Nick’s unsolicited Zaino tips and tricks

[Nick T.]

Here are some of the Zaino tips and tricks that I’ve learned over the past 18 months and several bottles of Z-2 and Z-5:

First and most important - if this is your first application of Zaino it is very important to start with a swirl and micro-mar free paint surface. Zaino contains no oils to alter the refraction of light from these marks, and its clarity will only amplify them! Start off on the right foot; Dawn wash, clay, polish, glaze, and wash with Z-7 before the first coat of Zaino.

Instead of doing the entire care with Z-6 before applying Zaino, wipe down each area (1/2 of the hood, a door, etc.) with Z-6 immediately before applying the sealant. It seems to give a slightly higher shine. Speculation: maybe the Z-6 loosens the cross-linking for a short while and aids in bonding.

Micro-marring is a problem with polymer sealants; use only a light pressure when applying and buffing! Preferably use microfiber applicators and buffing cloths. Check them frequently for debris pickup!

Moisten the applicator with Z-6 before applying the sealant. It lets you get a thinner and more even coat, which in turn makes buffing require less pressure. Remoisten the applicator after each two or three areas as needed.

Especially important: Don’t put the Zaino on the applicator in a small circle as Mr. Z recommends on the Zaino web site, draw a “Z” on the applicator with the Zaino. This is even more important if you’re doing a Z3, Z4, Z-8, Z28, or a Nissan Z-car (or if you’re related to Zorro)!

After applying the Zaino wait until it’s thoroughly dry, then wait a little longer to ensure good bonding. It can sit overnight or even longer without harm.

When buffing use only light pressure. Shake out the buffing cloth very frequently and also visually check for debris pickup. I prefer white MF towels since that makes it easier to spot any trash. If there is an area where you put on too much product, then use Z-6 to aid in buffing - not more pressure. It’s not necessary to buff off each and every hazy spot - the finish coat of Z-6 will take care of that.

After buffing go over the entire care with a light wipe down of Z-6 then stand back and admire your work!

Now that you’re finished with the car, hand wash the applicator with Dawn and set it out to dry. When dry or nearly dry mist it with Z-6 and put it in a Zip-Loc .After 5 or 6 uses on each side, throw the applicator away and start with a new one! If you have any Z-2/ZFX or Z-5/ZFX left over, it may be kept in the refrigerator overnight with no hardening and no apparent effect on its quality.

It’s not necessary to use ZFX on each coat of Zaino. Mr. Z says to use it on every tenth application. I use it every second or third time.

If you don’t have a bottle of Z-1, it’s still a useful product even if you have ZFX. When dealing with my self-induced marring I spot polish with 3M SMR if needed, then 3M IHG, wipe with Z-6, and top with Z-1 and Z-5. It’s impossible to mix a small amount of Z-5 and ZFX.

All comments, improvements, suggestions, and flames appreciated.

Standard disclaimer: I am not a professional detailer, just an OCD sufferer and a charter member of the Anal Retentive Z3 Owners Association. YMMV!

Originally posted by Nick T.
Here are some of the Zaino tips and tricks that I’ve learned over the past 18 months and several bottles of Z-2 and Z-5:

First and most important - if this is your first application of Zaino it is very important to start with a swirl and micro-mar free paint surface. Zaino contains no oils to alter the refraction of light from these marks, and its clarity will only amplify them! Start off on the right foot; Dawn wash, clay, polish, glaze, and wash with Z-7 before the first coat of Zaino.

Instead of doing the entire care with Z-6 before applying Zaino, wipe down each area (1/2 of the hood, a door, etc.) with Z-6 immediately before applying the sealant. It seems to give a slightly higher shine. Speculation: maybe the Z-6 loosens the cross-linking for a short while and aids in bonding.

Micro-marring is a problem with polymer sealants; use only a light pressure when applying and buffing! Preferably use microfiber applicators and buffing cloths. Check them frequently for debris pickup!

Moisten the applicator with Z-6 before applying the sealant. It lets you get a thinner and more even coat, which in turn makes buffing require less pressure. Remoisten the applicator after each two or three areas as needed.

