You wrote: There are too many posts about waxes and I don't have the time to go through them all...so I was wondering if someone can help me with a couple of questions:
1. How much is this Zaino? I remember reading somewhere that it's significantly costlier than other brands?
*Zaino is pricey, compared to everyday consumer products, but one of the old Wax and Polish posters did an analysis from which he pretty much concluded to the effect that it was twice as costly and four times better, which for him made it price competitive and a no-brainer for results.
2. Where can I get it? If mail-order only, is it directly from the manufacturer or through distributors? Should I shop around for better prices?
*Check website: zainobros.com for prices purchase information, testimonials, pictures, and tips.
3. Why are Zaino discussions prohibited from other "wax" threads?
*The Town Hall members themselves pretty much choose the topics name, as long as it aligns with Edmunds' policies. Some people refer to the Zaino look as "too hot;" they prefer a cooler shine. Some are happy with what they have and are tired of hearing others chime in with "Zaino." Some are overwhelmed with what seems to be an enormous initial effort to get the Zaino shine and satisfy themselves with one-steps and once-a-year and similar simple descriptions; the relative results and similar or easier long-term efforts to maintain Zaino are secondary to them. Others cannot believe there could be such results. Others price compare and stop there. So, they exclude Zaino in their topic name.
Further--some of the cost involved is born out of plain old good finish care techniques. The cost of good, 100% cotton towels is something you should invest in no matter what wax you use. Same goes for clay. It's a good idea to clay your car whether you use Zaino or Simonize.
As far as the cost for Zaino products, initially, it looks like a lot of money to spend, but it takes so little of Zaino products for each application, that it would be equivalent, per application to lesser products.
You could actually start off with just Z1 (polish lock), Z2 Wax and Z7 wash for about $30-$40 investment (can't recall the exact cost off the top of my head). You would just wash your car with Z7, apply Z1 then Z2 over the top of Z1. Let it dry. Then just wipe it off (no buffing required as you do with regular wax. It would take about the same time as waxing with an "off the shelf" one step wax because Zaino is so easy to use and you have to use so little per application.
As I said, the cost per application would be about the same as using an inferior product.
If you decide that you want to really get into caring for your car (which I'll bet you will after seeing the great results), then you would want to get into the clay, Z6 shine enhancer, tire treatment, vinyl/leather treatment, etc.
Last point...I believe that my car stays cleaner longer and is easier to keep clean after using Zaino that I don't have to wash it every week (if the weather stays good).
Graphicguy: 'Haven't heard (or seen) that name in a month of Sundays! BTW, you could also mention that some other topics are just in denial (of truth). Or (as Shirely McClean would say), we're just on a higher plain (or is it plane). HeHe
My new 2000 Mesa Beige Odyssey is a week old. My Z1,Z2,Z7 and clay has arrived. I bought four Canon 100% cotton towels (hope that will be enough). The weather is looking great for this weekend so I think I'm finally ready to do my first Zaino application.
I was hoping that someone might have bookmarked some prior posts here or in other topics with info on the right way to Z my van, pointing out anything useful they may have learned as experienced users, things like that. Any such info would be appreciated. Thanks!
Try the directions and tips from Sal's website: www.zainobros.com. I haven't bookmarked those posts either, but a quick scan should be helpfull. Again, the overview would be: * Wash with Dawn * Clay the surface * Re-Wash (Using Z7) * Dry completely * Apply Z1 - let dry for at least 1 hour * Apply Z2 - let dry for a few hours * Wipe Z2 residue off with a cotton towel * Wipe Down via Z6 * Enjoy.
I also have an Odyssey that has Zaino applied and it looks great. Just beware of getting Z-1 and Z-2 on the black trim under the door area. I have been unable to completely get out the powdery white look but I haven't tried the peanut butter yet. Good luck!
In addition to the printed sheet of advice which was contained in my first shipment of Zaino and, I expect, would have been in your's (if you haven't tossed all the packaging, check it), I'll add: Use the products sparingly; they handle easier, as well as last longer, that way. Also, barely open the nozzle of your Z-6 spray; you want a fine mist, not a stream. My latest bottle tends to drip a drop or two straight down, too, so having the nozzle right over a panel whenever you can will get you the use of that little bit, too. I would also keep the Dawn, or whatever liquid hand dishwashing liquid (WITHOUT HAND LOTION) you are using, and the clay apart from each other as it tends to make the clay separate a bit; rinse the car thoroughly. (Of course, DO NOT USE whatever strong soap you first use to clean the vehicle, as a clay lubricant.) My personal prefference is to Dawn before AND after claying; the Z-7 is designed to enhance the polish, as well as clean the surface. If you don't already have Zaino polish on the vehicle when you Z-7 wash it, you're missing one of the benefits of the Z-7.
I forgot to include my other question for you guys...I've read on some other posts that some Consumer Reports study found that Nu Finish tested best, and that its protection lasted the longest (very appealing). Did this study include Zaino? How does Zaino compare to Nu Finish in terms of durability? Is one necessarily better than another for a new car?
