WAHOOO! ZAINO arrived.. - first time user

SC5spd · 02-01-02, 09:30

It finally got here. I got all the goodies -

1 Z1
2 Z2
1 Z5
1 Z6
free Z7
1 ZFX
2 cotton applicators
1 Leather in a bottle

but I think I made the mistake of buying BOTH Z1 and ZFX.
I was SHOCKED to see my $20 ZFX is nothing but a TINY TINY tube with blue ink in it

how long can it last? it seems like it'd only last a few coats.
Also, I dont want my Z1 to go to waste, can I use Z1 since this is my first time? And then mix a lil ZFX w/ Z2 or Z5?

I have a BLACK Lexus SC300 and I will show you guys the pictures of b4 and after. I also got the NOVUS plastic cleaner/polish for the rear tailights which is a bit scuffed.
Any other tip/advice for a first time ZAINO user would be appreciated. I WANT TO "Z" IT RIGHT!

DETAILKING · 02-01-02, 09:48

You don't need the z1. Keep it in case you do someone elses car. You can use that for the first coat (as required) instead of using up your prized ZFX. ZFX should treat up to 16 ounces of Z2/Z5. Most guys are getting multiple coats per ounce so you are set for a while!

You don't have to use ZFX with every coat, only when you want to do apply multiple coats in one day, but with all its advantages I would use it for every coat, plus the shorter drying time. Please don't use the Z1 with Z2/ZFX!!

So what product is on the car now? What condition is the car in? How are you going to prep it? AS a minimum, I would recommend a dawn wash and thorough cleaning or claying.....

Apply z, thin. Get even coverage, but apply it like it is 500 bucks a ounce! I dampen (not wet) the applicator and then spray some shots of Z6 on it for easier coverage. Don't be afraid to Z outside as you can apply it and use it in the sun. Lastly, wait for it to dry completely before buffing off to avoid smearing........

You are gonna love it!

Blk300ZX · 02-01-02, 09:49

The ZFX has about 64 drops in the vile which will treat 16 ounces.
So when do you plan to treat your car? Its easy to get carried away so schedule some snack bereaks. Youll need the extra energy.

Have Fun!

Ryan

SC5spd · 02-01-02, 10:25

o whoa, this sounds like a full day of rigorous exercise
Thanks for the advice DK.
Well, my car is a '97, but in very good condition by 95% of the population. but upon further inspection after coming to this forum, i see the swirl marks (on black car). and there are also a few paint chips in the front due to high way driving. blk cars are IMPOSSIBLE to maintain!
and also, after coming to this forum, it breaks my heart to know that I've been using the cheap stuff - turtle wax on my paint

Other than that, it's been through the car washes (which I won't EVER again, i promise)... and whateva product they use for wax and clear coat protection there.

I bought meguiar's Gold Class car wash recently (the thick gold concentrated stuff that looks like honey). That stuff smells really good and worked well for the last time i used it to wash. Can I use that to wash rather than Z7?
I plan to do this. DAWN (palmolive ok?) first to strip any previous products.
Then, use meguiar's car wash or Z7
Then do Z1, Z2, Z5. I guess the first time, I'll not use ZFX?
Maybe wait till next time to do 3 coats.

P.S. where does a claybar fit into all this?

puterbum · 02-01-02, 10:30

In response to the claying question --

My steps would be something like this, just my personal preference, others do it differently:

1) Wash car with carwash.
2) Clay car
3) Polish car with swirl remover stuff
4) Wash car
5) Polish car with secondary abrasive, milder than the first (AIO for Klasse, PPCL for Zaino, but you must do #6 for Z!)
6) Dawn wash to remove polish residue / fillers. Spray water on the car and make sure it acts the same way as when it was stripped from clay -- you don't want any polish residue left. If it sheeted water after claying and beads water in some spots now, wash them down with DAWN or rubbing alcohol.

7) Wash car with carwash to remove Dawn residue.
8) Apply sealant, etc

HTH,
puterbum

Guess My Name · 02-01-02, 10:43

What DK said and Putey said to be extra careful and if you want the superdy duper look!

IF you want see if you can trade the Z1 back to sal for something else if you want... 1 bottle last like a lifetime since it is applied for the first coat and then every 5-10 coats if not going the ZFX route.

Remove those swirls first for a killer look!!!

DETAILKING · 02-01-02, 10:54

For the first coat even if you only plan to do one.........

It is more userfriendly, will dry faster, improve gloss, and cure harder to reduce marring from improper toweling.

You can try the gold class wash but after using Z7 I doubt you will want to. Use the Z7 for the first wash. Notice how the car looks glossier and slicker. THe next time, use gold class and compare. No contest.

Zaino wash works awesome with the system. Try out both and use what works best for you...........

I would clay after the dawn wash, if necessary. If you want you can use clay on a clean car with Z7 wash as lube so you don't have to wash afterwards.....just rinse VERY good........

SC5spd · 02-01-02, 12:09

ok, sounds good. i will get to it early saturday morning, i just hope this so called 'storm' moving to the east coast doesnt hit us too soon

also, w/ regards to claybar. i didn't get the Z claybar. darn it, should i just get the mothers claybar instead? any big difference?
my local autotrak has the mothers claybar kit for $16. it includes the clay bar, showtime (the lubricant) and also a wax, which i dont need.
should i just get this claybar since I dont want to reorder Z unless i'm gonna get alota stuff from there.

puterbum · 02-01-02, 12:26

The MOTHERS claybar will work fine, it's the preferred store-bought one for most people. Make sure you break the claybar into a few pieces, the MOTHERS claybar can be pretty slippery.

Here is a thread with people's clay opinions