A carnauba user gives in and tries Zaino

C

chevyguy28

New member
I thought this might be useful for die-hard carnauba users...



All I have ever used up until now was carnauba wax, specifically S100 paste wax (the P21S twin brother). The car is a black C32 AMG. Here's my analysis of S100, with a base of #7.



Likes: Great shine, shimmering effect, depth, tinting of black to an even darker look, ease of use, some swirl filling/hiding abilities.

Dislikes: Durability is lacking. Maximum was four washes (usually less), then I felt like the car was not being protected anymore. The shine remained, but the surface lost a lot of slickness and water beads grew largish.



So basically, I turned to Zaino because I needed some durability! First thing I noticed after washing the car with dawn is the reflections were noticeably sharper. The #7/S100 combo really muddied up the finish that was already plagued with orange peel. All the swirls were visible in full glory now, so I decided to try and polish them out. I felt like I needed the best looking finish possible before applying the Zaino.



Process:

- #9 2.0 SMR via PC with yellow pad

- dawn wash (was getting better results this way on my test panel)

- Klasse AIO with white pad

- dawn (Sal Zaino confirmed that this is all that is necessary, probably could have skipped this and still have it bond)

- ZFX/Z-5 x 3, Z-6 between each layer.



Zaino analysis:

Likes: Excellent surface gloss, much brighter shine than S100, looks beautiful during the day. When I finished at sunset the car glowed orange. Optical clarity, it DOES make a difference. Zaino QD, wash, and polishes all benefit from each other. Pretty quick to buff off and apply as long as you put it on THIN. Did three coats and still had plenty left with using three ounces. Hopefully this stuff will last.

Dislikes: Depth not up to S100, shows defects so heavy surface prep recommended (this aspect may improve with repeated Z-5 application). For the budget, you can't just buy Z-5. It's best to get the entire line, so it is not as cost effective as carnauba.



So basically what happened is what we would have suspected. What's my verdict? I'm going to hang with Zaino for a while. I just hated second guessing whether or not my car was protected. I will probably still do a coat of Z-5 every two or three weeks, but if I don't want to, it's okay. With S100 it was a necessity. I'm satisfied with the overall look. What you give up in depth you more than make up for in shine. One thing that may have skewed my feelings is that now my finish is nearly swirl free. Zaino really looks good on it.



I will try and take pictures and do a photoshop cut so you can see the S100/Zaino pics side by side.
 
Great switch! :xyxthumbs Glad everything turned out well!



Zaino's durability and protection factor are tops!(Klasse in a close second;) ) I like the fact that if I HAVE TO leave my car out in the blazing sun for 3-4 hours, I don't have to worry about it 'melting' off or 'sweating' or my paint fading!:cool:



Maybe when I get a garage queen I'll go back to carnauba, but for the piece of mind on a daily driver, it's worth its weight in gold!



:wavey
 
u mixed 3 ounces of Zaino and got only 3 coats out of it!!! You are applying it way to heavily. I usually get 3 coats out of 1 ounce.
 
AlBoston said:
u mixed 3 ounces of Zaino and got only 3 coats out of it!!! You are applying it way to heavily. I usually get 3 coats out of 1 ounce.
Click to expand...



No, actually I ended up wasting a LOT. It was my first time mixing it so I didn't know how much I would need. Lesson learned. I probably used a max of 2/5 ounce per coat.
 
KCPreki11 said:
Did you have to dawn wash after #9 and AIO?



Why didn't you use Z6 in between the Z5 coats?
Click to expand...



The dawn wash after #9 probably was not necessary. The AIO was streaking after I buffed off the residue, so I washed the entire car and tried again. That seemed to solve the problem. As for the dawn wash after AIO, it was to make sure the Zaino would bond. I thought that Zaino would bond to AIO, but I called up Sal Zaino to see what he would say. He told me to dawn wash after AIO and I would be fine. This step was merely a precautionary measure...it probably would have bonded onto AIO (that is my speculation, I really don't know).



As for Z-6, yes I used it. I will edit my post.
 
