My offical review of the Zaino Lineup -

[GregCavi]

It was time to post my well overdue review of the entire Zaino lineup. I have had the lineup on my car for a few months and absolutely love it. I have also applied the products on as many cars as I could get my hands on. One quick note is that my girlfriend was never overly impressed with the pictures I would show her, but in all honesty when I showed her a picture of a car with the z5pro on it, she was shocked (I was shocked too ).


Z-2 PRO Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Car Finishes

From using this I find that it is best on light colored cars. Application is very simple, just add the desired amount, add a few drops of the zfx, and a spray of Z8 and your off. I like to take at least 20 minutes for the z2pro to dry; furthermore, removal is a breeze. I love the way that the Z2pro accentuates metallic flake. Durability on this product is around 6+ months.



Z-5 PRO Show Car Polish for Swirl Marks and Fine Scratches

This is by far my favorite Z sealant. Application is the same as the Z2pro, just add zfx, and a little z8 (not required), and then apply. Only 10 minutes is needed for the z5pro to dry and like the z2pro a little goes a LONG way. The slickness of the z5 is stunning, and is by far the slickest I have encountered. At times, especially with darker colored cars in the sun, I will get a little bit of streaking. To alleviate the issue at hand I first reach for a clean microfiber to remove the residue. If the streaking still remains I will use a little spritz of z6, and lastly I use distilled water to remove the streaking. It doesn’t happen often but it is something that can happen if the panel gets very warm. The look of this sealant is amazing as it has the depth of a carnauba, but is also shiny, with 6 months durability to boot.

After applying the z5pro to my car, I washed it, and the way the water sheeted off the car once the mitt passed over blew my mind. It was so incredibly slick that water had a hard time staying on the car. I must also mention that after a rainstorm my car remains very clean because much of the water sheets off.







Z-6 Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer Spray

This is an awesome QD that smells like grape Dimetapp. The QD works excellent with the whole Zaino system, and works great on the paint, windows, wheels, exhaust, etc. I haven’t experienced streaking with this product that has occurred in the past with other QD's. The slickness of the QD is also very nice.

Z-7 Show Car Wash

The Z7 wash has a nice fruity smell (gushers?) and creates a very luxurious soap that glides effortlessly across the surface. As others have noted the Z7 has a little more cleaning ability that other soaps out there. Although you can use any soap for the Z system the Z7 is my favorite.

Z-9 Leather Soft Spray Cleaner

Although I don’t have leather in my car I use this on client’s vehicles. The spray has a very authentic leather smell to it and cleans very well. I have noticed a touch more softness to the leather once I use the spray. This is a great step prior to the z10 leather in a bottle.

Z-10 Leather in a Bottle

Step 2 of the Z leather system the Z10 can be used on leather and vinyl surfaces. The product has an excellent leather smell (hence the name), and leaves a low-med gloss on all finishes. I have experience excellent durability with this one, lasting 3 months easy. A favorite mix of mine that I was suggested from other Z users is mix up 3 oz. of z10 with 1 oz of 16 for a touch more gloss. I highly recommend trying this if you haven’t used the mix before.

Z-16 Perfect Tire Gloss

For some reason I can pick out when tires are dressed with the Z16 tire gloss. It is a medium gloss tire dressing that has excellent durability lasting through several washes. The product spreads super easy over the tires, and one trigger pull usually can coat 1 tire on a car. Because of the durability the z16 works excellent on trim too. I have found that z16 applied to dull vinyl that would otherwise need to be died, can rejuvenate it to new condition, However if the trim gets wet or is rained on prior to it drying, it will not work as well to restore the trim.

Z-18 Clay Bar

Clay is clay in my opinion. I do like the red color, and the container is nice. 2 individually wrapped clay bars come in each little container. They are very durable, and don’t stick to my hands.

Z-8 Grand Finale Spray Seal

If you look up "Icing on the cake" in the dictionary it will read" See: Z-8 Grand Finale Spray Seal. This is by far the best booster/spray sealant I have ever tried. Just when I think your finish couldn’t get any slicker, it does by using the z8. I have had clients feel the paint after I finish and they can’t believe their paint is as slick as it is. I like to use this after every wash to maintain.


