This discussion remindes me of those commercials that you see on TV for exercise machines and those little cooker/grill gadgets.
How much do you pay Edmunds to allow you to promote this restorative balm? Edmunds should be collecting 10% on every dollar of revenue. Probably are. If they are not then they need to examine this.
Yes, I understand the use of other products that will decrease bonding of Zaino. That is why I used Dawn after the cleaners. In addition, the reappearing scratches come from dogs, shopping carts, and keys, not the improper use of toweling. Furthermore, as a user of Sal’s products for four years, I followed all of his instructions, given his experience and effort, before experimenting with other products. I hope this clears out the confusion you have about my extensive experience with Zaino.
Well, you didn't really answer my question but perhaps you've never compared the two. In any case I'm signing off this forum as I'll post my question over on the other forum.
I am paid in the mid 6 figures for my efforts here at Edmunds. I am becoming a free agent next year and my agent has been contacting Meguires about enlisting my services.
WKA - I thought I did answer your question. Bird poop comes right off my Zainoed car. But I tend to try to get it off within a day or so, even if I don't wash the rest of the car. If you let the sh*t sit for days or weeks, and if liquid glass protected well, then liquid glass is the superior product. If on the other hand, you tend to clean it off rather quickly, then Zaino is just as good.
I agree with the others....you are really going through too much effort with your steps for little (at least Zaino) affect.
Depending on which way you want to go (either Zaino or the other waxes/glazes you stipulate), either go the Zaino route with your steps 1,2,3,6,7,8 (I'd replace your step 3 with a Z7 wash), or go the other route doing steps 1,2, 4,5,10.
Don't mix Zaino with the other stuff, though. You're defeating the purpose.
I have been away for a while (jury duty, end of consulting contract, sick, etc). And its still cold up here. And now I am going to New Or leans for a few days of vacation. Hopefully, it WILL turn warmer soon. My Honda has now gone all winter on two coats of Z2 and some lite washings. At one point, the car looked like a cake of calcium chloride. A simple rinse washed about 90 percent of that stuff off quickly.
re bird dropping. I keep a spray bottle of water and Z7 in my trunk, and whenever I spot tree sap or bird dropping, I simply spray the spot and leave it for a few minutes. Another spray and it seems to wipe off. A few more sprays and gently wiping finishes the job. Provided that the car has a few layers of Z2 (and Z6).
This topic still looks healthy and even has a few good arguments. And lots of new blood. And I will be back after a few more days.
If you have so many years of experience using Zaino and have spoken with Sal and still feel the need to experiment with other products please feel free to do so.
But you are the first Zaino user that I have ever heard of that applies wax over the Zaino so I would not expect much feedback from your original question.--"I was just wondering what are your best wax application tips with Zaino?" --which I misunderstood because I have never and would never put any wax product on top of the Zaino.
It sounded to me like you were not happy with doing the procedure you were doing every 3 months. I don't believe any product is going to help get rid of scratches from dogs, shopping carts and keys. They tend to cause deep scratches that will cut right through the clearcoat and base paint.
I don't know much about Pinnacle Sovereign wax, but hope it has no abrasives as abrasives will strip off the Zaino, and I am not planning on finding out at $70 for an 8 oz container.
My Zaino is arriving today. Needless to say, I'm thrilled to give it a try this weekend. However, I still have one question that I haven't seen covered, (although I haven't made it through ALL the posts yet). What is the best product to use while washing the car? I'm going to do the dawn/clay/dawn thing, and I always used to use a fluffy wash-mitt to wash the car with. However, no I'm wondering if that is the best thing to use, or perhaps I should be using something else for the wash steps. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
is supposed to be better than boar's hair brushes (though the one w/ the hose hookup from Griot's Garage might be ok). Synthetic material mitts are definitely bad. You should use one mitt for the top part of the car and another one for the parts under the door trim.
Use whatever works for you. Some people use a towel, some use a wash mitt, some use whatever is handy. I personally like a wash mitt, but use it without putting my hand in it, so I don't know why I don't just use a terry cloth covered sponge as I have seen at the auto store. I like the fact that the mitt has corners that I can use for creases, but there is no magic involved that I am aware of. I do not use a sponge because I found that my sponges were hard to get all the dirt and sand out of when I dropped them. The wash mitt will come clean easier with a strong stream of water.
Great suggestions. Thanks for all the quick replies. I think I'll ditch the old mitt for right now. It is kinda dirty & scary at this point anyway. I'll try the 100%/cotton/USA etc. wash cloth wrapped around a sponge. I figure that if it gets particularly dirty, I can always get another cloth....
