The Gamble Family (.Net)

This past weekend, I tried out the new Zaino products on my Chevy Avalanche. As you can see from the photos below, the results are fabulous. The shine is very liquid and highly reflective. The feel of the finished surface simply blows me away. The paint feels smother than any surface that I have ever touched before. Water beads up and sheets off amazingly.

The initial detailing process with Zaino is very extensive, which is one of the main reasons that I have delayed in using it in the first place. It took me about four hours for the total job. The key to a successful Zaino application is to get the painted surfaces of your vehicle as sterile (clean and contaminant free) as possible.

The recommended process is as follows:

• Wash vehicle with Dawn dishwashing detergent - This is only required initially. The purpose of a Dawn wash is to remove any existing wax and polishes on the vehicle.
• Dry the vehicle.
• Clay Bar the entire vehicle - Clay Barring is a very simple process which removes any microscopic contaminants that are in your paint.
• Re-Wash vehicle with a high quality car wash shampoo - This removes the Clar Bar lubricant.
• Dry the vehicle. (At this point, we have a completely clean surface onto which the Zaino will be applied.)
• Apply Zaino Z2-Pro polish (mixed with ZFX accelerant) over the entire vehicle using a cotton applicator pad. The ZFX speeds up the bonding process of the Zaino to the paint. The polish must be applied as thinly as possible. It goes on effortlessly.
• Let Z2 dry for approximately an hour.
• Buff of the Z2 with a 100% Cotton “Made in the USA” towel. (Sal Zaino recommends 100% Cotton “Made in the USA” towels.) The polish comes off without any white residue, and is very simple to remove.
• Apply Z6 Spray Cleaner/Polish. This is applied and wiped off in 1′ x 1′ sections. At this point, we have completed one complete application of Zaino. The true magic of Zaino is released when you apply a second layer of Z2 and Z6, which is what I did next. (Sal Zaino recommends applying three layers of Z2/Z6, but I stopped at two. It had already been a long day…)

Follow-up maintenance consists of simply washing the vehicle with a high quality car wash shampoo and applying a layer of Z6 spray. Z2 polish is only needed every three to six months, and then only in single layers.

I highly recommend the Zaino system. I experienced very satisfying results, and look forward to the longest lasting shine available on the market for months to come. To find out more about Zaino, visit there website.

For over six months now, I have been debating which auto detailing system to use. I have been straddling the fence between Klasse and Zaino, wavering at any given moment from one side to the other. Both systems have a huge following on the various auto detailing forums, and both systems are comparable in terms of cost and results. There is some variation in terms of the steps necessary and in the perceived effort required for application of the products.

Over the years, I have probably thrown away more waxes and polishes than I have actually used. It’s not that I have been that displeased with any of them, but more that something “new and improved” always comes along before I completely use up my existing stuff. Thus, to keep my shelves from being over crowded, I usually just throw the old stuff out.

Klasse and Zaino have been very stable in their product offerings over the past five years (with the exception of minor improvements). When you couple that with the huge following of both products among detailing fanatics, these two rose to the top of the heap.

My primary reason for delaying my decision is due to several factors. First, I’ve grown very weary of the flood of new products that hit the shelves each year promising deeper shine, better protection, and longer durability. Second, I’m ready to pick something that works as advertised and stick with it for “the duration”. Finally, although both Klasse and Zaino include polishes and sealants, there are some differences in the materials (towels, application pads, etc.) needed for application. Therefore, purchasing a particular system will also result in potentially having to additional supplies.

After months of hands-wringing and sleepless nights (just kidding), I finally settled on Zaino. I have been favoring Zaino all along, but the initial Zaino treatment (beyond wash, claybar, re-wash - which applies to both systems) requires three applications of Z2 and Z6 in layers, whereas Klasse simply requires application of the All-in-One Polish, followed by their High Gloss Sealant. The prevailing reason for choosing Zaino is that the photos of cars that I have seen simply blow me away. They all look as if they have just been dripped in clear-coat, and the clear-coat is still dripping wet.

