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Zaino Car Care Experiences

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Comments

  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    Hope all is well with you and yours this holiday season (geez.... didn't that sound rather corporate??)

     

    Zaino is good stuff but it won't remove swirls. On a dark color swirls are a nonstop battle. Only way to deal with them is to remove them. You might want to start with something mild like 3M Swirl Mark Remover or the Meguiar's equivalent.

     

    If you need something with more bite, try Mothers Pre Wax Cleaner or Meguiars Deep Crystal paint cleaner. For specific scratches try Meguiars ScratchX or Mother Scratch Remover.

     

    Pretty much all of the above are available at most auto parts stores like Pep Boys and NAPA.

     

    You're only in the early stages of this obsession. One of these days you're gonna need to step up to a polisher and dedicated paint polishes. For about $200 you can get a Porter Cable dual action polisher (the choice of OCD car nuts), related pads and accessories, and a few good polishes. This will make your life a lot easier, especially when detailing a minivan. And the results will kill anything you can do by hand.

     

    We also need to get you using microfiber instead of cotton terry. The only thing I use cotton for is dirty duty, everything else is microfiber only! $50 will get you started nicely on a kit.

     

    2005 has gotta be the year you take it to the next level!!!
  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    Press release from Zaino Bros:

     

    http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&- Category_Code=PRO

     
  • qwallsqwalls Member Posts: 406
    Cool, does that mean that now instead of just looking fantastic that it will protect against bird poop too? :-)

     

    Q
  • cornellpinoycornellpinoy Member Posts: 196
    Hi, all! Been following this forum for a long time and have gotten great tips for keeping my cars looking showroom new.

     

    Here is a question for bretfraz, or anyone else who has an orbital polisher - what is the best way to implement one with zaino?

     

    I use Zaino and I know I'd be wasting product if I used an orbital polisher to apply and remove Z2/Z5.

     

    My vehicles are ruby red metallic and swirl marks do show, although they have that great Zaino shine.

     

    So this spring should I do a wash, clay, 1 coat of swirl remover using a Porter Cable polisher, then the usual 3 coats of Z2 + ZFX with Z6 sprayed in between?

     

    I bought my Porter Cable from Griot's Garage and have some of his products as well. Are his polishes good for removing swirl marks? Will they interfere with the coats of Zaino already on the car or with future coats of Zaino?

     

    Thanks in advance & Happy Holidays!
  • lapvnlapvn Member Posts: 455
    Bret, you are absolutely correct. I have been dabbling with microfibre for a while now (store bought) and I use them for taking off the Z. And now that (sssshhhh) I got some extra cash, I will be putting a good order of towels.

     

    Now for the scratchX, after I apply that, does that mean I have to start from the beginning with zaino, meaning dawn .....and so on. Or do I just continue with my regimen.
  • lapvnlapvn Member Posts: 455
    We've had this discussion pretty much every year around this time of what to do during the winter months. I just happened to run into one of this TRUE TOUCHLESS car wash for $6. There is no wax or anything, no brushes, all it is is high powered water is sprayed on and off. Now the result is not the same as doing it by hand but at least it takes off some of the dirt until I can Z in the spring or one of those unlikely 70 degrees days in Dec. or Jan.

     

    Question is: Will the soap that they use do anything to Zaino? I am sure that they use a formula that is designed for cars.

     

    Any thoughts or suggestions or insults are welcomed.
  • lapvnlapvn Member Posts: 455
    HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL THE ZAINOHOLICS,

     

    I hope Santa puts a big bag of Z products under the tree for me. :) I've been good all year long (fingers crossed behind my back).
  • lapvnlapvn Member Posts: 455
    What hurt was it was against us. Though I'm not worried, George was pissed and wont stand for it. Like always. :)

     

    I am sure there must be a way to prove to him that we are related somehow. I have to call him Uncle and ask for a well paying job. heheheehehe
  • tetedepierretetedepierre Member Posts: 62
    I first posted this on Dec 9th but because of an inappropriate phone number Our good host Mr Shiftright had to remove it. Here it is again without the phone number and with an addendum at at the end.

