Kids, Don't Try This At Home

So, I washed my car. Well, saying I washed my car doesn’t nearly illustrate the grueling procedure both I and my vehicle have undergone in the last two days. Here’s what transpired:

The Wash

The whole process started with scrubbing my car with Dawn. Yes, that Dawn, the stuff normally used for washing dishes, and could probably be used as an engine degreaser. Why? Because that’s what the instructions told me to do. It makes sense though, since practically nothing can withstand a Dawn assault, what’s left is a squeaky-clean vehicle.

Gumby Reprised

The next step involved a special bar of clay and a spray bottle of a mixture of car wash, and water. The spray lubricated the car so I could vigorously rub every inch of the car smooth. The only problem area was the front, caked with insect carcasses, and rock nicks. Not all of this came out, but the rest of the car is now mirror smooth, as God intended.

Another Wash

Clay lubricant contains special oils and some mild waxes, which need to be removed in one final step before Zaino can be applied. This concluded my Friday night activities.

Zaino, Zaino, and More Zaino

The car, as clean as it would ever be, stood ready for application. I had purchased some special applicator pads to spread things on thin, and they were put to good and frequent use. At around 10:30am, I started by mixing Zaino’s ZFX and Z2 polish in a bottle, it has a slightly pinkish color, and smells like fruit; yum! This went on an applicator pad, and I rubbed it into every inch of the car by hand - even the windows. This takes about half an hour, so by the time I was done, the polish was starting to haze. The next step required a micro-fiber towel and about twenty minutes to buff off the wax. By the time I was finished with the first coat, things were looking really good.

The next step is rather unorthodox. Zaino has a gloss enhancing and sealing spray which goes on between coats of polish called Z6. Applying this took about another twenty minutes of spraying it on, and buffing it off. This step helps remove any stubborn polish dust, and glosses the finish, so I certainly didn’t complain at the extra work.

Two more coats of Z2 followed the first, each followed quickly by a coat of Z6. Oddly enough, the polish went on much thinner this time, and much more quickly - as if the car projected a kind of slippery shell. The thinner coats of polish hazed faster and came off easier, thankfully.

Finally, Zaino has a new detailing spray that compliments Z6, which they name Z8; little surprise there. It went on just like the Z6, and came off just as nicely. When that final step was finished, my car projected an aura of shine I never expected. The clock stopped at about 3:20pm.

The Aftermath

Now, I say the car projected an aura of shine, but that doesn’t quite cover it. In good light, I can look at my car, and see myself and things across the street behind me, in full color. This applies to all parts of the car, including the black mirror housings. Black things shouldn’t reflect color, it’s just not natural. I am now driving a giant car-shaped mirror; hopefully it’s not too distracting to other drivers.

Two days, and eight hours later, I’ll say it was worth the effort if it lives up to the hype and hundreds of reviews I’ve read over the last month. Supposedly washing is no longer required, just a slighly moist cloth and a spray bottle. Based on how each layer of polish became easier and easier to apply, I doubt anything short of industrial chemicals can successfully adhere to the paint. I really wish I knew about Zaino when I bought the car, so I could have averted the minor damage to the front caused by all the bugs and other road crap over the last couple years. Ah well.

Until Tomorrow