It's not my intention to be picky, but if you really meant to type "wash cloth" rather than "hand towel," I recommend NOT to use a wash cloth. First, most are likely not big enough to entirely cover most car wash sponges. Second, of the various members of bath sets: bath towel, hand towel, and wash cloth, the wash cloth seems to me to be the most likely one to have a blend fabric backing, even if both types of towels of matched sets do not. Wash clothes are most likely to be subjected to more hard use than the towels and need a stronger backing to keep from deteriorating too quickly. Polyesters and blends provide that strength. It seems to me that washing is the action where you are most likely to press harder against the paint surface than you would applying product, wiping off, and buffing. As soon as you press hard on the cloth, the loops would tend to separate and expose the backing. If that backing is polyester or a blend, that's what can scratch the paint. That's why the recommendation of what towels to use is so specific.
I like a 100% cotton chenile wash mitt available at Wal-mart or target for 2.99- 3.99. Holds the suds and dirt better than the more expensive sheepskin, and easier to clean.
I just returned from a week's vacation involving an extended road trip. I have multiple coats of Z-2 and Z-6 on the brilliant silver finish of my 10-month old car (garaged except when in use), and last November I did the Z-7 wash, Z-1 and Z-2 routine.
Ran into several rain storms and had to leave the car outside every night. I haven't washed it since returning home two days ago, but the car looks almost like it was just washed! The rain beaded up beautifully and just slid off the paint. The wheels are the dirtiest part of the car due to black brake dust. If I wasn't completely sold on Zaino before (I actually was!), I've reinforced my status as a "Zaino fanatic." It's the best car care product I've ever used!
I am new to all this Zaino stuff so I have a few questions: Is this the product for me if I want a long-lasting, deep, soft shine? Is this all this Zaino stuff gimmick and addictive, or is it really that good? What are some products you have tried? I am currently trying to find the best wax or sealant for my new BMW 330i. Your comments will be appreciated. Thanks!
Zaino is a polymer, not a wax. It was developed years ago for show cars. Hundreds of users here and on many other forums swear it gives the best shine and protection of anything they have ever tried. There has also been a magazine review that showed Zaino the shiniest polish when measured with a reflectance meter. The company is small and sells only direct, or through some distibutors. The intial kit is relatively expensive, but lasts forever, so the cost per use is less than most waxes. Plus, you need to apply it only 1/2 or 1/3 as often as a wax, and you just wipe it on, and wipe off. It is so great that most users become fanatics about it.
Look a the shine on our '97 Accord, first polished about a year ago with Zaino. As they say, "Just do it".
There are only three things I would add to automophile's description for the uninitiated. Your question referred to getting a "soft" shine and the Zaino web site pictures vehicles with what I would describe as "hot" shines that are probably the result of multiple applications. Some would even describe them as "plastic." My result on a 1987 maroon Caravan, not previously well-cared-for, but car ported, was what I think of as warm. My metallic light blue 99 Silhouette glows. I would NOT be scared away if you consider those photos usual results that are too brilliant for you; you can probably exert a great deal of control over how your vehicle looks with Zaino. I consider Zaino made for demanding enthusiasts but easily useable by more casual caretakers.
Second, the recommendations for the absolutely best preparation and initial application sound very hard and time consuming, particularly if you have not clayed before and choose to do so with Zaino. But these recommendations are the same for any good preparation of any protectant you might choose to do; the towels, the Dawn wash, and claying. After that initial preparation, using Zaino becomes easier, and that's regardless of whether you pile it on day after day, week after week, or six months to six months.
I would not use the word "kit" to describe the collection of products you should and could use as they are available individually at no difference in price, and they are only relatively expensive if you compare them to the cheapest brands on the shelves and, honestly the $6.95 Zaino shipping and handling, if you only bought the two basic products; Z1, the basic chemical preparation product @$8.95, and Z2, the clearcoat formulated polish, or Z3, the regular paint polish formulation @$12.95. One would probably want to tack on the Z7 wash concentrate, @$7.95, and the Z6 gloss enhancer @$9.95, a grand total of less than $47.
That could easily carry you through three years. The Zaino website says that the 8 oz polish products could be applied to a medium sized car eight times. Sal Zaino has told me that he does his Viper 20 times, but then he's the expert to begin with.
To make the shipping and handling charge and your product mix to go to the max, I would say add 2-3 more wash concentrates, another gloss enhancer and perhaps another polish, Z2 or Z3, or Z5; the shine is easily maintained with just the wash and gloss enhancer.
Oh, yes, I am a Zaino distributor on the side, but you'd have to buy it from me for me to get anything out of all the time I've spent adding to your knowledge here, and because edmunds has provided this forum free, I do not divulge how to contact me. I liked the product and believe that you are most likely to, also. Just enjoy the look it gives your vehicle and the ease with which you obtain it, once you're past the initial application.
