Is Zaino sufficient?

T

twistedman

New member
Hi everyone. I am new to the world of detailing and I've been reading lots of posts and now I have some questions that I hope all you professionals out there can help me answer.



I just got a Sterling Grey Z4 3.0 a few days ago and I want to make sure that I am doing the proper things to maintain the paint and overall appeareance of the car. People on the bimmerfest forum seem to favor the Zaino products very much and after doing some reading on it, I gather that Zaino lasts longer than Carnauba waxes, but Carnauba waxes have a deeper shine and gloss. Is that true?



I am personally satisfied with the shine and gloss provided by Zaino and I would like to give it a try. Can anyone share a first-hand experience with me? Any suggestions on what other products I should use in conjuction with Zaino? And what kinda equipments should I use?



Someone please suggest a good place to buy some MF towels. I live in Vancouver, Canada and there's not that much available here.



I was thinking about using Griot's Speedshine between the times when I Zaino the car to maintain the shine. Are they compatible with each other? Or is there another product that I should consider?



Lastly, I have no idea on how to care for the Soft-top and if anyone can offer some suggestions, that will be great. Thanks for reading this long boring message!!!
 
I asked similar questions about Zaino. I've been using Zaino for about a year .



I was told that Zaino is all the protection my car needs.



I have about 6 coats of Z-2 on the car and it has a very deep shine.



There are some members, however, who will apply S100 or P21S right over Zaino.



Personally, I like the Zaino shine all by itself.......



I touch up with Z6 a couple times a week for that super-slick appearance. When Z6 becomes harder to apply (MF slightly drags), I apply another coat of Z2.



That way it stays pretty all the time!:cool:



In the early spring, I'll Dawn-wash, clay, ZFX, Z2, Z6. Probably 3 coats.
 
I highly recommend using Zaino’s quick detailer and shampoo (Z-6 & Z-7) on a Z’d car, they are great products. Use your favorite products to do prep then wash with something like Dawn before your initial application of Zaino polish.



IMHO carnauba does offer a softer/warmer look with more depth. Zaino is highly reflective and has a great shine. I like both looks, but I will say Z looks great on light colored metallics, your sterling gray will look super.





Adam
 
I've seen quite a few mentions of "Dawn" in several posts and am wondering if you're talking about Dawn liquid dishwashing soap? I've always heard dishwashing liquids were too abrasive. Help me out here! :confused:
 
Jake11375 said:
I've seen quite a few mentions of "Dawn" in several posts and am wondering if you're talking about Dawn liquid dishwashing soap? I've always heard dishwashing liquids were too abrasive. Help me out here! :confused:
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Yes, Dawn Dishwashing liquid.



Dawn has "wax and polish stripping" characteristics that other soaps may not have.



We're not talking about full-strength here. Just a small amount in a bucket of warm water...your wash-mit and Dawn will do the rest.



Then you are ready for clay, polish and wax.
 
Jake11375 said:
I've seen quite a few mentions of "Dawn" in several posts and am wondering if you're talking about Dawn liquid dishwashing soap? I've always heard dishwashing liquids were too abrasive. Help me out here! :confused:
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It’s not abrasive but I guess you could call it harsh. It’s good at removing oils and fillers from polishes and leaving a ‘clean slate’ to apply Zaino to. I don’t think it’s a problem using it once in a great while (every 6-18 months).



Adam
 
Thanks Luster. We're having lots of sleet and snow here in Oklahoma now so as soon as everything clears up, I'll be giving that a try. Nice Grand prix by the way. Keep it clean!!:D
 
If I only had the car for 2 weeks, do i need to clay and polist before using applying the coats on? I will dawn wash but not sure if i need to polish and clay.



Thanks!!
 
NTP_JC-Z4 said:
If I only had the car for 2 weeks, do i need to clay ?

Thanks!!
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If you mean the car is only 2 weeks old, definitely clay. One of clay's most important functions is the removal of RAIL DUST. Cars are transported by rail from the factory to their dealer destinations.



Washing will not remove rail dust.



Actually, even if the car is used, I'd start by claying anyway........(clean slate approach......thanks to whoever coined that phrase in another thread!).......
 
I'm pretty new here and to the world of detailing and have not used Zaino yet but have alll the Zaino stuff and am ready to go soon.



I called Zaino this morning to check on the process to use and the products to use for a first time application.



Sal told me to use Dawn to strip the old wax, then clay if necessary, Z5 if necessary, use Zfx or Z1 (I'll use Zfx) then Z2.



He told me to not use mf towels as they will leave scratches and recommended Cannon or Fieldcrest white cotton towels.



