05 Ford Expedition - a Zaino Detail

[Frugle]

Hello all,

this is obviously my first time posting. I joined autopia about a 6 months ago looking to further my detaling knowledge ( I was already using the 2 bucket method, and had a fairly good MF collection). Thanks to their help I feel I have become very knowledgeable and look forward to detailing my cars.

Per recomendations from there, last week I puchased the 7424 kit with optimum polish and compound from autogeek, and a zaino kit.

I have recently (against his knowledge) followed Justin 30513 (blueridge clean 4 you) over to these forums and have grown knowledge wise even more.

I posted this on autopia, but would also really like to get other opinions from here. So I hope you don't mind my cut and paste.

I am trying to stay within the forum rules, however If I am breaking any, please let me know and I will correct it .

__________________________________________________ _
Hello all,

yes, this is my first detail with my new PC 7424. and thanks to the incredible comunity of autopia and autogeek, I feel it was very sucessful :woot: . Though not obvious, Since purchasing the vehicle in august of 05, I have frequently washed it, as well as clayed twice, and waxed with Meguires NXT twice. the swirls were induced by a visit to the car was before an understand was made about the damaging nature of swirl-o-matics. the waterspots were induced by poluted atlanta rain, and siblings washing without drying.

Products Used
Dawn wash
Zaino Z18 claybar
PC 7424
Optimum polish
Wolfgang orange cutting pad
Wolfgang small profile orange cutting pad
Zaino Z6
Zaino ZFX
Zaino Z5 pro
Zaino Z2 pro
Zaino Z8
Amor all Extreme Tire shine Gel
Chemical guys VRT
Meg. Leather Care
Stoner invisible glass


The Mission
To clean my moms expedition per her arrival from out of town tomorrow; learning how to sucessfully use a PC; and to satisfy my obsessive compulsive nature.

The Results
Satisfactorally dissapointing.

The Process
Fill a main bucket with dawn and water
fill a secondary bucket with fresh water for rinsing
Wash the wheels using a designated microfiber(re) towel
Wash the tires using a tire brush, doused in the dawn water, and topped with Bon Ami (bars aid)
Empty said buckets and refill with same materials
Wash the car completely using a MF mit [for more bite than a lambswool]
While washing, before rinsing, clay the car with z18
Dry the car by first, blowing it with a leaf blower, and then using MF towels and the chase method.
After drying, spot check with clay, using a 16oz spray bottle filled with distiled water and 2/3 a cap full of Zaino Z7 car wash.

Examine the car for any abnomalties and break out the PC.
Apply Optimum polish in a circle around the wolfgang orange cutting pad.
Spread polish on panel while turned off
turn on PC on speed 3 to work the polish in.
Turn PC to speed 5.5 and start polishing.
Move PC in a switchback pattern moving at about 1/2 to 1 inch per second.
After worked in completely, examine. If saticfied, move on.
Continue this method, periodically moving the car in and out of the garage to see if I am doing anything. (looking at the sun through the finish.

When done polishing,
QD the truck using Zaino Z6 spray.
Create my Z5 pro concoction using the provided 2 ounce bottles, fill botlle 2/3s full, put 6 drops of ZFX, and 1 spray of Z8.
Apply to car using vertical storkes on all panels, and horizontal strokes on hood.
Apply z5 to wheels.
Let dry for 30 minutes, and then buff.
again, QD the truck using Z6 and prepare for a second coat.
Apply second coat, including wheels.
Again wait 30 minutes, and buff.
again, QD the truck using z6.
prepare Zaino Z2 pro concoction using the same method as for Z5p in a diferent bottle.
Apply using the same method as Z5p.
Wait 30-40 minutes, and buff using a PC with microfiber[re] cover.
Apply a final coat of Zaino Z8 show car seal and gawk at your work.

Apply Chemical Guys VRT to all Vinyl, rubber, and (optionally) tires (VRT).
Opt to apply Armor All Extreme Tire Shine Gel to tires.

Vacuum all interior carpets
apply Meg. Leather car to all leather surfaces x2

gawk at your work and pat yourself on the back for suffering through the arm pains.

I'll also add that I used the PC and OP on the rear most windows to get rid of water spots...
and I also applied the zaino to everything, including windows. (z5p x2, z2p x1)

Objects Learned
Don't hold clay loosly.
PCs vibrate....a lot.
Pressure works.
Don't leave Zaino on longer than needed before removing. (was a pain in the butt to remove)
I don't like the extreme tire gel on SUV sized tires. too reflective, and splochy.