I would like to add that even the claying is not that hard.I have clayed a Suburban and 2 small cars and it wasn't that much work.It takes a little time but its not all that bad. Once you do it you will be glad.The polish itself is the easyest that I have ever used and by far the best.I have a total of 13 coats on my 3 cars and still have about half of the stuff left,thats a few caots with z5 and the rest with z2.I would not let the cost decide if you want to use it or not because it will last along time.By the way the truck and 1 of the cars are black and they shine like crazy!
Since you own a Vette I am suprised that you never heard of Zaino. Go to www.corvetteforum.com and join a bunch of Vette lovers and many Zaino addicts.
I, for one, would like to thank you for your participation here. I know you were "lambasted" a while back for Zaino posting since you are a distributor.
I fnid your posts helpful (even for a long time Zaino advocate like myself and others who post here). Even if someone is not a Zaino user, your comments really are worthwhile for finish care, in general.
From my perspective, your comments are always welcome.
No way I'm going to read thru a gazillion posts so don't know what's been posted before but here is an excerpt from carcareonline.com re: clay.
CLAY: Literally a plasticene/abrasive mixture used to smooth new paint and remove over spray. This type of product must be used with lots of lubricant. The technique of using a clay is a learned skill. Use too little lubricant, or get contaminants in the clay, and you have moved into scratch city. This is one product that is the fast lane to trouble if not used with extreme care. I do not recommend this product as a general paint cleaner. You literally grind off a layer of paint. Should be used as was intended, to remove paint over spray.
Thank you, graphicguy; I try to help with either firsthand experience, or repeating the info from multiple posts and from enthusiasts I have spoken with.
I don't know whether clay not labelled abrassive is (as red Clay Magic has been said to be, as opposed to blue Clay Magic). I agree with the cautions bornagain quotes; they are included in the instructions with the brands of clay that I have used. I just have a problem with the editorial tone that implies that clay is much more trouble than it is worth; that you are, just by the use of clay, grinding away your paint. I haven't seen the physical evidence on the clay, or on the paint's surface.
Now, since it is the tendency for Americans to not read directions, perhaps the 'stay-away-from-it' tone is warranted. If you do not use enough lubricant, or none, the clay may stick fast to a surface and be 'pulled' out of your hand, and, perhaps, fall to the ground and pick up sand. Then you do have something that will grind the paint. But I do not find that, just by its nature, that clay is the great horror and threat that it is portrayed to be in the quote.
When I originally prepped my car for the Zaino system I used clay but managed to miss some spots. Time was a factor that day so I just used the Z1, Z5, Z2 polishes after that and have applied 5 to 6 layers since then. I had a nice day last weekend so I decided to clay the areas that I missed. The Zaino built up such a durable layer and because clay is NOT abrasive it would not penetrate and remove the spots of contamination. Next I will try rubbing alchohol on the areas to first remove the Zaino polish. Then I will try the clay again. If it still does not work I will use the 3M Swirl remover but am trying to avoid the use of abrasives.
A little bit of abrasives is not necessaritly a bad thing. Your toothpaste has the same kind of abrasives as many car glazes and polishes. And you use them everyday on your teeth. Did you wear though your enamel today? But some products are indeed bad news. In my experience car clay, used properly is pretty harmless and realy does a nice job of prepping for a quality finish. I also like Meguiar's Swirl Remover, Show Car Glaze, New Car Glaze, or Clear Body Scrub. (More or less in order of harshest to mildest). But you don't use this stuff all thie time. If fact, pretty seldom.
Some clay bars are abrasive such as Meguiar's Overspray Clay, while some others such as Mother's, Meguiar's Quik Clay, and Zaino are not if they are clean.
sddlw: wrote: "A little bit of abrasives is not necessarily a bad thing. Your toothpaste has the same kind of abrasives as many car glazes and polishes. And you use them everyday on your teeth. Did you wear though your enamel today?"
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body.
Professional tooth cleaning will not even wear through enamel. Clear coat is much, much softer than tooth enamel. Modern day clear coats are quite thin and soft thanks to EPA paint guidelines. If it wasn't and could hold up to chewing, saliva and abrasive tooth polishes, dentists would use clearcoat paint to coat teeth.
Anyone used the Zaino tire polish on plastic black trim? I was thinking about getting some. The bottom door trim as well as the mud guards on my Odyssey are awfully dull looking. Have some Z2 on the trim that won't come off. Tried Z6 with no luck. Any suggestion?? When you apply Z6 it looks like it will be going away, but when it dries, the Z2 can still be seen and the black is just dull. Thanks
Zaino tire polish on plastic black trim works great. I applied it using a foam paint brush to get all the nooks and crannies. Works especially great on interior black dash trim too. Just put it on and leave it. Dries to a nice sheen.
