How to wash your EX35?

[G3LO]

Hello,

What is a good product to use to clean the leather. The car I want to clean is EX35 2010. Thank you!

G3LO

[zarar]

I use Lexol Leather Clean and a special rag thing they sell that you apply and gently clean the leather with. A couple minutes layer, I use Leather Conditioner, which stops the leather from getting hard and cracking over time thus prevent in from fading and ripping in the future. The Leather cleaner itself is definitely good and clean off a lot of grime, I have a wheat interior and personally for me, it takes a lot of beating because I wear jeans. I find myself cleaning the interior (mostly the front two seats, since no one else really sits in the back) every other day, I just don't like a black on wheat interior if you know what I mean.

The product I use has been recommended and purchased from my local dealer, Infiniti of Massapequa.

[AWGD8]

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/mer ... t_Count=12

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/mer ... t_Count=13

[G3LO]

Thanks for the replies zarar and AWGD8. Much appreciated. After looking at the 2 products recommended by AWGD8 and reading the reviews I was sold. I think I will try them first. They are inexpensive and seem to do the job well. AWGD8, have you ever used these products? If so, how do you apply them to your vehicle? I know there are instructions, but what kind of sponges/towels do you use? How I used to clean my leather in my old MDX was using a special sponge (micro-fiber like) and applying armor all. Let me know, thank you!

[AWGD8]

I`m cheap so I decided to use water and my son`s old white t-shirt I never use the Z9, but I get 20% comission when you buy one. but I did use the Z10 "leather in a bottle" It smells new! When using the Z10, avoid over applying it or else the interior of the car will overshine the exterior!
I prefer a little dull looking bec. I stay low profile

BTW, this is a lot better than Armor All !

[G3LO]

I see, any discount you can give me if I purchase from there continuously? Also, do you know of a good product to wax the car? My brother uses some 3 step system from Canadian Tire. I was wondering if there is something that you have tried or know that works great? Thank you!

[AWGD8]

I used to be a hardcore Zaino fan, but their exterior polish products are time consuming to apply. Although, it works great, but I saw one product that could do the same in less time. I forgot that brand, I`ll look for it. No, I`m not affiliated to Zaino :-) No comission here.

I think it`s ULTIMA . But if you have all the time in the world , Zaino polish is the way to go. You can do multiple coatings , 3 coatings recommended to last fo 12 months.

if you go Zaino way. This is my routine every summer.

1) Wash the car with "JOY" dishwashing liquid to strip the wax that currently on the paint. (Mix a few oz of JOY with Gallons of water in the bucket)
Hand wash it.
2) Rinse
3) Wipe the car dry
4)Use this : Meguires Smooth Surface® Clay Kit (Cheaper at Walmart $13) or Zaino Clay bar.
5) Then I use Zaino Z6 to remove left over spray from the clay bar kit. http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/mer ... ct_Count=9

6) I mix
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/mer ... _Count=196)

and

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/mer ... ct_Count=6

Using the ZFX will cure the polish faster and the next coat of polish can be applied after half hour instead of few hours if you don`t use this.

7) You apply the polish or Z2 mix in the bottle with ZFX. Then apply it on the car`s paint surface. Let it haze and wait for half hour then do minor buffing.
8) Apply another coat of Z2 and another one and another one, as many as you like with half hour interval per layer, but do minor buffing and let it haze first before buffing.

9) You can use this http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/mer ... ct_Count=9
to seal every other coating and the last coating. You can also use this Z6for everyday maintenance to wipe of dust etc....

10) Have a good long rest and grab a can of beers. Make sure you don`t work the next day or possibly don`t drive as your whole back and arm are numb and achy the next day.

For the wheels this is what I use to protect it.

http://armorall.com/products/view_produ ... ndex=wheel

[G3LO]

I see, how do you get 20% commission? And also, if you do not mind, finding me that exterior polish would be great!

[AWGD8]

Edited above --

[G3LO]

Thank you very much for the long post. I have looked into every product individually and have a few questions regarding the process above. Regarding the clay bar, does it come with lubricant? Or is that a seperate purchase? If so, what lubricant would you recommend?

Also, I did not fully understand the mixing aspect with the Z2 and ZFX. How does 10 drops work the whole car? Do you mix it with water? Or just use the 10 drops?

If you can expand on those 2 aspects would be great!

G3LO

[AWGD8]

The clay bar kit comes with detailer spray as a lubricant, microfiber cloth, 2 clay bars and 1 small bottle of Meguire`s wax (which you don`t need.)

The Z2 is the actual polishing liquid. You`ll get a big plastic bottle of Z2 (polish liquid is pink in color). It also comes with small empty plastic bottles, I think about 4 of them.

You basically fill one small bottle with Z2 and put 2 or 3 drops of ZFX as a catalyst. (Comes in a very tiny tube filled with blue color ZFX ). Shake it for 2 minutes and you are ready to apply. Normally,

that one tiny bottle can cover your EX35 including the roof with not just one coating, but 3 or more! :-)

Applying Zaino polishing liquid is different than the applying a paste wax. Zaino polishing liquid only needs a few application to cover one panel of the car.

Per Zaino instruction, you need a nice cotton towels to apply and buff the car.

BTW, you just do this once a year as 3 coating will last for a year.

[G3LO]

I see, this has made it so much clearer. In terms of the Z2 mixing with ZFX, is that what you did, or is that something that is in Zaino instructions?

[AWGD8]

Per Zaino instructions.

