[TheWorm]

Since everyone on the group buy ought to be getting their Zaino any time now, I figured I'd start a thread for questions, tips and tricks. So, here it is.

Here are some worthwhile links for tips:

http://www.zainobros.com/files/faq.htm
http://www.zainobros.com/files/application.htm
http://www.zainobros.com/files/tips.htm
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Flats/6021/zainofaq.html
http://www.c5forum.com/ayc/zainofaq.php

And, check out this Zaino shine

 

[Beige_MDX]

Wow! When I tilt my monitor just right, I can see myself in that shine. Waddya doin' this Saturday? You want to stop by (NYC), or should I drop it off?

 

[AtlantaMDX]

Beige_MDX,

You must look like a tree! And Worm, if you're in Atlanta this weekend, I've got the Zaino (or should soon)

 

[phillyflyer]

Atlanta:

I assume this is your first attempt at Zaino. Just a few words of advice. Use very little, and let it dry. These two things are the keys to Zaino, IMOHO.

Again, Ed's two step Zaino tip...

1. USE VERY LITTLE
2. LET IT DRY

I know these tips have been mentioned before, but they are SOOO important! Your results will be great.

Ed

 

[AtlantaMDX]

Philly,

It will be my first time with Zaino. I appreciate the tips. I plan to print out all the threads just to make sure I do everything right. I haven't actually received the Zaio yet, so I probably won't get it now until sometime next week.

 

[canson]

My tip: make sure you use quality towels - 100% cotton, made in the USA, and white - to avoid swirl marks.

 

[phillyflyer]

Good point, Canson.

I personally did not like the Zaino applicator. I used a small cotton washcloth. The threads on application are very helpful, as I printed them out and used them.

Atlanta:

If you have any specific questions, PM me and I can give you my experiences.

Ed

 

[Ronsully]

I too did not like the Zaino applicator. Instead, I removed the sponge from the applicator and now it seams to work better. I love the way Zaino makes the X shine. Seams like you don't have to wash the X as often with the Zaino

 

[Beige_MDX]

Beige_MDX,

You must look like a tree! And Worm, if you're in Atlanta this weekend, I've got the Zaino (or should soon)

Tilt the monitor further to the left . . . a little bit more . . . a little bit more . . .

 

[canson]

Since I haven't had time to put another coat of Zaino on in about 3-4 months, I can at least spend some time posting another tip!

I've found that the best way to put multiple coats on during one weekend, is to put a quick coat on Friday or Saturday night, then wake up the next morning wipe down and immediately put another one on and remove . That way you can get multiple coats on without tying up your car all day.

 

[TheWorm]

...Ed's two step Zaino tip...

1. USE VERY LITTLE
2. LET IT DRY
Ed

Those are good ones. Canson and I traded some awhile back re: this. There are a couple of habits/urges you have to avoid:

- This is NOT wax. If you see it going on, it's too thick. A good way to apply is a couple of squirts of z6 on the applicator, then draw an 'X' with the Zaino, with each line of the X about the width/size of a strand of spaghetti. That amount is sufficient for the hood+front fenders, then again for front+rear doors (each side), then again for both rear fenders+hatch. You'll see it haze when it dries.

- You've gotta be patient and let it dry completely, else you end up with streaks. I'm still too impatient because I want to see the shine sooo bad. The finger-swipe test mentioned on the Zaino site works. If you're not patient and you smear it, you can either wipe down with a damp cloth or rewash with z7. Do NOT use z6 if it's smeared; it'll only make it worse.

 

[AtlantaMDX]

A couple of questions:

When you say draw an "X", are you talking about the Z1? Draw an X on the applicator or on the surface of the car (I assume you mean the applicator)

Time is an issue for me because we have an outside watering ban that requires early morning (not me) or late night (more likely) washing. If I Wash, Clay, and Z1/Z5, and let it sit over night, can I drive it the next day before applying the Z6?

I'm thinking Dawn, Claybar (Z18), Z7, Z1, Z5, Z6, Z5, Z6, Z2, Z6

Should I drive at all during this process? If not I'll have to settle for a single z5 and z2.

Finally, do you end with z2, or do you use z6 or z7 as the last step?

Thanks for the info.

