Incredible detail job

If you drive your car it really should be washed vs. quick detailed. The dirt you pick up on the road (even a small commute) but enough grim on to the surface of the paint that you need water volume and a high lubricity soap to gently float it away. It is when this grim is drug across the paint that you begging to microscopically scratch the clear coat. These millions of tiny scratches are what forms the appearance of swirl marks when viewed in bright light.

Your goal, if I am reading right, is have the car gone through professionally and polished (thus removing scratches + swirls and bring the close back to new if not better than new) and have the intial Zaino prepped and applied by the detailer, then mantain yourself by keeping the vehicle clean and adding additonal Zaino when needed?

If I'm reading correctly, this is a great plan! Once Zaino has been applied and bonded correctly, its as easy as washing with Zaino car soap and appling a nice thin layer of Zaino. Let dry to a haze and remove, and enjoy. However, if the detailer is going to spend time removing marring and perfecting your finish (and you are going to spend your hard earned money) you should really considering washing the vehicle to reduce the chances of remarring the surface. I will go on a man hunt to find a detailer in your area that will not only prefect your baby, but Zaino it, AND spend the time with you to teach you how to properly protect your investment so I looks amazing always!

 

Sweet job!

It's amazing what a good polishing job can do for paint.

 

Thanks Tropicaldetail, this is exactly the type of forethought I was looking for. I really thought that I was doing myself a service by quick detailing it after each day trip (go figure). I've gone through a quarter gallon of detail spray in only 4 wks. Your advise make perfect sense. I do think that it depends on how much "dirt" there is. That said, if the car was protected with Zaino and I used the detail spray (for light cleanings) would I be scratching the Zaino? Is Zaino thick enough for that to even happen or would I just be removing it?

Based on what you're saying I think there are a lot of people out there (myself included) who are incorrectly using detail sprays.

 

Zaino Bro's have a website at http://www.zainostore.com . You may want to do some research on their product line because it's not as intuitive as Cleaner, Polish, & Sealer.

 

Thanks Larry, I'll try to do my homework

 

Even your thickest coats of carnuaba wax are only a couple of molecules thick. When you apply a wax or sealent, most of it hazes and wipes off. This is why its always better to apply your products whisper thin. Paint is relatively soft, so even though the grime might not remove the thin layer of protection, the abbrasiion will still lightly mar the surface through the protectent. You can key a car even if its wrapped in thin celophane, with out damaging the celophane, because the abbrasion transfers through the celophane, if that makes sense.

Quik detailers should only be used if the car is lightly dusty and hasn't been driven in a while. A good trick is to use a high speed leaf blower to blow the water off your car after washing, then use a microfiber and a light mist of detail spray to remove the final amounts of water.

 

Jacques, That is a wonderful 400i you have there. The paint now looks ready for any show.

Todd, Time after time you always out do yourself. Excellent work on the paint correction.

Its nice to have someone like Todd around so you can pick his brain about the finish on your fine automobile.