Yesterday I placed my order for Zaino products. I fell off of the fence and landed in the Zaino pasture. I only hope that the grass in this pasture truly is the greenest.

I have always appreciated hi-end cars. I grew up in the late 60’s and early 70’s, when muscle cars adorned every street. Chevelle S/S, Mustang Mach 1, Dodge Charger, GTO - Cars from my teen years that I, for lack of a better word, worshipped.

I’ve had my share of nice automobiles in my 50 years on this earth, but I’ve never allowed myself to even entertain the idea of owning one of the best-of-breed models such as Mercedes or BMW. These jewels have always been the apple of my eye, but never the horse in my stable - until last week.

Two weeks ago, while prowling around the dealerships for a new convertible, I came across a 2005 Jet Black BMW 330 Ci Convertible at the local BMW dealership. The car had less than 12k miles on it, and it was in pristine condition. I took a look at the pice tag - Low 40’s - with almost every available option that could be added. Hmmm, I thought. I’d like to take that out for a test drive. So I did. Mistake… I had never driven a Bimmer before, and after getting accustomed to the cockpit accoutrements, I quickly understood the phrase “The Ultimate Driving Machine”. I was hooked.

I returned home that day, still glassy-eyed from my euphoric drive and excitely told my wife about the car. We crunched some numbers, and decided that we could make this happen. So, I picked up the phone and had a brief conversation with the salesperson and worked out an arrangement by which I could drive the car for an afternoon before making my final decision. She readily agreed.

I picked up the car for the test drive just after lunch. I drove about 75 miles around Middle Tennessee, on the interstate, on backroads, anywhere that I could think of to put this marvelous machine through its paces. I was totally amazed as how flat the car took curves. It simply glided down the highway with a smoothness that I had never experienced in a car before. I had to have this one.

Cheryl and I took that car back to the dealership later that afternoon and worked out the trade details. We took delivery this past Thursday. For those of you who have never experienced a ride in a BMW, you owe it to yourself to try one out. Even if you can’t afford one, or aren’t in the market for a new car, go and drive one. If you know anything at all about cars, you’ll be amazed at how these cars handle. Also, if your only car lot experience has been with Ford and Chevy dealerships, you are in for quite a treat if you visit a BMW dealership. We were never once pressured about making a purchase. The sales staff did not hover over us while we were shopping and they did not call us relentlessly to badger us. We were treated with the utmost respect at all times. All of our questions were answered conclusively and accurately. I have never had a car-buying experience like this in my life.

Darrell Waltrip may have Toyota for his Craftsman Truck sponsor, but on this day, Chevy owned the Nashville Superspeedway. Today, my son, Chris, and I had the priviledge of meeting some fellow Chevy Avalanche owners and of driving my Avalanche around the track at the Nashville Superspeedway. The meeting was organized by Scott Gattis, the local MTAC president. Scott, thanks for a great time and for organizing the event.

The Middle Tennessee Avalanche Club had a GTG (that means “Get Together” for you non-Av’ers) today. We met at the Cafe Mexico City in Lebanon, TN for lunch. After lunch, we all had the time of our lives. We were given the opportunity of driving our trucks around the 1.5 mile Nashville Superspeedway race track. We also got to walk around pit row, the infield, the garage area, and the winners circle. Talk about fun!!!

Driving around the race track with 20 other trucks was a blast. We weren’t allowed to get over 55 MPH (although a few of us cheated), but the thrill of driving around the 14 degree banking and driving up next to the wall was a total blast. I took my son, Chris, with me. He had a great time hanging out of the passenger window taking pictures.

It was also fun looking at everyone’s trucks and seeing what mods they had done. There were lots of great looking trucks and lots of great people to meet. There were 21 Avalanches at the GTG.

