LBHonda-
Thanks for your kind words. 303 products are well-respected, of course. If you use their protectant on the dash, you should condider wiping it immediately with a dry cloth to produce a less-reflective finish, one that won't make the dash show up in the windshield.

You do not need to add ZFX to the AIO.
You can use the Z-16 tire dressing to dress the wheel wells and interior vinyl if you wish...

Bud's advice is generally correct except that Zaino lasts over 6 months in most cases so you don't have to wax again unless you want to clean/polish away road film staining. I'm willing to say you "detailed" your exterior, BTW.

I'm glad you like Zaino as much as I do. New participants like you give fresh perspectives to this forum. Keep posting !
Doug

Carla :
If you check your Honda owner's manual, I believe you will find that Honda advises against routine use of wheel cleaners like the P21s product you used. Even gentle wheel cleaners are harsher than car wash soap. If you wash the wheels often, you probably won't need to use wheel cleaner.

You asked about 303 fabric protector. I've never used it but...
The best way to protect your interior fabric is to drape an old bedsheet over the driver's seat when you leave the car at a repair shop. You can also leave a rag for the mechanic to wipe his hands on. You can slip the floor mat into a dry-cleaning bag to protect it.
As soon as you get the car out of the shop, remove any grease marks from the interior before they have a chance to set.
Hope that's helpful.
Doug

Doug-
Thank you so much for your helpful tips. I did use the Z-2pro and Z-CS on the wheels and plan to wash with Z-7 every 2 weeks unless it needs it sooner for some reason, so I won't use the P21s. I've read the owner's manual, but it's a lot to absorb and remember. Should I use the Z-16 on the wheel wells?

So you really think it's probably not necessary to do the protectant on the upholstery then, right? That is a great tip about the sheet and the dry cleaning bag when I take the car in for servicing (which with the Honda, hopefully won't be too often :} ). I did use some of the 303 Protectant on the vinyl yesterday and wiped the excess off with the towel and buffed.

I really appreciate the time you've taken to answer my questions so I can properly care for my car, especially since I know you guys are pros and are very busy. Any other tips or suggestions you (or anyone else) have to send my way would also be very welcome.

Thanks again,
Carla

Carla-
Using Z-16 on the wheel wells is purely optional. I've experimented with various products on wheel wells and have no firm preference.

I don't personally use any stain-repellant stuff on fabric but I doubt it will do any harm so go ahead and try it. I use a carpet shampoo that has a stain guard chemical in it.

The best "tip" I can give you is to wash the car with plenty of soapy water, rinsing often to avoid grinding dirt against the finish. Micro-scratching is to be taken seriously.

Doug

Doug-
Thanks for the reply. I use plenty of soapy water to wash the car, rinsing it often; I use the 2 five gallon buckets with the grit guards in each one. One has the soapy water and the other just regular to rinse the dirty mitts in before putting them back in the soapy water. If the water seems too dirty I dump it and get fresh. I try my best to make sure I don't scratch the surface of the paint with grit or dust or anything. I've tried to put into practice any tip I've learned here or elsewhere that will help me protect my car's finish. I figure that carefully cleaning and protecting the finish on my car (even if I spend a lot on products) is the cheapest thing I can do to insure the longevity of the finish. Kind of like changing the oil is for the engine. Thanks a bunch. I'll be lurking and learning.
Carla

Hi all-

I'm 35 year-old-man and very interested in the auto detailing.
I've used some brand products such as Meguires(NTX), Sonax(eXtream) and Zymol(titanium).
At this time, I ordered the Zaino total kit and expect to deliver it soon.

After applying it on my car colored black, I'll tell you my opinion.

I think we should remember that what we see is not all such as water beading, shine and durability. Who knows the influence the Wax or sealant makes on the paint.
The protection from outside is important but the enemy might be inside.


