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I spent most of the day yesterday reading the majority of the previous posts in here. Thankfully it was raining and I didn't have to feel bad doing so. I just bought my first new car but can't afford the full Zaino system right now (maybe I'll ask for it for x-mas). Problem is I need to protect my new baby over the coming harsh winter months in MN. Any suggestions? I'm not too concerned with shine and look at this point I just want to use something that will last through the winter. I know from reading that next spring when I use the full Z system it'll look dreamy.
And another question...any good tips for removing those darned dealer decals? (dummy me forgot to tell the dealer to leave it off) I know of a few but am always up to read about new techniques.
Hopefully someday I can be a Z freak too! Hehe.
Now, I am getting the clear bra ..(yes, I Z'ed B4 I am havingthe bra installed)
My big ?? - do I need to Z the bra???
Should I Z the bra?
What else do I need to do?
Step 2. cotton pad with mild polish
Step 3. z2
step 4. z6
=
Unbelievably brilliant!
Well, it might be warm enough again this fall for another coat or two...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Results:
Zaino and Ultra Gloss had comparable shine, gloss & wet look.
The only advantage for Zaino was the 3-dimensional look & longevity. I'm sure Ultra Gloss will wear off sooner.
The advantage for Ultra Gloss was the super ease of application & removal. I mean, you might as well wax with Ultra Gloss as to use a detail spray between washes. Yea, Ultra is that fast to apply & remove. Secondly, Ultra is cheaper, more readily available & simpler to use (no mixing with accelator, etc..). Thridly, Ultra concealed minor swirls and scratches better.
End Result:
Since I love maintaining my car and I don't mind applying wax frequently, Ultra will be my choice. Zaino takes too long to apply and remove (drying time) & you can forget about using it in the winter months, as it will never dry.
Any thoughts welcome. I'm sure I have hit a nerve. :sick:
However, since you don't like to wax often, Zaino probably works better for your situation.
For me, I wash weekly (winter & summer) and I want that "pop" everyday. Ultra just gave it to me. It's as simple as a quick spray detailer. It can be layered too!
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Z-CS
Wipe on, and walk away.
Anyone tried it yet?
I would like to recommend our How-to Detailing Library. Currently we have more than 20 information packed articles on everything from polishing with a polisher to fixing scratched rims. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.
Again thank you for the recognition!
The Autopia Car Care Team
Just got my Zaino Ultimate kit a few days ago. I washed my car, and then used the clay bar with the kit. Then I used the car wash Z7 and now I am wondering what is the best way to go?
My car is blue. Any recommendations on where I should go from here?
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=Z&Catego- ry_Code=APPLICATION
As per Zaino, the fist thing to do is a Dawn wash - did you do that? Just go thru steps on the Zaino site. This is what I had followed:
1. Dawn Wash
2. Calybar
3. Z-7 Wash
4. Z-5 (with ZFX)
5. Z-6
6. Z-2 (with ZFX)
7. Z-8
Yup, quite a bit for work the first time around, but now all I need to do is Z-7 wash followed with either Z-6 or Z-8 for the next 6 months.
Open up the ZFX kit, take out one of the little bottles and fill it with Z-5 about halfway. Take the little blue dropper bottle and squeeze out about 3 drops into the 1/2 filled Z-5. Shake well and let it sit for about 30 secs.
Take the white cotton terry applicator that came with the kit and flap it with your hands to knock off stray cotton thread. With your bottle of Z-6 spray, squirt two light passes onto the applicator and rub it lightly with your hand. You want the app to be dampened just a little bit.
Find that bottle of Z-5 + ZFX you just mixed and pour numerous drops onto the cotton app. It just needs a light coating of sealant so don't go all hog wild with the stuff. Start whereever you want to on the car and wipe on the Z-5 very thinly. Verrrrrrry thiiiiiiiinnnnn. Thin like the stuff cost you $100 an ounce. Thin like if you slop it on, someone grabs your wallet and takes a $20 out of it. You should just barely see the product wiped on your paint.
Go around the whole car, pouring a few drops of Z-5 onto the app as needed. You can do the paint, the glass, the trim, the wheels, the grill, the headlights, the luggage rack, whatever you want.
