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      05-28-2007, 11:48 AM   #1
zednik
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Glass cleaner, detail sprays, wheel cleaners, etc........

I thought I'd start a thread to yak about the various potions we use to keep the Zed's shiny.

Some of the stuff on the market is really good, some not so good so perhaps we can all chime in with our favorite snake oil recommendations.

One of my pet peeves is dirty, smeary glass. Most commercial cleaners (blue stuff) don't work so well on cars. I've been using Stoner Invisible Glass and it's an improvement but not perfect. Anybody tried anything that's better?

For detail spray I've just been buying the $5 Turtle Wax product at Target and it seems pretty good. What works better?

Anyone who mentions Zaino will have to attend a 12 step program before posting again.
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      05-28-2007, 11:51 AM   #2
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Zaino, Zaino, Zaino ....is that 36 step pgm?

......
I use a lot of Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine.
- serves as a waterless wash, a quick detailer, and a clay lubricant (depends on concentration of mix)
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      05-28-2007, 12:14 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zednik View Post
One of my pet peeves is dirty, smeary glass. Most commercial cleaners (blue stuff) don't work so well on cars. I've been using Stoner Invisible Glass and it's an improvement but not perfect. Anybody tried anything that's better?

I use Miller-Stephenson MS-260 Safezone Cleaner. It is a commercial product that we use for cleaning avionics instrument glass (inside and out). Great stuff but will probably be hard to find.

And as the poster above, I use Zaino for wax and polish.
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      05-28-2007, 01:33 PM   #4
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Soap = California car wash pro, something or other..
Glass cleaner = Vinegar and water mix..
Paint = Zaino Pro 2..
Detailer (for paint) = Zaino 6 Enhancer..
Tires = Black Magic Tire Wet..
Wheels = Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish..
Detailer (for plastic) = Armor All Wipes..
Leather = BMW Leather Care Kit..

Not necessarily in that order..
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      05-28-2007, 02:16 PM   #5
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Exterior
Soap: Optimum No Rinse Car Wash
Detailing spray: concentrated Optimum No Rinse Car Wash
Clay: Whatever's the best value, usually Meguiar's
Polish/Wax/Sealant: Klasse AIO, Klasse SG
Wheels: Meguiar's wheel cleaner (purple bottle)
Tires: No Touch High Shine (foamy)
Chrome exhaust tips: Meguiar's chrome polish
Soft top: Raggtopp cleaner & protectant

Interior
Plastic: Vinylex by Lexol
Leather: Raggtopp leather cleaner & protectant

Ski, apparently Armor all uses the type of silicone that dries out plastic so you should switch to another brand like Vinylex (shiny) or 303 protectant (matte).
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      05-28-2007, 02:33 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by takedown8 View Post

Ski, apparently Armor all uses the type of silicone that dries out plastic so you should switch to another brand like Vinylex (shiny) or 303 protectant (matte).
Was not aware of that, thank you..
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      05-28-2007, 03:16 PM   #7
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+1 ...nix the Armor all
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      05-28-2007, 03:49 PM   #8
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Alles Meguiars.
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      05-28-2007, 04:25 PM   #9
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Exterior:
Wash - Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo (microfiber mitt)
Eimann Fabrik Hi-Intensity Cleaner (Wheels/Tires)
Blue Magic Clay Bar
303 Protectant for tires/rubber
Black Again Exterior Trim Restorer (Black exterior trim)

Menzerna finishes
1. Intensive Polish
2. Final Polish II
3. Final Touch Glaze
4. Full Molecular Jacket (FMJ)
5. High Gloss Acrylic Shield detailing spray

All of the Menzerna is applied with a Porter-Cable 7424 Polisher

Interior:
Plexus (for plastics)
Poorboy's World Vinyl Cleaner (dashboard)
Lexol Leather cleaner/conditioner

Stoner's Invisible Glass window cleaner

Microfiber cloth for just about everything
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      05-28-2007, 09:13 PM   #10
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For the glass and headlights, I've been using Prist Aircraft Glass and Plastic Cleaner, since I had a case of it around.

I'm especially pleased with how well it works on insect remains.

IIRC it was about $50 for a case of 12, so I don't know if I can find something more expensive or not...
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      05-28-2007, 09:24 PM   #11
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Interesting - I had always known about a car detailing supply place called Autogeek, but when I did a google search on Prist Aircraft Glass and Plastic Cleaner I ended up with an immediate hit with a site called Skygeek.....

I have to presume you are a pilot?
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      05-28-2007, 09:51 PM   #12
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Yup, work in the avionics design and manufacturing business. Along the way here, spent 13 years in the Seattle area with Boeing.

The airplane I share with 3 other fellows is about 2 minutes from my front door-- small town living!
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      05-28-2007, 11:05 PM   #13
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I haven't figured out if I should ever wash my car or take it to a drive thru car wash.
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      05-28-2007, 11:09 PM   #14
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20Ducks,

Don't say the "Z" word, don't wash your car.......ever.

Lie down until the feeling passes.
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      05-28-2007, 11:15 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zednik View Post
20Ducks,

Don't say the "Z" word, don't wash your car.......ever.

Lie down until the feeling passes.
k
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      05-28-2007, 11:20 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 20Ducks View Post
I haven't figured out if I should ever wash my car or take it to a drive thru car wash.
Nah - just trade it in on a new one if it ever gets too dirty.
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      05-29-2007, 12:32 AM   #17
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I can't drive, so my Zed never gets dirty...
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      06-18-2007, 09:25 AM   #18
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what are you guys using to clean the aluminum trim?
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      06-18-2007, 09:42 AM   #19
zednik
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For the aluminum trim I just use a microfiber towel with a little water. Greasy or sticky spots get a little naptha which is a great solvent for anything oily or gummy.

Sometimes I lay my cheeseburger on the dash and it drips down on the aluminum so I've gotten pretty good at cleaning the dash trim.
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      06-18-2007, 10:03 AM   #20
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For cleaning glass,

Glass cleaner = water and vinegar mix 3 to 1.

Like every thing else, it works very well, however, you want the glass warm, not hot. When wiping off, wipe till dry, don't wipe forever, it will leave streaks. I do wash once to get grime and bugs off, then a second time to get the clear, no streak thing going on. If streaks still appear, a quick wipe with a dry microfiber towel will take care of the streaks.
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