The only thing worse than 2,000 miles of road grime is 2,000 miles of road grime on non-waxed paint. As such, I spent about six hours yesterday washing and waxing the Ford GT's paint in prep for its journey though the Rocky Mountains. To do the job correctly you can't just wash it and dry it off, and you can't even just add a coat of wax. No, to do it right you much strip all the old/existing wax off and start from scratch.
So the first step was washing the car to remove all existing dirt and grime from the paint. The GT was still pretty clean from the last washing so this was relatively quick and easy.
First trip across GT's painted surface.
Next I used a clay bar to remove any previous wax build up. Spraying each area with diluted Zaino Z6 provides a lubricant to help the bar slide across the paint. These clay bars can do amazing things, especially on paint with built up gunk and grime. The GT's paint was relatively grime free, but the process did remove some black spots in the painted white stripes over the top of the car. It was less effective on the dark scuffs in the vinyl tape stripes on the rocker panels.
Second trip across GT's painted surface.
After the clay bar treatment it was time for another wash to clear wax residue and remove the water spots formed during the clay bar process. The paint is now completely cleared of dirt and previous wax so you can start building up a new layer of protection.
Third trip across GT's painted surface.
Now comes the Zaino wax, using Z5 with accelerator to create "ZFX" compound. This will dry quicker than straight Z5 and supposedly create a stronger coat of wax. Apply to entire vehicle and allow 15-30 minutes to dry before removal (without accelerator you're supposed to allow at least 60 minutes). This works well because by the time you finish the car you can start on the first areas you waxed, as they've been done for at least 30 minutes.
Fourth trip across GT's painted surface.
Finally, Zaino suggests going over the ZFX with Z6 finishing product. This helps bring out additional shine and ensures all excess ZFX from the previous stage has been properly buffed out and removed.
Fifth trip across GT's painted surface.
As mentioned, the entire process cost me about six hours and plenty of lingering aches and pains (the only way to do the rocker panels and front grill area properly is to lie on the ground).
The upside is the car's paint looks as good as the day I bought it. The bad news? I haven't even touched the wheels, windows or interior yet...
Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com Editor in Chief @ 13,402 miles
kurtamaxxxguy says:
03:20 PM, 07/ 7/08
Kark, why not use something more advanced?
Corrosion Technologies makes REJEX, a polymer compound developed by an Exxon research chemist that's used on US Military helicoptors to minimize exhaust stains. Ditto Car and Driver for keeping crud off their cars. I've used REJEX for 6 years on 3 cars and can attest it doesn't damage paint (no abrasives), can last 4-6 months, keeps bugs from sticking and is very easy to apply. It can works on glass as well as paint or plastic.
carmizvi says:
03:26 PM, 07/ 7/08
For six figures, they should invent a paint finish that self cleans, self waxes and repels bugs.
Karl Brauer says:
03:29 PM, 07/ 7/08
Funny you mention REJEX. I'm thinking of trying that, too, but figured I could put it over the base Zaino wax.
Mike Magrath says:
03:46 PM, 07/ 7/08
Zaino is a polymer-based gloss/protectant like Rejex but with better results. Zaino, in my experience looks better and lasts significantly longer.
If you want good protection without spending hundreds, try Meguiars #20 (doesn't last long), Liquid Glass or, my favorite, Werkstat Acrylic Jett (http://www.werkstat.com/acrylic-jett-trigger.php).
m_thrizzle says:
05:22 PM, 07/ 7/08
Yeah, that is a lot of work. A few coats of Zaino or wheel wax on your wheels will greatly help with removing brake dust the next time you have to wash it.
carfreak8394 says:
07:25 PM, 07/ 7/08
Is that a Mazda CX-9 in your driveway ?
clarkma5 says:
10:23 PM, 07/ 7/08
I'm a big fan of P21S (the motorcycle variant is called S100 and it's the same stuff, just in a smaller container...that's what I use). Middle-of-the-road durability, but super easy to apply (especially considering it's a paste) and the depth to the shine is unbeatable. A good wash-clay-wash-P21S application always has my car looking fantastic, and is usually doable in about 3 hours.
blankfocus says:
05:33 AM, 07/ 8/08
+1 for Zaino.
felonious says:
08:53 AM, 07/ 8/08
Back in the day, Cherry Wet Wax was the shiznit. Does anyone know of that or still use it?
stingray454 says:
12:31 PM, 07/ 8/08
I like Zaino too - I use it on my Z06, and I'm always pleased with the results. I'm long overdue for this process - I haven't waxed my car in over 2 years. Maybe next weekend...
sgude says:
04:37 AM, 07/ 9/08
I'm going to have to try Zaino -- I keep hearing good things about it. But I'm getting very good results with the $13 bottle of Zymol from Target on my black Bimmer. Bugs and other small road detrius are affecting my hood in a nasty way, though.