`02 Ford Lightning detail (and my Zaino review...LOOONG) 56K go eat a sandwich!!

[1 Clean WS6]

Hello all!!



Ah yes...the "Z" word. Never in a million years did I ever think that I would be posting a review of Zaino products on Autopia. Heck...the whole reason I found Autopia was to escape the ridiculousness of the Zaino Zealot syndrome which permeates ALL of the f-body specific forums. Just visit one and you`ll see what I mean. I almost feel bad for the folks on those sites because they no nothing of proper paint prep or process. They seem to think that since Zaino is on their f-body that it is magically better looking than any other product on the market. Sorry...I digress...



So how did I end up with Zaino on my shelf? Well...I recently had to turn away yet another job because a client requested Zaino products to be used on their vehicle and I did not have them in inventory nor had I ever used them. I decided that that would be the last job I lost because of this. I was tired of letting myself be turned away from trying a product line for the simple reason that I could not take the over "ambitious" behavior of some of its users. The bottom line was that my stubborn attitude was now costing me money...something that I could no longer tolerate. So enter Zaino...and 1 Clean WS6!!



The test pig would be my `02 Ford Lightning. This is my work truck and daily driver. I purchased her new off of the showroom floor and tow my detail trailer with her 6...sometimes 7 days a week. It is by no means a "beater" but is indeed a work vehicle (though it is always garaged when not in use). She gets no where near the amount of attention she deserves because my schedule simply does not permit it. Zaino, therefor, with its claims for insane durability seemed the logical choice. Now bear in mind before one drop of a Zaino product touched this truck it had been THOROUGHLY prepped by fellow forum member Blackbird and myself about two weeks ago. This prep included a clay and 2 complete passes from stem to stern with Meg`s #80 using Meg`s 8006 pads and our PC`s set at 5.



My Zaino process:



I made it a point to do everything per the Zaino instructions to a "T". I would use no other products on the truck and I would even do the damn blue Dawn wash!! I used the supplied terry applicators for application and used the recommended 100% cotton terry towels for removal. Here is what I did:



Wash with damn blue Dawn!!!



Clay with Z-18 using Z-6 as a lube



Wash with Z-7



Apply 3 coats of ZFX`d Z5 with a terry applicator with a coat of Z-6 applied after removal of each layer



24 hours later...



Apply 3 coats of ZFX`d Z2 with a terry applicator with a coat of Z-6 applied after removal of each layer



My Zaino review:



I will say with out question that the entire Zaino line is VERY EASY to use. Application and removal is a breeze. One ounce of Z-5 (with 5 drops of ZFX) was enough to apply 3 full coats to my truck and have enough left over for the rims and the door jams. The same was true of the Z-2. I would let the product set on the paint for about 20 minutes before I removed it with a Griot`s 100% cotton terry towel. Removal was a joke...this stuff came off like it wasn`t even there!!! :xyxthumbs I was beyond impressed...by far the easiest product I have EVER applied and removed (THIN...THIN...THIN coats are the key). The Z-6 was easy to apply and remove...a bit thick at full strength but still very easy to use. The finish it leaves is SLICK!!! The slickest finish I have felt to date. I have not used UPP yet which I hear is pretty slick but this stuff is up there. The look...well...hang on...let me get my flame suit on.... To me it wasn`t anything special. It was no doubt bright, clear with sharp reflections and makes the metallic pop but was not anything I could not achieve with a 100 other products. A nice look indeed but nothing that would make me sell all of my other products.



My Zaino conclusion:



I will no doubt continue to use the Z products on my truck. If they are as durable as most say they are then it will be a perfect fit for my often neglected Lightning. Will I use the products on a regular basis within the context of my business?? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! It is a VERY labor intensive process. Not that the products are hard to use but the entire process takes a good while (several washes...clay...and multiple coats) never mind that the paint needs to be prepped before application. I will indeed offer Zaino to my clients but will inform them that I will need the car for two full days (prep + the Zaino process) and will charge accordingly. All in all I was pleased with Zaino. It isn`t a very cost effective process to use on an everyday basis from a business standpoint but is now a viable option for me and my clients.



Let me eat my poop sandwich now...yes...I do like Zaino. :shocked



Here are the pics...



Enjoy,

Mike

[1 Clean WS6]

[1 Clean WS6]

[1 Clean WS6]

[1 Clean WS6]

LAST ONE!!!!



The products used for this detail....

[C. Charles Hahn]

LOL.... so does the Heineken work well as a QD spray? :lol

[6']['9]

good review, your truck looks awesome.



mmmmmmmmm heineken.

[spree]

nice job!



I used to use Zaino all the time with my `03 silver mustang GT, and I was happy with the results.



Then, I got my black cobra and treated her with Zaino the day that I bought it. I wasn`t too happy with the way it looked and stopped using Zaino ever since. I agree with you though, the durability is great.

[AMP01]

1 Clean WS6,



Your Lightning looks awsome!



Very wet and reflective! Thanks for the awsome review. I probably will not use Zaino on our two titanium metallic Bimmers due to the intensive process but I do admire your outcome!



Keep up the superb work and again thanks for the super review!



Cheers,

[NavindraLR]

Originally posted by Shiny Lil Detlr

LOL.... so does the Heineken work well as a QD spray? :lol

lol.. i noticed that as well... lookin good...

is it just me or does it seem like a lot of people are starting to try out zaino...

[matt01cobra]

Bad *** looking truck bro... really love those trucks... you did a good job.

[ZaneO]

Incredible detail and review!!



Let me give you a couple of pointers. Dawn is only recommend for the sole purpose that most people don`t know how to prep their paint. Zaino needs a bare surface for proper bonding, and Dawn gets that for people without the know-how. You CAN skip that step if you are polishing, etc.



Another thing that will save you time is to polish with a oil/filler free polish (ie. Menzerna or Poorboy`s). That way you can go straight to Zaino.



My typical process is:



Wash

Clay (as needed)

Polish

Zaino

[Pats300zx]

Nice review. I have to try some of that last product on the right on my next detail....:p

[Scottwax]

Very nice, Mike! Excellent review and nice to know what prep you did prior to using Zaino.



Is it just me, or on silver do Zaino and EX-P look very similar?

[1 Clean WS6]

THANK YOU all for the very kind words!! :xyxthumbs The Heineken seemed to be the key ingredient for this detail.



Zane thanks for the great tips! I have the Poorboy`s SSR`s as well as Menzerna IP and FP so that will definitely be something to experiment with. This was my first go with the Zaino line and I wanted my impressions of the whole process and its final product to be "untainted"...if that makes any sense.



Scott I`d say Zaino is near a dead ringer for EX-P on silver. Both are clear and reflective for sure.