     

    Just got off the phone with Zaino and wish to share what I was told. Most likely this has been covered before but maybe it will be helpful to some other new users.

      

    1. Even after carefully using the Z18 claybar I found some embedded particles in the finish AFTER I finished polishing. I thought they were covered by the Zaino but am told this is not so. "Just pick them out with your fingernail" the man says.

    2. Apparently I used way too much Z6. DRIP about a dime size spot in the center of an 18' square and rub it in. The Z6 is heat activated. Unless you are actually heating it it is not being set up properly.

    One or two ounces does a car.

    3. After the first application you never use Dawn again. Also you hardly ever have to clay again. Maybe every 18 to 24 months.

      

    I called the tech support number and the phone was picked up by an actual person and this gentlemen answered all my questions. What wonderful service.

    What great products!

     

    TMart: I did mean Z6. Zaino said I would get too much on by spraying. "Just drip on a dime size drop he said" Would sure like to hear from bretfraz on this. Particularly how to do it on a vertical surface.
  • tmarttmart Member Posts: 2,396
    Peter. I'm still confused. The Z6 is a thin liquid and comes in a spray bottle. And is meant to be sprayed on and immediately wiped off. Your description of using a dime sized drop really sounds like a Z2 or Z5 application.
  • tetedepierretetedepierre Member Posts: 62
    That's what he said. What more can I say? When I get back to warm Florida I'm going to try it and I'll let you know. Bretfraz any input?
  • joe166joe166 Member Posts: 401
    It's easy to confuse the numbers, but there is no convenient way to put a dime sized drop of z-6 on a car, IMO. I am sure they meant the actual "wax" and the way to deal with the sides of the car is to put it on the applicator, which should probably have a spritz of z-6 on it to make the application easier.
  • lapvnlapvn Member Posts: 455
    Any suggestions to fill my cart. I was going to place my order through ProperAutocare.

     

    Anyone?
  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    Z6 is very liquidy, watery-like product. When I use it, I squirt just a little bit onto a panel (not a full pull on the trigger, just enough so it comes out in droplets instead of a spray) and wipe off. Z6 doesn't spread like other QD's so you don't need to wipe the panel several times to get it perfect; usually one or two swipes will do the trick.

     

    When I apply Z2 or Z5, I'll spray some Z6 onto the applicator first. I do a full pull on the trigger and give the app a nice even spray. That's the only time I'll apply Z6 directly to an applicator.

     

    My guess with all this is there was a simple misunderstanding. It does sound like maybe the person on the phone was unclear as to what product was being discussed. The advice given is identical to what is appropriate for Z2 or Z5 so maybe that's what they were thinking about.

     

    It's water under the bridge now. Spray Z6 lightly onto a panel and wipe off, couldn't be easier. Apply Z2 or Z5 with an applicator like you would any car wax. Simple as can be, right?
  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    Using your PC to polish your paint is ideal. The Griots polishes are fine (you didn't say which ones you had). I'd suggest starting with the mildest polish and a soft pad and go from there. You can change to a more aggressive pad and polish combo if the mild one doesn't give you the results you want. Feel free to experiment with the machine; its almost impossible to make a mistake with it.

     

    Yes, any polish will remove the existing coats of Zaino. But polishing is the only way to remove swirls. After polishing a quick wipedown with Z6 should get the surface ready for Z2 or Z5. If there is a lot of polish residue on the paint, consider washing the car to remove it all.

     

    Get the paint swirl free, slap on a few coats of Z and enjoy. Doing this a couple times a year will keep your cars looking like new.
  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    Scratch X will remove existing Zaino but you probably won't have to start from scratch. If you are polishing small sections of the van you could wipe them down with a mix of isopropyl alcohol and water in a spray bottle, or just wash those sections to remove any polish residue. Dry and go straight to Z.

