Alright so I finally got a PC because I'm sick and tired of detailing my black cars by hand. There is a ton of information out there regarding polishes, bonnets, blah blah, so I thought I'd ask here (waiting for my autopia reg to go through) before I go at it.

Alright, so I have the PC and the pads (ordered the Sonus package) and I have the full suite of Zaino products (ZFX, Z2, Z5, Z6, Z7 etc...). I know I need a polish, but I'm sort of at a loss in terms of what pre-polish cleaner and polish to get. As a reference my car is black and has quite a lot of swirling from the previous owner. I do have some light scratches but no oxidation or hazing so I am going to need something with some bite, but am unsure of exactly what I'm looking for. I've seen people recommend Sonus 2, Poorboy SSR2, some Meg's stuff... I'd like first hand accounts. Also, I know Zaino's are made for hand applications - does anyone think applying Z5/Z2 via PC would be detirmental to the paint?

Thanks.

 

I think using zaino with a pc would be way too wasteful. I don't use zaino myself but I've read a lot about it. Aren't you supposed to apply thin layers of it?

And I know what you mean.. detailing cars by hand is hard work, especially zainoing the first time. I got tired just reading the directions and decided to use klasse instead .

 

Ya, I'm thinking Zaino will be wasteful with the PC. I will probably apply it by hand after I pre-polish and polish. I don't find it very hard at all, especially since it requires almost no pressure, it's removing the swirls with polish that's hard by hand (I'm using SwirlX now, and it works, but it's TOUGH). So I guess what I need are some recommendations for a good pre-polish cleaner and light scratch/swirl removing polish that I can apply with the PC before I apple the Zaino, and ultimately Carnuba Wax.

 

the only thing i would consider applying via PC is Z8 which is supposed to be a true polish. anything else is just a waste of time/money/material

 

Depending on how bad your swirls are, one option is Meguiar's Professional Products (these are the ones in the "tan" bottles").

2 that I use depending on how bad the swirls are

M83 Dual Action Cleaner Polish - for more severe swirl marks

M82(??) Hand Polish - for lighter swirl removal and polishing

There is also M81 Speed Glaze. I haven't used that one....

Here is an article from Meguiars Forums you might find useful. It talks about Meguiars products, but the techinique would be the same no matter what your use :

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sho...&threadid=2965

 

Jim, thanks very much - that article helped a lot. I think I am going to grab some #83 DACP and give it a go. My swirls aren't terrible, but I do have a couple surface scratches that will probably benefit from a reasonably abrasive polish. Thanks again!