Here are the members’ screen names of those that were in attendance:

EarthQuake/Aftershock
Rainman
Tree Hugger
Fran & George K.
Z-66Mike
Tedgamble
AV Farmer
Alohapiper
AV CAV
Luv2FlyCubs
Schmitty
John S.
MurmanZ71
Wfbarto
KY Bob
Musiks
Main One
Raychevy
Smart AV
TexasCwGrl & Just Jeepin
Quietman

Lunch

Entering the Race Track

On the Race Track

Good Looking Bunch of Trucks

Our Tour Guide

Garage Area

Winner’s Circle

Scoring Tower

Leaving the Track

The Group

Ford Motor Company is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Mustang this year. We in Middle Tennessee were privileged to have the Mustangs Across America Convoy stop in our area this weekend. Over 300 Mustangs gathered at the Nashville Super Speedway this past Thursday through Sunday.

Being a former Mustang owner, I was excited about the prospects of seeing early vintage Shelbies, Mach 1s, and Boss 302s. I was not disappointed. My wife and I went to see the “Pony Cars” on Sunday afternoon. We arrived at the show around 1:15 PM. The show was scheduled to close shortly after 3 PM, so some of the cars and vendors had already packed up and left. We were not disappointed, however. There were plenty of Shelby GTs, Boss 302s, and Mach 1s for all to see. The Charlie Daniels Band was also performing. Their Southern music was just the icing on the cake to make for a great afternoon.

I don’t know what it is about the ‘67 - ‘70 vintage of the Mustang that attracts me so much. Maybe it’s because I had a light blue ‘69 2-door sedan when I was 16. Maybe it’s the fact that those years epitomize speed and muscle car appearance, at least to me, anyway. I’m not sure, but whatever it is, the fact that these cars continue to attract such a following and bring such high prices as collectibles speaks very highly of Ford’s engineering from the “Hippy Era”.

Walking around looking at the cars that had been so meticulously restored took me back in time to my youth. It was a time in my life when I had no cares, other than how was I going to pay for the next tank of gas (which was about $0.29 a gallon, by the way) or how could I convince some pretty young girl that she “really should go for a ride” with me in the Mustang. At that time (1972), I was a 16 year-old southern boy living in Columbus, GA. I didn’t have project deadlines to keep me up at night. I had no bills. Mom and dad kept me fed and clothed. As I looked at the interior of those cars, I was transported back to when I was a teenager cruising around town in the hot Georgia summertime. I could still feel the heat of bright Georgia sun as I drove around town with the windows rolled down and the wind blowing through my hair. The smell of the hot vinyl seats and old carpet was still as I remember it. I remembered how my back got soaking wet from the heat of sitting in the car, even in the shade with a cool breeze blowing.

My ‘69 Mustang was extremely plain. It had the stock 302 engine with a 2 barrel carburetor, an AM radio, and no air conditioning. It was an ugly light blue color; but the color seemed fine to me at the time. I paid $1,400 for it. Well, actually my parents paid $700 and I paid $700. When I got it in 1972, it had 69,000 miles on it. I can still remember the day when I put 70-series Cooper tires on the rear. Man, was I excited. About the only other addition that I managed was the chrome hood pins that I got from Victory Auto Parts. These modest additions seem so trivial today, where people spend tens of thousands of dollars adding Nitrous Oxide boosters, DVD players, video games, and superchargers. But, for a 16-year old southern boy, I was content with my car. After all, it was paid for. I meticulously read every page of Hot Rod and Road and Track magazines. I dreamed about adding a Holley 4-barrel carb, some Cragar SS mags, 60-series raised white letter tires, Hooker headers, glass packs, a kicking stereo, and all of the other performance gadgets that were available in the early 70s. But, for a 16-year old with no job, those things would have to wait until another day.

I traded the Mustang in for a ‘74 Vega GT in late 1973. I don’t know where my beloved pony car is today. It is my hope that it is still alive and well. I hope that someone found it on a used car lot somewhere, took it home, and restored it; maybe even added some of those goodies that I dreamed about installing. Why don’t they make cars like that anymore?

Pictures of some of the Mustangs that we saw:

‘68 Shelby GT

‘68 Shelby GT

‘68 Shelby GT

‘69 Mach 1

‘70 Fastback

‘70 Boss 302