Washing materials

[SybErkRimInAL]

Originally Posted by SoCalJD

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Never used ICE, but have been reading a lot of reviews on it. Appears that it's cheap and easy to use and looks decent. Good enough for most people, especially if it's on a truck. (I realize that's probably sacriledge here on a truck forum...but I don't put 1/100th of the effort into keeping my truck spotless as I do my cars.) However, there's no way it'll last like Zainos, or shine as well. Since I hate detailing the Tudra so much, I'd rather just do it once or twice a year instead of every month. Again, I have no stake in the stuff (wish I did). I read a review of 46 waxes/polishes, and it came out #1, so I bought it. If Raindance came out #1, I'd have bought that. In case anyone is interested where *their* wax was listed (ICE wasn't out in 02'), let me know. Couple interesting ones: #2 P21S (a wax...most top ones are synthetic). #8 Mothers CA Gold. Cheap, and easy to find. #40: Zymols Concours Carnauba. $180. Out of 4 expensive Zymols tested, none finished higher than #29. Needless to say, the Zymols people weren't happy with the report.

I have Zymol Titanium. I wouldn't buy it again. Not cuz it's disappointed me but it's just to expensive. You know when I first got my truck I was all hyped up and bought all kinds of "top of the line" products for it. Do you have a link to this info??? I'm interested.

[SoCalJD]

Originally Posted by SybErkRimInAL

I have Zymol Titanium. I wouldn't buy it again. Not cuz it's disappointed me but it's just to expensive. You know when I first got my truck I was all hyped up and bought all kinds of "top of the line" products for it. Do you have a link to this info??? I'm interested.

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The site is still there www.gurureports.com, but the test says "sold out". The Titanium was ranked #36, and cost $72 (2002 price). Armor All Protective Barrier (#4!) blew it away, and cost $2.50. Here's their conclusion on the Titanium: "Was the longest lasting of the Zymols- but that's not saying much." Hmmm...maybe Zymols sued them and that's why they're "sold out." Oh...you also have to put the stuff on with your bare hand. Sounds like a buncha serious BS hype to me. Zainos is at www.zainobros.com. I'd recommend just the basic kit ($100?), but if someone's interested in it I can tell you what products I'd recommend and which I wouldn't. (I've tried them all, and unless you're a freak like me you don't need them all. Hell...even *I* don't need them all. )

[SybErkRimInAL]

Originally Posted by SoCalJD

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The site is still there www.gurureports.com, but the test says "sold out". The Titanium was ranked #36, and cost $72 (2002 price). Armor All Protective Barrier (#4!) blew it away, and cost $2.50. Here's their conclusion on the Titanium: "Was the longest lasting of the Zymols- but that's not saying much." Hmmm...maybe Zymols sued them and that's why they're "sold out." Oh...you also have to put the stuff on with your bare hand. Sounds like a buncha serious BS hype to me. Zainos is at www.zainobros.com. I'd recommend just the basic kit ($100?), but if someone's interested in it I can tell you what products I'd recommend and which I wouldn't. (I've tried them all, and unless you're a freak like me you don't need them all. Hell...even *I* don't need them all. )

Please, recommend away. My tundra's black and has swirl marks. What would you recommend. I am a novice and do not feel comfortable using buffers. What say you?

[SoCalJD]

Originally Posted by SybErkRimInAL

Please, recommend away. My tundra's black and has swirl marks. What would you recommend. I am a novice and do not feel comfortable using buffers. What say you?

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I bought a buffer...and I rarely use it. I *will* use it on the truck though, although mine's white. A ROB (Random Orbital Buffer) *shouldn't* cause swirl marks. In fact, you should be able to *remove* them with one....but again, I'm no expert on buffers/buffing. I'm such a freak about my car that I've become known for it, both o/l and in real life, much to my wife's chagrin. So much so that I've always got people hitting me up to do their cars. I do, but I charges some interesting "prices." Usually, that means the use of the detailed vehicle for as long as I feel like keeping it. Had a Porsche 996TT X-50 for a couple weeks, a MB CLS500, and a few others The MB SLK350 is kinda girlman, but fun anyway). An M5 buddy gave me a bottle of Don Julio 1942 tequila. Anyway, I always use all Zainos stuff, and I always start by stripping off whatever wax they have on already with a little Dawn, then with the clay bar. The (black)CLS was brand new, yet you could *hear* the claybar make a scraping noise over the car. I guess they get rail-dust/etc. They *look* perfect in the showroom, but if you touch them you can feel a zillion little bumps. Anyway, prepping the car/truck is 1/2 the work. I then wash it again, dry it (my least favorite part), then put a couple coats of Zainos Z2 polish (Z5 first if there's swirl marks). I use the Z8 finishing spray, and I'm now trying out the clear sealant. So, I'd say the must-have Zaino products are: Z2/Z5 polish, the ZFX stuff that mixes with the polish to help it dry faster and Z8 or Z6 (cheaper, and probably better for a Tundra) finishing spray. You also need a clay bar, but Zainos is no better than any others. I think the Basic Kit has all that (and more) in it, but that's all you really need. Oh, except for the ZPC "swirl remover", which I mentioned before. That's the *1* product that seriously blows me away.

[mitch]

Since I'm bored at work, thought I'd throw out this tip.

If you think you don't need to claybar and wax, that you paint and finish is great take a plastic sandwich bag and put your fingers in there and then rub that along your car. Suddenly your finish will feel like a 15 year old chocolate addicts' face.

[notevenclose]

Originally Posted by Lone Star Outfitter

Will a supposed state of the art automated wash system with non scratch, polishing cloth brushes ruin the paint of a 2008 Black Tundra Crew Max?

Yes. If it has brushes that touch the paint, it will cause scratches. How many people before you went thru the same wash system with crap all over their cars?
It goes double for the brushes at those self wash carwash places...DON"T USE THEM ON THE PAINT!

If you are in a hurry or lazy and want to blow the dust off, use a TOUCHLESS automatic car wash.

Rubbing your truck with a dry t-shirt while it is THE LEAST BIT dirty will cause scratches.