Zaino question

[Arno]

Claybar, Z2 + Z-FX and you're done for months to come.

Love the stuff. It's pricy here in europe, but a few coats of Z2 with ZFX added usually lasts at least 3 months.

Bye, Arno.

[Wasabi]

I have to ask about the starshield too though, says don't use clay bar! You guys have done it without any issues? I guess... be gentle? lol I have no idea I've never used a clay bar before but... who's used it on starshield and have you had any problems?

[SweetDaddyD]

clay bar on star shield no problem. i'd assume the star shield is supposed to be stronger than the paint. Just be careful on the edge or you can get clay stuck there.

[Wasabi]

I've been anxious lol... just got the ultimate package from zaino ordered as well as a bunch of things from detailer's paradise... I'm going to do the whole car over real good, but I don't have swirl mark issues so no hard-core polish

[richw350]

Originally Posted by SweetDaddyD

well since he asked about Zaino in particular, we are assuming that is what he is looking for advice on. There are other 90 step threads on how to wash a car or "what is the best wax to use?"

Here is a neat article where a guy tested Zaino VS some other products on an NSX hood: http://www.ffcobra.com/magazine/waxtest.html

Here is a pic of a quick detail JamesGott did on my car recently. Rinse, clay bar, one coat each of z5, z2. Sure it could use more, as I daily drive it but pretty darn good for 1 quick coat of each and big improvement.

For local Atlanta people, James does an outstanding job detailing and his prices can't be beat. You supply the Zaino, he'll do this for you inside and out, wheels and all for $100. Leave him a good tip. He can even come to you if need be.

I am in Lawrenceville and would be interested in James' services.

[SweetDaddyD]

Originally Posted by richw350

I am in Lawrenceville and would be interested in James' services.

PM-ing his Phone # to you, in case he doesn't see this thread.

[flyguyskt]

i raced a Z28...oh wait....

[whynot]

I never used the clay bar on my Starshield because my dealer told me it would dull it. I am glad to hear it works without dulling it. I will have to try it on a little part of mine

[buzzy]

The Z-AIO is a pretty good product, although it says its a fine polish, i didn't notice it doing any polishing and had to get the Z-PC out to take care of a few scratches.

[jamesgott]

i dont do this anymore. and im sorry if editing this means that the thread will be bumped, but i dont want my phone number anywhere online. kthx

[jeffgrice]

Hi, I have used Zaino on the shelby cobra for many years. It works great.

I ran out one day and used Meguirs Tech. Frankly it is as nearly brillant as Zaino.

I am not selling people off of Zaino...just offering an alternative.

Tech will not hide scratches like Zaino.

Jeff

[SouL]

I finally got around to using this stuff. I spent the whole day yesterday taking off the old wax (which I seriously don't think there was any of left), claying the car, washing again, then applying the zaino products.
My thoughts:

I clayed the car... but don't feel like I really picked anything up with it? Can you lube the paint too much and make the clay bar ineffective? I seriously doubt my car's paint was that free of contaminants.

I'm still not sure how the ZFX thing works. In the instructions it kept referring to the product names by their code (Z#, etc), but the bottles themselves only have the product name, which made finding the right bottle difficult and really frustrating. Hah. I quickly gave up on that.
I later found out what product was what by reading the back of the bottles. Oh well.

After the 2nd wash, I applied Z2 and let it dry inside the garage for about an hour or so. It was really, really, difficult to get off. The initial wipe would get rid of most of it... but if you were to angle your POV on the paint you would still see fine smudges on the paint. I was able to get some off by wiping with a good amount of pressure on the paint. But I thought, this can't be right... so I wiped back and forth for a good amount of time over the entire car to try and wipe off as much as I could. Got most of it... but not all.

So I went ahead and put on Z5. That thing smells nice for the first 2 minutes. Then it kind of gets to you. Hahah
But that went on easy. I let that dry for about an hour also. It came off real easy. And I think it might have taken some of the stuck Z2 along with it.

Then I finished off with Z6.

The car looks great. Very shiny. I can still see some of the fine scratches on the paint... but only if you're looking for them.

I'll have another go with maybe 2 more coats of Z5 today with Z6 in between coats. And clean up the interior bits, too.

Once this is all set and done.... I can just wash the car whenever it gets dirty and have no need to apply Z2, Z5, and Z6 unless I wanted to?
How do you guys handle the paint in the cabin?

Overall I'm happy with the results. Although it's been a while since I've been able to spend time to wash the car like I used to (I lived in an apt complex that did not allow the washing of cars) so I can't really tell if it's anymore shiny/glossy than the stuff I used previously.

[buzzy]

I clayed my car over the weekend and it didn't pick that much up either. After you lube the car, you should run your hand over the surface to feel for any little bumps. Those are what the clay will remove.

If the Z2 was hard to take off, i would say you are putting too much on. You should hardly be able to see the wax on the car after you apply it. It'll come off easier and since you are applying multiple coats it'll be fine.

You'll want to use Z5 before the Z2 to cover up any swirls.

Now that you are done you can just wash with Z7 and the finish up with the Z6 detail spray.

[Vantage]

Z-CS (Clear Seal) also works as advertised...it's worth trying if you don't mind spending a few extra bucks.

It's basically a spray on version of Z2, except you don't have to wipe it off. It simply disappears. Really nice.

[SouL]

Ah. Oops. I guess I goofed and put Z2 before Z5.
I just finished wiping off the 2nd Z5/Z6 coat. I'm really happy with the results. It's actually looking a little too nice... really highlights the large, nasty chips I have on the front clap. Hah

[Stephen]

So how do you get that stubborn tree sap off the paint? This happens to me every year in the spring time and I have yet to find a good solution that doesn't require steel wool or sandpaper. I have never used a clay bar, will this help with tree sap?

[SouL]

I haven't had any issues with tree sap. Although it says claybar is supposed to get rid of the stuff?

I just saw my car for the first time in the sun. Wow. Hahahahaha
Huuuuuge difference in how it was on Friday.

[buzzy]

You can mix and match the Z5 and Z2 as much as you want, so you can apply a few coats of Z5 and finish with Z2 without redoing everything.

Clay will remove the SAP, so will WD40, but the both will remove wax so you'll need to do that section again.

So does anyone know if ZFX actually does anything or did we pay 20 bucks for some blue food coloring?

[SweetDaddyD]

ZFX is to cure the sealant faster for if you are doing multiple layers. If you aren't layering Zaino and only doing one coat you don't need to use it, or you can wait a few hours between coats if you don't want to use it.