Especially important: Don’t put the Zaino on the applicator in a small circle as Mr. Z recommends on the Zaino web site, draw a “Z” on the applicator with the Zaino. This is even more important if you’re doing a Z3, Z4, Z-8, Z28, or a Nissan Z-car (or if you’re related to Zorro)!

After applying the Zaino wait until it’s thoroughly dry, then wait a little longer to ensure good bonding. It can sit overnight or even longer without harm.

When buffing use only light pressure. Shake out the buffing cloth very frequently and also visually check for debris pickup. I prefer white MF towels since that makes it easier to spot any trash. If there is an area where you put on too much product, then use Z-6 to aid in buffing - not more pressure. It’s not necessary to buff off each and every hazy spot - the finish coat of Z-6 will take care of that.

After buffing go over the entire care with a light wipe down of Z-6 then stand back and admire your work!

Now that you’re finished with the car, hand wash the applicator with Dawn and set it out to dry. When dry or nearly dry mist it with Z-6 and put it in a Zip-Loc .After 5 or 6 uses on each side, throw the applicator away and start with a new one! If you have any Z-2/ZFX or Z-5/ZFX left over, it may be kept in the refrigerator overnight with no hardening and no apparent effect on its quality.

It’s not necessary to use ZFX on each coat of Zaino. Mr. Z says to use it on every tenth application. I use it every second or third time.

If you don’t have a bottle of Z-1, it’s still a useful product even if you have ZFX. When dealing with my self-induced marring I spot polish with 3M SMR if needed, then 3M IHG, wipe with Z-6, and top with Z-1 and Z-5. It’s impossible to mix a small amount of Z-5 and ZFX.

All comments, improvements, suggestions, and flames appreciated.

Standard disclaimer: I am not a professional detailer, just an OCD sufferer and a charter member of the Anal Retentive Z3 Owners Association. YMMV!

I have been using ZFX on every coat. I usually do two or three in a 5 hour peroid which requires it.

[Nick T.]

When I do three coats in one day I also use ZFX with each coat. Also, when doing three coats I let it rest for a day or two before adding another coat. Mr. Z said that the rest period is needed to allow proper curing of the new bond.

[solara]

Originally posted by Nick T.

Especially important: Don’t put the Zaino on the applicator in a small circle as Mr. Z recommends on the Zaino web site, draw a “Z” on the applicator with the Zaino. This is even more important if you’re doing a Z3, Z4, Z-8, Z28, or a Nissan Z-car (or if you’re related to Zorro)!

Your special "Z" technique is interesting...

Thanks for the light-pressure buffing suggestions and the washing tips though. Applied correctly, Zaino usually does not require too much effort to be removed or buffed out. My car is 6-months old and I don't see any noticeable optical difference in misting it with QD or not. However, let me try again by applying immediately before the Z2 coat.

Aloha!

[Avalanche]

Originally posted by Nick T.
[b]First and most important - if this is your first application of Zaino it is very important to start with a swirl and micro-mar free paint surface. Zaino contains no oils to alter the refraction of light from these marks, and its clarity will only amplify them! Start off on the right foot; Dawn wash, clay, polish, glaze, and wash with Z-7 before the first coat of Zaino.

Just my 2 cents,

To be sure the surface is well prepped, first you should wash with any car wash, clay and polish. Skip the glaze as it is all fillers and oils, THEN dawn wash. Z7 is specially formulated NOT to remove waxes, and the specificly theZ polish. The only reason to Dawn is to remove the oils and silicones from the polishing step. If you still have marring, instead of glaze, go back and polish again. If you Z7 as the last step there will still be lots of oils and silicone left which can inhibit the bonding of the Z.

[joed1228]

Originally posted by Avalanche
Skip the glaze as it is all fillers and oils

Same thing I was thinking.

[Nick T.]

Avalanche and joed1228, you’re both right about IHG being mostly fillers and oils. It’s the fillers that you want, not the oils. Both the fillers and the oils in IHG are very susceptible to UV rays. IHG must be topped with something before exposure to the sun or it will quickly be gone.

