what happened to zaino...

[Jaddie]

Do you really think that? I think it's more that they haven't been engaged and they haven't had a high enough internet profile.

<snip>

Or it just may be that Sal's semi-retired and taking it easy. Whatever the reason, I think no one is beating the Zaino drum the way the beta-testers used to do on this site in the old days, if there's no buzz...there's no buzz.

Dear Setec

I don't know squat about Zaino, but I love your post. It's posts like these that cause my addiction to internet forums.

You write well. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

 

[JustJesus]

I ordered 3 bottles of Z6 late last year, cuz the shipping cost of ordering just one made it silly to JUST order one.

I have two new bottles, and one mostly full.

 

[RTexasF]

I see it as the best "fillers/glaze" products ever made. There's nothing wrong with that except for the purist. Why not sell products that fill with many many coats? I may be dead wrong but that's the way I see it. As mentioned, a few products are exceptions but I'm not even sure of those. Cover up the caca enough with multiple coats and there are no problems that show through the coatings. It looks marvelous and any goober with a MF/terry towel can do it. Seems brilliant to me but things have changed now. I see nothing wrong with it but if I'm correct they should admit that's what it does. That would improve sales if explained correctly. Having seen many Zainoed cars I thought they looked marvelous if a bit sterile.

For the guy that doesn't want to mess with a buffer, pads, polishes, etc. it's a godsend. Put it on, with all the various layers, and admire your ride.

I'll stick with Duragloss for 1/10 the price but Zaino opened the door.

 

[MshawnBauer]

I was a Zaino fanatic for years! I think their questionable relationship/No relationship with Dura Gloss (even thought they look the same, work very similar and even smell the sale), their lack of new products and the introduction of all these new coatings and products, PLUS the exposure they get! I don't know of a Zaino Facebook page or Twitter or anything with a hashtag. I think they failed to chafe with the times on ALL levels (product And marketing wise) they were the gateway for me though to PBMG! So I'm thankful for Zaino!

 

[Stokdgs]

I believe they had a Business Plan and stuck to it even today..
I know many Retailers of Zaino who were allowed to sell their products more locally that are either all gone or being squeezed out, so that Zaino will have full control.
And it makes sense in a business way, to cut down on all the extra financials that have to be dealt with every year, to lose the Retailers you wanted years ago and now no longer want this extra work in Finance..
I am sure from what I read from time to time, that if they are still hitting big car shows, etc., that must really be all they want or need to keep going..
I am probably only the 2nd person on this thread that is grateful for their hard work way back then that put this part of theIndustry in the place it is today.. Someone had to have the Vision and jumpstart it...
If any of you guys were there then and working at this trade, there was really nothing out there to compare, except the awful stuff with the zillion names that comes from Dealerships..
For a few years in the 80's even (way before many of you were even born), there were some specialty shops like Ming and TidyCar that tried to sell a product that would last a long time and yadda, yadda, but eventually they all went down the tubes..
And guess who kept on chugging along ???
Dan F

 

[Scottwax]

People got tired of paying more for repackaged Duragloss.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Wow, you guys are all over the place on this.

I think it was definitely a factor. When it came to the most durably LSP questions on the forums (aka Corvette) once OCP started taking the limelight I think it had at least some effect.

Oh, I think we are talking about two different things; I interpreted the OP's observation that Zaino was dead on this forum (or perhaps forums in general). You seem to be saying that it's a dead product--I would guess that their sales are flat but steady (meaning I think they sell just as much as they did 10 years ago)--I think the whole boutique segment has grown a lot while they have just been treading water.

From what I've read here over the years, Duragloss became a prominent competitor. Lot of people thought DG was very similar and defected.

I wouldn't exactly call DG a competitor. What you say might be true in the Autopian world, but I think in the Corvette/Porsche car club world, no Zaino guy would be caught dead using something you can buy at Car Quest.

I assume Sal is retiring and Sal or someone else just milking it for as long as they can.

They do seem pretty disengaged...Sal does seem semi-retired or perhaps unwilling to shift to the web-based marketing world, although they do have a pretty nice website.

