First time Zaino buyer needs your input

Hans Christian

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In preparing myself for my black 04 arrival soon I went to the Zaino website today to buy all the necessary wax and cleaning products but I must admit that I am little confused on what actually to buy.

Should I buy their package deal or just one/two bottles of each product or what do you regular users recommend me.

Thanks
 

FranciscoR.

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Hans, from what I hear, the first thing to buy is one of those take-home hospital beds, and a in-home nurse. youll need them after using Zaino.
 
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Hans Christian

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Francisco,

I know - having read some of the application explanations at Zaino.com it seems to be a somewhat of a process to go through.
 

FranciscoR.

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I have never done it but damn, is it a toughening experience. My brother said he was reading on the RX8 forums ( he bought one a month ago ) about some guy using Zaino. The post read, " I just got done using Zaino for the first time. Even though it took SEVERAL hours ( i think 5 ) it was worth it."
 

ledfoot

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Z1.......Z2...........Z6..............Z1 once,Z2 as often as possable,Z6 in between Z2's........were all mad........
 
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It looks like except for ledfoot, you are tallking with someone who has no experience at all (shrug). It can take anywhere from the normal time it takes to "wax" a car...to several hours. How mudh time do YOU wish to invest? That is the only question. Theoretically, you could have the Polish Lok, Z-2 and Z-6 on in about an hour (trying to remember without having to go down to the garage). Now, if you plan to clay the car, or do several coats, the time adds up. And it is not like you have to do that WHOLE process each time you clean up the car during the year. Beginning of the driving season (for those of us who have a driving season that starts and ends!! :) ) I spend a ton of time cleaning, also during the winter. Through the summer I might re-apply once. In between, a good wash, dry, and a quick coat of Z-2 then Z-6 (Z-6 as often as possible, as ledfoot said), and I'm out the door! :)
 

MiamiJeff

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It looks like except for ledfoot, you are tallking with someone who has no experience at all (shrug).

This is quite possibly the case since most folks who use Zaino products know that they go on much easier than most conventional wax-type products, produce great results, and last longer....all the while smelling mighty tasty too. :D

Seriously, the Zaino multiple layer approach works well though I take a more moderate approach foregoing the clay step (though that step would probably be beneficial whether you Zaino or Wax).

Hans, while you're waiting for your new Viper, get your Zaino stuff (and buy, trim, & wash some new, white, USA made towels--see www.zainobros.com site), order your MGW goodies, your Southern California VCA Club floor mats, maybe a California Car Duster and wait....and wait....and wait.....and if your patience wears thin, just email me and I'll award you free tuition to my driveway-based Viper car wash school with plenty of hands-on experience on two Vipers.

OK, OK, based on my experience, I'd say if you simply order a couple of bottles of the Zaino car wash, one bottle of Z-1 Polish Lock, two bottles of Z-2 Polish, and one or two Z-6 Sprays, you won't be reordering for a very long time. HOWEVER, Zaino now has a new "accelerator" product that I believe might replace Z-1 and allow for layering (if you are so inclined) the Z-2 polish without having to wait 12-24 hours between applications. Never tried it though.
 
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Hans Christian

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Hi Jeff,

I will soon come down to visit you in my own viper - I have heard a little bird singing that it should be at my doorstep before next weekend - YEAH I AM SOOOO EXCITED !!!

I have already ordered some of the MGW goodies + the Valentine 1 radar, more stuff to follow soon.

I will call you next week.
 
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Hans Christian

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Ledfoot, Tony & Jeff,

Many thanks for your valuable input and advice - I have today ordered many Zaino items (I probably single handedly took out half their stock - hehe).
 

ARMORGOD

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Some advise.... use a couple of ZFX drops in the wax (causes it to set up in about 15 minutes, so you can begin removing quickly), as opposed to the Z-1. Very quick, very painless.... looks very nice!
 

Shelby3

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I recommend Zymol available at any Pep Boys or Wall Mart. Shine is comparable, lasts as long, doesn't require an advanced college degree to use, and comes in one bottle, not a dozen. About $12 for a 16 oz. bottle. :rolleyes: :usa:
 

Walt McFarland

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Hans Christian;

I had to crack up at some of the comments made about the work of applying Zaino--the guys do have a point there.

However, I do use it and find it beautiful and easy to maintain once applied. Further, it never fails to impress. My parking space at work is (naturally) in the "performance car section" and I always get compliments from the porsche and BMW crowd amomg others.

PS. Recommend the kit.
 

Janni

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Washed the SRT-10 this Saturday. Did a quick coat of Z2 - it took all of about 40 minutes - for application, drying and removal. Nothing strenous or time consuming at all. First application takes longer, but after that it's a breeze.
 

FranciscoR.

