Technique

I recently ran into a friend of mine at the gym who's a personal trainer. After chatting with him I asked him a few questions about how I could improve some of my excercise techniques so I could get to the next level. While I've been excercising with free weights for over twenty years and have a lot of knowledge in the sport from both personal experience and what I've learned from magazine articles, it doesn't compare to his knowledge. After all, he makes a living from it so it's in his best interest to know as much information as possible. I may have ten years on him in age and years of working out, but his knowledge is deeper and gets into the details of muscle mechanics. That type of knowledge puts him way ahead of me in experience regardless of how many years I have under my belt.

After talking with him, it reminded me of some detailers that I've met over the years that have decades of experience but their work doesn't reflect it. I've also met detailers who had a few years of experience but were doing work that was far better. The difference? Technique and knowledge - the good kind. I've found that the most knowledgeable detailers are the ones who've taken classes in detailing or collision/bodyshop work. On occasion I've met someone who was a self-taught natural. But that's rare. Bottom line, more years doesn't always equate to better results. For example, I met a detailer who has a very successful shop and has been detailing for about thirty years. However, when I saw his paint correction work, I noticed a lot of what he produced was nothing but masking - hiding swirl marks with polishing glazes. It occurred to me that you can have a lot of years of experience of doing the wrong thing. Consider one who learns a bad habit when they're very young and continues to do it throughout adult hood. Sure they are masters at what they do but what they do is incorrect.

Detailing has become more popular than ever in the last decade. Ten years ago we didn't have detailing forum boards where members discuss and share detailing techniques, preferred products and so on. We didn't have YouTube to watch how-to videos about using rotary polishers. If you wanted to learn, you had two options: you could either teach yourself or be taught by someone with experience.

While I believe that forum boards and how-to videos are fantastic mediums for learning, I believe that they are best seen as supplements rather than replacements to traditional one-on-one instruction.

If you are interested in becoming a professional detailer as a career or just to get to the next level, I highly suggest you seek a detailing class or some certification program in body shop repair.

I truly believe that people who are best at what they do regardless of what they do (doctors, shoe makers, seamstress, chefs, detailers, writers, barbers) learned from someone who is a master at what they do and at one time was taught by a master. This master could be a mentor or a teacher.

The knowledge on the Internet today is immense and it's easy to believe that you can learn a new skill by reading posts or watching someone perform the task on a YouTube video. But absolutely nothing can compare to learning one-on-one with an instructor who is a master at their profession and has been recognized for it. Whether you've been detailing for months or years, it's never too late to develop good techniques.

Headed to the mountains - quick winter prep

Some friends and I are headed to the mountains for some snowboarding tomorrow. Currently raining here in Southern California so I'm going to do my prep in the garage. Give the car a quick polish with PolishWax and protection with Glanz Wax which can easily stand up to mud, dirt and snow (which I certainly will be experiencing).

And last but not least some winter preperation by applying Gummi Pflege (Rubber Care) Stick (pictured) on all the door weather seals (trunk seals too) and adding our newest product Anti-Frost Concentrated Washer Fluid (pictured).



I'm going to mix Anti-Frost in a mixture of 1 part AF to 2 parts water. That'll be good for 7°F (doesn't get that cold here). Mix it 1:1 and you have protection down to -15°F and 1.5:1 and you'll have approximately -25°F.

The great thing about Anti-Frost is that you can use it year-round and mixes well with Kristall Klar (our warm season washer fluid). This makes the trasnsistion from summer washer fluid to winter washer fluid (and vice-versa) a snap. Like Kristall Klar, it cuts through grime so easily and doesn't leave any smearing or glare. But here's the key, use wiper blades in GOOD condition. My recommendation is to use the frameless wipers from Bosch or Michelin. I have the Michelins and they are awesome!

One of the great features of einszett washer fluids (unlike the regular blue/ammonia washer fluids) is that they soften hard water and lubricate the windshield washer pump. This keeps hard water minerals from building which can cause the sprayers to clog or even worse, cause the washer pump to fail. My friend just experienced the washer pump failure. He's had the car for seven years and it's out of warranty. Spend a little now and save a lot later.

Other key features of our washer fluids:

• They reduce the wiper blade skipping and shuddering which happens when the wipers are used during the rain. Just spray and they work smoothly again.
• No methanol. Believe it or not, almost all washer fluids on the market have this toxic ingredient. If just one ounce is accidentally ingested, it can cause serious harm. einszett only uses ethanol which is non-toxic.
• Ammonia-free. Ammonia is a low cost surfactant (cleaning agent) found in most washer fluids. We use the good stuff so it works faster and it's smear-free. Also free from that ammonia scent.
• Citrus scent. May not seem like a big deal but when you spray and the scent comes through your fresh air vents, you'll find out why so many people buy the washer fluid just for the scent!

