Zaino kings ....I need your suggestions!

M

MidnightHour

New member
Alright, I'm ready to detail my black Supra. I've got Zaino Z1, Z2, Z5 and Z6 all ready for the task. I'm planning on using the PC 7424. Here are the steps I believe I should take.



Wash the car with Dawn.

Clay Bar.

Wash again.

Apply Z1.

Apply Z5.

Buff off Z1/Z5 mix.

Apply and buff Z6.

Apply and buff Z5 again.

Apply and buff Z6.

Apply and buff Z2.

Apply and buff Z6.

Drink a cold one.



Is this a correct procedure? Would I be doing something wrong if I applied the Z's this way? Do you have a better suggestion with the Z products I have? Thanks!



Brandon
 
It will not be possible to put on so many coats of Z if you do not use ZFX, it just won't bond.



I would do the following



1. Wash with regular car wash soap

2. Claybar

3. Dawn wash

6. Z1 (allow to haze and use a thin coat, less than an ounce on the Supra, 3/4 an ounce should be good.)

7. Apply Z-5 and let haze up.

8. Buff off Z1/Z5

9. Z-6 and buff

10. Drink a cold one.



Thats all you can do in a 24 hour period.



I started out with ZFX and doing 3 coats a day, takes about 2-3 hours for me to apply remove and Z-6 the car X3. This excludes the car wash, clay, swirl removal, and dawn wash. Then add in all the little details and it all adds up to 6-7 hours.



I went to my Zaino distributer today and got some Z1 to compare with the ZFX I already have (one is brand new and unopened (thanks ejant!) and one has been used for 3 applications of Z with ZFX.) Hmm, wonder which thread prompted me to get some Z1 to test out with ZFX since they perform the same purpose, but ZFX allows 3 coats and Z1 allows 1 coat in a 24 hour time frame....
 
Ya got a PC and are not gonna do any paint polishing? No swirl mark removal? Jeez, I hope your paint is in just-from-the-paint-booth perfect.



I know there's a few people who use a PC to apply Zaino but the vast majority of us apply it by hand. Why not try it that way first until you get the hang of Z, which admittedly has a steep, if short, learning curve?
 
Summary of my experience of applying Zaino via PC:

PROS:

- it's VERY fast

- very thin coats

- saves energy

- once pad is loaded, you can do car after car, with very little product

CONS:

- requires that the finishing pad be "loaded". if only applying to one vehicle, product in pad goes to waste. only 1/3 ounce is required for a coat. you will easily waste 1/3 ounce of product remaining in the pad after you are done applying. Therefore, it is only economical in terms of product if you apply to many cars
 
bretfraz said:
Ya got a PC and are not gonna do any paint polishing? No swirl mark removal? Jeez, I hope your paint is in just-from-the-paint-booth perfect.



I know there's a few people who use a PC to apply Zaino but the vast majority of us apply it by hand. Why not try it that way first until you get the hang of Z, which admittedly has a steep, if short, learning curve?
Click to expand...



Sorry if these question I ask sound dumb, but I'm a newb and I'm trying my hardest to learn how to properly detail a car.



Actually, yes, I've got quite a few swirl marks. From the way the Zaino site makes it sound, the Z5 will get rid of that. Am I mistaken? Should I use something else? If you suggest something else, when would you do it with the other supplies I have?



Brandon
 
Don't worry about asking the questions, but to answer your last one....the Z5 WILL NOT take care of the swirls you may have in the finish. To use Z to its optimum you need to really concentrate on surface prep first. Get rid of those swirls with an abbraisive polish first. Someting like SMR or DACP depending on the severity. Then go to the Z5 and or Z2.
 
Which is the weaker compound out of SMR or DACP?



Also, looking on Classic Motoring Accessories write ups, to remove swirls and fine scratches, they recommend the Intensive Polish, Medallion Paint Cleaner, and 3M Fine Cut Compound. Would you recommend any of those over SMR or DACP?
 
SMR is the less aggressive polish while DACP is more aggressive but I find it to be a very workable polish as it breaks down well. Menzerna Intensive Polish and Menzerna Final Polish are good also but can be a little tricky to use as far as removal goes. If you have limited experience removing swirls with a PC I would start with SMR and then remove the fillers by spraying a 50/50 mix of distilled water and isoporpyl alcohol over the panel and wipe with a good MF. This will remove any fillers left behind by the SMR and show you the true progress on removing the swirls. If the SMR doesn't get the job done step up to the DACP. I would also be sure you use a cutting foam pad with the SMR. It would help us if we could see some pictures if you have that capability.
 
OF course I have the capability to take some pictures! I had a hard time getting the scratches to show up in the pictures. I have much higher resolution pictures if you want them. Just ask.



Also, you may have to turn down the brightness on your monitor to see the scratches better.



fbf2fd0d.jpg




fbf2fd21.jpg
 
OK.....so I think you can knock those out with DACP and if you work it down completely you may not have to use any other polish. Try using a cutting pad and after you work the polish out completely check it with a water/alcohol spritz. If they are gone wash with dawn to remove all traces of the polish and move on to the Z. If there is some resisdual haze...(some get a little haze with DACP) just hit it with SMR and repeat the water/alcohol to check.....dawn wash then Z.....



Good luck...and dont forget to take and post those before and after pics! :xyxthumbs



edit..You could also use #9 instead of SMR
 
I usually get mine from the local pharmacy...(isopropyl = rubbing alcohol) just be sure to not to get any with any additives.
 
Someone here suggested going to a Dollar Tree or similar store where they have 50% Alcohol already bottled so you don't have to guess on the percentage. I found it at my dollar store two bottles for $1.00 Hope this helps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top