     

    For microfibers, you'll need at least one large drying towel made of waffle weave microfiber, one glass towel used expressly for this purpose, and the rest can be general use towels in whatever amount. Wash them by themselves, no bleach or softeners, dry on low heat, no dryer towels. Wash the glass towel individually by hand in the sink. Its the only way to keep that towel pristine.

     

    Have fun with towels!!
  • cornellpinoycornellpinoy Member Posts: 196
    Thanks for your reply. As always, great advice!
  • toolpictoolpic Member Posts: 12
    Been reading all about Zaino. Just purchased a 2005 MDX silver and black leather.

     

    Can some one help with a newbie and the process and what products. Also can you tell me how long this process should take, unfortunately my time is limited w/ 2 kids under two.

     

    thanks in advance.
  • hammen2hammen2 Member Posts: 1,284
    Go back and read my post #5818 on this very topic.
  • tmarttmart Member Posts: 2,396
    Toolpic, just go back several pages and start reading. All will be revealed.
  • pjyoungpjyoung Member Posts: 885
    I posted here about Zaino on my 1990 300M. While the Zaino worked great on it, the car itself let me down so often (or raised itself up on the back of a tow truck) that I didn't feel it deserved my time in keeping it Zainoed. But I got rid of that car and bought a Salsa Red 05 Toyota Prius. So I ordered up Zaino (ZFX, Z2, Z6 and Z7). Thanks to beautiful weather on Saturday, I tried it out. One ounce of Z2 with the ZFX allowed me to do 3 coats on the Prius....and WOW! The Salsa Red is really "hot" now. Of course, it rained Sunday and today, but the thing shines great. This stuff is amazing. It does really good on a white car, but man-oh-man...what it does to red is not to be believed.
  • tmarttmart Member Posts: 2,396
    I want to show a friend what the Z would look like on his car, but I don't want to use my ZFX, or Z1, or do his whole car, just a hood or trunk lid or fender. Would using Z2 alone, no Z1 or ZFX, show him the Zaino look, or does it have to be used with Z1/ZFX?

     

    Also, could the Z6 wash cause any problems on a cloth convertible top?
  • tetedepierretetedepierre Member Posts: 62
    Been using Stoner Invisible Glass and its great. But used a microfiber towel and with the sun reflecting off the windshield could see hundeds of microfibers adhering to the windshield. They were invisible otherwise. Yesterday I used paper towels and got same excellent results but, of course, no microfibers. What am I missing here? No one else has even mentioned paper towels and certainly no one else has had microfibers on their windshields.

     

    Bret, thank you for your 5840. I apologise for not acknowledging this sooner but have not been on the board recently. I did use some Z6 today and put it on as you suggest. I can't understand how so little can actually be covering the area though. Eventually the cloth gets a little moist. Am I doing this right?
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,119
    Since I've visited here.

     

    I've been a long time Zaino user (7 years).

     

    Hey Bret....good to see you're still around.

     

    See a lot of Z6 questions. Here's a trick for you.....open the spray nozzle only to the point where there is a very slight mist that comes out.....about 1/10th of the way open. The trigger should give you a good amount of resistance when you pull it. Take 1/3 of a panel and spray it in a downward motion with Z6. Spread this mist with microfiber or cotten towel and then immediately wipe Z6 off.

     

    Better yet, put some Z6 in a plant mister to use it for application.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • mbuster25mbuster25 Member Posts: 14
    Hello folks:

    I just made a commitment to try Zaino after trying so many different products.

    I want to know if anyone has any comment on whether Zaino protects cars better than Wax against bird droppings? I know it is acidic. And I make a habit of cleaning bird droppings off as soon as I see them.

