Weekend Detailing PLan

[99-Boxster-MK]

So I am getting together with a friend to do some detailing on Saturday..

Here is my plan for my Pastel Yellow Boxster. PLease critique as needed..

1) Wash
2) Clay front fenders
3) Wash
4) Maguiar's Paint Cleaner (#1 in 3 step Deep Crystal System) for minor scratch and swirl removal
5) 50/50 Alcohol Wash to remove anything left on the surface

Next are the Zaino Steps

6) Z1
7) Z2
8) Z6
9) Z2
10) Z6
11) Z8

What do you guys think of this plan.. The car has virtually no swirl marks, but a couple of minor mini swirls and mini scuffs, which will easilly come out.

Mike

[Adam]

I think just claying the front fascia/fenders is a good idea to save yourself some time. It seems that the front end comes into contact with the majority of crap that sticks to the paint even after a wash(bugs). Maybe I'm way off but it seems that claying the whole car is alot of work for not much in return. I just picked up some clay so I will find out this weekend if all this clay hype is true. BTW I use Zaino too and I really like that stuff.

[Lux]

If you're gonna waste all of that time putting on Zaino, then clay the whole car. Don't skimp!

Post pics when you're done.


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[Adam]

Yeah, I'm getting the car ready tomorrow for this weekend. It's Porsche Fest time almost baby! I will get pics.

[Brucelee]

I have never used Zaino but it seems like a TON of work.

My process.

Clay the whole car
No need to wash again, as detailer spray will clean sufficiently.
Klasse All In One
Klasse Sealant.

Go to the Beach!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

I have never used Zaino but it seems like a TON of work.

hahaha I know, I aready spend 2-3hours doing the whole car and now I have this clay thing to add on top of it all.

[Perfectlap]

very true BruceLee,
that's what hooked me on the Klasse, very quick results and virtually zero residue to clean up.
Generally I find that all the different detailing products i've used provide results that are fairly similar, 'within 3%' so to speak. The key (for me) is which will be the most time efficient. I also find that the Klasse treatment lasts a really long time. (as does the NXT on my wheels and 1Z on my tires).

If there is one thing I hate, its spending hours to clean on Saturday and then quickly making a mess of it on a Sunday. I'll let you guess which is more fun.

p.s. don't forget to clay your wheels!

[99-Boxster-MK]

Didn't think of claying the wheels.. Will do that

Mike

[Brucelee]

One of the things about Klasse that amazes me is the job it does as a cleaner/scratch remover.

Even it though it has no abrasive, I have taken out some really ugly imperfections in the paint with no chance of hurting the finish.

And yes, the ease of use is pretty amazing, esp on black! :dance:

[Kevlar986]

Yep, I've used both. Both look great and last a long time. Klasse is easy to use, I love the AIO and does a great job polishing without scratching. Easy on and off with NO residue like wax.

Zaino is also a great product, just a little more messing around, mixing zfx and waiting between steps, not to mention the price.

Klasse also benefits from a good coat of wax after 3 good coats of sealant glaze. This year I used S100(same but cheaper version of PS21, found at Harley shops) and looks awesome!!!!

[Brucelee]

I have heard about the wax on Klasse. I will have to give this a go.

Thanks for the idea.

[Perfectlap]

^the guy on Autopia has it trade marked. He calls it 'the perfect shine".

Once you put that Carnauba wax over the acrylic Klasse sealant you have to strip the whole thing down again if you want to add more sealant to add further depth to the appearance of the shine.
Carnauba or "wax" over Klasse sealant is nice depending on the color, I think its overkill on a black car. But can make a big difference on lighter colors like Silver, red and yellow.
Some think highly layered Klasse sealant looks like a candy coating and a bit too showy, kinda like people who use those greasy looking tire dressings.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by 99-Boxster-MK

Didn't think of claying the wheels.. Will do that

Mike

Remember to let the wheels and rotors to cool down completely before washing.
A big reason why pulling right into a car wash is not good.

Try cleaning the barell of the wheel as well, Black Magic sell a wheel brush at Pepboys that cleans a 9" wheel pefectly. If the barell is kept clean it won't throw up brake dust and debris onto the rest of the wheel. Waxing with NXT, Rejex or All in One with each wash is higly recomended. Always clean your wheels by working from the top down and clean them first before you wash the rest of the car. Brake dust is like razor blades to the softer german paints.

[slogans7]

Claying the rear may be a prudent use of time. From what I understand, a lot of pollutants from your exhaust may have affected the finish on the rear of the car. Maybe the guys at Autopia can offer a more informated opinion.

[Adam]

I tried the clay on the front section and wasn't impressed. I couldn't tell a difference and it picked up very few foreign objects/contaminates. The surface didn't seem any smoother for me. Maybe it's more of a placebo type thing. Maybe my car just isn't dirty enough...I don't know.

[BuffaloBoxster]

You'll notice the difference when you wax.. Instead of a dirty looking applicator pad it'll look like it's just been cleaned.

I just spent most of the day working on the car. I used the Mother's clay kit, and I did the whole car. I then used the cleaner wax, and then a coat of Meguire's Gold Class over the top. It came out really nice.

[Brucelee]

If you used the clay bar correctly and follow with a quality system like Klasse or Zaino, the finish should feel like clean glass. If not, something did not happen at the clay bar stage.

Let us know!

Good luck!

[Adam]

I did as the instructions told me. The car feels like smooth glass when I use my Zaino but no before after clay difference for me.

[Lux]

Adam, first the B&M and now the clay. What the heck is going on???

It most certainly is not a placebo affect. Zaino (along with most sealants) will cover a lot of the contaminants and make a surface smooth. But as the sealants wear down, the contaminants will still be there. A clayed surface vs. a non-clayed surface should feel very different. There is no way that your car doesn't have contaminants embedded in the paint if you've driven your car at all. Zaino is giving you a false impression that the surface underneath is clean/smooth. I compare it to washing your car with soap and washing with just a water rinse. Both cars will look clean, but only one will be truly clean.

Again, I'm baffled by your expriences. But whatever works for you, go with it.

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[Adam]

Lux, I'm not try to be disagreeable/negative or anything, just sharing my impressions. If the clay works good for you and others then that's great. I just didn't perceive a difference with using the clay. I'm not going to say it makes a nice improvement if I can't see/feel an improvement. I not going to go along with you and some others if I feel like the product didn't perform as claimed. I am as careful as anyone to follow the instructions provided by the manufacture because I don't want to mess up my car or give a false impression of a product. I do push products that I feel have delivered on their claims such the Zaino, BMC filter, and my flannel car cover. I like those products and recammend them as do other people. I will try to continue to report on products that I try out and give as accurate an assessment as possible which may or may not coincide with others' opinions. I am open to suggestion and help as I have always been. I have decided to give the clay another shot after I strip the wax/polish off as you have suggested. I certainly hope you don't have a problem with me because I came to different conclusions on products such as the clay or B&M. Forums like this one were designed for people to share opinions and suggestions; differing opinions are a certainly going to happen and there is nothing wrong with that.