I want to try the Zanio Wax but I have not ordered any yet. I would really like to put a coat of wax on the truck this weekend if it's nice.

Should I wait to start with the Zanio or could I use the NXT Tech Wax and then wax with Zanio when I get it?

If there is a benefit for waiting?

 

One wash with dish soap and the wax you put on this weekend will be gone, then you can use Zaino. The Zaino wax is fantastic, and leaves a very deep rich shine that last a long long time. I spent a day doing a clay bar treatment, and then putting several coats of Zaino wax on my Challenger right after I bought it last September, and the wax still looks just like the day I put it on, and still beads up the water just like on day one. The Zaino wax is well worth the effort it takes to apply it in my opinion.

 

So I should remove the old wax first?

 

subscribed - back to the world of washing / waxing / polishing myself. Why did I give it no thought when I drove a car.... Dam I missed this.

 

Yes, def. remove the old wax first. Especially if you're using a different wax. The reason being, the old wax/paint has some tar/buildup on it and you want to completely strip your truck of EVERYTHING before applying wax. This is what I like to do when detailing. (mind you... this will take quite some time if you don't have a good orbital buffer/polisher...)

• Presoak with something a bit stronger like Simple Green for about 2-5 min.
• Pressure wash the whole vehicle. (don't get too close to the paint with the tip. constantly move the wand back and forth making sure it doesn't stay in one place.)
• Hand wash with a degreaser like dishwasher soap or any degreasing solvents. Use a lambswool mitt, cleaning and flipping constantly.
• Dry the truck COMPLETELY with a good leather chamois or one of those synthetic chamois. If you don't get EVERY spot, it'll be a pain when you're trying to polish and wax.
• If your truck is SUPER gunky with tar and bugs along the bottom area, use a clay bar and some solution and remove the gunk. Be sure to fold the clay to a new fresh portion of clay so you don't scratch your truck. Use a clean towel to dry off the clayed area.
• When the truck is water free, I like to start with a good polish. Polish is to remove the swirl marks, small scratches, and contaminants in the paint.
• Then I move onto the Wax. Wax is pretty much a sealant. Use 100% Carnuba wax... I don't care what everyone else says... Nothing NOTHING gets a vehicle shining like carnuba wax. I like to get at least two coats of wax on each month. I like to get a quick detail in every two weeks with something fast like a spray on conditioner or a polish. Then on the month mark, I like to repeat the steps above.

Once you do it for a while, it get's easier and it'll take you about 3-4 hours to do all of this...




Here are some things to remember.

• Use warm to hot water
• Never detail or wash your truck in direct sunlight
• Stay away, RUN AWAY, from any car washes that use brushes or any thing that touches your truck... There's a good chance your truck is being scratched up.
• Try using the laser touchless washes if you MUST use an automated wash...
• If you're using a buffer/polisher, DO NOT stay in one place for any amount of time... EVER! You could eat right through your clear coat if you're not careful. I've seen a newbie at the dealership try to buff a scratch out on the front bumper and he heated up the bumper so much that it became warped!!! The whole bumper had to be replaced. Soooo... don't let just anybody detail your vehicle... Also, be very careful when you go over the lines on the truck... it's very easy to take the clear coat off of the lines.

I know it seems kind of **** and maybe over the top but I've actually excluded many other things I like to do... I'd recommend doing this AT LEAST every month. I hope this helps and makes sense.

-Eugene

 

Wow Eugene,
What do you charge for your services?

 

People who take the time to answer questions to the extent you did is what makes these forums priceless!

Thanks for the "detailed" response!

I did take my truck through what is the newest, best quality automatic car wash in my area twice. I didn't want to but I tried not to kid myself that eventually I was going to anyway. Plus it's so cold here in Michigan. I already see little scratches here and there. I will try my best to stick with the touchless car washes. Not really sure what you mean by "laser"? I have an idea that it can sense your vehicle rather than just go through the standard sweeping motion for every vehicle.

I live in Michigan so bucket washing is not a reality come winter. I'll save that for the sports car I'll buy in the future that does not see winter or rain!

 

Seems to me to be a waste of time and money. This is why Im not a fan of carnuba sure it looks good but there are other products out there that look just a good and you only need to wax every 5 or 6 weeks.

But its your truck, your time and your money so have at it

 

Zaino every 6 months will be fine (if you do it right). I used to do two coats, one after the other. With that curing additive it's dry in like 30 minutes. You'll be amazed at how deep the shine will be. You can just follow up every month or so with the Z6 and Z8.

I'd wait and just use the Zaino. In general you want to stay away from using dish soap, simple green, or any degreaser on your vehicle.

 

I did mine in NXT today because I couldn't wait fo zainio, will prob order it in another month.