I would use the clay for your new vehicle. Our van was a little older, maybe 2 months, but if you don't use the clay bar, you'll wish you had and want to start from scratch again. So do it "all the way" the first time. It's sort of like a nice massage for the car, or using a "base coat", so to speak. The clay bar I used from Zaino is a bit smaller than a soap bar. Two bars come together in the order, and one was enough, just enough, for my Sienna minivan. You want to get a couple spray bottles, drug stores have them for about a dollar. Get one or two. Fill up the one with a dab of Z-7 and the rest water. After the Dawn wash and drying, spray the mixture on a small area of the vehicle and gently glide the clay over the area. You'll be surprised at the residue coming off the vehicle, even at one week old. Another post on this board suggested to use only one side of the clay. The hardest part is to keep the nice rectangle shape. So use only one side, then, as necessary, fold it in half, dirty side in, and keep on claying... Keep in mind, just because you've only had you new vehicle for a week, it doesn't mean it has been TLC'd everywhere it was before you got it. : )
formed here at Edmunds wherein FAQ's are posted and the entire Z process can be reviewed in one place. Among the zealots I would nominate to get this up and started: pblevine,fastdriver,pjyoung and graphicguy and I'm sure I've left out other capables as my memory is shot. will a leader step forward?
Consumer Reports: That test only included the very popular wax products widely sold in retail stores. No polymers were included. CU has a problem much like their problem in other areas from autos to electronics. They can't possibly test everything on the market. And they have an 'average' consumer 'point of view'. While not a 'lowest common denominator' philosophy, it does appear that way from time to time. Thus, CU's orientation in the new car area includes (their statement): cars with 4 doors are better than cars with 2 doors. And cars with more trunk space are better, etc, etc. In other words, a Geo Metro is better than a 911. I like CU, but I understand their limits. They consider Zaino to be an 'specialty' item. I don't.
(len_a) I too have a new Odyssey (2000 Deep Velvet Blue Pearl EX) and I did the full initial Zaino treatment (ie: dawn, clay, Z7 wash, Z1 then Z5). It took about 4 hours total. I started with Z5 instead of Z2 because when we took delivery of the Ody in November I noticed some swirl marks that I wanted to eliminate. Let me just say that that time & cash investment in Zaino really paid off. I can't wait to get some Z2 on it!
(cornhusker99) I was wondering about using the clay bar too. I did it just on faith from reading this board. I was really astonished at how much smoother a smooth finish can get once it's clay barred! My neighbor came over after I had finished the complete process and he described the feel of the smooth Zaino finish as "erotic"!
Cornhusker (and other newbies) Go to www.erazer.com for the whole clay story. It should be done before EVERY polishing, and is one of the single BEST things you can do for your car.
Go to www.zainobors.com for the whole story on how to use Zaino with lots of tips and FAQs.
Thanks to all of you who are sharing your experiences. Everyone seems to be insisting on using "Blue" Dawn. Will another brand (e.g., Palmolive) or "Lemon" Dawn work as well?
Also, can someone compare Z Leather in a Bottle to Hide Food...I've heard some good comments about the latter.
Most of your questions have been answered in the above posts and going to the Zaino site would fill in a lot of the rest, particularly the pictures. ZAINOBROS.COM
A "hot" appearance would have a great deal of shine coming off it. Some might call it glare. Under that hot look (looking at the non-glare areas of the panels from where you are observing would be a clean, mirror-like reflectivity of the vehicle's surroundings A warmer shine would be clean looking and a have pleasant glow to it, but might not have the clear reflectivity that a Zaino shine would. Neither one of these would/should be confused with the "look at my wax job" look and all the traces of "overstacked" wax smearing, and incomplete buffing strokes and wiping cloth marks.
Also, to determine if a car has a clearcoat, either look carefully at the description of the paint color on the car's Mulroney (manufacturer's) sticker, or the owner's manual. As a newly-manufactured vehicle, it probably does. A way to test a car is to go to an obscure area of the car, say the lower front or bottom panel on the inside edge of the driver's door (where there's probably been no weathering, clean off the area, then take some rubbing compound on a cloth and lightly rub the area, then look at the cloth. If you have no color on the cloth, it is probably clear coat; if you got color, it is probably not.
For the record, please let's discuss which products can be used in the hot sun, now that is may (thankfully!) actually become an issue. Should be in the uper 80'2 here this weekend.
I've been convinced and am going to order my Zaino in the next week. I've got two questions though.
One, have you all given your wheels the zaino treatment? Have you actually removed the wheels to get all the brake dust out of the interior portion of the wheel or have you just done the easily accessible portion? (I have a bmw so brake dust is a major issue.)
Two, I have one large (3") scratch in my paint. It is deep--through the clearcoat. I'm thinking of using touchup paint followed by wet sand and glazing. There will be no clearcoat there. Can I just ignore this and use the Z2 for clearcoat over this scratch?
