Thinking of trying Zaino, have a few questions....
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Registered User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 46
From: Welcome to Chicago. Get out while you are still alive.
Thinking of trying Zaino, have a few questions....
I know we all have heard the hype and seen the pictures, so I thinking to taking the plunge into the Zaino products.
I just have a few questions:
What Zaino products do I really need to get a nice shine and paint protection? I' don't need all of them do I?
Do some websites sell Zaino for more money that others? Is the official site the best place to order from?
How do I prepare my car for my first coat of Zaino? The last time I waxed the car was in September with Meguires wax. I assume that the road salt has worn away all traces of the wax by now. Should I wash the car with dishwashing detergent first?
Thanks for any help/advice you guys can give me.
Flare65
2001 Camaro
Monterey Maroon Metallic paint
I just have a few questions:
What Zaino products do I really need to get a nice shine and paint protection? I' don't need all of them do I?
Do some websites sell Zaino for more money that others? Is the official site the best place to order from?
How do I prepare my car for my first coat of Zaino? The last time I waxed the car was in September with Meguires wax. I assume that the road salt has worn away all traces of the wax by now. Should I wash the car with dishwashing detergent first?
Thanks for any help/advice you guys can give me.
Flare65
2001 Camaro
Monterey Maroon Metallic paint
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,564
From: Memphis, TN
Re: Thinking of trying Zaino, have a few questions....
Originally posted by Flare65
I know we all have heard the hype and seen the pictures, so I thinking to taking the plunge into the Zaino products.
I just have a few questions:
What Zaino products do I really need to get a nice shine and paint protection? I' don't need all of them do I?
A: If you're just looking for an outstanding shine and protection for just the paint, all you really need are: ZFX, Z2 or Z5 (or both, depends on you and your car's condition), Z7, and Z6. If you're battling with some minor swirls, go with just Z5. Otherwise just get the Z2 polish. I use both on my red and love it. It's up to you.....
Do some websites sell Zaino for more money that others? Is the official site the best place to order from?
A: Only one site that I know of sells Zaino for more than everyone else, and that is www.ecklers.com All other distributors will charge the exact same prices as the Zaino homepage at www.zainobros.com I like ordering from the home office, but you can call or email Sal Zaino for the distributor in your area that probably takes credit cards. His email is wet@zainobros.com If you can't find a local dealer, there are several around the country, like Kevin and Carl on this forum, that would probably be happy to serve you.
How do I prepare my car for my first coat of Zaino? The last time I waxed the car was in September with Meguires wax. I assume that the road salt has worn away all traces of the wax by now. Should I wash the car with dishwashing detergent first?
A: Yes, I'm quite sure most, if not all, of the Meguiar's is gone. However, I'd still do one or two things before using Zaino. Yes, can use DAWN as a quick way to prep the surface, if that's really all it needs. I'd HIGHLY suggest you clay the car with either the Zaino clay or a local product like Mother's or Clay Magic. Claying would remove any remaining wax or oil residue on the surface as well as any buildup of contaminants. If these aren't removed first, you're just sealing in the contaminant particles by polishing over them. But, just FYI, clay will NOT remove Zaino as it's very tough and durable. I have tested this many times and Zaino has always held up to claying very well. Any other surface prep, like using abrasive swirl removers first will also remove any existing wax that might still be there. Therefore, using DAWN would not be necessary, just use a normal car wash soap first. However, after any swirl removers you may use, you will need to rewash with Z7 soap or use the Z6 QD spray to remove the oils left by the swirl remover so the Zaino polish can bond properly. So.....you have several options depending on your car's condition. Personally, I'd suggest you start out claying it, then use any necessary swirl removers or paint cleaners, wash, then begin Zaino. Surface prep is the key to getting a show stopping finish and extending the protection, otherwise you're "waxing" over surface imperfections, and you'll have imperfect results.
Thanks for any help/advice you guys can give me.
A: You're quite welcome!
I know we all have heard the hype and seen the pictures, so I thinking to taking the plunge into the Zaino products.
I just have a few questions:
What Zaino products do I really need to get a nice shine and paint protection? I' don't need all of them do I?
A: If you're just looking for an outstanding shine and protection for just the paint, all you really need are: ZFX, Z2 or Z5 (or both, depends on you and your car's condition), Z7, and Z6. If you're battling with some minor swirls, go with just Z5. Otherwise just get the Z2 polish. I use both on my red and love it. It's up to you.....
Do some websites sell Zaino for more money that others? Is the official site the best place to order from?
A: Only one site that I know of sells Zaino for more than everyone else, and that is www.ecklers.com All other distributors will charge the exact same prices as the Zaino homepage at www.zainobros.com I like ordering from the home office, but you can call or email Sal Zaino for the distributor in your area that probably takes credit cards. His email is wet@zainobros.com If you can't find a local dealer, there are several around the country, like Kevin and Carl on this forum, that would probably be happy to serve you.