To get wax or polish off trim I have heard of trying peanut butter (but have not tried this myself), lighter fluid, or rubbing alcohol. The Zaino tire dressing(Z16) might also be able to hide it.
Just my two cents... This may be a bit long winded, but for those who haven't tried Zaino, read on... Let me preface this post by saying I'm probably the least anal person reading this forum when it comes to cosmetic upkeep of a car. My cars will get there weekly/bi-weekly visit to the car wash, but anything else....fugget about it.
To get to the point, I decided to 'sucker up', buy and try Z1, Z2 and Z6 on my new Regal GS (Sterling Silver).
A couple days after taking the car home, I had a well-known detailer here in L.A. wax the car and make it 'shiny'. Cost was $160 and I wasn't too thrilled with the results. A nice reflection was there. Just not as nice as I had hoped. Maybe my expectations were too high considering the car is not black or of another dark color.
So... I decided last week that since I had a few days off from work, I'd get in some exercise, cough up the $$$ , buy the Z1, Z2 & Z6 and try it out. I first took my car to the car wash to get the standard grime off (sorry guys, I'm not as anal as many of you when it comes to not using a car wash - no disrespect meant). I then brought the car home and gave it another (and thorough) wash using Dawn. Prior to the Dawn, the car had a nice bead of water showing. But it was evident that after the Dawn, the bead was gone (assuming so was the previous waxing). The car has no swirl marks or other scratches that I could see, so on to the next step.
With a dry car, I then proceed to Z1 & Z2 per instructions. I let the car sit for five hours (it was 60 degrees, partly cloudy). Once the haze was there, I wiped off the 'Z' (100% USA cotton) and DAMN! The car looked mighty fine. The reflection of myself and surroundings was astonishing. On the roof of the car, the reflection of the paint was 99% equal to the reflection of the glass off my sunroof (it just can't get any better then that!). Standing a few feet away from the side of the car also showed an impressive shine; including the imperfections of the concrete street. I then went and Z6-ed and was done for the day. This morning, I applied another coat of Z2, waited a couple hours for it to dry, wiped off and then a Z6 coating. I couldn't tell if the shine was any better the second time around, but I was plenty happy with yesterdays results that if nothing else, I got another good 45 minutes of exercise
Other observations: Like most first timers, the Z1 & Z2 was applied thicker then necessary (even though I tried to hold back). *I* didn't see a difference after applying Z6 - maybe I was still in awe as to the shine the Z1/Z2 gave me. Even this morning, I didn't see the benefit of applying Z6. But if the procedure is Z1, Z2, Z6, then so be it. I didn't opt for the Z7 because I'll never wash the car by hand. I'm a realist - I barely have enough time to pee during the day..what makes me think I can set aside time to hand wash the car. I also have a 2000 dark blue Suburban. That's getting Z-ed later in the week if and when my body aches subside from the first 'Z'.
To all those novices and un-anal people like myself who just want a clean car looking nice and with a mirror-like in appearance, ZAINO works! I am very impresssed with the shine on my silver Regal GS. If I have to throw some negativity in this post, it's that the true test will be six months from now as to whether the shine holds on (I'll probably apply one layer of Z2/Z6 towards the end of May -should take 20 minutes to apply and another 20 to take off).
Congrats on Z-ing your new Buick. If you do follow through and apply another coat of Z-2 in May, I can almost guarantee that your shine will be there six months from now and that any water will bead up and slide off the paint.
One caveat -- your local car wash may use a detergent that harms/removes the Z-2. Also, suggest that you not apply any wax or other "protectant" at the car wash.
It was actually your posts that swayed me to give Zaino a try. Reading how pleased you were after applying Zaino on your silver MB convinced me to give it a try.
Now...how do I maintain the shine on a semi-daily basis without going to extremes? Using a 100% cotton towel, can I wipe down the car from dust not seen w/o causing scratches? Should I dust off first and then use Z6, or spray Z6 after a couple days of washing the car and then wipe?
That is a tough question to answer without seeing your vehicle or knowing how much dirt, dust or grime gets on the vehicle.
Using Z6 without washing can sometimes be a lot of work. I have had times that the towel got so dirty that I would have been better off had I washed first. I have heard of people using the Original Cal Duster with good results.
