picking up my Z TODAY!!! question about cleaning...
 

i got the call yesterday, and after 3 loooooong months of waiting, i'm finally picking up my 09 Z (black on persimmon, sport + nav) tonight!!!

i've asked the dealership not to clean/touch the car because i just don't trust them, so my question is: is there ant specific way i should go about removing the white protective plastic on the car's exterior, or can i just rip it right off?

i did the same thing, i asked the dealer to not dealer prep mine as well...

I just peeled it off at the dealership then drove it to the house and washed it.

only thing is, it left little bits of glue here and there...my brother works in paint and body so he gave me some solvent of some type, i cant remember what it was but it was 3M...

you will want to claybar yours, I did not and I still need to claybar mine.

if you want to do it right and I did not this is the way to go:

claybar:

Zaino Store: Showcar Guides Cleaning with Clay

complete kit:

Zaino Total Protection Show Car Kit: Zaino Store

tips and tricks

Zaino Store: Tips & Tricks

Zaino is good stuff, but I get results just as good with Meguiars for a lot less money and its more available. I think its safe to assume that most of us will care for our cars more than average, so the law of diminishing returns comes into play. By all means use what you like best but after using Zaino its just not that much better.

Since variety is the spice of life, here is a great place to buy Megs products, Auto Detailing Solutions

Congrats on your new car..:tup: And yes like the others have mentioned the plastic films comes off no problem.

Now don't take my next comment the wrong way. But you sound like someone who is really protective of their car. No dealer prep etc..

But I have to ask why are you picking up a car at dusk or night? (as you mentioned tonight) Thats pretty much the worse time to pick up a new car. Nothing beats a good daylight inspection.

Anywho again have fun and don't forget to show us your Z.

Congrats on the new Z. Bring your car home then peel off the tape. Wash it with dawn dish soap then use an adhesive remover to get any remaining adhesive off, then wash it again. At this stage you should use a light clay bar to clean the exterior followed by a prewax cleaner to clean and prepare the paint for waxing. Wax or seal your paint with your favorite last step product and enjoy your new Z.

i have all the zaino products ready to go!!! :tup:

about the pick up time, that's a very good question. i'll be picking the car up around 7, and there should be plenty of sunlight to provide me with the conditions i need to do a thorough inspection. you make a good point, but the alternative is picking it up saturday (i don't get off work early enough during the week), and i can't wait 4 days knowing it's on the lot!!!

but if, for some reason, it's overly dark tonight, i'll stick it out and wait for the light...

my Z was the one in the dealer showroom, they had to drive it out for me to test drive it. so i couldnt really tell them not to touch it, but they did do a good job detailing it.

black on persimmon
Excellent color combination !

where the pics! I didn't have the dealer detail mine either.

Matt2112, was this a factory order? I was told that no more 2009 cars were coming from the factory.

I think zaino is more along the lines of how long it lasts if any thing. I am almost positive there is alot of products that produce the shine.

BUT, how many will last as long zaino or (protect)repel stuff off the car as good. My car is smooth as marble after a wash, no need to clay no debree's seems to get to deep. every now an again i feel something and i gently scratch it off but still its pretty darn glassy/marbly to the touch.

I never used Meguiars new synthetic stuff, how long does it last? Can it layer? does it repel? Does it have any UV blockers? Does it contain abrasives?

I think if the product is 100% carnuba wax i am wasting my time due to it will melt off first day the sun hits my black car.

Remember matt2112. put the z2 on thin as possible, put it on so thin you feel like you cant see it, trust me it ends up better that way.

I use to like to put it on thick and think it was better protection and shine, its 100% oposite, it just smears when its on thick.

thx for the advice, i'll use the z2 sparingly!

what you heard about no more factory orders is correct, as there are no more orders for the 09 model. mine was a factory order, but i placed it 3 months ago.

pics to follow after clear bra and tint this weekend!!

soooo, back to the detailing.....

yes pics when complete!!