Zaino by machine?...Yes!!

Never thought I would do this since I had good success with hand application, but I pulled out my PC, SMR & CMA yellow pad today to remove some scratches from CM Red bar that I failed to remove during my first PC experience , oh I think I'm finally getting the technique right with PC because I think all those nasty scratches are finally removed. Anyway, all the suddent this thread poped into my mind. I thought what the heck since PC is in front of me and ready to go so I gave it a try with CMA black pad. For the most part, PC applied more evenly and consistenly for me comparing to hand application, well I really don't care too much about this but the most impressive part is, what a time saver! :cool:



I didn't use ZFX because it was really late (2AM) and I was feeling really sick and dizzy (catching a cold) and didn't want to bother all the work on mixing & cleaning bottle, but I didn't do as good as Showroom because I know I've used double the amount (about 0.35oz/COAT) than I normally do with hand(0.17oz/COAT). The way I apply Z is by "feeling" it between the applicator and the paint, so even though I can't really see the haze I know whether I'm applying it and can get really thin coat this way. Obviously, with machine I can't feel anything (well besides the little vibration), so I rely everything by my eyes and find myself keep on adding more Z to the pad, and even doing so I'm still not sure I got 100% coverage.



The bottomline is I'm happy with it. Would I use machine again on next coat? Yes definitely. Thanks to Showroom for the heads up. It's always cool to try out new products or techniques. Keeps my detailing spirits up.



Oh, and at last I must have applied too thick on the hood. I had VERY SERIOUS smearing problem on the hood and that took a lot of rubbing with MF. Z should be dried when I buffed as I did the finger test and rest of car had no problem. Also, I used speed 2.5 for the whole time and this is something I will change next time because the machine does not want to spin sometimes. I'll move it up to 3. :xyxthumbs



Now the next thing I will try is apply SG by machine. Time to order more pads. heh.
 
For those of you who have used the PC with Zaino, do you notice better results or the same as hand application?



I know by hand Sal had always said to apply up-and-down on the vertical surfaces and front-to-back on the horizontal surfaces. When using the PC do you finish this way or disregard?



I have only recently switched to Zaino, about 6 weeks ago, and have 3 coats of Z5 and 14 coats of Z2 applied so far. All applied with ZFX. Results are pretty amazing so far and seem to get better with each application.



I had used the PC with Griot's Best of Show Wax prior to this on my Accord for the last three years with excellent results.



The consensus seems to be to get the "finishing pad" from Meguiars to apply the Zaino and not the regular "polishing pads". Is this correct?
 
MaineMDX said:


I know by hand Sal had always said to apply up-and-down on the vertical surfaces and front-to-back on the horizontal surfaces. When using the PC do you finish this way or disregard?
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I believe Sal says to apply in a circular motion, and then bumper to bumper and up and down on side panels when buffing off.
 
Buldog, If I remember correctly, the "circular then back&forth" instruction (purpose of it is to maximize the coverage) came out when ZFX was available. This instruction seem to be revised all the time anyway. The ZFX Instrution sheet came with my first ever ZFX order said the same thing, but my newst shipment just stated "back and forth hand motion". "Circular" is no longer mentioned. However, on Z website it still says "circular". hmm. whatever.



MaineMDX - I do not notice better result from PC (I just ran to the garage to double check it again). I really don't think you should expect better result from it. And I disregarded straight back and forth motion on top panels and an up and down motion on side panels. Tell you the truth, I never followed this instruction even when I was applying by hand in the past anyway (I had 35 coats before I polished the car down), and it never bothered me. ;)
 
ShowroomLincoln said:
...the only thing that got kinda annoying is making sure the cord from the PC did not touch the paint.
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I've found that I loosely (very loosely) wrap the cord around my neck and then drape it over my back. I leave enough slack between my neck and the machine so that I can move about easily.



I attached a velcro strip to bundle the cord, which I slide up the cord a ways so that I can loop the velcro through my belt loop and that way the cord is always behind me. I leave a little bit of slack from my neck to the belt loop as well, so I don't end up choking myself. :doh



As long as you're careful about the cord being around your neck and the amount of slack you leave yourself, this works well for me.
 
Thanks for the clarification William420. I also buff or apply which ever is more convienient.



On another thought, I wondered why upon receiveing my 1st order that no instructions, or for that matter any literature was included. You'd figure Sal could get some cheap advertising for all other products by including something in the box.
 
Buldog, I'm a little surprised. Every order I receive a full page (front & back) instruction. ZFX has its own instruction sheet taped on the back of the box. Maybe they forgot to enclose it. No biggie I guess. There's always Z website you can go to. :)



Well I just put on another coat with PC and I'm going back to applying by hand. I kept on using too much Z and the damn smears are killing me. No more! Don't get me wrong, I'm sure PC works fine but I guess my technique just sux big time. :D
 
This past week I purchased an inexpensive orbital ($20) at Home Depot. My sole intention was to see how it worked with Zaino. Since the machine only has one speed, 3400 rpm, it seems to be perfect for applying Zaino. I used the terry bonnet to apply and work in the Z2 and hand wiped it off. The major advantages seem to be that I was able to spread the product more evenly and thinly, thereby reducing the drying time to minutes, even without the use of ZFX.
 
Great thread! I'm seriously considering picking up a PC and giving this a try because of this thread.



One quick question.......... what did use use to clean the black finishing pad with when you were done? I find that the Meguiar's hand applicator pads are pretty much toast after applying Zaino with the ZFX.



Thanks
 
I let them soak in some Denatured Alcohol and then they soak in a really strong Dawn wash (sometimes overnight) then rinse. I know what you mean though, ZFX can be a real pain to get washed out of pads.
 
(i know this one has cobwebs on it)



SRL-Do you still apply zaino with the pc?



I was thinking of doing that for my next application, and thought this would be a good topic to discuss.

I got addicted to liquid souveran during the summer due to its ease of application with the pc. I was thinking that applying the zaino with the pc would add some of that ease.
 
I would like to try Z with a PC too. Also, I have been thinking of getting one of those handheld, battery-operated orbitals for Z application. I wonder whether that would work?
 
Good lord Bolton, talk about a trip down memory lane. :p



Yes, I still appy Z with a PC from time to time. It really depends on the size of the vehicle I'm working on, how much time I have, and how lazy I'm feeling that day. I'd say 60% of the time I use a machine. For large vehicles it's a huge time saver. :)



Dude,



Any old cheapo orbital should work, your not really correcting any surface problems, just spreading the product around. :up
 
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