--I've found that claying is a good, but not absolutely necessary step. It's a very good thing to do to get the highest shine you can get from your finish by making it as smooth as possible before waxing. Claying also pulls out any contaminants that could hurt your finish over the long haul.
--"hot shine vs cool shine"-hot, in my mind, is the high reflectivity that Zaino offers...very shiny and deep.
cool shine would be less reflective and, in turn, the color "seems" to come through more because there is less reflection.
--Dawn is recommended by Sal Zaino. Actually, any dishwashing liquid with no hand softeners, lemon scent, etc. would work. Dishwashing liquid cust through grease, oil, carnuba waxes, etc. to leave a clean and wax free finish to apply Zaino.
--Zaino can only be purchased over the WEB from either www.zainobros.com or from one of their distributors.
--The Zaino tips and tricks and application techniques are excellent. The only thing I could add is to apply a little Z6 on your applicator to help apply zaino waxes in an even, thin manner.
I've been intending to post my .02 worth but just haven't gotten around to it. I ordered a new Black GMC Z71 back in February. Just after ordering I started following the truck forums here at Edmunds and a couple of other places and the LS1 forum as well (the engine is a derivative of the LS1). While browsing I stumbled on Zaino. After reading posts here and their site for a couple of weeks - I ordered before the truck ever came in.
I called my salesman at the dealer twice and made specifically sure that he understood I didn't want them to touch the truck when it came in. No detailing, no wax, no nothing. He thought I was crazy, but that's OK, because so do my friends and so did the people at Bed Bath and Beyond when I told them I had to have only 100% American cotton towels. They asked why and I told them. They couldn't believe I was spending $60 on white towels for my truck.
Anyway, the truck arrived, it got clay, Z1, Z5 and Z6. I had one hell of a time with the Z5 because it was rainy and very humid in Dallas that weekend. Since then I've got round two on and switched to Z2. They truck is sweet. I can't find a scratch or swirl of any kind on it. I'm very pleased - OK, I know it was a brand new truck and new paint, but the shine is pretty incredible. Just like a mirror.
I'll admit I want to see how it continues to hold up long term, but just reading about the waxes and how they yellow and harden, etc, was enough to want to keep them off the truck. I'm very pleased so far. If anyone is interested in the truck I've got pics. I will admit none of them show the Zaino shine/reflection that well, but I had to work hard to keep my reflection out of the pictures. It was very sunny and bright the day I took these pics, I need to wait til later evening and take a couple of pics that show the reflection better.
One last comment about applying in the hot sun, Sal and others say there is no harm. The day I put the Z5 on - same day I took the pics, I tried this in the sun in Dallas - about 85 degrees. What I found that as you apply to the hot metal it seems to "stick" pretty quick and is very difficult to spread and apply. I had to wait forever for it to dry. So from now on I'll apply in the shade, then maybe move the truck to the sun to let it dry and haze.
Thanks for the great tips. I have a few more questions:
- After the initial dawn wash do you need to thoroughly dry the car before claying?
- Z1 gets applied to the ENTIRE car before any Z2 goes on? Is there any risk of the Z1 overdrying?
- same question for Z2. Do the entire car? Any risk of overdrying?
- Do you apply the Z products in the usual circular manner? I seem to remember something about avoiding circular motion.
- My Odyssey EX wheels have a 'clear coat' on them according to the manual. Only soap/water should be used to clean them and chemical wheel cleaners should be avoided. Can/should I use Z1/Z2 on the wheels to further repel brake dust?
reubancahn: You say the scratch is beyond the clear coat and paint layer. Do NOT put Zaino on top of that! Rather, you should clean the surface and apply touch up paint. If the area is too big, then you should have a body shop or detailer repaint and/or fix the problem. After the problem is fixed, then you can apply Zaino.
Congrats on your new truck and the great Z shine! Thanks for the pics.
After you get a couple more coats of Z on it, take it by the dealer and show them why you didn't want them to touch it!
Also - FYI - The BEST time to take car pics is at dawn or just as the sun goes down, when there are no harsh shadows. This is when all the pics for car ads are taken. Enjoy !!
Thers' no such thing as letting Zaino dry too long, either z1 or z2.
Yes, dry the car after you wash with Dawn before claying (this will keep down on the spotting).
Apply Z1 in a circular motion, but Z2 or Z5 gives better results if you go front to back on all horizontal surfaces and up and down on all vertical surfaces.
Z1 goes on the entire car before you put on Z2 or Z5. Z2 or Z5 is "layered" on top of Z1 for them both to bond.
Z1/Z2 on wheels works great and repels dust and dirt...so, yes use on your wheels, too.
I would not bother to dry the vehicle before claying since I would follow it with another washing. Be sure the vehicle is well-rinsed before claying, since Dawn water and the clay do not go well together. In my experience, it gets more rubbery than doughy and begins to separate.
Zaino recommends that Z1 NOT be applied in direct sunlight; with the other products, it doesn't matter.