CONCLUSION

I was blown away/hooked as soon as I tried the Z16 tire dressing, and then proceeded to do the interior with the products. After I prepped my paint I used the z5pro. I will admit I wasn’t hooked until I applied the second coat; then I was hooked. The durability of these products are very beneficial to me, because I am in college and don’t have much time to care for my car beyond a weekly washing. After I wash my car you would think it was waxed minutes before. The finish is always slick, always very shiny and deep and always beads like crazy. I highly recommend the system if you haven’t tried it yet

Greg

[Pats300zx]

Great review Greg.

Thanks for putting that together. I recently tried some Zaino products recently and found them to be very good with great results.

[wannafbody]

Z5pro topped with Z8 is killer on dark mettallics. I'm less of a fan of Z2pro on some mettallics as it can provide a bit too much reflectivity and wash some mettallics out. Adding Z8 over Z2pro makes a subtel improvement on metallics. I really like the versatility of ZPC and it's cleaning ability is second to none.

[racingbeat]

Has anyone compared Z8 to FK 425?
I don't really use 425 as a 'gloss booster' (been using OCW spray, Aqua Wax for that) but
more as a chaser to keep the car clean and SLICK and I mean SLICK. People come over just to feel my paint. OCW an AW lacks the anti-static properties of 425 and 425 doesn't deliver the same level of gloss. But I would never leave my paint bare without 425.

I'm trying to find which Product is the best mate to 425. A Z8+425 'one two punch" sounds interesting. But I'm weary of Zaino's reportedly finicky nature with non-z products.

[milky_08]

thanks Greg. when I saw that red vw on dc, I got some Zaino to try. So far I'm loving it too

[martinager]

very nice. Can you top zaino with a nuba of choice? Say after z2, or do you go straight to the z8 spray as the toper ?

Also since z5 helps hide fine swirls, etc, does it go first then z2, then z8 or a nuba??

Thanks for this. Im trying to get information on different methods to surprise my stepdad with his MKIV Supra.

[G35stilez]

Nice review, Greg.


I'm glad you saw the results I did. I think more and more, people will see where our crazy loyalism is coming from...once you try, you're hooked (in most cases).



racingbeat: Since #425 is termed at a "Quick Detailer", it would compete better with Z6. Zaino is a true *system*. Using Z6 will yield the most desirable results and, in warmer climates, it is my QD of choice. In the winter I switch back to #425 due to it's higher content of propynol. This higher content yields quicker drying time, hence, less/no streaking.

Z8 is more like your OCW or Aquawax. I use Z8 after every wash/dry session. It enhances gloss, slickness, and durability.


martinager: You can, but I don't see the need. On the previous version of Z5, the depth wasn't there for me on red and a layer of two of paste quickly pleased me. However, on Z5 Pro on darks, it is hard to tell the difference (done after correct polishing) unless you are using something like Souveran (arguably the depthiest wax out there).

I always start with Z5 Pro on my personal vehicles and if I desire more gloss/pop, I then go to Z2 Pro. I like Z5 Pro because I will usually recoat each month to mask any faint marring that I created over that time.

[BlkTac05]

Originally Posted by martinager

very nice. Can you top zaino with a nuba of choice? Say after z2, or do you go straight to the z8 spray as the toper ?

Also since z5 helps hide fine swirls, etc, does it go first then z2, then z8 or a nuba??

Thanks for this. Im trying to get information on different methods to surprise my stepdad with his MKIV Supra.

Zaino can be topped with a carnauba but there really is no need to do so. Applying a carnauba over the "Z" prohibates further layers of "Z", as Zaino doesn't bond to nubas. You can do so, but you'd have to strip the wax & start completely over before re applying the "Z" system. Think of ot this way...........Z5 Pro & Z2 Pro will last 6+ months when properly maintained ( Z7 wash/Z6/Z8 etc ) and a carnauba will last about 2 months tops. Why sacrifice the durability of the "Z"?? Simply wash with Z7 & QD with Z6 after washes. The jewel of the "Z" system is Z8! Just a terrific product! Top the "Z" with Z8 then maintain the "Z" finish with Z8 every 2 weeks or so for optimum optics & durability. For instance, I wash with Z7 twice per week & QD with Z6 after each wash. Every 2 weeks, I apply Z8 after washing & QD'ing with Z6. The results have been nothing short of stunning on my new black '06 300C.