Dear Setec

I don't know squat about Zaino, but I love your post. It's posts like these that cause my addiction to internet forums.

You write well. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Aw, thanks, Jaddie!

I see it as the best "fillers/glaze" products ever made.

Really? I never really observed any filling, even from Z5, and I never remember anyone saying that when they did 14 layers it filled.

I believe they had a Business Plan and stuck to it even today.I know many Retailers of Zaino who were allowed to sell their products more locally that are either all gone or being squeezed out, so that Zaino will have full control.

And it makes sense in a business way, to cut down on all the extra financials that have to be dealt with every year, to lose the Retailers you wanted years ago and now no longer want this extra work in Finance.

I am sure from what I read from time to time, that if they are still hitting big car shows, etc., that must really be all they want or need to keep going.

The territorial marketing does not work in the internet age.

I have no doubt that back in the day that PBMG would have been all over selling Zaino. However I think Sal just didn't want it.

I've never talked to Sal, but he did PM me once when I complained about those of us in NJ not being able to order from the Zaino website and having to drive to the one brick and mortar location in NJ where the product was sold. He was very nice and directed me to a PA distributor that I could order from by email (not exactly a webstore, you PayPal'd and emailed, IIRC). He said "we have marketing agreements which pre-date the internet". I presume that means he has some agreements without an expiration date which lock him into doing business a certain way (we all do silly things when we're young, don't we, lol?).

I am probably only the 2nd person on this thread that is grateful for their hard work way back then that put this part of the Industry in the place it is today.. Someone had to have the Vision and jumpstart it...
If any of you guys were there then and working at this trade, there was really nothing out there to compare, except the awful stuff with the zillion names that comes from Dealerships..

People got tired of paying more for repackaged Duragloss.

They certainly paved the way for other "no frills" boutique brands like Poorboy's and Chemical Guys, and in a way the "Zaino prep" regimen was the forerunner of the regimens required for coatings. I always thought the sealants were great and I really have been unable to directly match up any Duragloss products to the Zaino sealants or even the AIO, nor have I been able to get "Zaino" beading from the DG sealants. However, some of the other products are seemingly identical, and there are way too many similarities in the sealants for them to be unrelated, IMO (like 601 and the old Z-1, "polishes" etc.) Heck, I even posted a thread here many years ago about the MF towel similarities.

 

[ntwrkguy1]

I haven't really thought about Zaino for years. At one point years ago I was a customer, but it was for my own personal cars.

I do remember some legendary Zaino threads in the early days of Autopia. Wow, some of those guys were extremely passionate.

In a way, Sal's business model did pre-date the Internet (anyone remember Malm's?), and when the industry shifted, he was left holding the proverbial knife in a gun fight. Maybe his pockets weren't deep enough to fund R&D, but Zaino definitely had a cult-like following in the day.

 

[David Fermani]

I asked Sal to sponsor Autopia multiple times, but his response was that he's not an internet person. I still faithfully use several of his products currently despite me being a 3D/HD guy. Even though Z2/Z5/Z16/Z8 are decades old, I'd be willing to say that they are as good or better than any product in its class.

 

[Stokdgs]

I asked Sal to sponsor Autopia multiple times, but his response was that he's not an internet person. I still faithfully use several of his products currently despite me being a 3D/HD guy. Even though Z2/Z5/Z16/Z8 are decades old, I'd be willing to say that they are as good or better than any product in its class.

I hope they keep making their leather products forever..
DanF

 

[allenk4]

I recently attended a Concours Prep Seminar that was put on by the Porsche Club of America- Orange Coast Chapter (SoCal)

I assure you, Zaino is alive and well with the 50 and older crowd

The people using it knew very little about caring for their paint, the difference between, wax, sealant and coatings, but probably half of them swore Zaino was the absolute best

 

[Stokdgs]

I recently attended a Concours Prep Seminar[/B] that was put on by the Porsche Club of America- Orange Coast Chapter (SoCal)

I assure you, Zaino is alive and well with the 50 and older crowd

The people using it knew very little about caring for their paint, the difference between, wax, sealant and coatings, but probably half of them swore Zaino was the absolute best

I laughed when I read your post - thank you -

Perhaps it is safe to assume that this level of Concours Prep is nothing to be worried about at the event..

