Durabilty or Frequency?

J

Johnnie27

New member
I'm still learing a lot about detailing and I'm getting ready to detail my truck and my wifes car. I'm really not into paying much attention to my vehicles but it needs to be done. Ultimately I'm mainly looking to clean the paint and give it a decent shine that will last a while. I've been doing a lot or reading here and here's what I've decided.



Wash

Clay

ZAIO

Z-5



That should give me a nice shine for a few months. However, I've been thinking. I know Zaino products are top notch but I was thinking, is there a product that's more durable? What products are available that will last longer than 3-4 months. Like I said, I'm really not into detailing my cars, and I admit it. Instead of using the Z-5, is there a better finishing product that will last longer and more durable?



I know most of your autopians will say go for the frequency but I just don't get excited about detailing my vehicles so I'm looking for durablilty.



Thanks,



J
 
Get some Collinte 476S/845 or JW: Acrylic Jett Trigger. Those are probably rivals to Z-5 as far as durability.



By the way, you shouldn't 'admit' you're not into detailing here, probably won't get great advice...:nono
 
BMW335i said:
Get some Collinte 476S/845 or JW: Acrylic Jett Trigger. Those are probably rivals to Z-5 as far as durability.



By the way, you shouldn't 'admit' you're not into detailing here, probably won't get great advice...:nono
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Let me rephrase, I'd rather hang out with my 1 year old son then clean my truck. When I was single, not married, no kids, I was always cleaning my vehicles.



J
 
Looks, shine, slickness, etc aside, and just focusing on a durable protective product, Zaino is one of the best. That said, Duragloss #105, Collinte (476 or 885), Klasse, Werkstatt are other options that can provide equivalent protection and longevity of Zaino. Of course, each has their own subjective look, but that's for another day. :)
 
Yes, IMO, you will be absolutely fine with the products you mentioned. It's an excellent lineup to do exactly what your requirements are: Maximize durability, top notch finish and minimal upkeep.



You may want to add some QD or booster sealant to your lineup so that after washing you can quickly and easily put some shinners back on. I'd recommend some Z8 so that you are adding some protection at the same time.
 
I believe your choice is a good one, if not the best, for durability and ease of use. Another combo since you are going with ZAIO (excellent choice) is just Z8. ZAIO is quite durable, cleans and mildly polishes the finish. If maintained with Z8 after every other wash you can retain a wonderfully protected and visually attractive vehicle and have a whole lot of time for you son.



Actually start him out early in vehicle care and let him help you.;)
 
Johnnie27- Here's something to consider (and I welcome comments from Zaino users):



Sealants like Zaino (even the Z5) are, *IMO* only good for vehicles with basically flawless finishes. Sealants don't conceal flaws the way carnaubas and "filler-rich glazes topped with wax" can. This can lead to a vehicle that's shiny and protected but still looks crappy.



The only time I use sealants (and I do use them on two of our vehicles) is when I can get, *and KEEP* a basically flawless finish- no marring, no swirls, no imperfections that'll draw the eye. On all the others (and they're sure not shabby looking by any standards, even "Autopian" ones ;) ) I use polishes that do a little concealing and I top with carnauba waxes like Collinite, which last for many months.



Getting a finish good enough to look right with sealants can be a bear (and I use rotaries and Cyclos when I do it). And after that you need to *keep* it flawless. I consider myself quite skilled at washing without inducing marring; I take very good care of our vehicles. But the ones that have sealants on them, and hence have to stay as close to flawless as humanly possible, take a special degree of care that I wouldn't wish on most casual enthusiasts. Better for most people to accept imperfection and use products/procedures that allow an imperfect finish to look its best.



I'll risk being a broken record and reiterate my absolute conviction that 1Z polishes topped with Collinite are the right way to go in cases like this. It's what I do on my Blazer, which is about as close to a "normal person's vehicle" as we have in our family. FWIW I applied the last coat of Collinite in early September, and it's still holding up fine (but I *do* apply a QD after most washes, only takes a few minutes while drying). Sorry for the hard-sell :o but I want Johnny27 to get this right the first time and to end up keeping the vehicles nice indefinitely, not just struggle with them once or twice and say "forget it, not worth it".
 
Collinite is a one step product, lasts a long time, and looks great! I'll give it one coat then a second the next time I wash my vehicle. DG if you use the 601 followed by the 105, topped with the AW, gives a great shine and longevity. However there is more time involved with the curing of the 105 before adding the AW. All are geat products you just need to find what suits you best. Haven't used Zaino for years but from what I read it's the cream of the crop.
 
You might also want to consider the Werkstatt brand of detailing supplies.

Acrylic Prime Plus and Acrylic Jett Trigger describe exactly what you want. The durability of the Klasse twins ( maybe better) with very easy application .



FWIW, I agree with you, spend as much time with your son as you can. When he gets a little older, make him your #1 helper on detailing, this kind of time is never wasted !!



