I don't want to...but Zaino tells me to...

[2002GT_Celica]

I got my Zaino today, and I am probably going to use it later this week (my car isn't that dirty) and I read the directions and they recommend I wash the car with Dawn...yes Dawn!...before waxing the car with their products with the intent of getting rid of all old wax. They say it is safe, but I still have my doubts. Dishwashing + my paint = my worst nightmare. Is it safe? Has anyone done it before?

[oldster]

I did it right after I got my car, followed by the clay bar then the Zaino polish lock and polish. They are the only products I've used on my car and it looks terrific. Follow the directions and you can't go wrong.

[GT-S Celica]

my gf washed her car with a dishwash soap before, and after that, the paint on her car became rough. even after a wax, its still rough. the paint shines, but its rough....

[oldster]

hmmm.....certainly did not have that problem with the Celica.

[bme107]

Use dawn. Everyone that uses Zaino starts out with Dawn. People with cars 5x more expensive are using it with no worries. Zaino is a very reputable company and wouldn't recommend anything that will hurt your paint.

[jayazevedo]

Dawn works well. It attacks wax however, but since zaino isnt a wax per se, you should just follow directions. Plenty of people have used dish soap and had no problems. Just think of it this way. Dish soap removes nasty stuck on grease from you pork chops, just think what it will do to wax on your finish. Again, Zaino isnt a wax, and ive had no experience with those products, but for my car and all the cars i detail, i use car wash from www.griotsgarage.com. Its great for those in between waxing car washes. For removing wax, i use double strength car wash, as it is designed to remove wax if you use it in its more potent form. My two pennies, hope it helps

[2002GT_Celica]

Well, I used the dish soap, much to my chagrin and everything looks fine. I put on one coat of Z-2 so far and it looks great, I plan on putting on one more, then going to Z-5. Should look great.

[Lord Banshee]

did u use z-1?

[Lord Banshee]

"For the highest optical paint enhancement always follow up Z-5 with a coat of Z-2." (zainos web site)

so are u going to use the Z-2 again?

so u use z-1, then z-2, z-5,and finaly z-2. all those are polishes aren't they? do u use a wax to protect this polish or is it built into z-2?

[2002GT_Celica]

OK to answer both questions, no I did not use Z1, I used it's new replacement ZFX, which works excellently. Secondly, I am waiting for the Z-5 to haze, following that, I will spray some z-6 gloss enhancer then go back to z-2 for the final coat. So far, the finish looks spectacular.

[Lord Banshee]

so what u can't drive your caR for 3 days?

[tlminh]

ahh, a new zaino user

dont use dawn all the time, i use it once a year(some use it twice a year) to get all the old waxes off my car

Dawn basically strips you car clean, down to the clearcoat and leaves no protection

follow through with the bar, then z-1,z-5,z-6,z-2

i use only z-5 though

after that, wash the car with z-7

havent used ZFX yet, but i cant wait to get it ($17 bucks for an itty bitty bottle scares me)

[BillWS6Formula]

I've been using Zaino for over 5 years now including the full whole meal deal thing with Dawn every spring and no problems whatsoever. The paint is sparkling and smmoooooooth still...follow the link for some recent pics...

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4291794707

[2002GT_Celica]

I finished it yesterday, but was so exhausted that I forgot about this thread altogether. It looks great, and thanks for all the help everyone. By the way BillWS6Formula, your car looks great.

[BillWS6Formula]

Thanks :)....so how did you like the results? Don't worry, that full day thing is only once a year *L*. After that it's quick and easy each time for just the polish.

[2002GT_Celica]

I loved the results. As far as working on it for a day, it wasn't that bad as I enjoy working with my car.

[GTS LAID]

wow bill... its a freaking mirror.... damn i'm pretty lucky to live 15 miles from those guys in howell...

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by tlminh
havent used ZFX yet, but i cant wait to get it ($17 bucks for an itty bitty bottle scares me) Believe me, it's worth it. I did a review of it a while back:
http://newcelica.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4644

And speaking of mirrors:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid11/pdaf7085550a493f62f4ee6da2a91dd67/fe12b831.jpg

:D