In my neighborhood we have lots of dust from a construction project down the street and a terrible drought. My wife and I have different approaches. I find that with a good coat of Zaino all I need to do is hose it off and the dust comes right off. Then I drive to work (6 miles) and wipe off the windows. The car looks great. My wife took my California Duster and loves it! I had bought it for my daughter who never tried it. She will just dust off the surface dirt and her car looks just fine by her standards. The difference is that I can't stand little smear while she doesn't care. I use Z6 only when there is a stain of some sort (like a leaf spot). Otherwise I rinse every couple of days and Z6 after I have washed it on the weekend. I do recommend the Car Duster if you park under trees or where dust is heavy. This is the thing that looks like an elongated mop with red yarn like strands under the brush. It picks up things like pollen, dry dust and leaves, but doesn't work at all if there is any dew in the air or lots of moisture or the slightest bit of rain. So, my purely personal, unprofessional opinion is Car Duster or hose off every couple of days or every day and Z-6 after a wash to renew the beading of the water.
The posts above by joebob6 and joe166 are excellent. A rinse will usually remove most dust, IF it's just dust. Then a dry off with a chamois or 100% cotton (etc., etc.) followed if necessary by Z-6. Also, occasionally I've driven through a rain shower and returned home to garage the car. Next morning, NO water spots and the car almost looks like it was just washed.
I've also learned a trick to tell whether a Z-6 wipe off will be beneficial. From the driver's seat, look through the windshield and see how much dust or dirt is on the glass. If it's too much, or not merely a light coat of dust, wash with Z-7 or just rinse as above. If it's just light dust, FIRST wipe it off with a California Duster or a clean, white, !00% (you know the rest) using VERY light pressure so you don't scratch the paint. Then, a quick Z-6 job will bring back the full-blown wet-look shine!
Hope this helps. My car is garaged, and I find that a Z-6 application every few days eliminates the need for a Z-7 wash, except when I get road slop all over it from other cars (on wet pavement kicking up the grime).
1)How does this board feel about the 24-hr wait in between the Z2 application? I live in the So Cal area where the air is very dry. Since I work 5 days a week, that only leaves me the weekend to apply two coats of Z2 per the instruction. I wonder if I only need to wait maybe 4-5 hours before I apply the next coat. 2)After a wash, does anybody dry the car with the orange color "simulated" shammy? The 100% cotton towel leaves lints and stuff on the car, and I usually have to go over the same area a few times just to completely dry that area and to get rid of the water marks. Any suggestions? Thanks for your reply.
The cure period is temperature related...4 to 6 hrs if over 70 degrees fahrenheit is all that is needed--check website directions to be sure. I usually end up waiting 15 to 17 hrs between coats on weekends and hope it is building coats...I know that it will not hurt anything doing less than 24 hrs...but I am hoping it is building coats.
I use the Absorber and like it. I also get on the highway and drive fast to get rid of some water. Leafblowers are another idea I have heard of for drying and plan on trying. The CAL water blade has a strong following too. I actually saw someone blaming clay for giving scratches on a brand new vehicle finish and it turned out to be his Cal Water Blade--He swore he would never use it again. Others said you just need to be careful and use judgement. If it is a very windy day, stuff is blowing around and you just finished rinsing, you might think twice before using the absorber or waterblade.
100% cotton towels are more forgiving(due to their nap) than the Absorber or Waterblade if a piece of dirt gets on the finish. So be careful with them and clean them often and be on the lookout for a stray piece of grit.
The lint from the towels is not much of a problem IMHO but if it really bothers you, you could Z6 every time you dry and you won't have any lint on it at all. And Z6 is great at getting out any water spots too and great on the exterior glass too.
I've used both the CA WaterBlade and the Absorber.
The CA WaterBlade is use only for my windows. You would have to be real careful using it on your paint finish as any dirt that is still on your car after washing will be dragged across your finish using the water blade. Also, if you have a car with many complex curves on it, the water blade's effectiveness is less than ideal.
The Absorber is one of my favorite products. It is my preferred way of drying my car quickly. It doesn't scratch the finish and makes quick work out of drying the car. I use two of them at a time...one for each hand.
Another quick drying tip that has been mentioned before (and works well), for the final rinse on your finish, take your pressure nozzle off your hose. Then just let a soft stream of water flow over your panels. What you should have left is much less water to dry off your finish than you would if you "blasted" each panel with your high pressure nozzle. Then just take the absorber and wipe off what's left.
In earlier posts, there was mention of group buys. Is there by any chance one in the works? How are these setup? Does someone just take the initiative and go with it or do the Zaino guys show up every so often and put out an offer? TIA
I don't know how they start, but call Sal and ask him if any are in the works. I did and he let me in on one that was just ending. I suppose that the proper way is to get a group of friends together and call Sal and tell him that X number of people will be buying and what will he do for them. He is very cooperative.
Sorry I've been away. Silly question of the day: Has anyone used Z6 on eyeglasses? Mine are full of all sorts of scratches, and I'm thinking that Z6 can do the same as when applied to a computer monitor screen.
And graphicguy: Good to see you're still here. Where can I buy the Ca. Waterblade?