Here’s what I’ve done successfully on many swirls and some scratches caused by a cat sliding off of my hood:
Work on the spot damage with IHG and a cotton ball until I’m satisfied with the smooth reflection. Wipe down the work area with a little premixed Z-7 that I keep in a spray bottle. Then a wipe with Z-1, then Z-5, buff when dry. Lately I’ve been getting rid of the oils using Z-6 instead of the Z-7 solution and it seems to work as well. I’ve had no trouble with this method. If the Zaino wasn’t bonding well, then the IHG would soon evaporate in the direct sun.

Awhile back I put some intentional scratches on the bumper of my Jet Black roadster and experimented with various products and techniques for dealing with them. The clear winner was 3M SMR for deeper scratches and 3M IHG for finer scratches. P21S GEPC is also excellent for finer scratches and seems to be more UV resistant. I always follow SMR with GEPC and then IHG when working on spot damage.

As always, YMMV!

[Bruce Peter]

Nick T

I couldn't agree more with your entire method. I do almost exactly the same thing using IHG and have seen no ill affects.

Two points that you made which I will echo.

1. The finish must be perfect, if not the zaino will make it look worse. Z5 is useless filling micro marring, don't count on it to help.

2. Light pressue is paramount. Dark cars especially will show micro marring with even the slightest pressure. I am now dealing with them on three coats. I attempted to cover them with some Siouveran with no luck.

As a caveat I use 100% cotton cloths to apply. The Z applicators are NG! I wash them every time. Now that I think about it I should, as you suggest, throw it out and use a new one. That may have caused the marring. And of course lubricate with Z6

Thanks for your post.
Bruce

[audio1der]

Wow! Threads like this are EXACTLY why I joined!

Here are the steps I see as neccessary for my first Zaino app.:
-Wash, using whatever
-Z18 (Clay)
-Z5 (Polish)
-Wash, using Z7
-Z5 if needed
-Z6(pre.)
-Z2
-Z6(post.)
-Repeat coats if wanted.
Whew! this seems like a lot of work, although I should be able to do all those in 1 day, having only to wait up to 24hrs. before another Z2 layer- correct?

[Nick T.]

audio1der - here’s my take on your plan:

For the first wash use a liquid dishwashing detergent such as Dawn. This will remove all the carnauba, road oils, etc. that may be on your paint and make claying easier.

When claying be sure to use plenty of lubricant. Normal carwash solution in a spray bottle works fine.

Z-5 is not a polish, only a filler - and not a very good one. It will fill very fine scratches, but it takes many coats to be effective. Depending on how much marring you have, here are my steps: #1 3M SMR, #2 P21S GEPC, 3M IHG. If you only have a few minor marks skip #1 (or just do spot polishing) and start with #2. If your paint is near perfect, then skip #1 and #2. After using these products it is necessary to wash with Z-6 to remove residual oils and abrasives prior to applying the Zaino protectant.

I’d start with Z-5/ZFX and continue with it until you’re happy with the swirls, then switch to Z-2. Try to get really thin and even layers of Zaino. with a little experience you should be able to do two full coats with one ounce of product. Remember to use only light pressure when buffing. If you have difficulty removing some of the dried Zaino don’t do the natural thing, adding pressure. Fight the impulse to press harder and just buff more and maybe use a little Z-6 as an aid.

[jcattarulla]

This spring I plan to make the Z leap. I've been a Carnauba guy forever, but I'm ready to switch!

Here's my plan, what do you think:

-Shampoo car with Zymol Clear
-DACP with PC
-#9 with PC
-#7 iwith PC (if needed to bring down any residual hazing)
-DAWN
-Z steps

Sound good?

[Bruce Peter]

Originally posted by jcattarulla
This spring I plan to make the Z leap. I've been a Carnauba guy forever, but I'm ready to switch!

Here's my plan, what do you think:

-Shampoo car with Zymol Clear
-DACP with PC
-#9 with PC
-#7 iwith PC (if needed to bring down any residual hazing)
-DAWN
-Z steps

Sound good?

You can use Z7 in place of dawn