Detailing tips

Since Ford has seen fit to use a lot of soft [ABS type] plastic in the interior and a new type of paint on the exterior I'm wondering if anyone can give us a list of 'approved' products that will make detailing the Mustang quicker and easier?

(FWIW) I just had a Detailing guy tell me that Armor-all is not always the best product to use on most of these pieces, but I was so stunned that I didn't think to ask what was!

and what about waxes too?

anything meguires simply the beast

adams is my first choice then zaino

Either Meguires or Zaino. I like Zaino for the exterior and a mix of Zaino and Meguires for the interior. Please don't use Armor-all, it not very good.

This is a PM I sent to a guy on here a few months ago who was curious as to what to use on his car.

Hi Jack. I wanted to recommend Zaino products to you. I have been detailing for a long time, and I have always recommended that driveway detailers use Meguiars products. However, I came across Zaino products about 6 months ago, and I am hooked. I have always used the professional products from the detail shop where I work to do my personal cars. Not anymore. I only use Zaino now. I really believe that it is the best product to use on your car. Unlike most of the off-the-shelf brands you will find at your local parts store, Zaino is 100% synthetic, and was originally formulated solely for show cars. But like I said before, I will only use Zaino on my personal cars and on personal side jobs I do. Before I discovered Zaino, the only way that I was able to get the levels of shine, depth, and reflectivity up to my satisfaction was through a long process of compounding and machine buffing. However, Zaino offers the same levels of shine and depth without the need for machine buffing, and the shine far outlasts any product I have ever used. Check out their website (www.zainostore.com). For you, I recommend the Zaino Total Protection Show Car Kit. Here is a direct link: http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2...gory_Code=Zaino

As you will see, the kit includes a lot of products. Here is what you should do. First, thoroughly wash your car with the Show Car Wash. After you dry it, do a clay bar application using the Clay Bar and Z-6 Gloss Enhancer Spray. Simply spray on a liberal amount of Z-6 onto a small area of the paint, work the clay over the area, then wipe off the excess with a soft, clean towel. Repeat that entire process over the whole car. After the car is clayed, apply a THIN layer of the Z-5 Swirl Remover Polish, using a back and forth motion, not in circles. It is important that you let it thoroughly dry on the surface before you buff it off. I would let it dry on there for about an hour. Then, use a quality microfiber towel to buff off the Z-5. After the Z-5 is all buffed off, apply another thin layer the Z-2 Polish, in a circular motion this time. Let that dry for another hour, out of the sunlight if possible. Then, buff off the excess Z-2 with the microfiber towel. Top that off with a final coat of Z-6 Gloss Enhancer Spray, and you will have unbelievable results. Even better, the more coats of polish you apply, the deeper and more reflective the paint will look. The polishes are chemically formulated to bond with the paint to bring out its shine. I wouldn't spend all this time typing this message if I didn't truly believe in the products. If you have any questions about the products or need any tips on applying them, just let me know. I definitely want to see the finished product.

P.S. - I don't work for Zaino lol

and what Zaino product(s) would you recommend for the soft(er) interior plastic parts?

I like Griots garage leather care and leather conditioner for the seats. Smells like leather as well. For other stuff, 303 aerospace protectant. Has UV protection, more subtle shine than armorall and NO Silicone. It's available at marine supply stores like west marine and some auto supply. This is good stuff I've been using it for years.
Doug

Zanio is expensive. Meguair's is reasonable and does a good job. The company has many "Next Generation" products for the exterior and interior.
I thought everyone knew Armor-all was bad. I gave it up years ago.

trust the meguires. when i first got my stang not only did i spend the nite sleeping in it i used meguires shampoo in the shower.

I use Mothers and Meguair's

Anyone have detailing tips on getting the orange peel out of the finish on new cars?

Leave it alone!!!!!

you could wet-sand it, but the factory does not leave you much extra clear coat for this. ford will not waste money by putting several layers of clear down, they want to save money, so you get just enough for uv protection. if you want to try this, start with 1000 grit and work your way up to 2000, then polish it out....be careful, theres not much clear there.

Correct.........

Meguries for the outside and a CLEAN microfiber and water for the inside. If you need more than that your letting your car get way to dirty and it will be a beater in no time anyway, so dont worry about it.

tint the windows and your interior will last forever (almost)

Any meguires is good except the paste cleaner wax, its garbage.

The only true way to get rid of the orange peel is to have a custom paint job

what orange peel, i don't notice any thing on the surface of the paint maybe because my car is white?

Zaino outside, Lexol inside

http://www.autopia.org/

Lots of good info here

I second the recommendation for Lexol. I've used their cleaner and conditioner on the leather in the '05 and used it in my '96. Very good stuff.

No-brainer...Zaino FTW.