If your vehicle is large, you may want to consider doing your initial applications of Zaino in stages, because if you Dawn, Clay, Dawn, dry, apply Z1, apply Z2, Z3, or Z5 polish, let the polish haze, wipe it off, then wipe it all down with Z-6, you've quite an amount of time in. You wouldn't want to "wear out" at some point where you might loose some of the benefit of what you've worked for to that point. I would work on the horizontal panels first, then the vertical ones, then the underhood and edges, door edge panels and opening ledges, truck bed or undertrunk and edges. Then the Q-tips, then ...
The initial process could be considered tedious by non-show car detailers, which is why everyone wants to do the tasks correctly and completely the first time; they don't usually want to go back and fix it or do it over anytime soon. But don't kill yourself trying to get it all done at once. The kick of Zaino is that after that initial application, you won't have to do nearly the same thing over a week or two later, as non-polymers seem to require. It is just so easy to get that same look or so easy to improve it!
Washed and Zaino'd! I thought the Mustang looked great when I got it (4/25) Now it looks Fabulous!! Oh, the bumper inserts are great!! I must admit I was very nervous this first time... I think I hurried thru the whole process, (Z1 Z2 Z6)but it went very smoothly. Next time I'm going much slower and do under the hood and trunk, etc. I guess I was too anxious to see how it would turn out :-) The reflection is just like you all said it would be.
A quick question... I've never had wheels that go all the way thru. What's the best way to get them clean. I was surprised at how DIRTY they were!!
Went out for a cruise this morning, top down and it was so fun!!
I don't mean what that sounded like. I mean just in places that are closed when you wash. Like the edges around the hood and the doors and the trunk. Under the hood does sound a bit fanitical! Besides it's all insulated! ;-)
Many folks do apply wax/polish to the engine compartment walls and components. Certainly you should consider doing the edges (hood and fenders) around the engine compartment, doors, and trunk (those seams you can see into when the opening is closed). I do at least the top and bottom of the doors and sills all 'round, and the entire door and sill on the driver's door in addition. It was more an occasional thing before I found Zaino; now it's so easy to do, I've made it part of my routine.
Funny thing, I did an older woman friend of the family's Geo from the "the only difference between this Toyota and this Geo is ... " era; I discovered that the underside of the hood and the engine compartment did not have clearcoat!
I did my second vehicle today. The first one, 95 Villager, done back in Oct.99, went fine. Today, two issues arose on my 99 Acura. First, I was clayting using the Meguires clay I have used successfully on two cars, but tried a few drops of Z7 with water as the lube, instead of the Meguires Quick detailer. I noticed after a few panels that although I could tell the clay was working, there seemed to be a grit left on the paint. I switched back to the quick detailer, and no more problem. Either I got the formula wrong, or this clay and Z7 are incompatable.
Second, the Z1 dried very fast, within seconds I couldn't tell where I had been. One thing here, I did not do the second dawn wash, so I'm not sure how Z1 reacted with whatever residue the quick detailer left. It didn't seem to be a problem, however. A few minutes later, I applied the Z2. I could see where it was going. After about an hour wait, I started removing the Z2. It was smearing some, not terrible, but the hood looked bad. The sides were not to noticeable. I assume it must not have been fully dry. It was 80 degrees, and probably high humidity here in Wis today. The wife needed to drive the car to work in a few minutes. I grabbed the Z6, and this removed the smearing. I'll do another coat of Z2 in a few days. Any comments?
Use one of the wheel cleaning sprays, be sure it is safe for your wheels if they are painted.
Spray it on liberally, use a stiff brush to loosen up the dust and spray some more, let sit for a little while. BE CAREFUL - the cleaner seems very caustic. This is also a good time to clean your tires with Wesley's Bleche-White or other good tire cleaner.
Then, hose it all off really well. When dry, you can Zaino the wheels and treat the tires.
'89 cavalier convertible medium blue. I've done the dawn wash,clay,wash (7), 1-5-6, next day 6-5-6, swirls are still there, continue a time or two more with the 5 - throw in a 2? The blue color has gotten at least a shade lighter and the car does look a lot better.
scott, I have a 2000 acura and I had EXACTLY the same problem you had. I don't think it was a matter of leaving it to dry longer. I left mine to dry overnight and it was still "oily".
I did the same thing you did, I used z6 to clean most of it up. It was a REAL pain to get it all off. The overall removal of the z1/z2 was very difficult and time consuming.
I had used "clay bar" with the supplied quick detailer. I wonder if it has something to do with using the quick detailer with clay that was making the z1/z2 oily? I dawned after the clay so I don't see how any of the quick detail stuff could have been left over.
I'm going to try washing the car with z7 to remove the rest of the streaks on the car. Hopefully my next batch of z2 without the z1 won't have this problem!
anyone have any advice for us with streaky z1/z2 applications?
