Not impressed with zaino

You also did get the order wrong, it's Z1 (let dry to a haze) then Z5 (if needed) and buff, then multiple layers of Z2 with Z6 in between. Works for me, car looks wet.
 
nEJIbMEHb said:
Just tried zaino . . . . It was my first expirience with this product so it's possible that I did some mistakes. Here is what I did:



1. Z1. Applied dime size drop by dry cotton applicator. (provided by zaino). There was no visible haze behind applicator.



2,3,etc.






If we re-number your first two steps as follows:



Step 1. Drove the New Car home.



Step 5. Z1. Applied dime size drop by dry cotton applicator. (provided by zaino). There was no visible haze behind applicator.



I do steps 2,3 and 4 as follows:



Step 2. Wash with Dawn (ONCE AND ONLY ONCE IN THE ENTIRE LIFETIME OF THE CAR!)



Step 3. Clay using Zaino Carwash as the lubricant



Step 4. Wash with Zaino Carwash



I believe that this is 100% in agreement with the Zaino directions. The concept is:

- Dawn removes all waxes, silicones or anything else the dealer put on

- Clay pulls out any contaminants and gets the surface smooth. Using Z carwash as a lubricant starts transitioning to the Z system (removes the Dawn and prior contaminants)

- Z carwash completes the cleaning

- Z1 does the final prep for bonding the first layer of "polish".



After that, you can pretty much use any Z products in any order (it gets religious at this point). The more you use it, the slicker it gets. As long as you stick with only the Z system, the most you'll ever need is an occasional quick claying (with Z carwash lubricant). It gets easier each time as the contaminants stay on the surface.



Another way to look at it: If the Zaino side looks as good as the original paint, and STAYS that way, you have achieved the goal. Unprotected paint will deteriorate. If Zaino prevents the paint from deteriorating (i.e., keeps it looking like the day you drove it home) you have REALLY accomplished something.
 
Smoker, I don't want to get into a flame war with you because 1) I've never been in a flame war before, 2) every time I think about you attributing spelling mistakes to "typing away like a monkey on crack in your mad Zaino fever," I laugh so hard I spill my coffee, 3) I can't spell, either (my favorite t-shirt is "Bad Spellers of the World UNTIE!"), and 4) I've never been able to get my car looking as good as the Maxima picture you posted.



But...I would like to humbly, apologetically and ever so meekly suggest that had you used Zaino over the AIO instead of UPP, you would be able to see the kid practicing his trombone through the window reflected near the headlight.
 
Bruce said:
Smoker, I don't want to get into a flame war with you because 1) I've never been in a flame war before, 2) every time I think about you attributing spelling mistakes to "typing away like a monkey on crack in your mad Zaino fever," I laugh so hard I spill my coffee, 3) I can't spell, either (my favorite t-shirt is "Bad Spellers of the World UNTIE!"), and 4) I've never been able to get my car looking as good as the Maxima picture you posted.



But...I would like to humbly, apologetically and ever so meekly suggest that had you used Zaino over the AIO instead of UPP, you would be able to see the kid practicing his trombone through the window reflected near the headlight.



Glad I can entertain!



Thing is it isnt really about whose 'wax schlong' is the biggest .. I just like to have a little dig at some blinkered people now and again.



I'm a bit of a forum monster on other boards, and do my very best to restrain myself on here sometimes when folks start preaching stuff thats either unprovable or downright unsociable.

Occasionally I slip up.

Hence the 'Zaino Crack Monkey' dig.



I just like products that are cheap and easy to use as im very simple minded and tight with money.



O and truthful.



;) ;)























p.s I do lie sometimes tho.



**edit**



Heres what happened to that lovely car just a few weeks later :(



poorlymaxima.JPG
 
Wow! I didn't expect that many answers. Thank you, guys.



First things first. Have you looked at the entensive tips on the Zaino website? Also, have you read through Nick's Unsolicited Zaino Tips & Tricks?

I sure did.