[G3LO]

I see, thank you for all the replies to all my inquiries! I have one last question for you! For cotton towels, do you recommend I get the Zaino ones, or just random wal-mart ones?

G3LO

[AWGD8]

I normally use my old Hanes brief! :-) Walmart is fine!

[ramprun]

If you have a new car, it will be very small difference between wax and non wax. may I suggest taking a picture of before and after waxing under the same lighting condition to see the differences. I made a mistake of not taking pictures so i have no idea of how much it improved.

[G3LO]

Will do. I will try to get things done by end of next week.

[ramprun]

here is the link with the video explaining how to wax your car with the least amount of wax.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEX6-rulyH8

[G3LO]

Hello AWGD8,

I am pretty much ready to start washing my car tomography need to get a few more things. For the ZFX, I read the instructions that it says you fill 1-2 ounces of Z-2 (Pink Stuff) and than you put 5-10 drops of the blue ZFX liquid. You shake vigorously and than apply. You mentioned that you fill up the whole bottle with Z-2 than apply the drops. You think 1-2 ounces as per Zaino instructions is enough to cover the whole car? Or, should I do what you said and fill up the whole mixing container with pink stuff, than apply the 5-10 drops?

Also,
Regarding waiting 30 minutes prior to buffing or removing with cotton towel the ZFX Mixture, should I coat the whole car than start removing from where I started applying to save time? Or should I do a small peice, wait 30 minutes, than take it off. Than another small piece wait 30 minutes, than take it off? I thought about it logically it does not make sense. I could simply start from the hood and by the time I get around the car, the hood will elapse 30 minutes. And thus, I can go around like that 3 times. Let me know if that's what could be done or what you did.

Thank you,

G3LO

[AWGD8]

Hello AWGD8,

I am pretty much ready to start washing my car tomography need to get a few more things. For the ZFX, I read the instructions that it says you fill 1-2 ounces of Z-2 (Pink Stuff) and than you put 5-10 drops of the blue ZFX liquid. You shake vigorously and than apply. You mentioned that you fill up the whole bottle with Z-2 than apply the drops. You think 1-2 ounces as per Zaino instructions is enough to cover the whole car? Or, should I do what you said and fill up the whole mixing container with pink stuff, than apply the 5-10 drops?

Also,
Regarding waiting 30 minutes prior to buffing or removing with cotton towel the ZFX Mixture, should I coat the whole car than start removing from where I started applying to save time? Or should I do a small peice, wait 30 minutes, than take it off. Than another small piece wait 30 minutes, than take it off? I thought about it logically it does not make sense. I could simply start from the hood and by the time I get around the car, the hood will elapse 30 minutes. And thus, I can go around like that 3 times. Let me know if that's what could be done or what you did.

Thank you,

G3LO

I`m not sure how many ounce is one mixture bottle? I normally fill up 1 small bottle of the pink stuff and add 5 drops of the blue stuff. Shake it and apply. One bottle for me covers the whole car. (Body only no bumpers) - That`s 3 coatings of the pink stuff on the car`s body.

I apply the first coating of pink stuff for the whole car and then start buffing from where I started. Yes, it will save you time. Just remember how to apply the pink stuff from watching the YOUTUBE link ramprun provided.

[ramprun]

remember to take pictures of before and after the wax under the same lighting condition. I think it is better after zaino but i am afraid that was just my brain telling me that it should looks better after waxing instead of actually perceiving any real differences. anyway, i am looking forward to look at how much it improve the look on your car.

[G3LO]

Will do regarding pictures. Will try my best to get it done soon. Thank you for all the replies and clarification!

[ex4jj]

I too, can vouch for Zaino. I have used it for years on both my 08 EX as well as my Lexus SC 430. The small bottles that come with the activator hold about 2 oz when filled about 3/4 up. When empty I put 2 oz of water measured with a measuring cup. I then used a marker to mark the outside of the bottle, so I know in the future how far to fill. The 2 oz (w/9 drops of activator) will polish both my cars. I have had detailers compliment me on the deep glassy finish that appears to impress everyone. I polish every 3-4 months and believe it is relatively easy to apply. I love all Zaino products, including their wash bucket-a bit pricey but cool. It has a screw on top that will support your weight to use as a seat and has a strainer so any dirt does not go on your sponge or mitt, but drops below the strainer. Love it.

[OneOfOne]

having seen this topic beaten to death I would very much like to see a thread about washing and waxing that didnt include zaino at all. most of us dont want to take multiple hours to clean a car since in the real world daily drivers dont have a chance. washing a car with micro fiber shouldnt take more than a half hour and if there are spray on waxes that dont suck it would be a great service to hear about them

[AWGD8]

having seen this topic beaten to death I would very much like to see a thread about washing and waxing that didnt include zaino at all. most of us dont want to take multiple hours to clean a car since in the real world daily drivers dont have a chance. washing a car with micro fiber shouldnt take more than a half hour and if there are spray on waxes that dont suck it would be a great service to hear about them

I know what you mean... Zaino can be applied once a year every summer. So imagine do it just one day out of 365 days. I don`t think it`s that hard.

The rest is weekly maintenance , such us normal car washing and quick detailer spray.

I had searched for quick wax long time ago and never found one like ZAINO. As the saying goes, "You Get What You Pay"

Would you prefer Zaino 1 day wax application that last for a year or quick monthly cheap wax application that last for 2 months or less?

[OneOfOne]

I think I and others would like to know about things other than just zaino.

[AWGD8]

Meguires is my 2nd choice....