I actually bought my CA Water Blade at the annual auto show in my town a couple of years ago. There was a booth set up outside the hall of the convention center where the show was held.
It was populated by a couple of guys touting their "miracle" wax. Don't know what the stuff was called, but they did the "flame on the hood" trick and the "scratch your finish with a coin" trick. Of course, their "product" stood up to all of the abuse (while leaving some shiny, but pretty nasty swirls in the Cadilac hood they were using as a prop). They also had some sort of miracle cloth made up of some sort of mystical fibers that was supposed to be a "polishing cloth". I felt this cloth and it felt very rough to the touch.
The only thing they had that sparked my curiosity was the Water Blade. I bought one and tried it once on my finish. It seems to leave damp streaks on my finish. As I mentioned, it's not bad for getting water off of my windows which are flat, but I can dry my car just as quickly with the absorber.
Comments
How much do you pay Edmunds to allow you to promote this restorative balm? Edmunds should be collecting 10% on every dollar of revenue. Probably are. If they are not then they need to examine this.
WKA - I thought I did answer your question. Bird poop comes right off my Zainoed car. But I tend to try to get it off within a day or so, even if I don't wash the rest of the car. If you let the sh*t sit for days or weeks, and if liquid glass protected well, then liquid glass is the superior product. If on the other hand, you tend to clean it off rather quickly, then Zaino is just as good.
Depending on which way you want to go (either Zaino or the other waxes/glazes you stipulate), either go the Zaino route with your steps 1,2,3,6,7,8 (I'd replace your step 3 with a Z7 wash), or go the other route doing steps 1,2, 4,5,10.
Don't mix Zaino with the other stuff, though. You're defeating the purpose.
re bird dropping. I keep a spray bottle of water and Z7 in my trunk, and whenever I spot tree sap or bird dropping, I simply spray the spot and leave it for a few minutes. Another spray and it seems to wipe off. A few more sprays and gently wiping finishes the job. Provided that the car has a few layers of Z2 (and Z6).
This topic still looks healthy and even has a few good arguments. And lots of new blood. And I will be back after a few more days.
But you are the first Zaino user that I have ever heard of that applies wax over the Zaino so I would not expect much feedback from your original question.--"I was just wondering what are your best wax application tips with Zaino?" --which I misunderstood because I have never and would never put any wax product on top of the Zaino.
It sounded to me like you were not happy with doing the procedure you were doing every 3 months.
I don't believe any product is going to help get rid of scratches from dogs, shopping carts and keys. They tend to cause deep scratches that will cut right through the clearcoat and base paint.
I don't know much about Pinnacle Sovereign wax, but hope it has no abrasives as abrasives will strip off the Zaino, and I am not planning on finding out at $70 for an 8 oz container.
You should use one mitt for the top part of the car and another one for the parts under the door trim.
kind of wax or what. Thanks for your help
Scotty
Ran into several rain storms and had to leave the car outside every night. I haven't washed it since returning home two days ago, but the car looks almost like it was just washed! The rain beaded up beautifully and just slid off the paint. The wheels are the dirtiest part of the car due to black brake dust. If I wasn't completely sold on Zaino before (I actually was!), I've reinforced my status as a "Zaino fanatic." It's the best car care product I've ever used!
Just wade through some of the posts here, I am sure most of your questions have been answered before.
help out my 74 vette
Scotty
Look a the shine on our '97 Accord, first polished about a year ago with Zaino. As they say, "Just do it".
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1016688&a=9788935&p=32461561&Sequence=0&res=high
Second, the recommendations for the absolutely best preparation and initial application sound very hard and time consuming, particularly if you have not clayed before and choose to do so with Zaino. But these recommendations are the same for any good preparation of any protectant you might choose to do; the towels, the Dawn wash, and claying. After that initial preparation, using Zaino becomes easier, and that's regardless of whether you pile it on day after day, week after week, or six months to six months.
I would not use the word "kit" to describe the collection of products you should and could use as they are available individually at no difference in price, and they are only relatively expensive if you compare them to the cheapest brands on the shelves and, honestly the $6.95 Zaino shipping and handling, if you only bought the two basic products; Z1, the basic chemical preparation product @$8.95, and Z2, the clearcoat formulated polish, or Z3, the regular paint polish formulation @$12.95. One would probably want to tack on the Z7 wash concentrate, @$7.95, and the Z6 gloss enhancer @$9.95, a grand total of less than $47.
That could easily carry you through three years. The Zaino website says that the 8 oz polish products could be applied to a medium sized car eight times. Sal Zaino has told me that he does his Viper 20 times, but then he's the expert to begin with.
To make the shipping and handling charge and your product mix to go to the max, I would say add 2-3 more wash concentrates, another gloss enhancer and perhaps another polish, Z2 or Z3, or Z5; the shine is easily maintained with just the wash and gloss enhancer.