I called the lazaino.com distributor and bought some Fieldcrest towels (he ships them with all lables cut off, hems cut off and resewn with cotton thread, lazaino.com) and am ready to go as soon as I can find a place to do the Dawn wash. It's way to cold to do a hand wash at the car wash but I think I know a guy that will rent me a stall to do the wash.....no drain in my garage.



I have a new PC but I think I'll probably apply the Zaino by hand. What do you think guys?



Thanks, JimS
 
NTP_JC-Z4, congratulations on your new car! :xyxthumbs



I have Steel Gray bimmer and I'm using Klasse with P21S now but I'm switching to Zaino very soon. I love your color choice and I think Zaino is going to complement it, giving it very reflective look that I prefer on metallics.



To maintain the shine all you need to do is wash with Z-7 and QD with Z-6. According to Sal Z-6 is a very important part of the whole line-up as it will improve durability of their Show Car Polishes and restore gloss, slickness and clarity.



For great information on convertible top maintenance read these few articles from CMA: Vinyl and Convertible Top Maintenance

I don't think that CMA ships to Canada but I'm sure some of the products you can find even locally.
 
1. Sal's reluctance for MicroFiber is due to quality control standards. As there isn't 1 or 2 major brands out there. It's really hit or miss. For him to go out and recommend a small player here or there would be hard for him. Going with the guys we recommend is very safe (JT international, PakSak, Yosteve, CMA Big Blue etc.).



If you choose to go with cotton, make sure it's 100% USA cotton. Wash it several times without fabric softener (decreases absorbancy). Use liquid fabric soap. The granular kind "might" not completely dissolve and you "could" run the risk of scratching your car.



For me and a great many here, MF is the only way to go now.



2. DAWN dishsoap.



Once in a while (1-2x a year) shouldn't hurt your car's finish. However, there was a debate some time ago that even one wash could do harm.



Dawn is nothing special. It's even been said that there are much better soaps (Ivory) better at it. Stay away for the funky smelling or moisturized types (Palmolive).



The safest approach is to use an All Purpose Cleaner diluted to the right concentration (i.e. APC+ by Meguiars or the 3M version).



Note: It may take a couple of dishsoap washing if you have a freshly waxed vehicle to get it squeeky clean.



Zaino by hand or PC. For the overwhelming majority (>90%) do it by hand. This spring, I'll be giving the PC a try and see how it works out.



Tip: If you are using ZFX along with the Z2. Using a medical syringe will help you dispense the mixture and you can assess how thinly you are applying. That is key. Make sure to wet your applicator and wring it out well. Then apply the Z.



3. Claying - Yes clay. There will be particles embedded that should be removed.



4. Polishing - Only if you need it. Perhaps a very very mild polish wouldn't be all bad done by hand. Some people here have been using S100 SEPC underneath Z with excellent results.



I wouldn't bother with a carnuba topper. The difference is very minimal for the most part and will hamper your ability to layer Zaino. However, with that said, I'll be doing a little test to see if the solvents in the carnuba effects Zaino longevity.



5. Wash with Z7 and quick detail with Z6. There was a test conducted about 6 months ago and it was found that washing with Z7 and quick detailing with Z6 increased the longetivity of the Zaino protection.



6. And most importantly - ENJOY the car.



7. Pay special attention to the plastic in the car (lights, gauge cluster) etc.



8. Get a strong UV vinyl protectant for the dash (Formula 303).



Paco
 
paco said:
Sal's reluctance for MicroFiber is due to quality control standards. As there isn't 1 or 2 major brands out there. It's really hit or miss. For him to go out and recommend a small player here or there would be hard for him. Going with the guys we recommend is very safe (JT international, PakSak, Yosteve, CMA Big Blue etc.).



Make sure to wet your applicator and wring it out well. Then apply the Z.



Claying - Yes clay. There will be particles embedded that should be removed.



Polishing - Only if you need it. Perhaps a very very mild polish wouldn't be all bad done by hand. Some people here have been using S100 SEPC underneath Z with excellent results.



I wouldn't bother with a carnuba topper. The difference is very minimal for the most part and will hamper your ability to layer Zaino. However, with that said, I'll be doing a little test to see if the solvents in the carnuba effects Zaino longevity.



Get a strong UV vinyl protectant for the dash (Formula 303).
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Re: MF - Yes, Sal's concerns are quality contol. I use Fieldcrest Royal Velvets to wash as I like the thick nap to "wick" dirt away from the surface. But I use JT International waffle-weave MF to dry and their regular MF to buff off Zaino.



