

Wow, I really need to pay attention to this thread ...suscribed for sure!

I consider myself a good detailer and I always have car looking good, but in all honesty I wish I had more knowledge on which products to use. When I first got started I went to the Steve at 'tropicare' because he was a board sponsor and helped to point me in the right direction. I have been using a claybar, sealant, and wax ever since. I typically claybar the car a couple times a year and seal and wax pretty much everytime it is washed.

Usual process - clean/shampoo, repeat, claybar, seal, wax. ...Am I on the right track here? I use a porter cable as well. The products that I currently have are almost gone so I was thinking about switching...not getting the right shine that I want. I was originally thinking about Zaino, but damn that stuff is expensive.

There is no harm in experimenting with different products to get the desired look for your car. I do this practically everyday day when not in the office or online. Getting the right shine is just part of the multi-step process before applying a last step wax or sealant.

Depending upon the clear coat hardness of the car, I may use multiple polishes to start removing circular scratches/swirl marks. For example, I can use Menzerna Intensive Polish with a white or orange pad to remove these scratches on the softer GTO clear. On scratch-resistant harder clears, I have started using Meguiars M105 Ultra-Cut Compound with a purple compounding or yellow cutting pad for deeper/stubborn blemishes.

Once these have been leveled from the surface, a softer pad/micro-abrasive polish may be in order to restore clarity, smoothness and gloss on the surface. A black/gray finessing pad and Menzerna PO 106 FA, our own TC-8 Swirl Cutter or Meguiar's M205 will do the job. After this step, you can apply the wax or sealant and the surface will look incredible.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

[BillsMafia]

I've gotta get some good detailing stuff... Right now I'm just using some stuff that you can buy at your local Autozone.. I might have to order some Tropi Care goodies!!