First time user of Zaino, used the Z-1, Z-2, Z-5, Z-6 and the Clay bar.

Here are my thoughts on the Zaino products.

1. The Clay bar, was much much better than my usual (which I was in LOVE with) Mothers California Gold clay bar. Contaminants came off much easier, and the bar seemed much softer, and easier to use.

2. The polish itself was pretty dag gone good. The shine is deep and very lusterous. It wasnt "Oh my freaking God" good, but it did shine slightly better than my over the shelf items I usually use (Meguires, Mothers, and yes even Zymol). Now I say slightly better knowing that this was my first coat of Zaino, and I even messed up by applying the Z-1, Z-5, and Z-2 in succesion without rubbing off any product first. DOH! And I have a white car. The orange striping looks really good, but white is the hardest color to see a great shine in.

3. Don't expect this to be a short process. I spent about 4 hours total washing, claying, rinsing, drying, Zainoing the car. Maybe I was a bit over cautious about spreading the product really thin, but it did take a little longer than Id of liked to normally have time to spend on it. Even once the process will shorten without having to use the Z-1, its still a long process....not neccessarily bad though. I always figure you get what you put into it. But I can see where alot of people couldn't have time for the process. Next time Ill go with the ZFX and shorten my process greatly.

4. The Z-6 didn't seem to work much better than my usual Mothers quick shine. I even used the Mothers on one quarter panel to compare it, and it looked absolutely the same.

5. The product was extremely easy to apply and take off. I worked less hard to remove product than I ever have. Kudos to Zaino. And it didnt leave any byproduct on my plastic parts of the car...even more Kudos to Zaino.

6. Bang for the buck....thats difficult to tell now. I paid 75.00 for all my product, and if get 8 applications out of it (in the directions it says use half to an entire ounce for a midsized car) then Id say its a tad on the pricey side.


Overall, Im genuinely satisfied. Not overwhelmingly yet....but if its as durable as you guys claim, and it gets better with each coat of Z-2 then Ill be ecstatic.

 

I think if you use all the product right you will get way more then 8 applications. I've been using Zaino for a few months now and still have lots of it left. Also you might realize you don't need to use all the products. All I use everytime is the Z7 and Z5-and every once in a while I will use the Z1, Z2, and Z6.

 

Great! Nice honest review,

Yeah, the initial Z1+Z2orZ5 is the hardest work you'll ever do with the Zaino polishes since more than 1 product is on the surface, and of course, like you said, ZFX takes care of that now too. From now on, you can just apply Z2 or Z5 whenever you want, and it should be very easy on, easy off. Apply more Z1 every 8-10 coats of polish or every 6 months...or you can use ZFX on every coat if/when you try that.

And, I agree with your evaluation of the Z18 clay. It's my favorite clay, bar none, because of how easy it is to use, and it's performance. The Z6 contains some of the same polymers and gloss enhancers as the polishes, so it helps renew/extend the existing shine. I like Z6, but to be honest, I use more Z7, mainly because I only use Z6 when the car is already clean or before/after polishing. I never QD a dirty/dusty car, even if it's very slightly dusty.

When you get a couple more coats on, I think you'll really like the Z polishes, considering how easy they are to use and the level of protection. Plus, you should notice your finish is much easier to keep clean and looking great, i.e. ease of maintainence.

Nice review! Keep up the good work!

 

You should get at least 16 applications from an 8 oz. bottle of polish, and really 24 applications is what you can get if you apply your Zaino thin enough.

 

Yup, I also agree with Carl. At a minimum, you should get 12-16 coats per bottle, and maybe more depending on the size of car and how thin you're applying it. As you get more used to using Z, you'll get better at applying thin coats, and a bottle will last longer. Very few are able to master the thin coat issue from the start, but it's not impossible.... Dampening the app with water or Z6 will help spread the polish thinner, as will Z6ing the finish before applying a coat.

 

Even a good honest review said three things....
1. It took a long time
2. He wasnt overwhelmingly impressed (lookes SLIGHTLY better than the his store bought waxes).
3. It is overpriced (bang for the buck wasnt that good).


Of course he said it in a really nice way and for that you guys wont pounce on him, but nonetheless he basacicly said everything that abpurpleZ28 did.

PS. I saw two +'s in his review.
1. Clay bar was good
2. Zaino was easy to apply and buff off

 

As he gets better at applying it, it will get much more economical. My son gets about 24 coats from a bottle of polish. Since SweetZ28 has both Z-2 and Z-5 he has about 40+ coats he can apply.

Doing all the prep work, which is now done, isn't even a Zaino thing. It should be done regardless of the product you use. It gets MUCH easier and ALOT less time consuming now.

Yes it has a great shine, which I can get with furniture polish, but as he stated he is interested in durability and I'm sure protection. So based on that, he is the perfect person for Zaino.

 

He also did not make untrue claims about other products, nor make untrue statements about Zaino... also he not come onto the forum and troll around under 3 names.

 

True, and Zaino is an enthusiast based polish system intended for those who "want" to put in some quality time keeping a perfect finish. Nearly ALL enthusiast based systems require a little time and effort for the best possible results, in leiu of quickness or mere ease of use. Noone ever said keeping a perfect finish was quick and easy.

Please read this link: http://www.bariaur.com/e39/zaino.html

I agree with most of what he's saying, particularly this: For the most part, the guy is right on in the rest of his analysis too!

 

Just a follow up after my first 4 days with Zaino on my car.


The car is cleaner than ever. Usually I get all kinds of debris stuck to my white paint especially the bumper. Very noticeable. And lots of black exhaust debris too. Its still there after a drive but Id say at about 80 percent less clip. Almost as if it doesnt allow it to stick.

The shine is still good. Its dulled, but very, very little. But you can see that the clear coat is still clean, and shiny. Which never happens with any of the other waxes Ive used.

So far I must say that I am impressed enough to pay more than Id like for another order of Zaino.....without hesitation. And have actually recommended it to two coworkers who drive Fbodies.

 

Trying for yourself and proving it to yourself is the best way.

 

I've found the Z6 to be great for this... I guess it is supposed to be an anti-static agent... and it really does repel a lot fo the floating debris that is attrached to your car...

 

By the Way KevSS. I forgot to thank you greatly for setting me up. And especially for doing it as quickly as promised. You rock in my book.

Tommorrow, a new coat of Z-5, and Z-2 go on.


Question for the Zaino guys though. Would it help to apply a new coat of Z-1 down first. I know that it isnt off my car yet, but should I/ Should I not put a new layer or Z-1 down? Would I be wasting Z-1 If I did?

 

Nope. No need to redo the Z1. Z1 is only used after every 8 to 10 coats of polish or every 6 months on a daily driver. Z1 is just the catalyst that serves to strengthen the initial bond of Z2 or Z5 to the paint. There's no need to apply it often, other than the recommended intervals.

From now on, you can just apply a quick coat of Z2 or Z5 and buff.

You'll find that keeping the car clean and shiny is much easier with Zaino, as not much tends to stick or bond to it. I have not used an abrasive or cleaner on my paint since using Zaino either. A light claying is all you should need to remove contaminants. And, the Z7 wash actually seems to improve the gloss of the existing Z2/Z5 after the first wash or two. Glad you're liking the Z!!