New to Zaino - Advice Needed

[LordCash]

After reading in this forum, especially to my buddy Bear, about Zaino, I decided to start my 6er off right and get a whole mess of Zaino products. I have pretty much all the products now, but am still trying to get my head around the best way to use them all.

So far all I have done is to do a good carwash and apply Zaino AIO. It looks nice. Now I need to figure out how to get into Z2, Z8, CS, etc.

I follow Bear's recommendations on car cleaning pretty closely because, well...you have seen his show-winning and "best paint" cars, right? ;-)

Still, my 6er is my daily driver, so while I appreciate advice for "the best" way to use and layer Zaino, I am really looking for opinions/experience on how to use Zaino products to maintain a very good (though not necessarily show perfect) finish/shine while keeping in mind the following facts of my life:

1) I normally wash my cars once a week (on Saturday most of the time) and normally do very little finish maintenance during the week (with the possible exception of getting some brake dust off on bad weeks).

2) My cars are kept garaged when I am at home 100% of the time.

3) My car is in an open parking lot at work (i.e. not garaged for 7-10 hours a day)

4) I now have a spotless water system so water spots should be reduced in the future

So, given these parameters, how should I use my new Zaino products on a weekly basis to find the best compromise between time and shine?

Thanks in advance

Lord Cash

[boxboss]

So, given these parameters, how should I use my new Zaino products on a weekly basis to find the best compromise between time and shine?

Thanks in advance

Lord Cash
The great thing about Zaino is that you don't have to do any weekly work to keep a great shine. The downside is the initial recommended 3 layers will take a good deal of time. Here's my recommendations, subject to input from Bear.

Your car is basically new (and silver which doesn't show swirls badly if you had them) so Z2 is the product to use. Mix with ZFX to accelerate the curing process. I can apply 3 coats on my 6er with 1.5oz (3/4 of a mixing bottle.) Wash and dry your 6er, then apply the first coat by hand or pc. (I don't use my pc with Zaino except for a final buff.) I spritz the cotton applicatior with Z6 prior to starting the application. Let the first coat cure for about 30-45 minutes depending on temp and humidity. Polish off the first coat (again, hand or pc; I use cotton towels) then apply a light coat of Z6 using a cotton applicator. Repeat this process until you have done 3 layers of Z2. You can use Z8 instead of Z6 after the last layer of Z2 if you want a little extra boost.

The next morning, I apply a coat of Z-CS - the overnight wait is to allow all the other layers to cure fully. I do this in the morning so I can buff in the evening with my pc - that's for a bit more cure time - and a final buff is optional. Remember, in all things Zaino, a little goes a long way with all the products. You should easily be able to do 3 coats with 1.5oz without a problem.

This may seem like a lot of work, and it is. The results are amazing however, and it really does last a long time. I did the full monte on my black GL450 the first week of July. I reapplied one coat of Z-CS about a month ago and the finish is beading water and shining about like the day I detailed it. That's over 5 months of weekly washings, intense sun, rain, etc. The reapplication of Z-CS is the only thing I've done to it other than washing/drying in that time.

Good luck and if you have any specific questions, please ask. If I can't help, I'm sure Bear can.

[NoM6D]

Never heard of this Zaino stuff (Us bottom feeders are nekulturny). Sounds good - do you have to order online, or can you get it retial locally? I assume your instructions above would work for my black 645?

[boxboss]

Never heard of this Zaino stuff (Us bottom feeders are nekulturny). Sounds good - do you have to order online, or can you get it retial locally? I assume your instructions above would work for my black 645?
VR, want to translate? (I'm so uncultured. :greenlaff: ) 6, you can only get it online http://zainostore.com/ only. I use it on my 6er and had incredible results on my metallic black GL. If you've got a touch of swirls, you can make your first one or two coats Z5. IMO, Zaino produces better results on dark colors.

[BHR4CE1]

If you want a "short cut" detail...here is what I do.


