Being that you are supposed to use Z2 on a bare surface....

[dogma]

Warm water and dawn, then Z6 ,then Z5 followed by Z2 pro.

Works for me.

 

[ZaneO]

Well, maby I jumped to a conclusion when I read "wax".

http://store.bettercarcare.com/detailingclay.html

About 3/4 down the page past claying is paint cleaning info. I read that AIO has wax in it.

Now after seeing that its an acrylic begs the question as to the compatibility w/Z for maintaning Zs longevity. And am I giving up ant longevity by useing Sonus?

Most all of this has been discussed many times before. AIO doesn't have "wax" in it, it's an acrylic protectant. I, along with many others, have used AIO as a base for Zaino with no problems.

 

[buldog]

Quote from Sal

" The first thing you should do is wash your vehicle thoroughly with Dawn (or comparable) dish soap to remove any wax, grease, and oil from your paint. Then, my recommendation is to use Z-18 ClayBar to remove any bonded surface contaminants such as rail dust, tree sap, bug marks, or hard water deposits from the paint before applying any of your Zaino products.Using Clay is optional, but it really does make a difference!!"



And if you're still not sure wash it twice.

 

[ZaneO]

Sal only recommends Dawn to those who can't or don't know how to prep their car the right way.

 

[X-Trail]

I talked to sal before, and he recommends Alcohol wipe before applying Zaino.

So whatever you do (Polish, AIO), ALWAYS do an alchohol wipe before applying the 1st layer of Zaino. It takes less than 5 minute anyway. My observation was Zaino is easier to remove.

 

[Dave N]

Last fall I used Menzerna FPII followed by an isopropanol wipe-down to get the cleanest possible surface prep. Then I put on 3 coats of Z2/ZFX. The Z2 was still beading strong in January, which surprised me. I have used Z2 (and Z5) many times, over AIO, and over other polishes (washing after polishing), but I have never had the Zaino last this long.



I kind of wonder if you use a filler-laden polish like 3M SMR, if one Dawn wash is really enough to remove all of the oils. :nixweiss I've Dawn washed one car that had some pedestrian brand of wax on it, and it was still beading strong after the Dawn.

 

[wannafbody]

IMO if 1 dawn wash removes your "wax" its a pretty crappy wax-i've used claybar and 50A/50W mix on Collinite 845 and didn't remove it:xyxthumbs

 

[ZaneO]

Collinite isn't a typical wax.

 

[Bill D]

yeah, actually Collinite is synthetic. That said, last time I Dawn washed a car, it was topped with P21s and after the washing I saw spots on the paint where the wax still seemed intact: beading with the water rolling from the beads just how the entire car did prior to the Dawn wash. So in my experience, it's not a very effective wax removing step any way.



During any full detail, I will always wash with car wash, clay, apply a wax removing solvent-Prep all, Prepsol, Acrysol,etc ( per panel at a time) then the paint is truly "naked" and ready for defect correction and/or LSP application.

 

[atticdog]

would it be ok to go over S100 cleanser with zaino?

 

[Bill D]

Welcome to Autopia, Atticdog :wavey



I'd say no due to the S100 cleanser's filler-oil content. However, I read good reports of Zaino being applied to a AIO prepped surface.

 

[atticdog]

Thanks Bill

Ive been reading and learning alot here

 

[imported_Jinba ittai]

Interesting thread...



What about washing with Dawn, then applying a 3M glaze such as 5990 Imperial Hand Glaze? Or would it just be better to Dawn, clay and apply Zaino?



I just got the car repainted and was assured that it wasn't waxed but I'm wondering what was used to polish it.

 

[imported_memnuts]

Interesting thread...



What about washing with Dawn, then applying a 3M glaze such as 5990 Imperial Hand Glaze? Or would it just be better to Dawn, clay and apply Zaino?



I just got the car repainted and was assured that it wasn't waxed but I'm wondering what was used to polish it.

Most glazes are oil based so I would wash at least with Z7. A one-time Dawn wash would be better.

Also another option would be a 50:50 IPA wipe down, clay (oil / silicone-free lube should be used or 1 capful of Z7 in 16 oz of water is also a great clay lube), Z7 wash , if necessary to remove any clay residue, then Zaino away.

 

[picorrect]

I did Meguiars #80 with a PC over the weekend. Washed down the car with plain water then did a coat of Z2 and it looks phenominal. Water beads fine and no streaks whatsoever. I'm starting to think Sal is just a little too anal retentive.



My only concern is longevity, which is not such a big deal considering the shine.

 

[KgSolomon1]

To add to this topic, I've been a zaino user for 4 years. Usually I would wash, clay, then while the car is still wet I would apply z-5 w zfx 3 layers and then a layer of z-2 to finish it off. Always perfect shine, except for if I had swirls then I would have to polish before washing again and then puting on zaino. Every winter I was surprised how well it shined and was still slick after car washes, and this is Wisconsin with so much salt black cars look ugly grey unless maintined. I have never done alcohol prep, but this year I'll add the simple step and see if it does imrpove at all.



For the spring, I'm probably going to purchase menzerna FP-II, IP, and PG for my swirls/scratches (was deciding between those and Poorboy's SSR's) and trying to decide wether or not to stay with zaino or to try a different sealer. I love the durability and reflectiveness of zaino, but when I tried my friend's souveran I nearly peed myself lol. Is there anyway to make zaino look wetter? Or do I need to top it with a carnuba, or would something like poorboy's ex be a better looking protectant for my black car? Otherwise whats the best sealent to be topped?

 

[ZaneO]

I'm starting to think Sal is just a little too anal retentive.

Yeah, I'm sure Sal doesn't know too much about his own product, so he's just trying to cover his butt.

 

[imported_memnuts]

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Originally posted by NSXNEXT

I'm starting to think Sal is just a little too anal retentive.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Sal is in a positive way. :xyxthumbs

He will not sit on past laurels and will not introduce items until they has been tweaked to "his" satisfaction. I am amazed on how "anal" he is about developing the best product to the point of sometimes frustration because he will not release an item until it "completely" meets his goal of perfection. There have been several past beta products that would have filled an essential gap in his system but rather than jump in the deep end of an already crowded detailing segment, he is working on developing the best product for this niche for his system.





Very, very close. :bounce

 

[imported_Burlyq]

I did Meguiars #80 with a PC over the weekend. Washed down the car with plain water then did a coat of Z2 and it looks phenominal. Water beads fine and no streaks whatsoever. I'm starting to think Sal is just a little too anal retentive.



My only concern is longevity, which is not such a big deal considering the shine.

I agree completely. I often mix combo's that ZB's wouldn't agree with, and the results look awesome. But it is also probably good Sal in anal about his products too. That's probably what keeps Zaino's quality standard high.