[CAErven]

Anybody know what Lotus used to polish the cars at the show?

Did someone happen to ask?

They reflect so well it's hard to get decent pictures of them.
I'll use the same stufff on mine.

 

[babak]

Would the quality of finish be due to the fact that they are inside instead of being exposed to weather? Ergo wearing better and keeping the new polish look better?

 

[jml1952]

And somebody shines them up with a cloth rather frequently.

 

[Randy Chase]

I had a car in my booth. The car would look like crap with fingerprints after 15-30 minutes. I talked to some detailers that were working the show and they said it was really a non-stop thing. A crew would work for Ford or whoever, constantly detailing the cars.

I used some detail spray. I did not think it worked that well. I liked Windex better.



P.S. I was amazed to learn some things after that experience.

1. People suck.
2. See number 1.

Of course not everyone falls into that category... but why do people think that they can do anything they want to a car? I had people flipping the switches (race car, starts with switches). Taking off the steering wheel. Opening the hood without asking. Etc.

Next year, I am bringing the Elise and it will be roped off.

 

[Lumn8r]

P.S. I was amazed to learn some things after that experience.

1. People suck.
2. See number 1.

Of course not everyone falls into that category... but why do people think that they can do anything they want to a car? I had people flipping the switches (race car, starts with switches). Taking off the steering wheel. Opening the hood without asking. Etc.

Next year, I am bringing the Elise and it will be roped off.

Randy,
We get the same with our planes at airshows, it just takes someone keeping an eye on the cockpit, another in the cargo compartment and a third in the boom pod. The switches aren't so bad, since we disconnect the batteries, but my biggest worry is that someone is flip an oxygen regulator to emergency and drain the system.
But other than that it is fun talking to people about what we do. You'll just have to get your fellow Elise enthusiasts to talk to people about the car (and slap their hands away) while you are selling cone cams.

 

[Canyon Carver]

Can't speak for what was used at the LA Auto show but I can tell you what not to use...Eagle One products, we use them at work and they suck ass.

 

[Vantage]

I've tried buckets of products, and my favorite finishers are Zaino and P21S Carnauba wax. I call them finishers because you still need to achieve a high surface quality before applying either. They will not achieve miracles. I wouldn't mind holding a "detailing day" at my home next year when Elises start to arrive in SD. We could share our best detailing tips and do a few demonstrations, from claying to swirl removal.

My recommendation: if you like reflection, after you prep the surface, go for Zaino (www.zainobros.com). If you like a little more depth, at the cost of reflection, go for P21S wax. Surface prep could take many times longer than the final step, if it includes several stages like claying, chemical cleaning, swirl removal and/or polishing.

 

[Vantage]

I would really get starlight black, but I'm sick of dealing with swirls. After a complete swirl removal, picture of the paint up close....

 

[Vantage]

Final Zaino shot. Do you like the product looks?

 

[Vantage]

Randy,

Which detail spray did you use? What kind of cloth? These make a big difference in effectiveness. But I hope you don't use Windex on the paint of your Elise! Windex contains ammonia and possibly alcohol, which strops wax and removes protection. It also makes it easier to scratch plastic surfaces and tints. Quick detailers have lubricating properties that make dust removal safer (from minute scratches), while Windex does not. Also, QD lays down a very small amount of protection when you use it....

That being said, race cars aren't kept in show-room condition, but hey, I'm a stickler for detailing.

 

[Randy Chase]

This was not a show car, it was as you say a race car. A 750hp carbon fiber 3 rotor 20b engine dual turbo race car.

I would not use windex on a car that I was trying to maintain as far as looks.

 

[Zor]

Vantage.. you beat me to it....

I swear by the zaino bros products. They are pretty easy to use and the final look is the best I've ever seen.

I've used a bunch of different products, until I found them. One guy in our "car guys" group at the office tried it, now we almost all do. I havent tried any of their interior stuff (leather etc) but everything else has been incredible.

 

[YELOTUS]

Need to hop in on this thread>>

been a concours comp winner for more years than I want to admit...even give detailing classes to MB club etc...many great products out there and have tried many. My 'wax' of choice is Zymol Carbon or Destiny. If anyone is interested can list down the entire line of products that IMO work to the point I would use in concours competitions.

 

[jlandreth]

Haven't tried Zaino but Zymol is very good.My favorite products are from Griots garage.They're expensive but their very safe and work very well.I did the concours deal some years ago (Meguars #7 glaze mixed w/ 3M glaze followed by wax etc.)and Griots compares very well.

 

[MotorCade]

Vantage, what products do you use for the surface prep before the zaino? That finish looks REALLY nice. Maybe we need a devoted 'how to detail' thread. I know I could use the help.

Cade

 

[Samurai]

I like Klasse as a base coat. It has kept my black jeep looking like new even after it has been covered in mud many times over. Has anyone actually tried the new Meguars line yet? I have heard good things about it

 

[MotorCade]

Just read through the Zaino website. Sounds pretty good... worth a shot, anyways.

Cade

 

[frukio]

I've used a bunch of different products, until I found them. One guy in our "car guys" group at the office tried it, now we almost all do. I havent tried any of their interior stuff (leather etc) but everything else has been incredible.

I've never used Zaino, but the people at 350zmotoring.com love it.
Here's one thread that tells about specific products and what order they use them in:
http://350zmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=3951

and another that has some great comparison pictures between Crystal Guard and Zaino:
http://350zmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=3361

and if you search the forums there, you'll find tons more threads about it...

 

[jahwerx]

Zaino - big time - get the whole shebang and spend a weekend with your car . . .

 

[zvezdah1]

I loved zymol (the stuff you mail order not the stuff you get in the stores), easiest to work with, however, I found it didn't hold up well on a daily driver, I'd find I'd have to rewax every couple -three weeks.

Have to give this zaino a try.
Chris