I should also mention that I'm an admitted "Carnauba Junkie", & I've recently come back to my Zaino stash! Natty's Blue, Souveran, Trade Secret, P21S, Pink Wax & CMW have been staples in my arsenal for quite some time now. Applying a layer of these fine nubas every 3 weeks or so is pure joy for me. I enjoy the experience & love the "nuba look" on my black paint. My recent Z5 Pro-Z2Pro-Z6-Z8 experiences have got me thinking why I strayed from Zaino for the past year. The "Z" system is the total package solution for those of us who want the best of all worlds for our vehicles. Ease of use, ( yes......even adding drops of ZFX & shaking the bottle is worth it ) optics, durability & even the high quality of the entire Zaino line up makes it worth the investment. Atleast from where I stand...............

[BlkTac05]

Originally Posted by G35stilez

Nice review, Greg.


I'm glad you saw the results I did. I think more and more, people will see where our crazy loyalism is coming from...once you try, you're hooked (in most cases).



racingbeat: Since #425 is termed at a "Quick Detailer", it would compete better with Z6. Zaino is a true *system*. Using Z6 will yield the most desirable results and, in warmer climates, it is my QD of choice. In the winter I switch back to #425 due to it's higher content of propynol. This higher content yields quicker drying time, hence, less/no streaking.

Z8 is more like your OCW or Aquawax. I use Z8 after every wash/dry session. It enhances gloss, slickness, and durability.


martinager: You can, but I don't see the need. On the previous version of Z5, the depth wasn't there for me on red and a layer of two of paste quickly pleased me. However, on Z5 Pro on darks, it is hard to tell the difference (done after correct polishing) unless you are using something like Souveran (arguably the depthiest wax out there).

I always start with Z5 Pro on my personal vehicles and if I desire more gloss/pop, I then go to Z2 Pro. I like Z5 Pro because I will usually recoat each month to mask any faint marring that I created over that time.

You've hit the nail on the head, again, my friend! I've seen a huge difference between Z5 & Z5 Pro. I was shocked at the nuba like depth/warmth Z5 Pro produced on my new black paint. (click & brag thread "BlkTac05 '06 Chrysler 300C" to see Z5 Pro on black)

[Guy]

Greg, the Toyota Avalon you sent my way had a fresh coat of Zaino, which he put on to thick and couldn't get it all off. When I was polishing it with optimum the zaino seemed to gum up the polish and the pad almost rendering it inefective. After a while the pad wouldn't even stay on the PC! At the time I thought the pad had just seen it's last days until I cleaned it. Have you or anybody on here had this problem before? I'm guessing Zaino should be removed before the polishing process? I only got the top of the car done with maybe a 50% reduction in swirls. Everything went wrong that day, when I went to take pics my card was full of grand daughter pics! BTW those cars look great, fantastic job!

[GregCavi]

Originally Posted by Guy

Greg, the Toyota Avalon you sent my way had a fresh coat of Zaino, which he put on to thick and couldn't get it all off. When I was polishing it with optimum the zaino seemed to gum up the polish and the pad almost rendering it inefective. After a while the pad wouldn't even stay on the PC! At the time I thought the pad had just seen it's last days until I cleaned it. Have you or anybody on here had this problem before? I'm guessing Zaino should be removed before the polishing process? I only got the top of the car done with maybe a 50% reduction in swirls. Everything went wrong that day, when I went to take pics my card was full of grand daughter pics! BTW those cars look great, fantastic job!

Thanks for the comment everyone. Sorry to hear that guy. THe z is made to be applied very thin. I think maybe a Dawn wash or 2 may have been beneficial to that or maybe a heavy paint cleaner.

Greg

[blkZ28Conv]

Excellent and wonderful review Greg!!!

The best thing about the Zaino line is that Sal is never ever satisfied. The future will only bring even better products, results, if that's possible, and ease of usage.

Can't wait until Sal comes back out of the Lab again!!!!!!!