When I did the 1/2 thing for the first time it did take a very long time to dry (like 6 hours) I used about an inch of each off the bottle. This was on a S2000. I probably used too much. I just did a Z2 on Saturday. Using very little (so little you can hardly see) it dried in about 20 minutes and came off easly. If you think you are using a little, use less!
I too had that problem during my initial trail of Z1/Z2. Its due to temperature, humidity, and using too much of the good stuff. Humidity is a prime cause, and everyone has an initial urge to use too much stuff. Just let it dry. So it takes an extra day. That is better, in my mind, than playing at creating swirl marks while using the Z6 approach. All things heal - er, dry.
In the future, try using a very small amount of Z2. Multiple layers of Z5/Z2 will also create a better shine than one thick layer.
On my first use of Zaino I used about 20-25% of the Z1 and Z2 bottles on a 2000 Honda Odyssey minivan. At that rate I could do the van four or maybe five times with a one bottle of Z1 & Z2. Does this seem about right? The instructions says 8-10 uses for a midsized car so I figure maybe 4-6 for a van????
The entire time I was applying Z1 and Z2 I felt like I was NOT using enough because I couldn't see either of them going on. I couldn't see Z1 haze at all and Z2 only did a little but it wasn't nearly as obvious as I'm used to with waxes. At the same time I'm thinking I'm using too little I'm also thinking I might be using TOO MUCH because I keep remembering I was supposed to get 8-10 uses out of the bottle and in the end I used twice that.
So how did I do? Should I use more or less next time?
I have been monitoring these Zaino posts for quite some time with great interest. Finally took the plunge over the weekend and performed the whole Dawn, clay, Z7, Z1,Z5(twice), Z2 treatment to my 2000 Deep Emerald Pearl Honda Odyssey EX. The whole process took the entire weekend between washing, claying, washing, applying, letting product dry (can of humid in NJ this weekend), and wiping off. The wife thought I was a little crazy but we were able to get a lot done (landscaping)in the yard while I waited for the product to dry. Even though the initial process was quite tedious we are both amazed at how smooth,clear, and deep the paint finish is. Its almost like you could jump into it and go swimming. The optical qualities of this product and reflection of images in the paint are truly amazing.
You might have used too much (don't worry about it, though...you harmed nothing). If you can't see it as you apply it doesn't mean you didn't use enough.
What I found to work (at the suggestion of pblevine some time ago, I believe) is to put a very thin "X" (maybe, 1/8 of an inch for each line) of Z6 on the Zaino applicator (to aid in spreading Z2 or Z5 evenly). Squeeze the applicator to get all the Z6 distributed over the surface. Then put another very thin "X" of Z2 or Z5 on the applicator. Squeeze and spread again. For every panel I do, I put another, very thin "X" of Z2 or Z5 (you don't need to put another "X" of Z6 after the 1st one). This seems to work just right.
A minivan, of course, has a lot more surface area than a car. I would still think you would be able to get 8 applications out of a bottle.
I know what you mean about it taking long! I did my MB EX for the first time on Saturday (turned out to be much less humid than Sunday). It took me 5.5 hrs (not including drying time) to dawn wash twice, clay, dawn wash, Z1, Z2 and finally remove. I didn't even use any Z5 or Z6. I waited 30 mins for Z1 to dry even though I don't think I needed to and 1 hr for Z2 to dry which seemed like plenty of time. I found the final removal of the Z1/Z2 to be difficult and time consuming. I was quite tired at that point and the removal seemed to require a lot of elbow grease. I hear that future coats of Z2 alone come off much easier. I sure hope so. The Odyssey is just a big van with a lot of surface area.
on saturday from clay through z6 and took about 3 hours not counting drying time which was 30 minutes or less (at 90 plus degrees). Did a 6-5-6 the next day. Not seeing the progress I'd like to see on the swirls yet, but then, this is an '89 and while in good shape, the paint finish is a mass of swirls. You people are getting me waaaaaaaay too anal.
What you need to do is buy a brand new car and start obsessing over that instead. Then if you ever think about the old 89 just say ... 'Ah, that's just my old car' :-)
Took deliver of our Odyssey in Dec. so I used the Z5 to minimize some of the swirl marks from washing during the winter. In hind sight I wish I had used the Zaino when we received the van but it was kind of cold. Other than having to deal with the awful amount of pollen in the air I found that as long as I was frugal during application of the products that it wasn't that bad to remove. But your right about the amount of surface area, I wouldn't want to do this on a regular basis. From what I have read here it looks like I won't have to.
I like it. The Cav is my wife's attempt to return to the '60's. This was practice for a new pickemup that's only days away. Am calling the dealer right now about what should be dropped in the 'prep' process.
Comments
There are too many posts about waxes and I don't
have the time to go through them all...so I was
wondering if someone can help me with a couple of
questions:
1. How much is this Zaino? I remember reading
somewhere that it's significantly costlier than
other brands?
*Zaino is pricey, compared to everyday consumer products, but one of the old Wax and Polish posters did an analysis from which he pretty much concluded to the effect that it was twice as costly and four times better, which for him made it price competitive and a no-brainer for results.