Initial wash with Dawn:
It is the easiest way to strip the car of unwanted polishes and waxes…plus it cleans the car well. Make sure to only use Z7 wash after-wards though, or the Dawn will take off all the work you did. ALWAYS use a grit guard when you bucket wash, and rinse off your wash mitt after each section. If you can...the "two bucket" method is best. I always work from the top down and depending on how dirty my car is, I will sometimes use a second wash mitt for the lower half of the car.

Clay:
As far as Clay goes, I like the Zaino better than the other brands I have used, but any good brand of clay should work for you. As long as you use a clay lube, keep the paint wet, and don’t miss any spots, most high quality automotive clay should do the trick. The Z clay is easier to fold as it gets dirty, and doesn’t slip out of my hand. Once clay hits the ground, throw it away. Use rubber/latex gloves give you a better grip! You should give the car clay treatment at least once when starting a new detail regime.

A second wash wouldn't hurt now to make sure all the contaminents that the clay loosened are gone, but this is not totally needed.

Clean and Protect

Since your car is basically new, ZAIO would be a great "short cut' for you. It is an ALL IN ONE product that cleans the paint and adds a level of protection. Very easy to use.

After the ZAIO, you could use a layer of Z6 then wait 24 hours and apply CS.

One thing about Zaino products you need to remember is A LITTLE GOES A VERY LONG WAY! using too much makes the job harder and doesn't improve the end result at all.

TIRES & WHEELS

I use a medium stiff brush to clean my tires & rims and wheel wells at the end of the car wash. I simply use the Z7 bucket water LAST during my car washing process.

I have used MANY tired dressings depending on what I want and how much time I have. Lately, I am back to using the Zaino stuff. It lasts a long time, and gives more of a matte finish (which I prefer on darker cars) when applied properly (two coats, about an hour apart). It also seems to be the LEAST sticky, and I notice when I wash the car each week, the tires are not very dirty. I think this is because the Z tire dressing doesn't’t attract road dirt like some others do. Tire dressing is really a preference as to how “bling-y” you want them to look. IMHO, I think on a black car, the tires shouldn’t be too shiny.


INTERIOR

Interior leather:
Hard to say what is the BEST, as it depends on the type of leather and its condition. The Lexol twins are very good for mild products. I like the Zaino leather care products (their scent is fantastic) for monthly cleaning, but for deep cleaning/restoring it’s hard to beat Leatherique.

Honestly it’s more about using the correct product to get the proper result. For general use almost any good leather product will do, such as Mothers leather care products which are terrific for a retail product. Beyond that there is no simple answer.

Dash & plastic areas:
I mix a little bit of Z9 leather spray (75%) and Z16 tire dressing (25%) in a spray bottle and use that on most of the rest of my interior. I use apple-clear on my iDrive screen

[Jen K]

Wow, you are the king of applying Zaino! :bow: I thought I was bad about detailing my cars. I wash with Dawn, then clay and re-wash with z-7. I use z-5 with zfx for the first coat, followed byt 2 coats of z2 with zfx alternating z-6. I just ordered z-8, so I'll let you know my impressions. I have been using Griot's leather/interior cleaner for the seats and dash followed by their leather treatments. The stuff smells good. For the initial wheel application, I am using with P21s wheel cleaner and then one coat of Rejex. The rims always look brand new after this. I also rejex the windows...rain beads off as well as bugs! Tire treatments are getting on my nerves. I am currently using one from Griots, but would welcome suggestions! I have not zainoed the ///M6 yet, I haven't had time! Hopefully, it will be warm enough after christmas for a day of detailing!

[boxboss]

Wow, you are the king of applying Zaino! :bow: I thought I was bad about detailing my cars. I wash with Dawn, then clay and re-wash with z-7. I use z-5 with zfx for the first coat, followed byt 2 coats of z2 with zfx alternating z-6. I just ordered z-8, so I'll let you know my impressions. I have been using Griot's leather/interior cleaner for the seats and dash followed by their leather treatments. The stuff smells good. For the initial wheel application, I am using with P21s wheel cleaner and then one coat of Rejex. The rims always look brand new after this. I also rejex the windows...rain beads off as well as bugs! Tire treatments are getting on my nerves. I am currently using one from Griots, but would welcome suggestions! I have not zainoed the ///M6 yet, I haven't had time! Hopefully, it will be warm enough after christmas for a day of detailing!
I use 303 protectant. It makes the tires black but not glossy. I am not a fan of glossy tires.