So that's my prep for tomorrow's trip:

• PolishWax (16.9 fl oz/500 ml - $20.00)
• Glanz Wax (16.9 fl oz/500 ml - $20.00)
• Gummi-Pflege (3.5 oz/100 ml - $9.00)
• Anti-Frost Concentrated Washer Fluid (33.8 fl oz/1000 ml - $9.00)

With this preperation, the drive will be a lot more relaxing and safe thanks to the Anti-Frost Washer Fluid which will help remove mist and road spray kicked up by the cars in front, while the coat of Glanz Wax will help make the road grime wash off a lot easier post trip.

Car Care Organizer Bag

I'm excited about introducing our newest product from einszett, the Car Care Organizer Bag. einszett customers have been asking for it for quite a while. Years in fact.

So what took so long? Here's the issue: finding great quality and size at the right value. So after looking at thousands of bags (I'm not kidding) and nothing matching what I've had pictured in my mind, I finally found this one.

No, it's not going to revolutionize the way we carry car care products and it won't save the world. But I like it and I think you will too!

The bag is made from 600 denier polyester so it's durable and easy to clean. It's lined with PVC so if anything leaks, it's well contained and easy to clean up.

It holds up to 6 bottles (the 16.9 oz/500 ml and 1 liters (33.8 oz) comfortably. There's a top compartment to put your small detail brushes, keys or whatever else.

Embroidered on the front is the einszett/1Z Shield logo.

It's great to carry your Spray Wax and microfiber in your car just in case you need to do a quick clean up after a bird does its business on your paint finish. And of course you can carry your arsenal of einszett products with you to the car show.

Here's another suggestion: use it as an emergency kit packing it with items such as flares, bandages, granola bars, bottled water, rubbing alcohol, etc.

Whatever you choose to use it for, I know you'll be having it around for years.

If you get one, let me know what you think!

They're here... finally!

I'm relieved to say that are latest cargo of products have arrived and began shipping out to dealers today. Your favorites like Klima Cleaner, Gummi Pflege, Cockpit Premium and Windscreen Clear are all back.


Plus we have our new line of winter products (Anti-Frost Washer Fluid and Eistau De-Icer Spray).


By the way, to be fair to our dealers, the einszett Online Shop will not have the out of stock products available for sale until our dealers are stocked. So please visit them first. They all offer excellent service!

einszett Winter Care Products

You've been asking for them! Two new products from the einszett Winter Care line will be available at the end of this month. We hope they make getting through those difficult winter months more bearable.

Eistau De-Icer Spray

Quickly de-ices frosted windshield and wipers and makes thick ice easier to scrape off. Special additives prevent re-icing. Clear visibility, prevents filming which causes dangerous glare. Will not harm enameled paints, chrome, rubber or glass. Free of toxic methanol found in more common brands. Silicone-free. Suitable for plastic headlight lenses.

Anti-Frost Concentrate Windshield Washer Fluid

Anti-Frost is a concentrated windshield washer fluid with anti-freeze properties that excels in cleaning performance with a glare-free finish. Special formula protects against re-icing, quickly removes road grime, streaks, silicone, and other elements that can impair driving. Contains a pleasant citrus scent. Guaranteed not to damage paint, glass or rubber. Suitable for plastic headlight lenses. Developed for leading European automotive manufacturers so you can be sure you'll get exceptional results. Environmentally friendly formula is made from pure natural alcohol and is 100% biodegradable. Does not contain toxic methanol or ammonia found in common brands. Fresh citrus scent!

For information about these products, visit us at http://www.1z-usa.com/winter_car_care.html

Blind Love

I'm a car lover. By that I mean I love cars, trucks, motorcycles and pretty much anything that moves. I'm not loyal to any particular brand only to what moves me. And what moves me more than anything is design... but let me be clear, I'll never turn down horsepower. The passionate person that I am, I'm rarely in-between about something. Usually I either love it or loathe it. I can be biased.

On the other hand, einszett products are not biased. Sometimes customers ask if einszett products are made for 'high-end' cars. Or they want to know if they work best on German cars. My answer is an unequivocal "NO". einszett products will care for whatever you drive regardless of what the make, model, or price of it is. It works equally well on whatever you apply it on.

I can't speak for other brands but I've never known a product which can be formulated to recognize a particular paint brand applied on a car. Besides, car manufacturers will use different paint brands for the different models in their product range. German car manufacturers will use American brand paints and vice-versa.

The bottom line is if you're looking for a great, honest product, consider einszett. It will work the same no matter what you use it on. Just the way a German car drives equally well on an American road as it does on a German road. That's blind love for you.

All the best.

How to Keep a Car Clean

Even if you think of your car as nothing more than a transportation device that gets you from one point to another, it's important to keep your car clean. Not only does keeping your car clean reflect well on you, it maintains its 'health' and value longer. And if you have a black car, you know the value of a clean car more than anyone. Just like a clean suit and a clean pair of shoes, nothing looks better than a clean car. Here's how to do it and get ready for the compliments to come!

