after some thinking, i've finally decided to spend a few more and Zaino the 8! just curious, did you guys order the Canada Show Car Kit? @$127.00
I was thinking more like
Z1 Polish Lok $14.95
Z2 Show Car Polish for clear coats $19.95
Z5 for Swirls $25.95
Z6 "Gloss Enhancer" spray $14.95
Z7 Car Wash $12.95
Claybar $25.95
Total = 114.70
though the difference isn't that big but would the new ZFX be dat effective ? i've never Zainoed/Waxed/Polished before, so this whole zaino thing is giving me a headache! Their site is fairly straight-forward but with all the available products, it drives me crazy! So any tips and tricks will be highly appreciated!

 

I'm not in Canada, but I can offer some advice. I have been using Zaino for a couple of years, and one of the BEST things they have ever invented is the ZFX. It mixes with the polish (Z5 or Z2) and it will dry in the time it takes you to get the towels ready!

Zaino can sometimes take a LONG time to dry (humidity, cold, etc.), but with the ZFX, its less than 10 minutes. By the time you are finished with the car, you can begin removing it from where you started. With the Z1, you have to go over the car an additional time (once for the Z6 spray, once for the Z1, and once for the Z2), whereas you don't have the additional coat with the ZFX, and it dries incredibly quick.

I would start with a GOOD car wash of Dawn (as instructed), then go with:

ZFX Accelerator $19.95
Z2 Show Car Polish for clear coats $19.95
Z6 "Gloss Enhancer" spray $14.95
Z7 Car Wash $12.95

Total = $67.80

You shouldn't need to claybar brand new paint, and you shouldn't need the Z5 (for swirl marks) for a long time yet. Just be sure to use the Z6 before and between every coat of Z2, as it adds a gloss and smoothness to the coats. It will also go on and off easier...

And, the most common mistake. Use it very sparingly, and layer it for best results. They say one ounce should do a Suburban. I'm not that good at it yet, but I can do my wife's Volvo (S60) and the RX-8 with about an ounce and a half.

I have NO affiliation with Zaino, I am just a satisfied customer who has made all of the mistakes learning the above advice.

Good Luck with your 8, it WILL be worth it!

 

I agree with tpryor. I had never used Zaino, but did it about 3 weeks ago. It doesn't go on or look at all like a traditional wax product. It only took me about 3 hours to wash with Dawn (only the first time, Z7 going forward) 1 coat of Z2(with ZFX), then Z6, another coat of Z2 and then Z6. I even did the wheels with the Z6 to help with washing off the brake dust and then I treated the tires. Some posts talked about it taking all day!
The results are amazing. I've had lots of comments. It is very easy to wash, water beads real well. Z6 can be used in between washes.
I will be doing another round of Z2,Z6, Z2 this week.

 

I agree with Tim also: forget the Z1 and get the ZFX instead.

However, I WOULD claybar the vehicle if you really want to start properly. Even new paint has imperfections and fallout. I clayed my car and got a bit of stuff off; ZoomZoom however had his professionally clayed, and that guy claimed he got a lot of stuff off of the paint. It takes a bit of time, but at least you know you are starting from as clean a point as possible.

I did 3 coats of Zaino. I started the claybar, then two coats of Z5 with ZFX accelerator, then a coat of Z2. Finished off with Z6...

 

I would highly recommend claying your new car, if you goto the Zaino web site they also recommend it. As 73JPS previously mentioned my 8 was clayed and they mentioned that several areas had to be done more than once to get it just right. You will not be disappointed - do it!

 

Ditto on the claybar. The 8 pickups up tons of crap on the way from Japan.. The key to Zaino is to get the paint as perfect as possible then lock that in.

 

It's definitely worth waiting for the polish to dry before trying to remove it. It's a really chore if you're too anxious and try to remove polish that looks hazed over but is not completely dried.

Also, Zaino isn't kidding when they recommend using an all cotton, made in USA towel. It makes a huge difference in the amount of effort you'll spend polishing.

