First Zaino Impressions

[Marksman]

Well, I finished tonight's work on my car getting it prepped for prom. First I washed it with Dawn soap to remove all the old wax. Next, I went over the car with the Z-18 clay bar. WOW! The clay is awesome! It just took a whole ton of sh*t off that I didn't know could be removed! I had limited time, so I went kinda quickly, missing a spot here and there, but I still love the results. Well worth it, if you've ever thought about claying.... DO IT!
I then re-washed the car(rather quickly) and began the Zaino process.
I mixed up one ounce of Z-5 with the ZFX. I applied two coats of Z-5 with one of Z-6 in between. I used about 3/4 an ounce for the two coats. Probably used more than needed, but I'm learning. Results? I was not very pleased. I plan on, after prom when I have more time, applying up to four more coats to see if anything happens.
Next I applied a ZFX coat of Z-2. Again, probably used more than was needed but this was my first Zaino run. It made the car rather shiny, but not a whole lot better than my free bottle of Eagle One Wax as you Dry.
Overall: It's alright, I think I will be much more happy after I get the final two coats of Z-2 on tomorrow. My car is white, so I know that it wont look as good as red or black.
Well, that's it! Thanks for reading!
-Marksman

Thanks to Quick GT for his help!

[rollbonez]

Marksman, I know how you feel about the clay! I get my car clayed every 6-8 months just to get all fallout from out of the paint.

Makes it feel like glass again!


tom

[apple jacks48]

When you wash the car with Dawn, do you just put some in a bucket and then fill it with water?

[kmikl]

That's about the long and the short of it.

BTW, claying is a great idea... I've been doing it since I've really had a car that I give a damn about, and I've yet to be disappointed.

Marksman: Did you allow the drying time between coats? I knw ZFX is supposed to speed drying times, however, from the people that use it arond here (with white cars) usually say it's great stuff... Just as a suggestion, you may want to allow it a night of drying the next time. it will probably make the shine come up a bit more.

Also, did you get the wax for light paint or dark paint? I'd think that the dark paint wax would be better since it needs to be clearer, but who knows.. it might make a difference.

[Marksman]

Hey guys, it was the lighting!! I was in the garadge the whole time when it was dark out. Yesturday when I applied a coat of Z-6 after school, I saw the shine in full light with only one coat of Z-2...
WOW!!!!!!! Holy balls that's a nice finish! I still have a few coats to apply today before everything gets started!
Just thought I'de let you guys know! I retract all other statements about Zaino!
-Marksman

[sunrunner_pei]

Originally posted by Marksman
Hey guys, it was the lighting!! I was in the garadge the whole time when it was dark out. Yesturday when I applied a coat of Z-6 after school, I saw the shine in full light with only one coat of Z-2...
WOW!!!!!!! Holy balls that's a nice finish! I still have a few coats to apply today before everything gets started!
Just thought I'de let you guys know! I retract all other statements about Zaino!
-Marksman

Good stuff!! I thought something had to be wrong... Either wasn't applied correctly, not mixed with ZFX properly, or something. Glad it worked well for you!


Now I just gotta get off my lazy ass and Zaino my '03. :lol:

[Travis99GT]

I need to Zaino my car too, but Meguiars is doing me good till I can get all the stuff I need :D

[mtnagel]

Originally posted by apple jacks48
When you wash the car with Dawn, do you just put some in a bucket and then fill it with water?
I'm curious about the Dawn? I have some spots by the wheels that I think I "waxed" in because they will not wash off, so I'm curious how to remove all the wax and start over. I may just have to get some of this Zaino stuff.

BTW, how long does it last? I usually hand wax 2 times a year (spring and fall).

[JayDoc]

Originally posted by mtnagel
BTW, how long does it last? I usually hand wax 2 times a year (spring and fall).

It's highly doubtful that any wax will last much more than 2 months--unless it's on a garage queen. Guru reports has documented Zaino still protecting like new at 4 months. That's when they decided to stop testing. From my experience, Zaino is still going strong at 6 months. I've heard the same from other users.

[mtnagel]

Maybe we need to define what "last" means? To me it means if the water still beads up, then it is lasting that long. Even not using Zaino, mine still beads up after 6 months.

[JayDoc]

Originally posted by mtnagel
Maybe we need to define what "last" means? To me it means if the water still beads up, then it is lasting that long. Even not using Zaino, mine still beads up after 6 months.

Beading and bead size are a part of what “last” means. It also includes things like shine, gloss, color enhancement, depth, durability, reflectivity, slickness, and protection (i.e., not letting environmental stuff etch into the paint, UV light, etc.).

What kind of wax are you using? I’ve never seen 1 coat of wax last much over two months on a daily driver. Beading doesn’t necessarily mean there is wax on the paint. The first time I looked at my car on the dealer’s lot, it was a rainy day and there were thumbtack- to dime-sized beads all over my car. However, I confirmed that the paint hadn’t been treated with anything since it arrived at the dealership. When I touched it, it felt like squeaky clean glass.

[mtnagel]

I last used Armor All Diamond Shine - I know everyone thinks that unless it's Mequirs or Zaino, then it sucks, but I used it before I started reading this site. Anyways, I do have beading of water after several months. If I wash it, it has a pretty decent shine. No, it isn't show-room shine, but it's good enough for me. I was always under the impression that if the water beaded up that the car was protected (I think I read that on Car Talk).