2. Where can I get it? If mail-order only, is it
directly from the manufacturer or through
distributors? Should I shop around for better
prices?
*Check website: zainobros.com for prices purchase information, testimonials, pictures, and tips.
3. Why are Zaino discussions prohibited from other
"wax" threads?
*The Town Hall members themselves pretty much choose the topics name, as long as it aligns with Edmunds' policies. Some people refer to the Zaino look as "too hot;" they prefer a cooler shine. Some are happy with what they have and are tired of hearing others chime in with "Zaino."
Some are overwhelmed with what seems to be an enormous initial effort to get the Zaino shine and satisfy themselves with one-steps and once-a-year and similar simple descriptions; the relative results and similar or easier long-term efforts to maintain Zaino are secondary to them. Others cannot believe there could be such results. Others price compare and stop there. So, they exclude Zaino in their topic name.
Further--some of the cost involved is born out of plain old good finish care techniques. The cost of good, 100% cotton towels is something you should invest in no matter what wax you use. Same goes for clay. It's a good idea to clay your car whether you use Zaino or Simonize.
As far as the cost for Zaino products, initially, it looks like a lot of money to spend, but it takes so little of Zaino products for each application, that it would be equivalent, per application to lesser products.
You could actually start off with just Z1 (polish lock), Z2 Wax and Z7 wash for about $30-$40 investment (can't recall the exact cost off the top of my head). You would just wash your car with Z7, apply Z1 then Z2 over the top of Z1. Let it dry. Then just wipe it off (no buffing required as you do with regular wax. It would take about the same time as waxing with an "off the shelf" one step wax because Zaino is so easy to use and you have to use so little per application.
As I said, the cost per application would be about the same as using an inferior product.
If you decide that you want to really get into caring for your car (which I'll bet you will after seeing the great results), then you would want to get into the clay, Z6 shine enhancer, tire treatment, vinyl/leather treatment, etc.
Last point...I believe that my car stays cleaner longer and is easier to keep clean after using Zaino that I don't have to wash it every week (if the weather stays good).
I was hoping that someone might have bookmarked some prior posts here or in other topics with info on the right way to Z my van, pointing out anything useful they may have learned as experienced users, things like that. Any such info would be appreciated. Thanks!
Again, the overview would be:
* Wash with Dawn
* Clay the surface
* Re-Wash (Using Z7)
* Dry completely
* Apply Z1 - let dry for at least 1 hour
* Apply Z2 - let dry for a few hours
* Wipe Z2 residue off with a cotton towel
* Wipe Down via Z6
* Enjoy.
1. Please explain what you mean about a shine that's "too hot" vs. a cooler one (I'm not a car buff).
2. Can Zaino be purchased somewhere other than zainobros.com? Basically, what I'm asking is if I should shop around for better prices.
Thanks again.
Thanks.
1. What's this "clay" thing? Are there multiple brands or just one? Is it necessary for a one-week old car?
2. In terms of using Dawn: is this recommended by Zaino manufacturer? Again, is it necessary for a one-week old car?
3. I see references to Z1,2,3,5,6,7, etc. Are all of these necessary? What are the basics to start off with for a new car?
4. Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question but how do you know if your car has a "clearcoat" or not? Mine is an Acura TL.
I know I must not sound very informed on this stuff, and admittedly, I'm not. So please be patient and educate me.
Thanks in advance.
will a leader step forward?
Consumer Reports: That test only included the very popular wax products widely sold in retail stores. No polymers were included. CU has a problem much like their problem in other areas from autos to electronics. They can't possibly test everything on the market. And they have an 'average' consumer 'point of view'. While not a 'lowest common denominator' philosophy, it does appear that way from time to time. Thus, CU's orientation in the new car area includes (their statement): cars with 4 doors are better than cars with 2 doors. And cars with more trunk space are better, etc, etc. In other words, a Geo Metro is better than a 911. I like CU, but I understand their limits. They consider Zaino to be an 'specialty' item. I don't.
(cornhusker99) I was wondering about using the clay bar too. I did it just on faith from reading this board. I was really astonished at how much smoother a smooth finish can get once it's clay barred! My neighbor came over after I had finished the complete process and he described the feel of the smooth Zaino finish as "erotic"!
Go to www.erazer.com for the whole clay story. It should be done before EVERY polishing, and is one of the single BEST things you can do for your car.
Go to www.zainobors.com for the whole story on how to use Zaino with lots of tips and FAQs.
the correct Zaino address is
www.zainobros.com
Also, can someone compare Z Leather in a Bottle to Hide Food...I've heard some good comments about the latter.
A "hot" appearance would have a great deal of shine coming off it. Some might call it glare. Under that hot look (looking at the non-glare areas of the panels from where you are observing would be a clean, mirror-like reflectivity of the vehicle's surroundings A warmer shine would be clean looking and a have pleasant glow to it, but might not have the clear reflectivity that a Zaino shine would. Neither one of these would/should be confused with the "look at my wax job" look and all the traces of "overstacked" wax smearing, and incomplete buffing strokes and wiping cloth marks.
