Users of Zaino Brothers wax

[jmidolo]

I used it on this GN I recently sold and was very impressed with it. Not cheap, but the whole system can do something like 20 waxes. Comes out to be about 5 bux a wax. Reading their suggestions their sites it seems there's a few preferred steps to do depending on the type of finish. Newew car vs. older car. I used the following on a a 5 yr old repaint and was happy. I am going to be doing the M once it warms up as well as the Limited. Here's my steps, how does it compare to what you've used?

Dawn wash, Zaino wash, clay, Z2 w/sfx, z6 spray, z5, Z6 spray, z5, z6 spray, z2, z6 spray

[JayC]

I got two words for you.

Meguiars NXT

[jmidolo]

I got two words for you.

Meguiars NXT


Details, Details fewl! :) Is it a one step thing? what's the prep before hand, clay? nothing? What about hold up to rain/sun, how often you gotta do it?

[JayC]

Its a one step product although you should do some kind of surface prep beforehand on any wax job you do. I personally use a light leveling compound with my PC (Porter Cable polisher) and then do the NXT. Durability seems to be pretty good so far but IMO none of the high end polishes have great durability with the exception of the Klasse stuff but I dont think the Klasse stuff shines as well.

Bottom line, for something you can walk in Walmart and buy for $14.00 a bottle, the NXT is kick ass stuff.

[HairDrier]

I got two words for you.

Meguiars NXT

Available at your local Autozone?

[JayC]

Im not sure if Vatozone is selling it or not. Walmart has the wax and the spray protectant for sure and I believe they are also carrying the car wash and the detailing spray wax. Its good stuff.

[QuickWE4]

From my own experience, I think Zaino is probably the best in terms of maintaining the finish of a show car, but I think that there are probably other waxes/polishes that will be more durable with cars that are washed more often.

My application of Zaino was as follows (very similar to yours except that the SFX was not available when I did my initial application two years ago):

Dawn wash, Z1, and then applied Z5 right over the top of Z1, removed both, then applied Z5 multiple coats of Z3 while wiping down the whole car with Z6 in between coats. I have about 7 coats of Z3 on the car right now.

I should add that the car is a low-mile garage queen, and it actually hasn't been washed in three years, but it does shine like a mirror. Before Zaino, I had tried a few other brands with mixed results. It's all in the application with Zaino.

When I had my Lightning and was active on the Lightning forums, a lot of guys were talking about this stuff called Cherry Wet - I think it's sold out of California. Supposed to be a good all-around polish that is easily applied and removed - probably better for cars that are driven/washed regularly. I have also had good luck with Meguiar's and Liquid Glass. Liquid Glass does contain a small amount of abrasive though, and I would never use it on a black or dark car.

My .02...

Rich :rock:

[Big Mike]

This was the best thing I used on my black cars!Those who have seen my wax collection in my garage know the stuff that I have used and have.Not the cheap stuff either.Used the complete step the first time and it really lasts and since the I just use the spray after a wash!

[brandon87gta]

I'll agree with you on that, Zaino is the best stuff to use on black cars. I remember the first time the original owner of my GN saw it in person at Norwalk last year. He thought it was a different car :D

Brandon

[turbojimmy]

I'll agree with you on that, Zaino is the best stuff to use on black cars. I remember the first time the original owner of my GN saw it in person at Norwalk last year. He thought it was a different car :D

Brandon

Ditto. Zaino hands down. I've put lots of stuff on my el Cheapo paint job but Zaino makes it look like a show car. And it still beads like the day I put it on - over a year ago. One application. Great stuff.

Jim

[jmidolo]

The ZFX is not cheap, but it does make the job go a lot faster. Should see the size of the "bottle" if you coulc call it that. It's basically about 20 drops of fluid for 35 bux or whatever it is...lol

[Rob]

I use Zaino and love it. Been using it since 98 or so. Almost wants to me to go get a black car again...

It lasts quite awhile also. I haven't done my wife's Malibu in over a year and it still beads up and looks good. I usually will do the TA once a month. I clay the car in the spring and start putting on the Z2. Lots of Z6 for taking off the pollen.

Its the best stuff I've used. :goldcup:

[BoostedmaxPSI]

What Zanio product should I use with the factory paint on my GN? Z2?

FS

[jmidolo]

What Zanio product should I use with the factory paint on my GN? Z2?

FS

With Zaino, it's a system. You can't just put down one type of product. Well, I suppose you could, but it's not how it was designed to be used and results will probably not be worth the money spent on just one product. You really have to use the whole shebang..

