zaino for winter protection?

L

Leonard1818

New member
Hey everyone. So I'm looking to do a detail in late fall that will last me most all of the harsh Ohio winter with very minor touch-ups in between.



I've been doing some reading (and I'm always open to any suggestions) and I've come across that pesky bug Zaino again.



I may let that bug bite me this time though!



Here's what I have:



2008 Honda Civic

Nighthawk black pearl

Daily driven coupe



They use a ridiculous amount of salt on our roads and I want to make sure I've properly protected my paint throughout the winter.



I've come to the conclusion that Z5 looks best on black. Here are some of my questions:



1. Will Z5pro make it through the winter months here in Ohio with minimal upkeep?

2. My normal routine for a detail is a wash and clay. Will I need to Wash, clay, ZAIO before doing the Z5pro?

3. Suppose I'm doing several layers of Z5pro (with ZFX since I'll be doing them all in one day).... What will I then need to "upkeep" this protection? Z-CS? Z8?



Remember, I'm going more for protection and longevity here and I'm sure I'll end up with nice shine and gloss too!



Thanks!
 
My experience has been Zaino will last a lot longer than an OTC or gourmet wax, without additional layers users normally will get the results you speak of.

doug
 
I live in upstate New York (Catskill Mountains), and I've been using Zaino to get through the winter for the last four years with good success. My current routine is basically the same as yours: Wash, clay, ZAIO, but I use Z2pro w/SFX x 2). I do the same thing on both my car and my wife's minivan. Normally, I get my last detail in at the end of October. That has to last until my spring detail, which is usually in May. The only thing I do through the winter is every couple weeks I run them through a automatic no-touch car wash at the least expensive basic level. So far I've had reasonable beading after the six months each year. Last year, we had a couple of warm days at the beginning of December, and Z-CS is so absurdly easy (you can probably do a Honda Civic in 10 mintues - yea - really), that I gave them a couple of coats of Z-CS over a two day period. I didn't get to my spring detail until June, and the cars were still beading and actually looked good. I do this to both my car and my wife's minivan. Same results with both vehicles over the years. They are both daily drives, they are both garaged in an unheated garage at night.



This coming year, I'm going to change the routine slightly. The Z-CS is so easy that it seems like cheating. I did the full detail in June, and I'm adding a coat of Z-CS every couple of months until it gets too cold (end of October, beginning of November) and that will be it until the next full detail next May or June.
 
I've also been thinking of going to Zaino Z5 for the winter, but I don't know yet. I've heard so many mixed comments about Zaino and it not being all that great at protecting from hard water staining and other fallout, so I'm sure if I really want to try it.
 
RedlineIRL said:
I've also been thinking of going to Zaino Z5 for the winter, but I don't know yet. I've heard so many mixed comments about Zaino and it not being all that great at protecting from hard water staining and other fallout, so I'm sure if I really want to try it.
Click to expand...



That's the funniest thing I've read. All the handwringing over hard water spots. Heck, even glass won't protect from hard water spotting.
 
my experience with zaino in the winter was not optimal. we us a LOT of salt as well in my area (WI) and the last winter i used zaino resulted in a ton of salt spotting all over the horizontal surfaces. it wasn't etching, just the residue that ended up requiring vinegar and/or light polishing to remove.



when i used collinite after that...no more spotting. i love both products, but stick with collinite in the winter and zaino in the "off" season. :)



YMMV!
 
We have the same problem in CT with all the snow and salt. Others area's that don't experience this have their own issues. I think that's why their may be so many differences in opinion on durability. Take it from me nothing last like Zaino

especially in the winter months. I would do ZAIO then Z5pro or Z2pro or both then

ZCS. For maximum durability I would definately use ZFX.
 
I've been using Zaino products for the last five years here in New Hampshire and have had good performance in the winter. Trying various combinations to get the best protection with the least amount of work and cost so have settled on one coat of ZAIO, one coat of ZCS and then coats of Optimum Spray Wax. Usually get my last full detail done in late October and then add a coat of Optimum Spray Wax whenever the weather permits. Lasts well into late April or May.



You might also want to try Optimum No Rinse instead of taking it to the touchless wash. I was sceptical at first but tried it this last winter which was one of the worst we have had in years. When the weather is not too cold I wet the car down with a gallon garden tank sprayer filled with ONR diluted to wash strength and then follow a normal ONR wash routine and have had no evidence of scratching or marring even with pretty heavy salt and sand deposits on the car. You can do this in the garage as there is so little run off.
 
Hey guys, thanks for all the great input :thx



I think I'm gonna try the following (everything is done by hand):



-Wash (megs gold class, 2 bucket method, grit guard in rinse bucket)

-Clay (probably megs or mothers claybar.... anybody have any OTHER suggestions?)

-Spot polish as needed with ScratchX or M105 by hand. I use Meguiars foam pads for this.

-ZAIO

-Z5Pro w/ZFX x3 (I think that's the recommended times you can do it in 24-hrs w/ZFX)

-Possibly another coat or 2 of Z5pro depending on time and toughness



Upkeep:

-Optimum No Rinse (I've read good things!)

-ZCS as needed

-Meg's Last Touch detailer cause I just bought a gallon of it.



That means I'll only be ordering:

-ZAIO

-Z5pro

-ZCS



Which should keep costs down a bit.



My only other question which I'm sure will be answered in a lot of searching is what can I use to apply the Zaino stuff? I've already got the following (LOL @ my lists):



-MF application pads (bought at local auto parts store)

-Terry application pads (bought at local parts store)

-Meguiars foam pads

-MF towels



What's the best to apply the Zaino stuff? Do I need to order some additional application supplies?



Thanks again!
 
trying multiple layers of Z-2 over AIO, topped with Z-CS, this winter on one of my cars. Going to try FK1000p on the other and see how they compare....
 
Leonard1818 said:
Hey guys, thanks for all the great input :thx





-Spot polish as needed with ScratchX or M105 by hand. I use Meguiars foam pads for this.

-

What's the best to apply the Zaino stuff? Do I need to order some additional application supplies?
Click to expand...



I've had the best results using MF applicator pads with the M105 by hand--finishs up better. M105 is a fantastic polish for hand application--I did my wife's 11 year old car entirely by hand with 105 and had fantastic results (although my arm was ready to fall off)

Zaino usually recommends their terry applicator pads, but I've used terry pads bought locally and had good results.
 
any idea why Terry cloth pads?



I've almost always used MF for wax application and foam pads for polish applications (all by hand). Terry seems a bit too rough IMO but if that's what they recommend....
 
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