From what you're saying, it's impossible to know if you've used Zaino appropriately. Do a search here, and you'll also find lots of folks also have trouble getting the right look with Klasse SG. A recent thread talked about how good detailing is mostly process, not product. Learn the strengths and proper application methods of each product, learn the processes for applying them correctly, and most products mentioned here will give you superlative results.

Agree on 100%. That's why I switched on my good old klasse. I have absolutely no problems with SG.



What the heII gives these people the idea that polishing and waxing a brand new car is going to make it look any better?

All Lexus cars that I saw have noticable orange skin. That is why I tried to use zaino on my car. Previously I had good expirience with klasse on the new silver SC430. It significantly reduced orange skin effect. And I expected same thing from zaino.

Here is what I got:

2636zaino-and-klasse.jpg


Spoiler is Z'd, trunk is SG'd. Zaino is Z1-2-2-5-2, Klasse is AIO+SG.
 
Smoker said:
Judging by just the photos it seems Klasse blows Zaino into the weeds .....



Shine-wise AND money wise.



:xyxthumbs



That of course, would depend on the spoiler having been painted at the same time as the trunk lid, which I highly doubt. The trunk lid would have been painted with the rest of the car on the line. I am quite sure spoilers go down a different line for paint.



Bottom line, I think the amount of orange peel on the spoiler vs the trunk lid has much more to do with the paint job than the waxes. I've never used either Klasse or Zainos, so I don't have a dog in this hunt .
 
I have to say that I now have 2 coats of Zaino on my Silver 01 Mustang GT and I could not be happier. After the 1st coat I could tell something was different. The way Zaino makes the paint reflect light is amazing! I plan to put another coat on in the next week or so..........
 
Smoker, just out of curiousity....don't you ever get tired of saying the same thing over and over? :D Admittedly, I like Zaino a bit more than Klasse, but I'm not real big on the "Product A RULES and Product B $UCK$!" mentality. I'm still a fan of Klasse as well as most of the popular products here on this forum.



Oh yeah, and back to the original topic. To the person who started this thread (sorry, your handle is a bit confusing :), too bad it didn't work out with Zaino. I guess the only thing I could suggest would be to try Zaino-ing he entire car before making a judgement. If you're still not impressed...no big deal....just go back to Klasse. I say it's always worth trying out different products.
 
Smoker said:
I guess I'll stop knocking Zaino when folks stop trying to tell me its the best thing ever made by anybody anywhere .....

Just did a search on that and cannot find where anyone has ever typed that on Autopia........................................



Back to topic on hand....nothing looks better than brand new paint..........I cannot see how it can be improved upon.....IT shines like nothing else......



I have never seen Orange peel hidden by any product other than sand paper......
 
I also have never heard anyone on here sing the praises of Zaino and bash other products. In fact, I've always been very impressed with how much everyone around here respects every product out there.



As a matter of fact, you're the only person I've ever seen (since I've been here) make such a statement about any product. Please don't, its just annoying and doesn't add anything to the discussion. I used Zaino for years until I came on here and found Poorboys' EX. I like it better now, mainly because its easier to use and more forgiving. But I definately respect Zaino, the results that I see others get with it, not to mention the results I used to. It was just too hard.



Back to the Lexus. The orange peel really surprises me, mine has a little, but not as bad as that, and my dad's 98 LS400 has none at all. I suppose they're not as careful as they used to be. Shame.



I'm gonna go with Scott though and say that the difference is mainly the paint process. I'd love to see a picture of Z and SG side by side on the spoiler and see what happens.



As far as I've heard, no product like a sealant can fill in orange peel...
 
Ditto on the "hiding orange peel" part. :confused:



Orange peel is a very large, macroscopic defect, like a tiny dent in the paint, not a microscopic or nearly microscopic defect like a swirl.... I just can't see how any product in the world that would do anything for that. :nixweiss
 
I also agree with the orange peel part, a product won't "hide" or get rid of it, no matter how good it is. The only thing that will remove the orange peel is wet (or color) sanding and then buffing it out or just getting a really high quality repaint.
 