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Janni, would Zaino be worth it on my truck? It is a deep emerald green and think a solid washing and waxing would do it wonders. Althoguh I am not sure if Zaino is mainly for show cars or just "really expensive" ones...
 

agentf1

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Get ZFX (additive), Z2 (polish), Z5 (swirl remover, actually just a different formula of polish that I think works better on dark colors), Z6 (Gloss Enhancer/Quick Detail), Z7 (wash) and you may want to get the clay to do first as a prep. Send me up a ticket and I will come down to sunny florida and show you how to use it all.
 

Janni

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Francisco - I Zaino the dually when I have a little problem with OCD ;) , but it sure does make it look nice. I HATE waxing cars, but the Zaino polish is easy enough to use and you can really just slap it on there (lightly, though) and quickly towel it off. I know I could spend more time on it, really working to get all the way to the edges, and all under the side sills, etc., but I'd rather do a few easy FAST coats and hopefully get everything a couple of times than spend hours. I think Zaino'ing is faster than waxing and there's nothing worse that having the wax haze because you put it on too thick or didn't let it dry enough - I've never had the issue with Zaino.

Any vehicle can benefit from a good bit of TLC. ;)
 

Matt M PA

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I am twisted enought to actually enjoy polishing a car and Zaino is the best. and, it's really no more work than any other polish-wax.

As far as the Pep Boys $12 Zymol...it's Turtle Wax. Gotta spend $100 to get "real" Zymol...and even that pales in comparison to Zaino.
 

Shelby3

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I am twisted enought to actually enjoy polishing a car and Zaino is the best. and, it's really no more work than any other polish-wax.

As far as the Pep Boys $12 Zymol...it's Turtle Wax. Gotta spend $100 to get "real" Zymol...and even that pales in comparison to Zaino.

Do you also use Amway? ;) :usa:
 

smashman

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I would plan on spending an entire weekend to do it right with Zaino. Wash with dawn, clay bar, (really not that difficult)wash with Z-7, dry. Then over about a 3 day period, put on 3-5 coats of z-5 with z-6 between each one, then 3-5 coats of z-2 with z-6 between each one. The ZFX will make each coat dry in 20-30 minutes so I'd get that instead of the Z-1. I use the microfiber towels from www.properautocare.com to remove the wax.
I use the blue powerscrubber towels to remove the wax, the green detailing towels to apply the z-6, and the big blue drying towels to dry the car. It takes about 3-4 towels to remove each coat and apply the z-6. I have found them to be easier to use than the big cotton towels, (smaller and thinner) and they absolutely do NOT scratch. The glass cleaning cloth also works very well and the microfiber wash mitt is great for washing the car. I wash the towels with the TIDE FREE. After you wash the car and prep the paint with the clay, you can apply 3 coats of Zaino a day. You will be thrilled with the results, but take the time and go through the entire process the first time. After that just one coat every 6 months is plenty to maintain the car. I would buy 1 ZFX Kit, 1 bottle of Z-2, one Z-5, two Z-6, one Z-7, and 1 Z-18 clay bar. For the towels I'd get 2 wash mitts, 2 big blue drying towels, 1 glass cleaning cloth and a dozen each of the blue scrubbers and green detailing cloths. The trick with the Zaino is to make each coat SUPER THIN. The stuff also smells great. Happy waxing.
 

dropline

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I took a chance on this product called 5 Star Shine.com which is a polymer similar to Zaino. I feel that I've gotten similar great results without having to do multiple steps and a drying process etc. The site looks a bit 'infomercialish' but I have found that for the short time I've had it on my car, it looks great and is simple to keep clean. They'll give you a discount if you use 'vipdiscounts'.
 
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Hans Christian

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Smashman,

I in particular wish to THANK YOU SO MUCH !!! Your instructions rocks !!

I first tried to follow the steps from the zaino web site point for point but got SO FRUSTRATED !! i.e. not very user friendly. I also bought the recommend Zaino towels - CRAP @##$$%%^ they didn't work very well (and yes I pre-washed them 4 times before use).

Anyway I almost gave up but thought I owed my expensive zaino shopping spree another go .. so I went out and ordered the the micro fiber towels recommended by Smashman... AND I TELL YOU ALL THEY ARE THE BEST AND THE ONLY ONES I WILL EVER USE AGAIN !!!

Try them you wont regret it !!!

My black beast now looks stunning and it was a breeze to do the zaino - I SAY TO ALL newcomers or oldtimers - JUST GO WITH SMASHMANS INSTRUCTIONS AND YOU WILL BE BLOWN AWY WITH THE RESULTS (sorry for SCREAMING but I am just so happy with results once I used above instructions!!!).

AGAIN THANKS
 

smashman

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Hans, I am very happy to hear your Zaino experience was a good one. I figured you might think I was an anal crackpot with all the precise suggerstions I made but I'm glad you did the whole shebang and got the awesome results. Microfiber towells are the BOMB for washing drying and waxing.
 

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