I use the Zaino cotton applicator to apply Zaino. Wet it with water and wring it out as much as possible. Then I give it a few shots of Z6 before squirting on a thin strip of Z2/ZFX. I find this makes it easier to apply very thin layers and use less Z2.



I would agree that you should clay even on a new car because of the rail dust during transportation. Not much but still had a little bit of stuff come off on my new car when I clayed it.



Re: polishing. I don't think a new car should need polishing unless you have mild swirl marks from the dealer applying their wax during prep with crappy rags, etc. That said, they may be difficult to see anyway on your colour. If you go with S100 SEPC/P21S GEPC after claying, make sure to wash with Z7 before applying Z2 as some remaining oils may lessen optimal bonding of Z2.



Re:Carnauba topper. I've been thinking about it but I am hesitant to do so because I don't want the possibility of reducing Zaino durability for only marginal improvement in look. I will await paco's test before I go buy some S100 wax.



Yes, don't ignore the dash. Go get some 303 aerospace protectant at Lordco. I got the 1 litre bottle for about 24-25 bucks. I also used the 303 Hi-tech fabric guard for the carpet/mats. It was 21-22 bucks for half a litre at Lordco. I think you can use this for your convertible top to get UV protection, etc. Go to the Kingsway Lordco near Metrotown. They stock all sizes of 303 protectant. Zellers also has 303 protectant but only in the smaller sizes and I don't think they carry the fabric guard.
 
F1Crazy said:
NTP_JC-Z4, congratulations on your new car! :xyxthumbs



I have Steel Gray bimmer and I'm using Klasse with P21S now but I'm switching to Zaino very soon. I love your color choice and I think Zaino is going to complement it, giving it very reflective look that I prefer on metallics.
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<img src=http://fototime.com/2D4D91BB82B4EF4/standard.jpg>
 
Hi NTP_JC-Z4, nice to see another Vancouverite. :wavey



In case you haven't found out about this recent discovery, check this thread out: Possible Zaino source for Vancouverites..



Practically, I'm pretty sure you can use any (non-carnauba) QD for Zaino, but as said, Z6 is the best. There are several local QD choices if you want to go that route.



MF towels are available at Wal-Mart (unknown quality but looks ok and is priced ok) or you could try to wait for spring and pray Zellers restocks on TW MFs....



Last I heard, CMA did ship to Canada, so if you want a whole pile of stuff it may be economical.



If you're looking for anything else, let me know as I have the local availability scoped out fairly well. :)
 
Previous responses have pretty well covered Zaino. The better the surface prep, the better the final appearance! After much experimenting I’m convinced that micro-fiber is better than cotton, both for application and buffing. CMA’s Magic Towels are the best that I’ve found, but NeatItems’ towels are so close that it’s very difficult to tell the difference. I consider it a plus that you can specify the color of the towels from NeatItems - white is great for buffing since it’s much easier to spot any debris that has been picked up.



The secret to success with Zaino is light pressure and cleanliness. It is not carnauba, so it does not need to be rubbed on or rubbed off. Wipe it on and wipe it off - if there is a spot that’s difficult to get off, resist the impulse to use more pressure, just wipe a little more - maybe with a little Z-6 to help out. Check your applicator frequently for debris. Shake (or snap) your buffing towel frequently and check for debris. Wash both after each use! Throw the applicator away after 6 to 8 uses. You’ll get a little better shine if you precede and follow each Zaino application with Z-6.



Soft top care: Do not wash unless it is dirty! Vacuum frequently. Dust is the killer of cloth tops. RaggTopp is the soft top product endorsed by Haartz, who produces the top material. If you do need to wash the top, do it before washing the rest of the car. Vacuum first with a soft brush so that any loose dust or dirt won’t turn to mud on your top. Then wash with RaggTopp Cleaner using a soft brush. If there are any tough spots use a toothbrush. Rinse and dry - don’t use a cotton towel or the top will be covered with lint. Use a micro-fiber towel (a waffle weave towel is best for drying) or a chamois for drying. When applying the RaggTopp Protectant be sure that the top is clean and thoroughly dry. Apply 2 or 3 coats. I use a piece of cardboard to minimize getting overspray on the paint and window. Overspray wipes off easily when still wet, a little more difficult if left to dry. After a few hours of drying there will a white residue on the top. It vacuums off easily. To prevent leaks take good care of the rubber seals. Gummi-Pflege (available at your BMW dealer) is an excellent product.



Enjoy your new Z4! Drive it top down! If it’s cold wear a lot of clothes. If it’s raining, just drive faster! And be sure to wave at other roadsters!
 
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