Come on guys, gimme a break. There are people on here pushing every type of product out there. GoodnClean, you must not be looking very hard or you must not have been here when the infamous MikeLS(aka MetallicMike) was here. He is an extreme case though. My point is - there are many instances when somebody says they dont like a product and somebody else suggests something else and why they think its better. Sometimes they are a bit more persistant with their thoughts. Why dont you guys sound the alarm whenever somebody says "You dont like Meg #20(or whatever), try Zaino - it's better because .....":nixweiss



I guess i just dont understand why Smoker is being singled out and everybody jumps on the bandwagon to beat on him. Telling him that nobody has ever acted like that is just as annoying(because it's not true) as him popping up continuously to say "Look, Klasse wins". Why does this kind of stuff only happen among sealants? Can't you guys argue about carnauba for a little while:bounce
 
nEJIbMEHb said:
1. Z1. Applied dime size drop by dry cotton applicator. (provided by zaino). There was no visible haze behind applicator.



2. Right after that applied coat of Z2. Directly over the Z1. Without wiping.



3. Left whole thing overnight.



4. On the morning I buffed out haze. No visible difference between Z'd and clean side of the hood.



5. Applied coat of Z5. Left for an hour. Wiped off. No difference.

6. Another coat of Z5. Another hour. Same result.

7. Coat of Z2. Same result.




Guys,



If I'm reading this correctly, you applied Z1 then immedietly applied Z2 after? With Z1, you have to let that cure on the paint for at least 1-2 hours, more if it's cooler and humid out before even applying Z2 to the car.



I think you should try zaino again before you throw in the towel on it. I've recently done my GF's neglected silver civic with zaino, and it's no where near the depth of my WRB (world rally blue) WRX with zaino, but it does look better than I've seen in the last 2 years that we've been together. And her car got the full exterior treatment that the WRX didn't get (but it wasn't as bad as her's) with clay bar and dawn etc . . .



click on mu website icon below, and go thru cars and check out my "zaino rules" galleries and the "wrx and civic" gallery for the pics. . .
 
As far as I know (and I use a TON of Zaino), you don't need to let the Z-1 dry for two hours. In fact you apply it and then put your Z-5 or Z-2 right on top of it.



Also, (and I think this is the reason he got subpar results) he says he only waited a short time before he removed the Z-5. He didn't mention using the Z-5 with ZFX and the fact that he used the Z-1 at all, tells me he didn't mix his Z-5 with ZFX. If this is the case, his Z-5 never cured on the car at all and probably hazed and smeared when he removed it so soon. As you all know, if you use Z-2 or Z-5 WITHOUT ZFX, you need at least 12 hours of curing time on the car if not more depending on outdoor conditions.



I think this is why he wasn't impressed with the results.





My car (350Z) on the Zaino website:

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=PHOTOS
 
Recommend that you follow exactly the instructions on the Zaino web site which includes claying a new car after a dawn wash. Use ZFX with Z2 (only) and use Z6 between coats and at final to get a deeper gloss. At least 4 coats are needed for light colored paint. Don't forget the recommended towel.
 
NozeBleedSpeed said:
its in the process,not the product. MPPP looks like a million bucks on a well prepped finish. :D



100% in agreement. I have yet to find a product I don't like as a topper; well, maybe Collinite Marque d'Elegance I didn't like so much, but it still looked gooooood.





Tom
 
From some well worded arguments for Zaino I have realized that it isn't really more expensive than anything else. The problem is that people perceive that it is expensive. Perception is everything. If you use your regular car was and your regular QD and all you bought was Z2 or Z5 then you won't really spend more money than if you bought some Klasse or Platinum. Its pretty comparable. I don't know how much it is per layer, but that would be an interesting break down. Not that it makes it any better of a product if its cheaper to use or anything... I think we are all about getting value for our money. If Zaino is half as much as another sealant per layer based on how far you can stretch it then I can see myself switching just for the cost savings.
 
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