[lazaris]

Ive used Zaino with excellent results.
I just tried this and the results were just as good and alot easier to do.
http://www.properautocare.com/blackfireusa.html

[JayC]

Ive used Zaino with excellent results.
I just tried this and the results were just as good and alot easier to do.
http://www.properautocare.com/blackfireusa.html


Blackfire seems to have a reputation for leaving oily streaks.. did you notice any of that?

[BoostedmaxPSI]

With Zaino, it's a system. You can't just put down one type of product. Well, I suppose you could, but it's not how it was designed to be used and results will probably not be worth the money spent on just one product. You really have to use the whole shebang..

Yup, yup. I was wondering what product to use for the factory paint. If i'm not mistaken Zanio offers several differnt products for various types of paint jobs such a clearcoat or lacquer.

[QuickWE4]

For the black used on TR's, it's a single-stage lacquer paint job, so you'll want to use Z3.

I also believe this applies to white.

If you have metalflake in your paint, you have clear over it so you need to use Z2.

Zaino is the only polish/wax I've ever used that does not streak on dark colors. And if you do get minor streaking, a quick wipe-down with Z6 will take care of that.

Here's an example of what 7 coats of Zaino will do to a WE4 :rock:

Rich

[zam70]

I've been involved in show cars and paint forever (it seems). Tried them all...
Here's my take on things:

There are ALOT of different polishes/waxes that will give your car a great appearance. Most of it is in the application and initial prep (Strip old wax, good high speed buff buff job, hand glaze and then wax). Maguires products were always my fav closely followed by Mothers and race glaze.

For those of you who haven't seen my car, it shines like a feakin' mirror and shows every flaw, spec 'o dust, water spot etc... ANYWAY -

most of the waxes I used would make the car look great but if a drop of water happened to get on a horizontal surface and dry, it would leave an unremovable water spot that only a high speed buffing would remove (my garage roof leaks a little - right on the hood :dong:) . It totally drove me nuts!

I decided to give Zaino a try. A friend of mine used it and swore by it...placed my order and away we went...what's another product to add to my wax collection.

Upon inspection, all their "system" is, is a good paint care system arranged so it's easy for the average person to understand application and prep.

*clay bar - substitute for the high speed buff (the buffing is much better though)
*Z2 - is a hand glaze
*Z5 - is a "wax"
*Z6 - is a finishing product to remove any missed residue (watered down wax basically, used to make my own)

Anyway...I go through the whole process following their directions to the letter except the clay bar. (HINT - the longer you let the stuff dry, the easier/better it comes off. I let mine dry over night in between each step)
When all finished, the car basically didn't look any different than it ever did....remember though, my paint looked great to start with...

Now to the point of all my babble. A few weeks after I'm done, I notice there are some water spots in the hood that I'd missed prior to applying the Zaino. So to my shop it goes to get the hood buffed...The Sikkens rep happens to be there that day and says "HEY, I'll buff it for you". OK fine...

A while later he walks up to me and says "What the **** do you have on that hood??? What ever it is, the buffer can't get through it!" So I tell him Zaino. So he grabs some wax stripper - nothing. Tries a few other things - NOTHING. Finally he gets some M600 (a light paint solvent/degreaser) and that finally takes it off. He buffs it up and it looks great. I reapply the Zaino to the hood.

A few weeks later, I get lazy and don't cover the car after a drive. The next morning i wake up and it had rained...freakin' water spots dried all over the hood and roof (remember my garage roof leaks). I figure - it's going to need another buff. Just for shits a giggles I grab the Z6 spray. Spray it down, wipe it off and the SPOTS ARE completely GONE. I'm amazed!

My point - Most of the products will shine the same when applied properly but, ZAINO is far superior in its protection properties. I also noticed that bugs literally rinse off the car now, no soap, no pressure wash...just a water hose.

Sorry so long but...that's my Buck 'O 5 on the matter. Only Zaino for me.

[jmidolo]

Interesting story. Most people think its all about the shine and forget about a good waxes protection properties also. I've never been a fan of Hi Speed buffing. Too easy to burn the paint even with an experienced hand. I've used orbital buffers, I have a dual head Cyclone buffer. Very nice, does a good job, I used it for removal of waxes and polishes, not application usually. I still prefer doing everything by hand though. I've also used a 10" polishers/buffer on low speed w/a foam eggcrate pad and do like that a lot as well.

