Is it OK to use claybar on top of Zaino? I already have many coats of Zaino on my car, but the front of the hood doesn't feel as smooth as the rest of the car. Is it OK to claybar the car after Zaino? Will I loose the current coats, and have to reapply Zaino?

Also, can I pick up claybar at pepboys, or do I have to order it from Zainos?

Thanks for your help.

G35 Coupe. Diamond Graphite, Graphite, Premium and wheel and Tire package. Zaino Baby.

 

It wont do you much good unless you strip the hood first with Dawn, and I wouldn't count on the hood being protected after using claybar unless your re-zaino. So my advice would be to wash the hood with dawn, claybar, then reapply your zaino coats.

By the way, you can email the Zaino guys directly from their website, they usually respond within 24 hours.

<font color=blue>2003 G35 BS Sedan AT - St. Louis, MO
Premium, Winter, Xenon w/Silverstar Fogs
35% Tint All Around - Clear Corners
MB Quart / Eclipse Stereo System
PIAA Extreme Whites - K&N Drop-In</font color=blue>

 

I was hoping I didn't have re-apply all those coats of Zaino... so, you have to go through the whole "Dawn, Clay Bar, Zaino", everytime the surface gets ruff?

G35 Coupe. Diamond Graphite, Graphite, Premium and wheel and Tire package. Zaino Baby.

 

i'd give the clay bar a shot first, especially if you haven't washed/zaino'd the car for a few weeks/months (do one panel). it could be that you've accumulated new contamination. if you clay and the surface is still not smooth, then dawn/clay/zaino. and yes you can pick up a mother's claybar kit at pepboys

 

You definitely need to re-apply after using the claybar. Hopefully you don't have debris trapped under the Zaino because Dawn doesn't cut through Zaino or Crystal Guard like regular waxes.


Russ

Black w/willow, 6MT Coupe, nav, aero, V1, PS2, & TVs all up in the headrests.
Jax, FL

 

imo claybar doesn't make enough of a dent on sealants to worry about anything. i'm not saying it won't remove any zaino, but the amount is negligible(again, imo). it wouldn't make any sense as far as layering went, since everyone should be claying as a first step to begin with.

if you really want to remove zaino and start all over, use a 50/50 spritz bottle mix of denatured alcohol/water and then wipe off w/ a microfiber towel. you can also use a paint cleaner like klasse aio or prepsol.

 

Russ.....yeah it does, Dawn does cut thru.....

<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c 6MT DG/Willow/HyperGround/BorlaExhaust

 

Dawn does not cut through Zaino like it does normal waxes. It may dull the shine, but it will not remove Zaino. I've done this myself and Sal Zaino says it. To completely remove zaino you need to use alcohol, a polishing compound, or industrial strength paint cleaner.

NO... If you use Zaino claybar, it will not remove/strip all your previous layers. This has also been stated by Sal. This has also been proved by a Zaino nut over at my350z.com. I can vouch for this as well. However, it is recommend that you apply a coat of Z-5 immediately after you clay to fill in the pores/holes left behind by the removed contaminants.

Trust me on this. I spent this whole past weekend detailing my car. I had 13 coats of zaino on it. The claybar made the surface as smooth as glass. It would be ideal that claying is the first thing you do before applying a sealant, but don't kill yourself removing the zaino. Just wash thoroughly with Z-7. Dry the car so there are minimal water spots. Use the Zaino claybar with Z-7/water as lube. Dry the parts you clay as you go along. Wash the car. Take the plastic bag test across your paint. Smoove as glass!

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http://www.anythingbox.net

 

what is the plastic bag test?

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2004 Diamond Graphite Sedan

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

what is the plastic bag test?

<hr></blockquote>

How to tell if your car needs claying.
Detail your car. Make it look spectacular. Then take a plastic sandwich bag and put your fingers inside it, like a glove and run it across your paint. If it feels like anything other than the smoothest surface on earth, your car needs to be clayed. You can also use seran wrap. The severity of the bumps you feel can help determine how bad you need to clay it.

I clay twice a year on my daily driver G. Once before Winter and once before summer. You can clay once a year if you like. I just love the smooth feel. You should always clay every other year.

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http://www.anythingbox.net

 

afr0puff: I agree with your responses -- that Dawn removes Carnauba wax, but does not remove Zaino; and that Clay bar should not remove Zaino (other than "pores/holes" from removed contaminants.

Just one question/clarification... on the Clay Bar, you mention that if you use the "Zaino clay bar" it will not remove the layers. Do you think it makes a difference whether it's a Zaino Clay Bar or other Clay Bar. I would think a clay bar is a clay bar. And while staying within the "Z" system is good for the Z-6 qd and Z-7wash, I wouldn't think using another brand of clay bar would make any difference. You could still use z-7 as the lubricant with a non-Zaino clay bar if you wish.

I'm sure Sal would favor the Zaino claybar over others, and consistency of clay does differ by brand. But I would think that if there is a non-Zaino claybar that you like, that it should be fine. Thoughts?

I've been happy with the Mothers claybar, and it's readily available locally (no shipping).

 

i tihnk mother's claybar should be fine

 

IIRC, some claybars contain a chemical compound that really strips everything off your car, even touch-up paint. I think the same chemical used in langka. Don't quote me on this, it's just something i remember reading once.

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http://www.anythingbox.net

 

Thanks everyone for your responses. It seems like I can get away with just a claybar, and re-applying Zaino afterwards to fill the pores. Do I need to use Z5 to fill the pores or is Z2 sufficient? I thought Z5 was for swirl marks?
Thanks again for your helpful/quick answers.

G35 Coupe. Diamond Graphite, Graphite, Premium and wheel and Tire package. Zaino Baby.

 

Definitely go with Z-5. z-5 has 70% of the shine as Z-2, but it offers much more protection and durability. Your base coats and fixer coats should always be Z-5.

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http://www.anythingbox.net