OK I'm going with Zaino.....I am going with the following roducts:

Z1, Z2, Z5, Z6, and Z7......should I go with the directions it says on the site, or do people do things differently? Is all this stuff worth it, and is there anything else I need?

 

Sounds like you've got the basics.

I find that if you follow the instructions exactly, you get the best results. Use the applicator they recommend (and supply with your order), use ONLY American-made 100% cotton towels, apply polishes very sparingly. Let it dry correctly. Buff it carefully with the towels. Use Z6 between coats of polish.

You do need to strip the old wax off first (Dawn, per the website hints), and clay the entire car first for best results.

I think the stuff is better than anything I have used in more than 40 years of car care.

This should probably be on "Show and Shine".... not here on "Appearance". Brent will probably move it.

 

I realized it was in the wrong section today. So I'm gonna go with it all and spend my $60 on it

 

If you do not already have your own clay bar you will want to get the Zaino Z-18 Clay Bar.

Wash with Dawn first and then dry the car, then clay bar the whole surface for the best possible starting finish.

Also, Z-1 is pretty well the old way of doing things, ZFX activator has pretty much taken over and is what most Zaino users are doing now eliminating the Z-1 coverage step, ZFX allows for much faster dry times, zero curing times so you can do back to back up to three layering coats per day.

Also, Z-5 has been improved so much that its gloss is to me just as good as the Z-2 so if you want to save funds, drop the Z-2 and Z-1 and get the ZFX and/or the Z-18 clay bar unless of course you already have your own clay bar.

For more info, contact me directly, I am a Zaino professional

 

Yes, get the claybar.

I actually PREFER Z1 to ZFX. The whole mixing and risk-of-waste thing isn't cool with me... and I have the patience to spend a few hours detailing on a nice sunny day

 

How much is the ZFX activator compated to Z1? I'm going with a generic clay bar from Auto zone

 

ZFX sells for 19.95, Z-1 sells for 8.95

There is not really any such thing as a generic clay bar, AutoZone around my area sells the Mothers clay bar but it is a 2 ounce bar for about 15 dollars where the Zaino Z-18 is a 4 ounce bar for 16.95 and sometimes AutoZone sells the Clay Magic bar but it is also a 2 oucne bar for 9.99 but is still not as good a buy as the Zaino Z-18 Clay Bar. What ever you do, DO NOT buy NOR use the Meguiars clay bar, it is junk.

 

So what do you suggest I buy?

 

The Zaino clay bar is a fair price for the buck, and is better than the others I have tried.

Only the Mothers clay bar is close.

 

Get the ZFX additive and the Z-18 clay bar.

 

Agreed. If I had to chose between the 2, I'd get Z1 over ZFX. In addition to the above, it's cheaper and the chemical cleaners in Z1 seem to provide a little slicker finish compared to ZFX.

 

when applying over brand new paint ( couple days old). do I need to let the paint cure by itself for a couple of months, if not, Do I need to use the clay bar first???

 

I'm no expert, but I'm fairly certain you need to let the paint cure a while longer than a few days.

 

I recall reading a very informative posting from a body shop owner, who Zaino's freshly painted cars. I don't think that would be a problem, but i would email Sal Zaino and ask him to be sure.

 

does anyone knows Sal Zaino's e-mail address???