omnimax,
Thanks for a civil response. After I posted my piece, I started thinking that it might come across differently than I had intended. I am not criticizing others, just looking for opinions on why people do what they do. The great thing about America is that you can spend all you want (time and money) doing anything legal that you want, and no one has the right to say you can't. I am sure there are quite a few things others would question or find odd about my ways.

 

>I don't want to anger anyone, but I don't get it. Please
>enlighten me or correct me if I am wrong. You have to search
>to find this stuff, it is expensive, then you use it to wash
>a truck. What's wrong with soap and water? I drive my truck,
>I don't take it to car shows, so maybe this stuff isn't for
>me. If I wash my truck today, it is dirty tomorrow. I know
>some guys around me have so much extra time on their hands
>that they spend hours every weekend detailing their
>vehicles, particularly the guys with the big lifts and huge
>tires. They never go off road because they don't want to get
>them dirty or possibly scratched. They don't haul anything
>in them either. Are these the kind of people that would use
>this stuff? I could see it if you had , say, a '69 Shelby GT
>500. But your daily transportation and work vehicle? Is it
>really worth this? You have to understand, though. I am the
>kind of guy that never has enough time, and I go to the
>drive through soft cloth car washes. 5 minutes and $4.00
>later, my "truck", which I drive everyday and usually put
>75,000 miles a year on, is clean and shiny. Could it be I
>just don't love my truck as much as some?

Well... 'To each his own'!
Some people take pride in the vehicle they drive. No matter if it's a lifted truck, 69 Shelby GT or the family grocery getter.
Having said that, don't worry so much about those social misfits with their shiny lifted trucks. Now take some time out from your busy life and give that excursion a hug and a hand wash. It'll 'Love You' for it!

 

OK MrRottnDog, I'm sorry......I'll do that!!!!

Actually, the thing I was trying to find out is what does this hard to find and extremely expensive "soap" do that something like Turtle Wax liquid car wash additive won't? I take pride in the appearance of my vehicles, but there are limits to how much time I have to spend. I know a lot of people use tire dressings/cleaners, which I tried on past vehicles. I think they are a scam. Once you apply tire dressing, you have to use it all the time, because the tires look brown and dirty once they get washed. If you don't use tire dressing, they don't shine, but they look clean and black.

 

>OK MrRottnDog, I'm sorry......I'll do that!!!!
>
>Actually, the thing I was trying to find out is what does
>this hard to find and extremely expensive "soap" do that
>something like Turtle Wax liquid car wash additive won't? I
>take pride in the appearance of my vehicles, but there are
>limits to how much time I have to spend. I know a lot of
>people use tire dressings/cleaners, which I tried on past
>vehicles. I think they are a scam. Once you apply tire
>dressing, you have to use it all the time, because the tires
>look brown and dirty once they get washed. If you don't use
>tire dressing, they don't shine, but they look clean and
>black.

I have to admit I have only used zaino products once. They do an excellent job... But it just takes too long and I'm just too lazy now that I'm in my advanced years.

I also have not used armor-all or the spray on no touch foam type products for the reason you gave. I do use the spray gloss type which leaves a nice long lasting sheen without leaving that crappy residue.

 

Uh-oh, you're not an old fart yet, are you?

 

>Uh-oh, you're not an old fart yet, are you?

Oh yes! 52 and counting.
I have to stand on the tailgate of a stock superduty to even get in to my excursion! :P

 

Is one clay bar going to be enough for the Excursion?

 

I would catagorize Zaino as a high end show car wax. It gives an unbelievably deep shine that you can't get with most auto store waxes. It takes longer to apply and is harder to find and costs more. If you just want a clean truck it is not for you. If you want it to look like a show truck then invest in the zaino. my $.02

 

>Is one clay bar going to be enough for the Excursion?

More than enough. I just Zaino'd my Ex for the 1st time a few weeks ago. I bot it 2 years ago, and it's been outside the whole time. (My Bullitt and Cobra will my 2 car garage).

Anyway, I clayed it before doing the Zaino coats. I opened one clay bar, and by the time I was done, the bar looked like it was about 1/2 used up.

If you've never used a clay bar before, then the idea is to stretch and fold it to expose a clean area. I did the "stretch and fold" routine after about every 2 to 3 sections - a section being about 1.5 x 1.5 feet.

Also, do not drop the clay bar. If you do, then very carefully pick off any/all dirt, and then do the "stretch and fold" routine. Keep in mind that any dirt or small rocks, if left in/on the bar, will cause scratches. This is why it's sooooo important not to drop it. First timers may want to use a drop cloth

Have Fun,
Randy R...

 

>I would catagorize Zaino as a high end show car wax. It
>gives an unbelievably deep shine that you can't get with
>most auto store waxes. It takes longer to apply and is
>harder to find and costs more. If you just want a clean
>truck it is not for you. If you want it to look like a show
>truck then invest in the zaino. my $.02

Agreed

Have Fun,
Randy R...