Also, to determine if a car has a clearcoat, either look carefully at the description of the paint color on the car's Mulroney (manufacturer's) sticker, or the owner's manual. As a newly-manufactured vehicle, it probably does. A way to test a car is to go to an obscure area of the car, say the lower front or bottom panel on the inside edge of the driver's door (where there's probably been no weathering, clean off the area, then take some rubbing compound on a cloth and lightly rub the area, then look at the cloth. If you have no color on the cloth, it is probably clear coat; if you got color, it is probably not.
One, have you all given your wheels the zaino treatment? Have you actually removed the wheels to get all the brake dust out of the interior portion of the wheel or have you just done the easily accessible portion? (I have a bmw so brake dust is a major issue.)
Two, I have one large (3") scratch in my paint. It is deep--through the clearcoat. I'm thinking of using touchup paint followed by wet sand and glazing. There will be no clearcoat there. Can I just ignore this and use the Z2 for clearcoat over this scratch?
--"hot shine vs cool shine"-hot, in my mind, is the high reflectivity that Zaino offers...very shiny and deep.
cool shine would be less reflective and, in turn, the color "seems" to come through more because there is less reflection.
--Dawn is recommended by Sal Zaino. Actually, any dishwashing liquid with no hand softeners, lemon scent, etc. would work. Dishwashing liquid cust through grease, oil, carnuba waxes, etc. to leave a clean and wax free finish to apply Zaino.
--Zaino can only be purchased over the WEB from either www.zainobros.com or from one of their distributors.
--The Zaino tips and tricks and application techniques are excellent. The only thing I could add is to apply a little Z6 on your applicator to help apply zaino waxes in an even, thin manner.
I called my salesman at the dealer twice and made specifically sure that he understood I didn't want them to touch the truck when it came in. No detailing, no wax, no nothing. He thought I was crazy, but that's OK, because so do my friends and so did the people at Bed Bath and Beyond when I told them I had to have only 100% American cotton towels. They asked why and I told them. They couldn't believe I was spending $60 on white towels for my truck.
Anyway, the truck arrived, it got clay, Z1, Z5 and Z6. I had one hell of a time with the Z5 because it was rainy and very humid in Dallas that weekend. Since then I've got round two on and switched to Z2. They truck is sweet. I can't find a scratch or swirl of any kind on it. I'm very pleased - OK, I know it was a brand new truck and new paint, but the shine is pretty incredible. Just like a mirror.
I'll admit I want to see how it continues to hold up long term, but just reading about the waxes and how they yellow and harden, etc, was enough to want to keep them off the truck. I'm very pleased so far. If anyone is interested in the truck I've got pics. I will admit none of them show the Zaino shine/reflection that well, but I had to work hard to keep my reflection out of the pictures. It was very sunny and bright the day I took these pics, I need to wait til later evening and take a couple of pics that show the reflection better.
One last comment about applying in the hot sun, Sal and others say there is no harm. The day I put the Z5 on - same day I took the pics, I tried this in the sun in Dallas - about 85 degrees. What I found that as you apply to the hot metal it seems to "stick" pretty quick and is very difficult to spread and apply. I had to wait forever for it to dry. So from now on I'll apply in the shade, then maybe move the truck to the sun to let it dry and haze.
So far so good, love the truck and Zaino.
http://www.netcom.com/~gdn
- After the initial dawn wash do you need to thoroughly dry the car before claying?
- Z1 gets applied to the ENTIRE car before any Z2 goes on? Is there any risk of the Z1 overdrying?
- same question for Z2. Do the entire car? Any risk of overdrying?
- Do you apply the Z products in the usual circular manner? I seem to remember something about avoiding circular motion.
- My Odyssey EX wheels have a 'clear coat' on them according to the manual. Only soap/water should be used to clean them and chemical wheel cleaners should be avoided. Can/should I use Z1/Z2 on the wheels to further repel brake dust?
After you get a couple more coats of Z on it, take it by the dealer and show them why you didn't want them to touch it!
Also - FYI - The BEST time to take car pics is at dawn or just as the sun goes down, when there are no harsh shadows. This is when all the pics for car ads are taken. Enjoy !!
Yes, dry the car after you wash with Dawn before claying (this will keep down on the spotting).
Apply Z1 in a circular motion, but Z2 or Z5 gives better results if you go front to back on all horizontal surfaces and up and down on all vertical surfaces.
Z1 goes on the entire car before you put on Z2 or Z5. Z2 or Z5 is "layered" on top of Z1 for them both to bond.
Z1/Z2 on wheels works great and repels dust and dirt...so, yes use on your wheels, too.
Terry
Zaino recommends that Z1 NOT be applied in direct sunlight; with the other products, it doesn't matter.