    THANKS
  • tmarttmart Member Posts: 2,396
    Since Zaino protects better than wax, it stands to reason it would handle bird bombs better than wax too. Definitely continue your habit of cleaning them off ASAP.
  • ljwalters1ljwalters1 Member Posts: 294
    I want to have a really nice car, but I'm lazy about it. What's the best product to get a really good shine, if not the best, from an all-in-one? Generally, what I do is wet the car and rub it down quickly (it's amazing how much dirt comes off with just that simple procedure). Then I either use a wash/wax combo or once per year (before rainy season) I'll use a separate wash and wax.
  • tmarttmart Member Posts: 2,396
    Your posting on both boards won't get you the answer you're wanting. The Zaino folks, my self included, will say Zaino is the best, and the folks on the other board will say anything other than Zaino is the best. That said, I believe Zaino is best. The Zaino steps may sound cumbersome but their not. Once applied, the Zaino shine and protection is good for at least 6 months or more.
  • joe166joe166 Member Posts: 401
    Keep up with what you are doing if you are satisfied with it. I doubt that you could get the high quality shine that most on this board seek after "wet(ting) the car and rub(bing) it down quickly." If you have done that much I bet you have so many swirls it isn't even funny. I would suggest your lurking on these boards for a while. If your willingness to work on it increases you will know what to do. If not, have fun anyway.
  • lomareslomares Member Posts: 16
    My suggestion... just once don't be lazy. ;-) Actually that's why I got this stuff. Just once, Zaino it with at least 1 coat of Z-2 or Z-5 and then Z-6. Then you can be lazy for at least 6 months if not longer. (IMHO)

    Here are some pics of my truck with just the prep (Regular Turtle Wax car wash, Dawn Wash, Z-7 Wash, Z-2 Polish, Buff, and wipe down with Z-6 Gloss Enhancer.) Sounds like a lot, but after the first "regular" wash everything else was a breeze.

    Here's some pics: Radiant Red 2005 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Long Bed w/ TRD Sport package.

    http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=ei9mlyj.e0gfn2r&x=0&y=i17mz5
  • ljwalters1ljwalters1 Member Posts: 294
    great shine! Thanks.
  • mbuster25mbuster25 Member Posts: 14
    Hello everyone

    I zainoed my care even though my car had a recent (2 week old) mother's cleaner wax on:

    1. Dawn wash
    2. Clay
    3. ZFX+Z5
    4. Z6
    5. ZFX+Z2
    6. Z6

    I'm very impressed with how it turned out. The paint feels so smooth. I ran my finger over it and compared it to my second vehicle, recently waxed too. Absolutely, no comparison - Zaino wins. I thini I may have to Z-5 again to remove more scratches, but it doesn't bother me much.

    This did take some time, but on the other hand, it was easy to put on (didn't have to use much or worry aboout getting it on rubber parts), and very easy to take off (no hard rubbing or lots of wax dust).

    Thanks everyone for the advice and Sal for a great product.

    PS: I happen to think that Zaino, esp the Z-6 gloss enhancer smells like grape cough medicine.
  • jaredmsdjaredmsd Member Posts: 127
    Well you guys just snagged another one. I just placed an order with Zaino. I have an '03 4Runner and just got an '05 RSX, so I thought I should do the right thing and take care of these two spectacular paint jobs. I also bought some microfiber products from properautocare.com at the recommendation of post #5619 (thanks graphicguy). Man it takes a long time to sift through this forum!

    Oh, and credit Kheintz with converting me. He always spouts on and on about Zaino in the 4Runner forums, and he finally got me. I really shouldn't encourage him by admitting this though! :)

    Thanks all of you for your informative posts.
  • kheintz1kheintz1 Member Posts: 213
    Jaredmsd: Prepare to be amazed and delighted by the results you'll get with the Zaino products. If your vehicles have leather, Zaino's leather products are simply the best, and the leather conditioner smells great, too. Use it on all of your vinyl as well, especially the dash-- wonderful stuff!

    I detail my truck twice a year (spring and fall), in my closed garage; it's a weekend project. I have two sets of Craftsman, stand mounted, twin halogen work lamps that allow me to see exactly what I'm doing. They're especially useful when claying the truck's finish, and in colder weather they put off enough heat to warm the garage considerably.