Oh, yes, I am a Zaino distributor on the side, but you'd have to buy it from me for me to get anything out of all the time I've spent adding to your knowledge here, and because edmunds has provided this forum free, I do not divulge how to contact me. I liked the product and believe that you are most likely to, also. Just enjoy the look it gives your vehicle and the ease with which you obtain it, once you're past the initial application.
I fnid your posts helpful (even for a long time Zaino advocate like myself and others who post here). Even if someone is not a Zaino user, your comments really are worthwhile for finish care, in general.
From my perspective, your comments are always welcome.
Thanks!
CLAY: Literally a plasticene/abrasive mixture used to smooth new paint and remove over spray. This type of product must be used with lots of lubricant. The technique of using a clay is a learned skill. Use too little lubricant, or get contaminants in the clay, and you have moved into scratch city. This is one product that is the fast lane to trouble if not used with extreme care. I do not recommend this product as a general paint cleaner. You literally grind off a layer of paint. Should be used as was intended, to remove paint over spray.
I don't know whether clay not labelled abrassive is (as red Clay Magic has been said to be, as opposed to blue Clay Magic). I agree with the cautions bornagain quotes; they are included in the instructions with the brands of clay that I have used. I just have a problem with the editorial tone that implies that clay is much more trouble than it is worth; that you are, just by the use of clay, grinding away your paint. I haven't seen the physical evidence on the clay, or on the paint's surface.
Now, since it is the tendency for Americans to not read directions, perhaps the 'stay-away-from-it' tone is warranted. If you do not use enough lubricant, or none, the clay may stick fast to a surface and be 'pulled' out of your hand, and, perhaps, fall to the ground and pick up sand. Then you do have something that will grind the paint. But I do not find that, just by its nature, that clay is the great horror and threat that it is portrayed to be in the quote.
Then I will try the clay again.
If it still does not work I will use the 3M Swirl remover but am trying to avoid the use of abrasives.
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body.
Professional tooth cleaning will not even wear through enamel. Clear coat is much, much softer than tooth enamel. Modern day clear coats are quite thin and soft thanks to EPA paint guidelines.
If it wasn't and could hold up to chewing, saliva and abrasive tooth polishes, dentists would use clearcoat paint to coat teeth.
Thanks
To get wax or polish off trim I have heard of trying peanut butter (but have not tried this myself), lighter fluid, or rubbing alcohol. The Zaino tire dressing(Z16) might also be able to hide it.
To get to the point, I decided to 'sucker up', buy and try Z1, Z2 and Z6 on my new Regal GS (Sterling Silver).
A couple days after taking the car home, I had a well-known detailer here in L.A. wax the car and make it 'shiny'. Cost was $160 and I wasn't too thrilled with the results. A nice reflection was there. Just not as nice as I had hoped. Maybe my expectations were too high considering the car is not black or of another dark color.
So... I decided last week that since I had a few days off from work, I'd get in some exercise, cough up the $$$ , buy the Z1, Z2 & Z6 and try it out. I first took my car to the car wash to get the standard grime off (sorry guys, I'm not as anal as many of you when it comes to not using a car wash - no disrespect meant). I then brought the car home and gave it another (and thorough) wash using Dawn. Prior to the Dawn, the car had a nice bead of water showing. But it was evident that after the Dawn, the bead was gone (assuming so was the previous waxing). The car has no swirl marks or other scratches that I could see, so on to the next step.
With a dry car, I then proceed to Z1 & Z2 per instructions. I let the car sit for five hours (it was 60 degrees, partly cloudy). Once the haze was there, I wiped off the 'Z' (100% USA cotton) and DAMN! The car looked mighty fine. The reflection of myself and surroundings was astonishing. On the roof of the car, the reflection of the paint was 99% equal to the reflection of the glass off my sunroof (it just can't get any better then that!). Standing a few feet away from the side of the car also showed an impressive shine; including the imperfections of the concrete street. I then went and Z6-ed and was done for the day. This morning, I applied another coat of Z2, waited a couple hours for it to dry, wiped off and then a Z6 coating. I couldn't tell if the shine was any better the second time around, but I was plenty happy with yesterdays results that if nothing else, I got another good 45 minutes of exercise
Other observations: Like most first timers, the Z1 & Z2 was applied thicker then necessary (even though I tried to hold back). *I* didn't see a difference after applying Z6 - maybe I was still in awe as to the shine the Z1/Z2 gave me. Even this morning, I didn't see the benefit of applying Z6. But if the procedure is Z1, Z2, Z6, then so be it. I didn't opt for the Z7 because I'll never wash the car by hand. I'm a realist - I barely have enough time to pee during the day..what makes me think I can set aside time to hand wash the car. I also have a 2000 dark blue Suburban. That's getting Z-ed later in the week if and when my body aches subside from the first 'Z'.