After you're done, go back to where you started and light swipe your finger across the Z-5. If the product comes off cleanly with your finger, it's ready to be removed with a towel. If it looked like your finger made it smeary, let it continue to dry for a few mins and check again later. Wipe down everything you applied the Z-5 to with the towel. Now you're ready for application #2, just like the first one. You can apply up to three coats of Zaino in one session, but if you run out of Z-5 mixture, it's no big deal.
When you're done with that, hit the tires with some Z-16 tire gloss, clean the glass, attend to any little areas you missed and enjoy the shine. If you want extra shine and protection, you can apply Z-2 after letting the car sit overnight, but Z-5 can be left as-is. The Z-2 process is the same as I described about for the Z-5.
FYI, some friends and I detailed three (3) vehicles today with Zaino products. A big SUV got buffed out with Z-PC polish followed by Z-5 and Z-CS, a F-150 Supercrew got a Z-6 wipedown and a coat of Z-CS, and a Jetta got a full detail and buffed out with Z-AIO.
I waited about 45 minutes for the first coat to dry. I am going to let the second coat sit there till tomorrow morning and then wipe it off.
Tomorrow, I will put at least one coat of Z2; possibly 2.
Thanks again.
You're right- it is ALOT of work the first time around but form what I have read- it seems to be worth it. Thanks again.
Thanks much,
Ken
do you apply the zaino zfx mixture on head/tail lights & windows as well? thanks
You can certainly use the Zaino products on lights and glass, no problem.
It'll be some work to remove those scratches. If you're doing this by hand, you might want to use Z-PC polish or try a scratch remover like Meguiars Scratch X or Mothers Scratch Remover, both avail in stores. Use these as a spot polisher or go over the whole car again.
Of course, you will have to reapply the Zaino as polishes will remove any product.
Hope this helps!
1. The car's brand new and so (hopefully) won't have a single scratch or swirl on it. Would you still recommend using Z-5 the first time around?
2. I understand you guys like layering the coats and apparently, the more coats, the glossier and shinier the car. If the answer to number 1 is no, should I just use several coats of Z-2? If I still use Z-5, I take it I should alternate between the two. Which one should I start with? And which one should I end with?
3. Should I polish the glass and rubber trimmings along with the paint? If so, all the same steps?
4. Tires: I understand Zaino sells special tire gloss, but is it any better than just using Zaino on the tires? Has anyone tried? If so, which steps to include?
5. After using the applicators and towels, do they need to be washed right away? Can I use the same applicator for each coat, or does it need to be washed between coats?
Enough questions? I'm sure I'll have more. Thanks for you responses. I really appreciate it.
Thanks again.
I hate to waste it but maybe I will have to clay my old car first to get the process down right.
any help will be appreciated.
-New Zaino User-
Sounds like you've got the initial process figured out. Good luck - and have fun!
First thing, make sure your dealer knows to NOT wash your car. Tell them that you don't want them to lay a finger on the paint. Tell them you don't care if it's absolutely filthy. Make sure they understand this. Then go to the prep department and tell them again. IMHO dealers haven't got a clue how to wash a car.
If they listen to you and don't touch it, you can probably skip Z5 and go right to Z2 with ZFX.
Don't use Z2 on the glass and rubber. But you can use Z-CS on it.
Z16 is definitely worth it for the tires. I've never tried Z2 on tires but I would doubt it would work well since you use so little of it on the finish. I don't think Z2/Z5 are at all formulated for "rubber".
ALWAYS wash everything right away. HOT water, LIQUID detergent, NO bleaches, NO fabric softeners, NO dryer sheets. White 100% cotton towels, and don't buy the cheap imported stuff. Spend the money and get good towels. Yes, your spouse and your neighbours will think you're nuts.
I'm still figuring out where Z-CS fits into the mix. I think I'll be using it as an adjunct to Z5/ZFX as a "touch-up". What the heck, might as well pile on whatever layers I can.
Have fun!
I understand how anal I have to be about the towels. I just purchased my Zaino kit including all the necessities, Z-8, Z-CS, 8 towels, a mitt, and 5 applicators for a total of $240. I should have everything I need to last me for the next several years (hopefully). Here's how I'm planning on Zainoing the car. Sal agreed this is how to do it.