I'm not sure I was apply 303 right. I applied it to plastic surfaces, and it was extremely splochy.
I also found mothers back to black was extremely splochy.
I found Chemical Guys VRT works incredibly making an even black apearance, AND is an incredible cleaning tool for light colored plastics.

I feel like I got 90% of the swirl marks out (light swirls to begin with)
and probably 60% of the water spots (moderate spotting)


Conclusion
I was dissapointed finding out I did so poorly removing water spots. When I was doing it, I would pull the car out in the sun and look to see if I could find any more. but I guess the sun was so bright I couldn't see what was there (duh) After I pulled it in the garage I could see the remaining water spots through the basic ceiling light above.

I was also dissapointed that it took me freaking 11 and 1/2 hours. I started at 8:30, and pulled into the garage at 8.


Overall, great learning experience, was tidious, but I feel prepared to do my car.

Thank you autopia/autogeek for teaching me everything I know.


Now, on to the pictures.

obviously very dirty




water spots on back window

After Wash


I'm sure this was an unecessary set, but it sure did make it a lot easier not having to clean the polish off of the rubber and trim


The sun didn't come out until noon, these were the best shots I could get of the water spots and swirls





After 1 pass of OP w/ orange cutting pad

[Frugle]

Post OP, post Z6, pre 1st coat of Z5p

Post 1st coat of Z5p post armor all ETG.



Post Z5p x2, post z6, pre z2p








I was unable to get pictures of it after Z2P x1, and z8 becuase the sun went down. I will try to get those later.

Thanks for looking. Please leave a comment if you have a chance

[sparkie]

Welcome to AG. A real detail write up. GG what a write up. Awesome job on Expe. The best pic, is number 6, headlight and fender, very cool shot. Post more pics when you get them.

[Frugle]

After I have a chance to get it out, now that I has z2p and z8 I'll take more creative shots.... all of those but that one were meant to just meant to show the car.

Thanks a bunch for the comment!

[P1et]

Frugle, a bit welcome to the AG team! I read your post earlier on Autopia and I'm glad you're sharing it here with us. Your write-up is perfect for both beginners, very well written and great details!

Great job on the Expedition as well, the outcome was fantastic! She's quite the beast and that's a LOT of paint to cover in one day...

How do you like the Z-6? I bought some years ago and still have it. I can honestly say that I haven't been impressed with it. That stuff streaks like no ones business and pretty much ruins all my heard work in a spritz. I hope you have better luck with it than I had.

[Frugle]

I haven't had the same reaction as you. The only problem I've had is getting it thin enough. It seems the bottle doesn't spray fine enough to properly coat the car, which results in a localized pool of it, resulting in streaking for me.

But, as i get the hang of spritzing properly, I havn't had any problems with it streaking. (albeit I've been using it in the shade or garage)

I prefer the smell of it (very fruity) to other QDs I've used, and I really really am pleased with the slickness, and the durability of the slickness.

Visually, it hasn't been that impressive... I guess it makes it more shiny, but that could just be the wax showing through (since it is a wax enhancer)

Overall, I would say I'm more pleased with it than the OTC QDs i've used in the past.


Now I have been really pleased with the zaino waxes, I feel they bring out my ideal level of depth and reflictiveness.

As well as I greatly prefer the look of the z16 tireshine over anything I've seen on the market so far, clean and dry. but it rarely lasts as long as I need it too which is why I use the armor all ETG.

[P1et]

So it sounds like you've had similar experiences with Z-16, I also probably couldn't get it thin enough. And you're right: I didn't see much difference using it or not using it. It's supposed to repel dust, but I am not sure about that.

Which is, again, why it's just collecting dust in my collection...

[Frugle]

It's always good to have an arsenal of products.

Do you think maybe some cars/paint do better with z6 than others? I've been more happy with zaino on my green 03 Camry than with the expedition (but I think both look good).

[supercharged]

Came out pretty nice! WOW! What a challenge! 11.5 hours. You must be tired.

[Frugle]

I am... is it just me, or has anyone else developed a temporary case of CTS/tendinitis? I can't bend my writs, they have to be perfectly streight or I feel pain.