My Very First Zaino Experience!!!

goceltics34

New member
I just finished applying my new Zaino products on my car. I washed with Dawn, although many people think that a dedicated cleaner would be better. I just wanted to follow the directions as closely as possible. I then clayed the entire car with Z18 clay bar. After claying, I washed again to have a nice, clean surface. I then applied a coat of Z2pro with ZFX. I let it dry for about a half an hour and buffed it off. I then applied a coat of the new Z8 on top. My first reaction was mixed. I though the finish looked awesome. But given the fact that my previous finish was AIO topped with UPP x 3, it would be difficult to match the appearance of that combo. I then applied a second coat of Z2 pro topped with yet another layer of Z8. I am very happy with the look of Zaino. I think it is very similar to the look of AIO with UPP. IMO both look excellent. I do feel that AIO with UPP leaves the paint with more slickness than Zaino. Running the back of my hand across the Zaino finish does not feel as slick as the prior combo. Just my opinion. Overall I am very pleased with Zaino and look forward to using it for at least the next few months, or until I get bored.



Here is a picture of AIO topped with UPP x 3.



IMG_4562.jpg




Here is the same picture with Zaino Z2pro w/ ZFX and Z8, both x 2.

IMG_5151.jpg




As you can see, they are pretty similar. Here is another picture of Zaino. Sick, sick finish!!!!!!:bow

IMG_5166.jpg




Thank you to all that have convinced my to try Zaino. A definite winner!:xyxthumbs
 
How in the world did you get the EXACT same position and setting as the UPP pic?? LOL. Did you print the UPP pic and move the car inch by inch until it was perfect? Even though I'm laughing, I really do wish more people would do comparisons like this. Usually one pic is in the bright sun and the next is in the evening shade, bad comparison. Yours is perfect. We should all follow.



Great work by the way, the car looks extremely wet.



How did you like application of the Zaino compared to AIO + UPP? Was one easier than the other?
 
Nice work. UPP is pretty good imo. I've yet to try Z2Pro, but I just got it today so I'll try it soon too.

And definitely nice to see comparison pics like that. Were they taken after the sealants had cured?
 
I took numerous pictures to make sure that I got a very good comparison shot (over 20 pictures). I finallly compared similar pictures that were a close match.



The application of both combos were pretty similar. I don't think one was easier than the other. The Z8 was extremely easy to put on and buff off. It took me about 15 minutes to apply and buff the Z8.



As far as curing time, I finished the first coat of Z2pro last night, and applied the second coats this morning. The Zaino picture was taken at around 5:30 pm this evening. I guess that is about 10 hours of cure time. I don't know if that is enough or not but the car sure looks good.



Thanks for the kind comments!
 
The second and third coats of Zaino make the most visible difference, IMO. Let them setup for a day or two before you judge slickness.



UPP *may* be more slick than Zaino, but it's probably due to the oils, and I would imagine the slickness won't last as long.



Either way, both finishes look fantastic. :)
 
I am going to put a third coat of both Z2pro and Z8 in a couple of days. Again, I am very, very happy with the look of Zaino and think it is top notch! All the hype about the Zaino system is warranted.
 
As I have also stated in my Z2 Pro review, you may want to wait a day or two until the product have fully cured. In my experience, the true appearance of Z2 may be unleashed until after it has fully cured. Also, a second and third coat creates a difference (or maybe it's just me.)
 
the optical clarity of the reflections (detail) of the UPP shot is amazing-very good work on the photographs as well as the cars
 
Thanks all. If you really look at the photo's the UPP photo looks a little more crisp, with more clarity. Now that could just be that the shots were taken on a different day with slightly different lighting. Who knows. Either way, both are great.



I am going to give it a couple days and see if the appearance and/or slickness improve. I will report my thoughs then.
 
goceltics34 said:
Thanks all. If you really look at the photo's the UPP photo looks a little more crisp, with more clarity.



That was my first thought. The UPP shot looks clearer darker and deeper. I suspect anybody would be just as happy with the way the Z2Pro looks, but if I had to pick one based on your two pictures, UPP would get my vote.
 
I still definitely plan on using the combo of AIO with UPP. I would also reach for that combo for family and friends vehicles as well because the Zaino system requires slightly more work. With Zaino (if you want to) it's Z2pro with ZFX, then Z8, and back and forth and so on.



I showed my wife both pictures side by side (she thinks I am whacko) and the first thing she said was that the picture with the AIO & UPP seemed more clear. She has no idea about either product, in fact she thinks I am completely obsessed with "all of these products". It was an interesting observation from a non autopian eye.



Again, there could be other factors involved.



BTW, I must say that the car looks a little bit better today now that the 2nd coats had a bit more time to cure. Can't wait for yet a 3rd coat of each.
 
termigator said:
goceltics34 said:
Thanks all. If you really look at the photo's the UPP photo looks a little more crisp, with more clarity.



That was my first thought. The UPP shot looks clearer darker and deeper. I suspect anybody would be just as happy with the way the Z2Pro looks, but if I had to pick one based on your two pictures, UPP would get my vote.

I agree I like the UPP picture better. Ziano looks like it reflects more, but lacks the depth. Of course its just by the results of the picture. Either way I don't think neither product would be called unsatisfactory.
 
I also noticed the initial slickness of UPP was slightly better than Z2 Pro (although both sealants are very slick).



I tried Z2 Pro and UPP side by side on my Pilot, UPP's slickness decreases so quickly that after a short time (one week and one wash) Z2 Pro was the slicker of the two. After 2 weeks the difference in slickness was very noticeable, Z2 Pro was WAY slicker than the UPP.



I also agree with you that the look of Z2 Pro is VERY similar to AIO/UPP, both are very clear, reflective and wet looking. Z2 Pro just has a huge advantage in terms of durability and slickness that lasts.
 
both looks great, but like others have said, the upp seems a notch above in clarity. slickness and clarity is pretty much the winning combo for me.
 
A brief update....



I know it has only been a whole day since the 2nd coats of Z2 pro and Z8 but I already feel a slight difference in slickness on the finish. It feels a little more slick today than it did last night. I don't believe it's my imagination either. I guess many of you are right. It does take some curing time for the true effects of the product to shine. Now I really can't wait for the third coat of each product.
 
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