    I've found that Toyota's touch-up paint dries pretty quickly, and that the best time to apply it is after the vehicle has been clayed, rewashed, and dried. (Halogen lights will greatly speed the drying of the touch-up paint.)

    I look forward to reading your first impressions after your vehicles have been Zaino'd! Best wishes. Kurt.
  • harbearharbear Member Posts: 1
    At the risk of sounding like a heretic on this board, the lazy man's wax/polymer is Meguiar's NXT. Brilliant shine (for the lazy man) and easy to apply. Does a credible job of filling in the spider-webs. Definitely use a microfiber cloth to remove. I hear so much about Zaino that it will be my choice on my next new car.
  • ljwalters1ljwalters1 Member Posts: 294
    Thank you!
  • cornellpinoycornellpinoy Member Posts: 196
    I have 2 large waffle-weave micro fiber towels I use for drying and smaller micro fiber towels for applying/removing Zaino. I think they're great and want to know if anyone here as any tips for washing them. The larger towels are stained in a few spots and I don't know if using Spray N Wash on them will cause any problems when using the towels again on the cars. I know not to use fabric softener sheets.

    Thanks in advance for any feedback.
  • sploguesplogue Member Posts: 53
    I also have a tough time getting mine clean. Here are a few tips:

    - Wash them in cold or warm water, but not hot. Hot will cause them to shrink in odd ways because they are very sensitive to heat.
    - Use liquid laundry detergent not powder. The powder doesn't always fully dissolve, and can scratch paint.
    - Wash them twice, once with the detergent and a cup of vinegar, and again with no detergent (plain water). This is because it is hard to get the detergent out of them.
    - Don't use fabric softener (you already know that one). It will reduce absorbancy and can cause them to scratch.
    - Dry them with no heat. If they overheat, parts of them will melt and cause hard plastic balls to form that scratch paint.

    I recently tried a detergent that was marketed specifically for cleaning microfiber, but I honestly didn't see much (if any) difference. Let us know how the spray n wash works.

    Sean
  • atoewsatoews Member Posts: 637
    I too once avoided microfiber because I found it so difficult to rinse. Microfiber is so absorbant that it keeps "sucking" the dirty soapy water back into it during the rinse cycle of a washing machine.

    I have recently had some success with "Micro-Restore", although I think it is rather expensive. I have not seen it in auto stores, so I just order it online along with my towels. I can't explain why it works and regular detergent doesn't, but it does! (By "working" I mean that the stuff rinses out. It cleans at about the same level of the detergents.)

    Most sources recommend that you treat microfiber as you would delicate fine fabric. Specifically, wash in luke warm or cold water with a cold rinse, on a "delicate" cycle. Be sure not to over dry.

    By the way, I am not really concerned about "stains" on the microfiber. I reuse some that still have grey areas on them. I would not use Spray 'N Wash, or I would test it on one small towel first.

    I also agree with putting vinegar in the rinse cycle, not just for microfiber, but for virtually all of your laundry.
  • debellidebelli Member Posts: 7
    I'm interested in knowing if anyone who lives in SOFLA, particularly in the Miami, area uses ZAINO?

    I've read about it, but never having ever even waxed any of my cars, it seems a bit too intense to take on.

    I bought a new car 2 weeks ago and have vowed to turn over a new leaf and take care of this car. I'm trying to find a product that's not too labor intense since I really haven't a clue what I'm doing.

    I have a dark blue car - being in Miami with the heat, humidity and it being a dark car - is there anything different one would do than you'd do if the car was lighter in color? I'm seeing water spots on the darn thing that won't come off already!

    I see cars in Miami, particularly red and blue that look awful! I don't want that to happen to this car - have never owned a dark car, and hope I won't regret it in the long run. I see cars that look wonderful on the road and wish I could stop people and ask them where they get their cars detailed.