Kim

Kim -
You'll be pleased with Zaino. If you have any problems, post here and I'll try to help you. Otherwise, you can phone the company and actually talk to Sal Zaino himself.
If I understand your statement about wax and paint correctly, you are wondering (1) what hidden effects wax has on paint and (2) whether paint can fail for internal reasons unrelated to wax.
Meguiar's talks a lot about polishing oils nourishing the paint but I suspect that these oils only wet the paint temporarily to improve the shine.
Many companies attempt to scare customers away from competitors by implying that certain ingredients harm paint. So far, the claims have all turned out to be false.
Defective paint can peel, crack or rust out from underneath even if waxed properly.
Post again and let us know how the Zaino kit works on your car. As Dick Griot says, " Have fun in your garage ! "
BTW : I hope you read the final revision of my big post on the "glass cleaning" thread. It has quotes of 30 forum members compiled and edited.
Doug



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/09/2007 05:38PM by Doug Delmont.

Doug-

Thanks for your comment.

Meguiar(NTX) is too dust-adhesive.

I'm wondering how Zaino is on that point.



Kim



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/10/2007 12:37AM by Y.J. Kim.

Kim-
[ some irrelevant material removed by edit ]
I did not have any problem with NXT collecting dust when I tested it. I suspect you may have had an anomoly, perhaps caused by a lot of static electricity or something on a particular car.
Zaino does not collect dust in my experiance and the various products produce little or no dust when buffed or wiped off. You'll like it.
Doug



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/14/2007 09:49PM by Doug Delmont.

Doug

His name is Mr Kim, call him "Kim" is like me calling you, "Delmont."

Doug

His name is Mr Kim, call him "Kim" is like me calling you, "Delmont."

Bud:

You are correct the gengleman is Y.J. Kim. Kim being the surname. He however gave Doug permission to call him Kim when in a previous post he appended the signature Kim. It is not uncommon in some cultures for people to identify themselves by the last name especially if their first names are unusual.

In a formal setting it would be highly irregular and perhaps in poor taste for Dough to refer to Mr. Kim as "Kim" but since this is an automotive forum I suppose we won't be so hard on Doug or rather Mr. Delmont for a breach of etiquette.

You are absolutely correct. I was not aware that he had given permission to call him Kim.

Bud

buda

Bud-

You can call me Kim.

My first name is Young Joong.

Have a nice day.

YJ:

Prefer to call you YJ, almost same as my Korean distributor, YS Park, We call him YS, sometimes Yoon Seong.

Com-sah-ha-mi-da,

Bud Abraham

Doug-

I have looked for the guru reports on the wax test.
In the guru reports website I could see only the sold out sign.
Of course, I know the rough result of the test.
But I want the full text.

Do you have any idea of this ?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Kim

YJ

The Guru Report was not a scientificallly done test. It appears after reading the test it was some car enthusiasts that put the tests together.

However, when you do not have tests that are monitored by scientific measuring instruments you only subjective results.

For example, all you need to measure a product's ability to shine is a Glossometer which will give you a reading of reflective gloss off a surface before and after application. You can even measure after several washings.

This gives you a completely accuarate measurement. Anything else is totally subjective and absolutely worthless, except in the mind of the beholder.

Regards
Bud A

YJ Kim/:

You might want to log on to www.mobileworks.com another very good detailing forum like Web-Cars. There is a bit more participation the Mobileworks Forum than here. Also try www.carwash.com there is both a car wash and a detailing forum.

Regards
Bud Abraham

Bud

Thanks for your advice and information.


Regards,

YJ Kim

Kim-
I may be able to photocopy at least part of the Guru Reports Wax Test for you.
No promises but you can email me an address to mail it to. My email is sssparky1351zz@yahoo.com ( or send a private message on this forum ).
There is no crying need for you to see the whole report. I've read it and have posted most of the important findings. As you know if you've been reading the threads here, Bud and I disagree about the validity of the report. I like it. I do understand your desire to see it for yourself, of course.
I'm glad to see new people joining our discussions and hope you'll continue.
If you visit www.Meguiars.com , you will find that Barry Meguiar shares my confidence in real world testing and tells you how to conduct your own test for gloss. Jerry Bailey, of Duragloss was the first to tell me to apply different products to the left and right sides of a car hood to compare the shine. The Guru Report was not totally subjective, as Bud claims, and has been congruent with others' results since it was published. In other words, it has stood the test of time.
A little googling will help you locate several forums including the Roadfly one where one of the Guru Reports guys posts.
Doug



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/14/2007 09:44PM by Doug Delmont.