[BHR4CE1]

I use 303 protectant. It makes the tires black but not glossy. I am not a fan of glossy tires.
:stupid:

I like the finish the Zaino gives me...plus it seems to:
a) Last a long time
b) not be too "sticky" as to pick up a lot of road dirt. I find that when I use some of the other tire dressings, I can really see an increase of road goo on the tires when I wash them the next time. I have used 303 as well, and do like it.

I think the best way to use the Zaino is to apply it and wait about an hour then apply it again. Really lasts a long time that way.

[Richard in NC]

I use 303 protectant. It makes the tires black but not glossy. I am not a fan of glossy tires.
:stupid:

I like the finish the Zaino gives me...plus it seems to:
a) Last a long time
b) not be too "sticky" as to pick up a lot of road dirt. I find that when I use some of the other tire dressings, I can really see an increase of road goo on the tires when I wash them the next time. I have used 303 as well, and do like it.

I think the best way to use the Zaino is to apply it and wait about an hour then apply it again. Really lasts a long time that way.

Sadly, I've gotten lazy and rarely detail my car. Maybe once a year.

I haven't used tire dressing in years. It always seems to turn the tires brown after a few weeks with the "road goo". Worse is the streaks left on the fenders. I saw that on my silver M5 after a detailer applied it (didn't ask for it). Does 303 do that if applied correctly (ie not too much)?

[BHR4CE1]

I haven't used tire dressing in years. It always seems to turn the tires brown after a few weeks with the "road goo". Worse is the streaks left on the fenders. I saw that on my silver M5 after a detailer applied it (didn't ask for it). Does 303 do that if applied correctly (ie not too much)?

The key is to apply it and let it sit for a while, then go over the tires again with the same applicator, but not to add more product. The biggest mistake a lot of people make is that they use way too much dressing, and then they drive the car too soon after applying it. You need to give it time to soak in. ALSO, make sure your tires are VERY clean before you apply it.

[boxboss]

I haven't used tire dressing in years. It always seems to turn the tires brown after a few weeks with the "road goo". Worse is the streaks left on the fenders. I saw that on my silver M5 after a detailer applied it (didn't ask for it). Does 303 do that if applied correctly (ie not too much)?

The key is to apply it and let it sit for a while, then go over the tires again with the same applicator, but not to add more product. The biggest mistake a lot of people make is that they use way too much dressing, and then they drive the car too soon after applying it. You need to give it time to soak in. ALSO, make sure your tires are VERY clean before you apply it.
+1 I've never used Zaino tire (I'm glad I don't have to type "tyre" to avoid advert links!) products so I can't comment on them. I can tell you 303 doesn't "sling" off onto the fenders like a lot of other products (when lightly applied and allowed to dry like Bear suggests.) It is a spray on-wipe off product, similar to the original Armor-All but without silicone. It also doesn't turn your tires brown over time - which I've found to be a problem with many tire preps.

[jg59]

If I apply Z-5 first... can I then put Z-2 on top of it? Or is it better to just keep using Z-5?

[BHR4CE1]

If I apply Z-5 first... can I then put Z-2 on top of it? Or is it better to just keep using Z-5?


On a black car, it is usually best to end with Z5. Then apply CS the next day and you will be AMAZED!!!!

[jg59]

I don't think I have the PC. What is that? I got some stuff call PC Fusion. It's like a Dual Action Paint cleaner/swirl remover. I am actually on my laptop in my garage claying as we speak!

If I apply Z-5 first... can I then put Z-2 on top of it? Or is it better to just keep using Z-5?


On a black car, it is usually best to end with Z5. Then apply CS the next day and you will be AMAZED!!!!
Is this the "wax job with the happy ending"?