If Zaino is applied per the instructions, by hand and using the clay first, you will get rid of/hide any swirls. I was amazed how well it works. They say to use front/back motion on hood/trunk/roof and up/down motion on sides. So when the light hits it, it refracts and you get maximum shine/hiding of swirls/scrathes. After each coat of Z5, you could just see the swirls disappearing!

Here's a few Zaino job pics. This was on a 5 yr or so old GN Repaint that was not a top shelf paint job...the results were amazing.

[zam70]

Yep - High speed is risky and I wouldn't suggest it to the inexperienced. It does work best though. The low speed "polishers" don't create enough heat to do the job right IMO.

[lazaris]

Jay,

Not at all. I used both the Gloss Enhancing Polish and then the All Finish Paint Protection. I was really impressed with it. Very easy to use and remove. It also lasts for a really long time.

[jdsfastgn]

i love zaino, it makes my mostly stock paint look pretty nice heres a few pics of the car. It has its flaws but over all looks really good.

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/1/web/421000-421999/421730_43_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/1/web/421000-421999/421730_3_full.jpg http://www.ls1camaro.net/freehosting/000527-003.jpg

oh and how do i shrink them to where you can just click on them like ealier in the thread?

[gnsrule]

My once a year polishing usually includes hitting it w/ a cheap polisher useing Meguires Glaze and then Meguires Hi Tech Yellow wax. Looks good, even great...Till I did the 1/2 the hood w/ the Zaino instead of the Meguires. Even after the glaze which was done hard enuff to get out where my cat slid down the hood w/ the binders on :add_schac , it was still definatly Blue vrs the Zaino Black. Awsum shit. A bitch to do, but worth it IMO.
BTW, for the polisher, I use only the foam pads, never a wool or terry cloth.
Just my o2.

[lazaris]

My once a year polishing usually includes hitting it w/ a cheap polisher useing Meguires Glaze and then Meguires Hi Tech Yellow wax. Looks good, even great...Till I did the 1/2 the hood w/ the Zaino instead of the Meguires. Even after the glaze which was done hard enuff to get out where my cat slid down the hood w/ the binders on :add_schac , it was still definatly Blue vrs the Zaino Black. Awsum shit. A bitch to do, but worth it IMO.
BTW, for the polisher, I use only the foam pads, never a wool or terry cloth.
Just my o2.

Yes it is more work with the Zaino but the results are there. Thats why I went to the Blackfire. Same results but the process is easier.

[PONY KLR]

ive got zaino and i put 5 coats of z 2 on do i just use the z5 from now on or what?

[Big Mike]

In my garage I have around 17 different wax's and 3 step treatments.I tried the zaino and it is the only thing I will use from now on.I did a half a hood on my friends car(black truck) and over the winter he keeps calling me and said the salt hardly stick to the paint and want's me to do the rest in the spring.I do notice that there is hardly and dust on the car after a drive.Usually after a wax job and a night of driving,iI would find a small layer of dust on my car.Not with Zaino.
He is a picture after a week of driving and no wash and 1 coat of the Zaino that was done at the begining of last summer.The picture was taken in Oct before the winter sleep.This was scanned from a photo.

[Renthorin]

You are all overlooking the most important aspect of Zaino..... it smells good!

[zam70]

ive got zaino and i put 5 coats of z 2 on do i just use the z5 from now on or what?

you just need to use the spray..

[jmidolo]

Yea, it does smell great too..big plus. LOL

I can't wait for it to warm up a bit and Zaino up the M..that should really look nice. The most important step to the whole process it to clay the car first though. I thought that it would be a huge pain in the ass, but it really wasn't bad at all. I mean, you don't need to really PUSH on the clay..just keep it lubed'd w/a water/soap mix and it glides very easy and gives you a clean, smooth optically clear base to start with.

[JayC]

I should just change the name of this forum to the Zaino forum.

There are many, MANY other products out there that are as good or better than Zaino. Zaino is just the buzzword from 2 years ago that everyone here is still stuck on. I'm not saying that Zaino is bad, Im just saying that it isn't the end-all for car wax either.

For those of you really interested in detailing and finding out what really is the latest and greatest and what isn't, check out autopia.org. That is the best detailing forum on the 'net and there are plenty of knowledgeable people there.

[zam70]

True JayC, alot of products can out gloss Zaino BUT, I will throw down the gauntlet and proclaim - NOTHING protects your paint better than Zaino...

[JayC]

Take a look at the Klasse products. For a sealant, they are pretty much considered to be the best.