Using Z6 is my favorite part of the process, it really brings out the shine.

As others have said, use the least amount of polish you can and do several coats. The gloss just builds up after each coat.

You're going to love Zaino.

 

thanks everyone for all your contributive thoughts and clearing a few things up for me! i'm going to order mine soon and hopefully be able to Zaino the 8 by Friday!!

 

Hi Guys,
I've never used Zaino product before so I have a question, let just say I'm getting the Canada Show Car Kit, how many times can I use it ??? I mean do most of their product just comes in small quality and you have to get new ones every other time you Zaino the car ? Thanks a lot guys.

 

I think I've put on about 10-12 coats of Z2/Z5 in 2 years.. Still have about half a bottle each left. The key is : less but more often. Apply the Zaino very thinly, 2 oz should be enough for one coat.

 

Two questions

What is claybar ?

Are Zaino and 3M plastic mutually exclusive ?

 

Ditto for me.
cleaned with dish soap, claybar to get a few bugs off the nose, and on with the show.

The stuff lasts a long time.

I have done 7 complete car applications on my kit, and am about half used up.

Great stuff.

BTW, no sunshine where you work on it, and coolish water..
not icy, definitely not hot!

 

Clay bar is a soft material kind of like Plasticene.
Mothers and Meguiars are a couple of the most commonly available brands.

It is basically mostly clay, and acts as a very fine abrasive.
It grabs grit and things that are embedded in your paint and removes them cleanly.
It is effective in removing bugs, tree sap, light road tar, paint overspray, rail dust, brake dust, industrial fallout and any other contaminants that adhere to the paint finish.

It is used wet with a lubricant spray, or may be used with soapy water when you wash the car.

See:
http://www.advanceautoparts.com/howt...20030401CB.htm

You wash the car, do the clay bar treatment, rinse and dry, and then Zaino it.

Zaino works fine on clearcoat, and aftermarket coatings like 3M and Ming.

Compared to wax Zaino is a lot less work, makes as good or better a finish, and does not have thick buildup. Plus you do not get that white gunk in every crevice and cranny.
You can apply it over plastic parts, headlight covers, and glass, without ill effect or ugly appearance.

Properly applied ( 2 to 3 thin coats) almost nothing will stick to it.
Bugs, dust, etc just come off with a duster brush.

When you buy it you think it is expensive, but as you come to realize how long a small bottle lasts, the value is more apparent.

I wash and wax fairly regularly, and my current kit is over a year old. And still half full.

 

Canzoomer.

Thanks for the clear and detailed explanation.

 

Hmmm, seems like it will last long than.

I used meguires and I used A LOT, well not TOO much but enough, it will probably be gone soon enough. I'll get zaino next time around, since I paid like $100 for the meguires I'm not going to toss it in the trash.

It works good, isn't too hard to do and makes washing that much easier, a little hosing and everything just falls off.

 

Wow. You guys are still putting on a LOT of Z2.
I've been on the same bottle for 3 years.
I probably put 12-15 coats (+ more of Z5) on my SiR, and when I sold it earlier this year, the paint still looked new. This car was even winter driven.

I have 4 coats of Z2 on my RX-8 so far.

So.. that's 16-20 applications, and I'm only 3/4 of the way through an 8-ounce bottle.

 

Zaino, this stuff is the bomb :D !!!! Been raining for the last few days, finally had a chance to Zaino the 8 today! I really recommend this stuff! Convinced with the other testimonials and bought my own starter kit from the local supplier and now my 8 has that wet look I craved for! Here are some pics for your enjoyment! I don't take pictures too often and it was a gloomy day! And please excuse the bucktooth, now that I think of it, I don't even know why I bothered hiding the plate! :o And I apologize for not lowering the resolution of the pics, it's been quite staggering and I'm tired!

After Zaino........

 

wow Frank, looks great. hey, did i see you last wednesday around 4.00 on Hastings near Sperling??
the car looks fantastic.

 

Thanks !

I think not! I still haven't seen one yet on the road other than mine!