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. :rolleyes: 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.... :D 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 :cool:
http://meguiarsonline.com/gallery/da...1202Bolt1a.jpg
http://meguiarsonline.com/gallery/da...1202Bolt2b.jpg
http://meguiarsonline.com/gallery/da...1202Bolt3c.jpg