If your vehicle is large, you may want to consider doing your initial applications of Zaino in stages, because if you Dawn, Clay, Dawn, dry, apply Z1, apply Z2, Z3, or Z5 polish, let the polish haze, wipe it off, then wipe it all down with Z-6, you've quite an amount of time in. You wouldn't want to "wear out" at some point where you might loose some of the benefit of what you've worked for to that point. I would work on the horizontal panels first, then the vertical ones, then the underhood and edges, door edge panels and opening ledges, truck bed or undertrunk and edges. Then the Q-tips, then ...
The initial process could be considered tedious by non-show car detailers, which is why everyone wants to do the tasks correctly and completely the first time; they don't usually want to go back and fix it or do it over anytime soon. But don't kill yourself trying to get it all done at once. The kick of Zaino is that after that initial application, you won't have to do nearly the same thing over a week or two later, as non-polymers seem to require. It is just so easy to get that same look or so easy to improve it!
Washed and Zaino'd! I thought the Mustang looked great when I got it (4/25) Now it looks Fabulous!! Oh, the bumper inserts are great!! I must admit I was very nervous this first time... I think I hurried thru the whole process, (Z1 Z2 Z6)but it went very smoothly. Next time I'm going much slower and do under the hood and trunk, etc. I guess I was too anxious to see how it would turn out :-) The reflection is just like you all said it would be.
A quick question... I've never had wheels that go all the way thru. What's the best way to get them clean. I was surprised at how DIRTY they were!!
Went out for a cruise this morning, top down and it was so fun!!
Hope you all have a great weekend.
K
Funny thing, I did an older woman friend of the family's Geo from the "the only difference between this Toyota and this Geo is ... " era; I discovered that the underside of the hood and the engine compartment did not have clearcoat!
The first one, 95 Villager, done back in Oct.99, went fine. Today, two issues arose on my 99 Acura.
First, I was clayting using the Meguires clay I have used successfully on two cars, but tried a few drops of Z7 with water as the lube, instead of the Meguires Quick detailer. I noticed after a few panels that although I could tell the clay was working, there seemed to be a grit left on the paint. I switched back to the quick detailer, and no more problem. Either I got the formula wrong, or this clay and Z7 are incompatable.
Second, the Z1 dried very fast, within seconds I couldn't tell where I had been. One thing here, I did not do the second dawn wash, so I'm not sure how Z1 reacted with whatever residue the quick detailer left. It didn't seem to be a problem, however. A few minutes later, I applied the Z2. I could see where it was going. After about an hour wait, I started removing the Z2. It was smearing some, not terrible, but the hood looked bad. The sides were not to noticeable.
I assume it must not have been fully dry. It was 80 degrees, and probably high humidity here in Wis today. The wife needed to drive the car to work in a few minutes. I grabbed the Z6, and this removed the smearing.
I'll do another coat of Z2 in a few days.
Any comments?
Thanks.
Spray it on liberally, use a stiff brush to loosen up the dust and spray some more, let sit for a little while. BE CAREFUL - the cleaner seems very caustic. This is also a good time to clean your tires with Wesley's Bleche-White or other good tire cleaner.
Then, hose it all off really well. When dry, you can Zaino the wheels and treat the tires.
The blue color has gotten at least a shade lighter and the car does look a lot better.
I did the same thing you did, I used z6 to clean most of it up. It was a REAL pain to get it all off. The overall removal of the z1/z2 was very difficult and time consuming.
I had used "clay bar" with the supplied quick detailer. I wonder if it has something to do with using the quick detailer with clay that was making the z1/z2 oily? I dawned after the clay so I don't see how any of the quick detail stuff could have been left over.
I'm going to try washing the car with z7 to remove the rest of the streaks on the car. Hopefully my next batch of z2 without the z1 won't have this problem!
anyone have any advice for us with streaky z1/z2 applications?
thanks!
todd
In the future, try using a very small amount of Z2. Multiple layers of Z5/Z2 will also create a better shine than one thick layer.
The entire time I was applying Z1 and Z2 I felt like I was NOT using enough because I couldn't see either of them going on. I couldn't see Z1 haze at all and Z2 only did a little but it wasn't nearly as obvious as I'm used to with waxes. At the same time I'm thinking I'm using too little I'm also thinking I might be using TOO MUCH because I keep remembering I was supposed to get 8-10 uses out of the bottle and in the end I used twice that.
So how did I do? Should I use more or less next time?
What I found to work (at the suggestion of pblevine some time ago, I believe) is to put a very thin "X" (maybe, 1/8 of an inch for each line) of Z6 on the Zaino applicator (to aid in spreading Z2 or Z5 evenly). Squeeze the applicator to get all the Z6 distributed over the surface. Then put another very thin "X" of Z2 or Z5 on the applicator. Squeeze and spread again. For every panel I do, I put another, very thin "X" of Z2 or Z5 (you don't need to put another "X" of Z6 after the 1st one). This seems to work just right.
A minivan, of course, has a lot more surface area than a car. I would still think you would be able to get 8 applications out of a bottle.