I know a few P car owners, and to date, their eyes all glaze over when I explain to them what it takes to really clean the paint and remove all defects.. Must come with the territory...
Dan F

 

[allenk4]

The Course was interesting


Phrases like:

Scratches were in the wax, not the paint

Porta Cable

Fabric Softener Breaks Down MF Towels


Then they began discussing the Judging Points Allocation System....Paint = 15pts...Exterior Glass = 10pts


Basically, they are just judging who has the Cleanest Car

 

[Stokdgs]

The Course was interesting


Phrases like:

Scratches were in the wax, not the paint

Porta Cable

Fabric Softener Breaks Down MF Towels


Then they began discussing the Judging Points Allocation System....Paint = 15pts...Exterior Glass = 10pts


Basically, they are just judging who has the Cleanest Car

Allenk4 --
I love this !!!!
It totally explains why so many P-cars have such bad looking paint!!!
I could enter my 09 Black Grand Cherokee with 5 year old Opti-Guard still on it and win the Concours !!!
Might want to find one of these events up here and go just to have a good hoot..
Dan F

 

[Scottwax]

I had a customer who swore by Zaino, had a well stocked cabinet so I didn't have to buy anything. After a few years went by (started detailing his cars in 2007) and I was using other polishes (mostly Optimum) after he ran out of Z-PC he said the depth looked better. Asked him one time if I could use Opti-Seal instead of Z-2 on one of his vehicles and he said that was fine and pretty much since then the only Zaino product he insists I use is Z-10 on his leather because he likes the scent so much. Other than that, unless something happens to where Optimum Hyper Polish isn't enough, all I use is that and Opti-Seal on his paint. It's been years since they've added anything to the product line and the competition is way ahead now.

Plus I think the way some people hyped it (similar to those involved in MLM's) turned a lot of people off to it.

If there are those who still use it and like it, good for them. A lot of detailing is subjective so I'd never tell anyone they are wrong for liking how it looks and feels.

 

[P-nut]

I still think Z-16 is the best thing on the market for exterior trim and rubber, especially tires. I also use Z-6 QD and Z-8 as an OS topper. I've abandoned all the other Zaino products as they are no longer best in class.

 

[Accumulator]

I still think Z-16 is the best thing on the market for exterior trim and rubber, especially tires..

I've always been happy with Z16 on tires, though I've heard they changed it since my last order.

Not for trim though, no way am I gonna reapply frequently or have it streak in the rain. Z16 was probably the last "dressing type" product I tried on trim, and while it's sure not bad for such applications it's just not the approach I'd choose.

 

[Paintxpert]

I continue to be very impressed with Zaino 2 and Zaino 5. I use it ONLY after correction. The simple fact that I guarantee my detail to bead for six months or I do it again, means quality products on every detail. I don't think Zaino over markets their products and they have been around a while. I do trust the product.

 

[KBzPTGT]

I continue to be very impressed with Zaino 2 and Zaino 5. I use it ONLY after correction. The simple fact that I guarantee my detail to bead for six months or I do it again, means quality products on every detail. I don't think Zaino over markets their products and they have been around a while. I do trust the product.

That's an understatement

 

[wannafbody]

I've used Zaino and continue to use it. I recently did my F150 with a 8 year old bottle of Clear Seal which worked perfectly. I know that Z8 was reformulated at some point as it is way easier to use and doesn't streak like the older formula did. I'm pretty sure that Z16 was reformulated as well.

I tried Z2 Pro on my old work van. What I observed was quite impressive. While the paint on surrounding panels eventually turned chalky, the hood continued to look perfect. I won't state the period of time that passed but suffice it to say, that the paint on the hood outlasted the truck.

Regardless of what you think about Sal or his customers, Zaino continues to be a quality product. Sure there might be more hyped products now, but Zaino is kinda like Collinite, an oldie but goldie.

As far as distribution, I think the direct marketing approach worked for Sal. I've gotten the impression that he was and probably still is quite successful.