Changeling
 
Maybe we are over/under-estimating John's own evaluation of his finish. I am assuming he has decided that a mild polish/cleanser (ZAIO) is all he needs to receive a flawless finishes. :nixweiss
 
blkZ28Conv said:
Maybe we are over-estimating John's own evaluation of his finish. I am assume he has decided that a mild polish/cleanser is all he needs to receive a flawless finishes. :nixweiss
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Mainly I'm just wanting to clean the paint and give it a decent shine with some protection that will last a while. I really don't need a car show finish. Plus, I love in California so I'm really not effected by the elements.
 
Johnnie27 said:
Mainly I'm just wanting to clean the paint and give it a decent shine with some protection that will last a while. I really don't need a car show finish. Plus, I love in California so I'm really not effected by the elements.
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John,

You will be surprised how well ZAIO eliminate minor marring and spiderwebbing. If applying by hand, just fold a 100% cotton rag and create a polishing pad. Some areas may need more pressure applied. but a near flawless finish can be achieved. The initial cleansing/polishing will be the longest time consumer but afterwards with careful washing Zaino or whatever products you choose will be less time consuming.
 
blkZ28Conv said:
Maybe we are over/under-estimating John's own evaluation of his finish. I am assume he has decided that a mild polish/cleanser (ZAIO) is all he needs to receive a flawless finishes. :nixweiss
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Since I don't know from ZAIO I'm *really* hesitant to say much...but it just seems to me that most vehicles need a polish with some "oomph" to it (that's still easy to use) and I just don't see very many vehicles that I'd say are sealant-worthy (even among cars in "very nice condition", scare-quotes intentional ;) ). I'm equating Johnny27's situation with, say, what I'd tell my relatives or friends who basically couldn't care less about this stuff but want to do something beyond the local carwash (said people always like the 1Z/Collinite route so I'm speaking from direct experience with non-Autopians). FWIW, I tried doing the sealant thing (Klasse twins) on a relative's car and ended up pretty frustrated with how it looked; for the time/effort I was willing to expend I do a *lot* better with the other route. "Normal" cars just need too much prep work for sealants, but that's just in my experience.



Ah..."I really don't need a car show finish.." that's exactly what I was thinking :D IMO sealants are best when they *do* go on a showcar-level finish. IMO mediocre finishes (no insult intended, guess I should've said "normal finishes") look a lot better with waxes on them.



We're probably gonna give Johnny27 a headache with this stuff ;)
 
One step shine, I would go with Megs NXT personally. It is very good for someone who does not want to spend hours on their car. Durability will not come close to competing with some of the others though. But you can pick it up at your local walmart.
 
Thanks Accumulator and everyone else.



What are other opinons on Accumulator's thoughts regarding showcar finishes and sealants versus normal finishes and wax's?
 
Johnnie27 said:
Thanks Accumulator and everyone else.



What are other opinons on Accumulator's thoughts regarding showcar finishes and sealants versus normal finishes and wax's?
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Bluntly? He's 100% right. He always is. If member "Scottmax" drops in, listen to him too, they are both "very" helpful, typing 5 min replies numerous times a day, so take advanage of their helpful tendencies, I have. :dance
 
Johnnie27 said:
My truck is silver and my wife's car is maroon.
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Silver is a great candidate for a sealant like Zaino even without a "show car" Prep.



Maroon if it is metallic will also work great.



Accumulator has brought some goods points. Unfortunately, there are no short-cut severe prep products. It all depends on your acuity to surface marring.

Waxes, glazes, and oils do nothing for my acuity to surface marring. I see everything and what I can't see I look for. I know there are there somewhere.:help:

Pretty sick, but detailing is my hobby.:wall



In short, if your finish(es) is/are in very poor condition all product lines will require a good polishing step initially for even just a "good" appearance.
 
blkZ28Conv said:
Silver is a great candidate for a sealant like Zaino even without a "show car" Prep.



Maroon if it is metallic will also work great.



Accumulator has brought some goods points. Unfortunately, there are no short-cut (prep) products. It all depends on your acuity to surface marring.

Waxes, glazes, and oils do nothing for my acuity to surface marring. I see everything and what I can't see I look for. I know there are there somewhere.:help:

Pretty sick, but detailing is my hobby.:wall



In short, if your finish(es) is/are in very poor condition all product lines will require a good polishing step initially for even just a "good" appearance.
Click to expand...



Right, but I 'think' what Accumulator is saying (and I agree with), is that even a 90% finish will see benefit to a 'slight' filer glaze/carnauba combo. While I'm sure your cars are great looking, can you really say they are 100% marr free and wouldn't benefit in the slightest from a glaze/carnauba combo? I'm just stirring thought because it seems as though Zaino lovers will go to great lengths to downplay any benefits to a wax. No hard feelings, I have used Zaino and like it....not on my Dad's red NSX though, the wax looked better but that's another story. :bolt
 
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