Dawn wash -> clay -> Z-7 wash -> Z-2 w/ZFX -> Z-8 (between layers) -> Z-2 w/ZFX (multiple layers) -> Z-CS -> Z-8
The only thing Sal suggested is using Z-6 between layers instead of Z-8. He thought Z-8 wasn't necessary, and it's quite expensive. I appreciate his honesty and lack of greed, but I think it would be a good idea to get at least one layer of Z-8 underneath the Z-CS to hold that ultimate shine for as long as possible. What do you think?
Also, about the dealer, the dealer has a technician do a full inspection and check on everything in the car once it arrives. I told the dealer that I want to be there to join the technician for the whole process. I want to see everything that they check and know first hand that everything is in perfect condition. So I'll be there to make sure that they don't wash it. Thanks for the advice.
I've never used Z8 so I can't comment on it. Z6 seems to work well on my black Impala.
Have fun!
Any help will be appreciated.
They have this new Z-AIO, All-in-one product...
Have you tried? Is it as good as they say in the website?
Is it ok to use on a new car?
I'm thinking about buying this pack:
Zaino Triplets (Z-AIO, Z-CS, Z-8 & 314)
ZAIO is very user friendly, just remember to use very sparingly just like all other Zaino products. When I buff on ZAIO, all I do is put 3-4 dabs on my pad and work a small section until I can't see the product. I wipe off with a microfiber towel and move to the next section. Piece of cake!
I'd suggest either getting several of the cotton applicator pads or getting some microfiber apps from a local auto parts store. That way you only use one pad per product.
I want to hit it with Z-5 to fill a few swirl marks, but I think I'll wait until it gets washed a couple of more times.
I guess it's going to take some practice to get this ultra thin application process down. I thought because this is a cleaner/polish, a super thin layer wouldn't do much cleaning.
Anyway, the shine is excellent, and I'm anxious to get some layers on it. I did everything by hand.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Followed up w/Z6 and Z2/ZFX. Waiting for it to dry to buff...
This stuff is goooood.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Also, for my GF’s car is older and in need of extra care. I plan to clay the car, and then use Z-PC with a DS and light cutting pad, followed by Z-AIO applied with the DS and finishing pad, and finally Z-PC. My goal is to restore the surface smoothness comparable to my new car.
It was a long process but the results were worth the effort. The car is a white 98 accord, and although it was cleaned and waxed regularly the paint surface was covered with oxidation, water spots, and scratches.
Z-18 clay: I am not excited about this product; personally I think Clay Magic is as good or better. With the Z-18 it was difficult to gauge my progress. The first stroke with Clay Magic tends to have resistance, and then as you progress the resistance diminishes indicating that the surface is clean. The Z-18 did not exhibit that trait. The Clay Magic become dirty looking, but when done, the Z-18 appeared perfectly clean. I am not sure what this means, but if the Z-18 is removing surface contaminates where are they going? The paint surface was smoother, but in the future I think I will stick with Clay Magic.
Z-PC: I am more excited about this product. It was applied with a dual action machine and white polishing pad. The oxidation was gone and the lighter swirls and scratches were removed. Based on this experience the cut was similar to Meguiar’s #9 or 3M Swirl Remover. I appreciated that I did not have to wash the car between polishing and waxing. My only gripe, why not sell Z-PC in a larger bottle like the Z-AIO.
Z-AIO: As previously stated I like this product, it’s a great surface prep with decent shine. This time for application I used the dual action machine and red finishing pad. Considering that the Z-AIO has mild abrasives it seemed logical to apply after Z-PC to remove any haze. The result was a smooth, glossy surface. However, I may consider using a more aggressive pad with the Z-PC and the white pad with the Z-AIO, as the red pad was not meant for abrasive products. The car has not looked this good since its first year of life.
Z-CS: This was my first time using Z-CS. It was easy to apply and dried as advertised, but I found it impossible to avoid overspray. The surface did seem to be slightly more reflective but slickness did not improve. In using Z-CS longevity was my primary motivation.
In the end other then the clay I will continue to use all the products above.
My next installment will cover other Zaino products and the consumer reports favored Black Magic.