    Anyhow, if anyone has any advice or insight, I'd appreciate your 2 cents. If you live in Miami and can give me your insight on using ZAINO, that would be great. Wonder if any car detailers use the product? Best car detailer/car wash in Miami? Better yet, if you live in Miami and use ZAINO, want to do a ZAINO party? ;)

    THANKS

    Debbie
  • ljwalters1ljwalters1 Member Posts: 294
    Anyone here use a leafblower to blowdry your car? On one hand, you don't need to worry about getting debris caught in your towels; on the other hand, guess you could wind up blowing debris into the car. Anyone have any experience with this? Did it leave watermarks?
  • atoewsatoews Member Posts: 637
    Generally, putting vinegar in the with detergent kind of defeats the purpose of the vinegar. Vinegar cuts through soap/detergent, so it should be used to enhance your rinse water.

    No need to rinse with plain water, as evidence of vinegar (smell) disappears from dry cloth. If I were rinsing twice, I'd put vinegar in the last one or in both.

    I learned about vinegar rinse in a book on fabric care. I am a seamstress with a fairly large "stash" of fabric. I use vinegar in the rinse water of all my fabrics, including fine silks, and it has always worked great and has never caused a problem.
  • tmarttmart Member Posts: 2,396
    I tried it a couple of times, and it does work, but you still need a towel too. I found it not to be worth the time involved in getting the blower and cord out, blowing it off and putting the stuff back in the garage. By the time all that was done, it was quicker to use a towel. Plus, I really didn't like the idea of using the blower while standing on a WET concrete!
  • tmarttmart Member Posts: 2,396
    Debbie, Using Zaino is NOT as labor intensive as it sounds, It's really easy. With your new car, just wash it good with blue Dawn, dry it, and apply Z2 with ZFX, wait 30 minutes, dust it off and then Z6, and you're done. The removal step is more like dusting because you really don't use a lot on pressure. The only problem with Zaino is it's sooo easy to do, you'll probably WANT to put additional coats on the car. You'll be impressed with the first coat, and it just gets better the more coats you apply. There is a point of diminutive returns so when it doesn't look better, stop. With my gold color, three's about it. With your dark blue, I'd guess maybe five or six. But stop after the first if satisfied....or try a second just to see ;)

    Tmart
  • sploguesplogue Member Posts: 53
    Very interesting. I'll have to try the vinegar trick on some regular laundry. Does it do anything other than get the detergent out?

    Sean
  • cornellpinoycornellpinoy Member Posts: 196
    splogue & atowes: thanks for your replies. NJ finally has some warm dry weather so I spent the day detailing the cars. Gotta love that shine!
  • joe166joe166 Member Posts: 401
    Well, in Coral Gables anyway. Yes, I have used Zaino for years. I have had light colored cars for the most part so I don't think I get the full benefit of the product, but it lasts a long time and looks great. I think that the new NXT is just as good, at least on my light colored car, but all the mumbo jumbo aside, Zaino is a very good product. If you want the best possible shine (and on your dark blue that would be very good indeed), use it exactly as you are supposed to. Then if you want to use it just like any other good polymer, feel free, it is, after all, your car. Used that way it is at least as good as any other product, IMO. One thing you have to watch in my neighborhood is that the water seems to strip waxes in a lot shorter time than you might think.
  • lhesslhess Member Posts: 379
    i have an 04 (just off the new car lot, a leftover) that was housed on a lot under a bridge. several pigeons live under the bridge which equals several truckloads of pigeon poop all over the cars. i have washed mine a couple of times, but can't get some of the black spots off of it by just washing. you can actually feel them when you run the cloth over the car. I'm assuming that this is some type of pigeon poop residue, but it could also but just plain old dirt. What Zaino products do i need to use to get the spots off and give me a nice finish?
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Try using a clay bar to remove those but be careful as birds ingest tiny stones to help with digestion.
  • lhesslhess Member Posts: 379
    thanks for the quick post! I'll give it a try and give an update post.
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