mntony

Well water is the problem with spotting, not chemicals. Water from underground has lots of calcium. Softened water is best. I wish I had soft water running outside for car washing.

Tony

ruexp67

The only problem with softened water, depending on the water softener design is that some residual salt from the filter process can leech into the water. The salt can leave water spots too.

I am taking a break from Zainoing the first time. I...

Washed w/Dawn
Dried completely.
Claybared (Using Zaino's Claybar)
Washed the car again. This time with Z7.
Dried completely.
Applied Z2 with ZFX
Buffed that off
Applied Z6 Gloss enhancer.

That's where I am at now. This is what I know:

1. Even though this is a small car, this is a very tiring process.
2. You can never have enough Microfiber towels. I have had to wash towels three or four times so that I would have enough for this process. I intend to buy more MF towels before doing this again, I will also get more colors so I can keep "lower panel" towels "upper panel" towels, wheel towels, and polish towels separate. (The "drying" towels are a different size with a different weave.)
3. Pick up a spray bottle before you start. You will need one for the clay bar process.

FWIW -- I used about 1 1/2 OZ of Z2 to do the whole car including the wheels. Not sure how much Z6 I used, but not much, mabey 1 to 1 1/2 OZ. I also "broke" one of the claybars in half. I used both halves on the car because the first one got contaminated. One more tip: Don't forget to open the doors, hood and truck while drying.

mntony

Remember, you won't be doing the Dawn wash again, and clay bar is only used rarely. 1-1/2 ounces seems like too much, even with the wheels. Did you do the insides of the wheels, too? I usually can put on two coats with one ounce, sometimes three coats.

Tony

ruexp67

Actually you are right. I spent WAYYY too much time buffing it out. The first coat took almost the whole 1 1/2 ounce, and the second coat took a little over one ounce, and it was too heavy. I will edit the other thread to reflect this. Thanks for pointing it out, Tony.

STreece

You are using WAAYYYY too much polish! 1/2 oz of polish is enough to apply 3 coats to a S2k. All you have to see is the applicator leave a trail across the surface to have sufficient coverage. There is a learning curve with Zaino, and that is learning to use tiny amounts.

Moisten the pad slightly with Z-6, the put a dime size drop of polish on the pad. Try applying it in a circular motion to get it well spread out, then straight line that section before leaving it.

ruexp67

Streece, I followed your basic technique, but on first application, the pad was getting "stuck" and dragging on the car. It was not until I "seasoned" the pad pretty well (by the time I had worked about 1/3 of the way around the car) that it would not hang up trying to apply it.

I will admit that I used too much on my second application. It definatly went on easier with the second application, very smooth, no dragging. I will try it wil 1/2 an ounce next time. Thanks for the tip.