Step 1 - Washing

An important step in keeping any car in good condition is washing it on a regular basis. This could mean once a week or at the least twice a month. Longer than that and grime such as air pollution, brake dust, sap and bird droppings will etch the top layer of paint on your car (called the clear coat since it's clear paint) and cause it to dull and prematurely age.

Choosing a quality car wash shampoo is the first step in washing. Washing your car with dish washing soap which is formulated to remove grease and food stains is too harsh on your paint. It will strip the finish of wax and polish oils. Over time, this will dull your paint finish. You want to clean your paint but you don't want to strip it which is why you want to go with car wash shampoo which has the ideal pH level to clean the paint. In the einszett product range, we have Perls Shampoo which not only cleans the paint but also puts on a protective polymer wax coating that adds gloss and protection in one step.

When washing, work from the top down and use a microfiber wash mitt, natural sponge or a real lambs wool mitt. Anything else will scratch the paint and put what we call swirl marks in the paint (they look like spider webs in direct sunlight).

Wash your wheels with a non-acid wheel cleaner like einszett Wheel Cleaner. It'll make removing brake dust easier without etching the paint on the wheels which acid base cleaners do.

Step 2 - Drying

Dry your car with a non-abrasive cloth or better yet use a microfiber towel or a synthetic chamois such as S.M. Arnold's Watersprite (professional detailer's favorite and mine too). It lasts for years and never smells because it has anti-mold agents in it.

Step 3 - Paint Treatment - Polishing

To keep your paint always looking its showroom best you need to clean, condition and protect the surface.

To clean and condition the paint, first you need to polish. Waxing gets a lot of attention but polishing is more important. Polishing the paint cleans the paint, removes surface scratches, conditions the paint so it doesn't dry and become brittle and oxidized over time and gives paint that really deep gloss we all admire. If you skip polishing and just wax, your paint will be protected against the elements but over time will still become dry and faded.

Choose from three levels of einszett polishes:

PolishWax - If your paint is new or looks like new and doesn't have any swirl marks (scratches that look like spider-webs in the direct sunlight) use this polish.

Paint Polish -This polish has some special paint abrasives that work to smooth down swirl marks and minor scratches on a micro level so your paint is restored back to its showroom finish.

Extra - Have you neglected your paint for years? Is it really dull almost to the point that you're thinking of a repaint? As long as your paint is not peeling, you can use Extra to remove that really dull haze from your paint and watch the paint gloss come back to life.
Tip: Follow-up with Paint Polish to get an even deeper gloss.


Step 4 - Paint Treatment - Waxing

Your paint now looks great. It's conditioned and has a much deeper finish. But how do you keep that look? This is where wax comes in. einszett developed Glanz Wax over fifty years ago. It's a synthetic based formula which allows it to endure daily driving conditions for months - even if you live in the snow belt!

Glanz Wax will protect against, rain, dust, sap, bird droppings and road salt so your paint will have a strong shield.


Step 5 - Interior Cleaning

If it's been awhile since you've cleaned your car's interior you might need to vacuum. Take out any floor mats and vacuum all upholstery making sure to get between the seats.

Next, clean the dashboard, any navigation/audio screens, armrests, shift knob and steering wheel with einszett Cockpit Premium. It leaves a flat, no-slip finish and smells great! It removes dust and light grime and has an anti-static finish.

If you have a leather interior, treat with einszett Leather Care which has a non-slippery finish and will leave your leather conditioned and clean with minimum effort.

Step 6 - Exterior Trim and Tires

You're almost done. To keep your tires from becoming dull and your exterior plastic trim from fading (or if they've already faded) you'll need to use a product such as our einszett Vinyl-Rubber Care and Protectant. It's water-based (so it's safe for the rubber and plastic) and will clean and condition them. UV protectants will prevent the sun from drying and causing them to fade over time extending their life.


And you're done!

Now, this may seem like a lot but you don't need to repeat this process every time you clean your car.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Wash your car once a week or at the least every other week (this applies to daily drivers regardless of where you live).
2. Polish and Wax your car twice a year - preferably around Fall and Spring. You can wax your car more often if you wish.
3. Clean the interior at least once a month.
4. Treat leather at least every 3 months.
5. Clean and condition your tires once every three weeks or more often if you prefer. Clean and condition the plastic trim once every 1-2 months. If they're faded the first time you treat them apply once followed by another treatment a few days later followed by another treatment a week later and then once a month. By that time the plastic will be reconditioned and Vinyl-Rubber Care will have restored the trim to its original color.


If you'd like more detailed information about how to care for your car, check out our Car Care 101 section of the einszett website. You can read our "Keep It Clean" detailing articles, read solutions to common issues such as removing sprinkler water spots from your paint and more.

And you can always contact us by emailing support@1z-usa.com or calling us toll-free 888-719-4698.

All the best!