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For reapplication, a regular decon wash, with Reset or an APC mixed 8.1-10.1, will clear the surface of the remaining product. Application is extremely easy to apply and easy to buff out.

 

Yeah, sounds like a great product. I don't own nor have I ever used a polisher. By light polish are you talking about a low risk kind of thing a newbie could manage?

 

If you want to boost the longevity of Moonlight you can use TAC Shinee Wax (it is like a detailer spray) every other wash as a topper to maintain the coating.

If you really want to make sure the coating will no fail prematurely, you can prep the paint with TAC Total One essential, it is like a primer polish before laying Moonlight. One thing about it that I did not like is that it is a very thick polish and it is not very user friendly, very tough to buff out, but the results are amazing.

 

A DA polisher is on my list along with some finishing pads to at least be able to apply polishes.

 

Thanks for the info on those other products. Gonna get more of their stuff in the future.

 

My favorite youtuber Apex Detail did a nice review on Shinee wax, really jumped up his gloss readings.

 

He’s great. My favorite is forensic detailing. Both are great and can learn so many things.

 

What kind of applicator did you guys use to apply Moonlight, does it come with one?

 

Microfiber applicator. Nothing comes with it

 

Any pad/polish recommendations for a Griots DA polisher to remove some swirls from black?

 

the boss pads are really good.

The microfiber pad is the one that provide the most cut. Followed by the white pad and then by the orange.

So depending on the amount and depth of the swirls, you will need to choose a combination of pads and liquids accordingly.

 

I will admit, I did not go through all 63 pages. I did do a search... I will ask here. Any Clear seals that you would recommend? I my post mentioned, I use Zaino, but wonder if there is something out better out there. I read Zaino is second generation and that there are 3rd Generation. So just asking.....

 

What do you mean by clear sealer? There are a lot of good paint sealants, some are ceramic based, some polymer. Some are wipe on/wipe off, some are spray and buff, some are spray and hose off and dry. Bottles can range from $10-50+ and they should last up to 6 months.
There are also ceramic coatings that are more than just a sealant and require a lot of work to install.

 

This is an example of what I mean: https://www.zainostore.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Z&Product_Code=Z-CS

Seems to help the car finish survive the winter.

 

That looks similar to Optimum Opti-seal, for that price I would go with opti-seal.
Even the 2 oz bottle will last forever https://www.amazon.com/Optimum-2022...a-811848545189&psc=1&ref=&adgrpid=83058288424
Or get a big bottle when autogeek has a sale

 

It kind of resembles the same functionality and purpose of products like Gyeon CanCoat, Carpro Cquartz Lite and TAC systems Moonlight

 

Wow...three more.

I have some of the Zaino Z-CS left. If you guys think Optimum Opti-seal is best or Gyeon CanCoat, Carpro Cquartz Lite and TAC systems Moonlight let me know. Pick ONE.

What I can do is order a bottle. The in April (or May if the weather is too cool) wax my car and boat. Then spray half with Zaino Z-CS and half with one of the above. The boat is a MUCH harsher environment and the car may take months to show how long they last. I can follow up with results.

 

BTW: This is my Corolla XRS prep before the sealant. I wax the car with Z-AIO All-in-One. This is a cleaner wax and does not layer. So only one coat is applied. Then, as per Zaino, Z-5 PRO Show Car Polish (the XRS is 2005 and has swirls and scratches) and I add ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator. After this, I seal. For the boat I use Z-AIO All-in-One and after its clean, Collinite fleet paste wax 885 wax, then seal. Either way, when you split the project in half, it should be a fair test.

 

I don't know of any sealant that is designed to or supposed to go over a wax. You want clean paint under a sealant so it can bond to the surface. I don't think a sealant would bond well to a wax

 

I'll call Zaino and ask if it matters.

 

From the website. There was nobody to take a call today. However I found this:

https://www.zainostore.com/product/Z-CS.html

I am a dedicated Zaino user. How will I incorporate Z-CS into my current vehicle protectant maintenance using my other Zaino products? You can:
Use Z-CS by itself, without any other product or
Use Z-CS to top and extend the durability of a single coat of Z-2 or Z-5 PRO or
Use Z-CS as a base for Z-2 or Z-5 PRO, then follow up with a final application of Z-CS or
Use Z-CS to top multiple layers of ZFX enabled Z-2 or Z-5 PRO or
Use Z-CS to top layers of Z-2 or Z-5 PRO (without ZFX, curing can take 8 hours between coats).

So it can be used as Pudge mentioned or with wax / Polishes.

And there was this:

Can Z-CS be used over another manufacturer's product?

Sure. While results may vary, we are aware that some beta testers used Z-CS over fully cured wax products with excellent results. Z-CS did increase gloss and durability over other manufacturer products. If you'd like to experiment yourself, make sure the product that you're applying Z-CS to has fully cured. As a general rule however, you should not apply Z-CS while any other manufacturer's product is not fully cured. We cannot offer other manufacturer specific cure times, but generally it can take 8-12 hours after application. Z-CS was designed and engineered for use with Zaino Show Car Polish Products.

 

Trying to figure out if I should get a 5" backing plate and go with 5.5" pads or just stick with 6". I'm guessing the 5" allows for following contours better than a 6".

What do most here go with 5 or 6? Is there really a need for both?

 

I would go with one or the other. Pads get expensive. The 5 tends to correct a little better and put less stress on the machine. I have used both 5 and 6 and honestly couldn't feel a difference at all but to me the 5 worked better and was faster because if it.

 

I'll likely get a 5" plate then and 5.5" pads as they are cheaper. I'll only be doing my truck so speed isn't a big deal to me either.

 

5" backing plate and 5.5" pads.....I'm a big fan of the Griots BOSS pads

 

I might get a couple 6.5" pads as well to practice with.

 

I would use and have used 3M double sided tape. Shit is strong.

https://www.hillas.com/Categories/I...OuCiwzdNZJZzlzO_xe9Vgwje9i2qXfUBoCF-0QAvD_BwE

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/mckees-37-blowout-sales.59936/

 

Do I have to keep Iron-X off the trim or no big deal?

Getting ready to go over the wife’s X-Terra (which is trashed so, good practice). Her faded plastic and rubber won’t be affected anymore than it already is but more concerned about the Tundra trim.

 

No worries with getting it on trim or glass that I know of