[91TB78]

zaino..smaino!!

I agree with Mkiv....I use the Klasse products and they are awesome! Not only are they super easy to use, but they last. Water continues to bead up on my glass and car even after months. Another good thing about Klasse is you don't have to worry about it accidently getting on a black piece of trim and worrying that it will stain it white. I use the Klasse with microfiber cloths....very good combo imho.

Check out. www.properautocare.com

[MKIVSupra]

Originally Posted by KarlSTI

MKIV, thanks for the tip. What brand of carnauba do you use?

I just found out that my car will not arrive from Japan until end of June.....DOH! So, I think I'll go buy these products and try them out on my wife's Acura this weekend.....That way if I screw it up, hey, at least it's not on the STI!!!

I have been using Pinnacle Souveran carnauba wax, but that stuff is around $70 a can. I got a half price deal so I figured I would see if it's as good as they say. One thing though, I bought this can a few years ago and have still not used it up so even though it is expensive, you get a lot of uses out of it. I like it a lot and even use it on my Supra over Zaino. I tired it once for shats and giggles on my Supra since they say it is so good on black, and really liked the result. Prior to that I was using Zaino so it's kind of like using it over Klasse since Zaino is a synthetic product also. After I use the Pinnacle stuff up I might try P21S that I have heard good things about and it is a lot cheaper than Pinnacle Souveran.

[KarlSTI]

So I swing by the local Autozone today to buy all the goodies and "NO KLASSE". Please tell me I can buy this without doing the mail order thing.......I will if I have to but I'd like to buy this stuff locally if possible.

Thanks for all the input on this incredibly important topic. As Bruce has suggested, I will be getting your input on laundry secrets next.....uh, no.

[VSGTS14]

from being a car detailer, claybarring and polishing right away isn't something i would agree on doing.

[heavyweightboxer]

Zaino is the best hands down. Of course if you don't have a budget and have all the time in the world that is. But still the best.

[MKIVSupra]

It does not hurt to clay bar or use a polish on a new car. Wash and dry a new car and run your fingers over the surface... if you feel little bumps then it could use a clay bar. Most new cars will have this. Then look at the finish, even on a new car... see any light scratches or swirls? If so, it could use a polish. I would not go to town but giving it a polish by hand would not hurt. Now a freshly painted car is a different story.

I just re-read my above post about what I did right after I got my STi. I actually did not do #5 on my list till the detail of the following spring, a year after I got it. I did use 3M swirl remover though and applied it by hand before the clear bra was put on.

As far as Klasse, I have never seen it in a store.

[shftat6]

I just used Rejex for the first time, initial impressions are very nice. We'll see how easy it is to clean with future washings and how durable the finish is.

[KarlSTI]

Originally Posted by MKIVSupra

It does not hurt to clay bar or use a polish on a new car. Wash and dry a new car and run your fingers over the surface... if you feel little bumps then it could use a clay bar. Most new cars will have this. Then look at the finish, even on a new car... see any light scratches or swirls? If so, it could use a polish. I would not go to town but giving it a polish by hand would not hurt. Now a freshly painted car is a different story.

I just re-read my above post about what I did right after I got my STi. I actually did not do #5 on my list till the detail of the following spring, a year after I got it. I did use 3M swirl remover though and applied it by hand before the clear bra was put on.

As far as Klasse, I have never seen it in a store.

I'll ask the dealership on this as well. Seems like there ought to be plenty of time for the paint to cure during the boat ride over from Japan! Anyway, I'll skip the clay bar if I can't feel the lumps. I now the online Klasse info indicates the product is fine on new car paint.

With regards to Rejex, people on other threads indicate it really helps on the wheel cleaning....considering the stock pads seem to make a mess. I wonder if Klasse would help nearly as much?

Hmmmmmm, now to find the best place to order the dang stuff.

[Digitalfiend]

The big thing about Zaino is that it lasts. My detailer showed me a car cleaning product shootout from a mag called "Guru" (or something like that). Out of 50 some odd waxes and polishing products, Zaino took first place. It lasts longer, protects better, and gives a better shine (when applied correctly) than anything else out there. I also like the idea of having a polymer-based wax over a Carnuba solution. Polymer waxes aren't affected by heat as much, last longer, and can be used regularly without creating tons of microscratches; many Carnuba waxes are ever-so-slightly gritty.

You only really need two Zaino products: Z2 Pro (polish) and Z8 (detail spray.) I do buy the wash and Z6 as well. Z6 is great for quick touch-ups and Z8 is mind-blowing for doing detail work. Z2 Pro is also a great improvement over the original Z2, which was harder to apply, took longer to buffer off, and didn't last as long.

Typically, two coats of Zaino seems to last about 2-4 months, depending on your climate. Mine lasts about 3 months.

[MKIVSupra]

I have that same issue... www.thewaxtest.com Zaino came out on top but Klasse was not far behind in regards to synthetic products. PS21 was the best carnauba. Overall it was Zaino 1, PS21 2, and Klasse 3. Which is also why I want to try PS21 next after I use up the Pinaccle stuff I have. You can't beat a synthetic for protection and durability which is why my base is Klass AIO and then a few coats of Klasse Sealant Glaze. A synthetic gives more shine than anything, some have described it as a sort of sterile bright shine, which can actually highlight scratches and swirls. On dark colors you want more color depth and liquidity not so much shine and this is where a carnauba works best, which is why I like a few coats of a carnauba over the top of a good synthetic. As far as carnauba waxes being gritty, the product I use is not and after multiple coats I see no scratches. I originally used Zaino on my black Supra and loved it. I was never able to test it's durability though cause my Supra is never driven in rain or snow and thus seldom needs washing. When I first heard about Klasse I got some to try on my daily driver where I was more concerned with durability and protection then how it made the car look. I was amazed at how long it lasted and it made the finish look good which is why I have stuck with it. I guess technically my Supra still has Zaino on it, I have just been applying a fresh coat of carnauba wax every spring. Either way, Zaino or Klasse, if you use either one your vehicle will look good.

[MKIVSupra]

Originally Posted by KarlSTI

With regards to Rejex, people on other threads indicate it really helps on the wheel cleaning....considering the stock pads seem to make a mess. I wonder if Klasse would help nearly as much?

Hmmmmmm, now to find the best place to order the dang stuff.

I was going to try Rejex but decided to just stick with Klasse on my wheels. Every spring before I put my stock BBSs back on I coat the entire wheel with a coat of Klasse AIO and then 3 coats of Sealant Glaze. Not sure if it is as good as Rejex but it helps.

I get my stuff from www.properautocare.com and www.autopia.org
Depending on the product one place is sometimes cheaper than the other. Both those sites also have good info and tips on detailing.

[KarlSTI]

Cool. I ordered from properautocare and it arrived 2 days later. Time to wear my arm out on the wife's car......

Thanks for all the great input guys!!!