To all those novices and un-anal people like myself who just want a clean car looking nice and with a mirror-like in appearance, ZAINO works! I am very impresssed with the shine on my silver Regal GS. If I have to throw some negativity in this post, it's that the true test will be six months from now as to whether the shine holds on (I'll probably apply one layer of Z2/Z6 towards the end of May -should take 20 minutes to apply and another 20 to take off).
Good stuff and apologies for the lengthy post.
One caveat -- your local car wash may use a detergent that harms/removes the Z-2. Also, suggest that you not apply any wax or other "protectant" at the car wash.
Good luck, and keep us posted.
What were the results again?
Now...how do I maintain the shine on a semi-daily basis without going to extremes? Using a 100% cotton towel, can I wipe down the car from dust not seen w/o causing scratches? Should I dust off first and then use Z6, or spray Z6 after a couple days of washing the car and then wipe?
Using Z6 without washing can sometimes be a lot of work. I have had times that the towel got so dirty that I would have been better off had I washed first. I have heard of people using the Original Cal Duster with good results.
Maybe you will get more feedback from others.
I've also learned a trick to tell whether a Z-6 wipe off will be beneficial. From the driver's seat, look through the windshield and see how much dust or dirt is on the glass. If it's too much, or not merely a light coat of dust, wash with Z-7 or just rinse as above. If it's just light dust, FIRST wipe it off with a California Duster or a clean, white, !00% (you know the rest) using VERY light pressure so you don't scratch the paint. Then, a quick Z-6 job will bring back the full-blown wet-look shine!
Hope this helps. My car is garaged, and I find that a Z-6 application every few days eliminates the need for a Z-7 wash, except when I get road slop all over it from other cars (on wet pavement kicking up the grime).
2)After a wash, does anybody dry the car with the orange color "simulated" shammy? The 100% cotton towel leaves lints and stuff on the car, and I usually have to go over the same area a few times just to completely dry that area and to get rid of the water marks. Any suggestions? Thanks for your reply.
I use the Absorber and like it. I also get on the highway and drive fast to get rid of some water. Leafblowers are another idea I have heard of for drying and plan on trying. The CAL water blade has a strong following too. I actually saw someone blaming clay for giving scratches on a brand new vehicle finish and it turned out to be his Cal Water Blade--He swore he would never use it again. Others said you just need to be careful and use judgement. If it is a very windy day, stuff is blowing around and you just finished rinsing, you might think twice before using the absorber or waterblade.
100% cotton towels are more forgiving(due to their nap) than the Absorber or Waterblade if a piece of dirt gets on the finish. So be careful with them and clean them often and be on the lookout for a stray piece of grit.
The lint from the towels is not much of a problem IMHO but if it really bothers you, you could Z6 every time you dry and you won't have any lint on it at all. And Z6 is great at getting out any water spots too and great on the exterior glass too.
The CA WaterBlade is use only for my windows. You would have to be real careful using it on your paint finish as any dirt that is still on your car after washing will be dragged across your finish using the water blade. Also, if you have a car with many complex curves on it, the water blade's effectiveness is less than ideal.
The Absorber is one of my favorite products. It is my preferred way of drying my car quickly. It doesn't scratch the finish and makes quick work out of drying the car. I use two of them at a time...one for each hand.
Another quick drying tip that has been mentioned before (and works well), for the final rinse on your finish, take your pressure nozzle off your hose. Then just let a soft stream of water flow over your panels. What you should have left is much less water to dry off your finish than you would if you "blasted" each panel with your high pressure nozzle. Then just take the absorber and wipe off what's left.
In earlier posts, there was mention of group buys. Is there by any chance one in the works? How are these setup? Does someone just take the initiative and go with it or do the Zaino guys show up every so often and put out an offer?
TIA
And graphicguy: Good to see you're still here. Where can I buy the Ca. Waterblade?
It was populated by a couple of guys touting their "miracle" wax. Don't know what the stuff was called, but they did the "flame on the hood" trick and the "scratch your finish with a coin" trick. Of course, their "product" stood up to all of the abuse (while leaving some shiny, but pretty nasty swirls in the Cadilac hood they were using as a prop). They also had some sort of miracle cloth made up of some sort of mystical fibers that was supposed to be a "polishing cloth". I felt this cloth and it felt very rough to the touch.
The only thing they had that sparked my curiosity was the Water Blade. I bought one and tried it once on my finish. It seems to leave damp streaks on my finish. As I mentioned, it's not bad for getting water off of my windows which are flat, but I can dry my car just as quickly with the absorber.
I've seen the Water Blade at Pep Boys, also.