- This is NOT wax. If you see it going on, it's too thick. A good way to apply is a couple of squirts of z6 on the applicator, then draw an 'X' with the Zaino, with each line of the X about the width/size of a strand of spaghetti. That amount is sufficient for the hood+front fenders, then again for front+rear doors (each side), then again for both rear fenders+hatch. You'll see it haze when it dries.

- You've gotta be patient and let it dry completely, else you end up with streaks. I'm still too impatient because I want to see the shine sooo bad. The finger-swipe test mentioned on the Zaino site works. If you're not patient and you smear it, you can either wipe down with a damp cloth or rewash with z7. Do NOT use z6 if it's smeared; it'll only make it worse.

 

[TheWorm]

X on the applicator for all applications (z1/2/3/5); z6 sprays on car and z7 (which is the wash) goes in the bucket, of course).

OK to drive between coats, but the car has to be clean before the next, else you'll rub in dust dirt. You can Calif Car Dust or Z6 light dust, but not dirt.

Your steps look good. Always end with a z6 buff/detail (you don't have to, but it's the best shine). BTW, the z6 doesn't require any water -- it's just a squirt and wipe. The only app that requires water is the z7 wash. And keep in mind you're supposed to wait 8-24 hours after removing a coat for it to cure (doesn't count the z6, just the next z2/3/5). Exact time depends on humidity and temp.

 

[phillyflyer]

Atlanta:

First, don't worry about washing your car today--even with your restrictions. Everyone in Duluth is over at the PGA championships.

With that in mind, some on this board have suggested leaving it on, say, overnight. While that certainlly allows sufficient drying time, those of us with Black (like you and me) should be rightfully concerned about overnight dust accumulation. Dust, in my mind, together with the Z2, Z6, whatever, will tend to leave swirl marks when you remove the dry Zaino.

Why not try your late night wash, followed by an early AM California dusting, then apply the Zaino: Z2 or Z5 depending on your need for swirl removal, finishing with Z6. Repeat as necessary, or as time permits with appropriate dry times in between. In this scenario you should be able to get 2 coats on the car in one day.

I finish with Z6 always, and I use Z6 after washes. Not sure what you meant by your comment about finishing with Z7. That is the car wash.

Ed

 

[phillyflyer]

Right from the Zaino site:

Step7. After removeal of the Z2 or Z5 you should wait 24 hours if the temperature is under 70 or 6 hours if the temperature is over 70 degrees, before applying the next coat of Z2 or Z5.

Here is the reference for Zaino application:

http://www.zainobros.com/files/application.htm

Thanks Worm for your input. It made me look it up!

Ed

 

[Pittmdx]

I am now a zianoholic all the way.
One question that bothers me..Can there be an occasional commercial car wash that one could go for? These commercial places normally use wax. Would this visit then compel surface repreparation with Dawn and Z1 again?
On long trips I normally go for a commercial car wash and also immediaetly on the return(as I get pretty tired by then) and feel uncomfortable having a dirty car in the garage.

 

[TheWorm]

If you must use the commercial carwash, and they do use wax, I'd do a quick Dawn wash to get it off before the next round of Zaino. You don't, however, need to re-do the Z1 as neither the carwash's wax nor the dawn will remove the zaino underneath.

FWIW the carwash's liquid wax probably will barely last through a regular hand wash anyway, but the quick dawn will make sure of it.

 

[JNanas]

Here's an odd Zaino question - and one that our resident Zaino expert, TheWorm, will probably be unable to answer due to his geographic location:

What's it like trying to apply Zaino in cold weather?

I'm looking at Zaino'ing my new vehicle when it gets here in November - and so far, I'm not looking forward to it. I'm hoping for an unseasonably warm November here in NYC, but the chances of that are probably slim to none.

Anyone ever pull this off in cold weather? I will have the car inside my garage, with the door closed (but I think I'll hold off on running the engine) - but I'll still have to wash and dry the car outside, and of course, my garage is nowhere near heated.

 

[AtlantaMDX]

Per the "Zaino Application Tips" (proabably a copy on their web site as well) it says "Zaino Car Polish works best at 60 degress or higher. However, it can be applied down to temperatures of 45 degress. It just will take much, much longer to dry. As much as 2 or 3 hours drying time is required if the temperature is 50 degrees or below."

 

[mdxpdx]

I know it used to be said that you need to wait a month before waxing a new car to allow the paint to harden. Is this still the case with modern paints? Or can I clay-bar the day I get the car?