How do I prepare my car for my first coat of Zaino? The last time I waxed the car was in September with Meguires wax. I assume that the road salt has worn away all traces of the wax by now. Should I wash the car with dishwashing detergent first?
A: Yes, I'm quite sure most, if not all, of the Meguiar's is gone. However, I'd still do one or two things before using Zaino. Yes, can use DAWN as a quick way to prep the surface, if that's really all it needs. I'd HIGHLY suggest you clay the car with either the Zaino clay or a local product like Mother's or Clay Magic. Claying would remove any remaining wax or oil residue on the surface as well as any buildup of contaminants. If these aren't removed first, you're just sealing in the contaminant particles by polishing over them. But, just FYI, clay will NOT remove Zaino as it's very tough and durable. I have tested this many times and Zaino has always held up to claying very well. Any other surface prep, like using abrasive swirl removers first will also remove any existing wax that might still be there. Therefore, using DAWN would not be necessary, just use a normal car wash soap first. However, after any swirl removers you may use, you will need to rewash with Z7 soap or use the Z6 QD spray to remove the oils left by the swirl remover so the Zaino polish can bond properly. So.....you have several options depending on your car's condition. Personally, I'd suggest you start out claying it, then use any necessary swirl removers or paint cleaners, wash, then begin Zaino. Surface prep is the key to getting a show stopping finish and extending the protection, otherwise you're "waxing" over surface imperfections, and you'll have imperfect results.
Thanks for any help/advice you guys can give me.
A: You're quite welcome!
Also, don't overlook using the proper towels and wash supplies, or all your efforts are in vein. My current products of choice are the Viking 100% cotton wash mitts and high quality Microfiber towels from www.microfibertech.com You can also use high quality 100% cotton bath towels such as Fieldcrest Charisma, Royal Velvet, POLO, noble choice, etc.... I've used them all and now prefer MF......
Last but not least, have fun, because that's what detailing is all about! In the end, you should have a car that looks great that you can take great pride in keeping looking great.
Mike
Last edited by MikeLS; Mar 14, 2003 at 09:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 46
From: Welcome to Chicago. Get out while you are still alive.
Mike,
Thankyou for your reply. It was very informative. I think my paint is in in like new shape. The Camaro is only about two years old and doesn't have any knicks or scratches in it.
I'll order the clay bar along with the rest of the products. Are there any instructions for using a clay bar? I have never used one before. Is something you use after you wash the car with Dawn?
Thanks!
Flare65
Thankyou for your reply. It was very informative. I think my paint is in in like new shape. The Camaro is only about two years old and doesn't have any knicks or scratches in it.
I'll order the clay bar along with the rest of the products. Are there any instructions for using a clay bar? I have never used one before. Is something you use after you wash the car with Dawn?
Thanks!
Flare65
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,564
From: Memphis, TN
Yep, the claying should be the second step in the process, washing being the first. Most folks that have never clayed are simply amazed at how the finish turns out afterwards. I know I was when first introduced to clay many moons ago and I was using a very low quality clay at that time too. The higher quality clays make the process even better and painless.
Here's a little technical article I did on claying you might like to read. There are also several links to reputable sites that have supporting info.
http://www.aimoo.com/forum/postview....hreadID=361466
HTH!
Here's a little technical article I did on claying you might like to read. There are also several links to reputable sites that have supporting info.
http://www.aimoo.com/forum/postview....hreadID=361466
HTH!
Registered User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 671
From: Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
With your car being a dark color I would suggest ZFX, Z-5, Z-6 and Z-7, if you have not clayed your car I would clay it, with Zaino that is Z-18, but Mother's or Clay Magic's clay work well too.
tar & clay
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,564
From: Memphis, TN
Re: tar & clay
Originally posted by Dak
Does claying remove the little specks of road tar?
Does claying remove the little specks of road tar?
Yes, I'm sure it would, but being that the specks of tar are much bigger than the normal contaminants that the clay bar picks up, there is more of a potential for the clay to scratch when those larger pieces of debris are rubbed across the paint. Keep in mind that the "normal sized" particulates that clay picks up can't be physically seen on the paint, but only felt. So, I personally, wouldn't want to ruin a good clay bar for removing a few tar spots unless it was a last resort or the clay was near the end of its life anyhow. I would check out a good tar removing product like Stoner's Tarminator and work with that first. It will save your clay bar, at the least. Otherwise, to answer the question, I'm pretty sure the clay will work too, I just wouldn't use that bar much on the paint afterwards. You could save it for the wheels or glass.....and use a good bar on the paint.
Last edited by MikeLS; Mar 16, 2003 at 10:53 AM.
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