I've never used Zaino, but I am thinking about it because of it's durability (especially after some people's experience with Platinum). I currently use Carnauba too. So far I haven't had any durability problems, but I just started using them (#26 instead of the MPPP I used before). Anyway, my question is: shouldn't you have used Z-1 first? And also, shouldn't you have put on multiple coats of Z-2, not Z-5? It seems like most of the comparos or new users just apply Z-5, but looking at the zaino website, it seems like that isn't the way it is supposed to be used. Does it not matter that much or something? (Input from current Zaino user's who've used Z-1/Z-2 would be appreciated too). Thanks! I look forward to seeing the pictures!



Edit: Ah-ha... I just saw the ZFX is a replacement for the Z-1. I wonder if using the Z-1 will increase the depth or wetness even when using ZFX, though.
 
Aurora40 said:
I've never used Zaino, but I am thinking about it because of it's durability (especially after some people's experience with Platinum). I currently use Carnauba too. So far I haven't had any durability problems, but I just started using them (#26 instead of the MPPP I used before). Anyway, my question is: shouldn't you have used Z-1 first? And also, shouldn't you have put on multiple coats of Z-2, not Z-5? It seems like most of the comparos or new users just apply Z-5, but looking at the zaino website, it seems like that isn't the way it is supposed to be used. Does it not matter that much or something? (Input from current Zaino user's who've used Z-1/Z-2 would be appreciated too). Thanks! I look forward to seeing the pictures!
Click to expand...



S100 does not last that long, but it sure looks great. After seeing Z-5 on my car, I'm willing to halt the use of S100 for now.



Those are some good questions. Several people recommended getting just Z-5 for a black car. Z-2 is supposed to have higher optics. Thus, you are supposed to layer Z-5 first until you are satisfied, then layer Z-2. If you have some marring, you can go back to Z-5 and then end with Z-2 again. The difference in look between the two products takes an educated eye (or so I'm told). You do not use Z-1 if you use the ZFX additive. After the intitial application, neither Z-1 nor ZFX will be needed for six months. However, ZFX is still useful because it reduces drying time dramatically.



I'd like to hear what an experienced Zainophile has to say as well.
 
ZFX can be used with every coat of Zaino or whenever you like, as long as it's used with the first coat if you have never used Z1. If you are using the Z1 approach, you apply Z1 every 10 coats of polish or every six months on a daily driver. But, even with ZFX, I still use Z1 every now and then. This is not necessary though! Since I've used Zaino for a while, I still have Z1 on hand, and probably always will. I feel the Z1 tightens up the slickness and gloss, and enhances the durability. There is just something about using Z1 that makes the car feel and look even better, so I like to still use it. I don't use ZFX with every coat of polish, but it's OK to do so.



About Z2 and Z5, most start off with Z5 for its swirl hiding abilities and finish up with Z2 for higher clarity and optics. The shine between Z5 and Z2 is very close now that the formulas have changed earlier this year. It would take a well educated Z user to notice the difference, but the difference is slight nonetheless. In fact, many dark colored car owners use Z5 alone because its shine is so similar while giving the benefits of swirl hiding. I think it was easier to tell the difference between the older versions of Z2 and Z5, but that's just me.



Anyway, good to hear you had good results Justin! I think you'll be amazed at how easy the car is to maintain the same level of shine as when you first applied the polish. The gloss is exceptional and IMO the depth is 99% as good as most carnaubas I've used. Besides, I find that people notice a shinier car more than a car with more depth anyway! :)



:wavey
 
Mike,



I agree with what you say about Z-1. I've only used ZFX for quite some time now, but recently I did a Z-1 application b/c I was showing my co-worker just how thin she should be applying it. Maybe it was psychological, but for some reason, it seemed Z-5 spread on my car easier and buffed out smoother when done right after Z-1, even though it was mixed with Z-5.



Justin,



Glad you're happy with Z so far. I love the way Zaino glows in the late afternoon and evenings. Not shabby at all in the middle of the day either. I'm looking forward to hearing your updates.
 
I have been using Zaino for a while now and I absolutly love the durability. But a buddy of mine is a carnuba fan and I love the deep dark shine of his truck.



So yesterday I went to the local Harley shop and picked up some S100 for $14.95 to put over my zaino to see what would happen.



I have several coats of Z5 and Z2 so the protection is there but now with the s100 on top I think it is much deeper and darker than it was with just zaino.



I figure even when the s100 wears off I will still have the protection of the Zaino and I plan to strip 1 or 2 times a year and start the proccess over again Z base and S100 topper.



One other plus is the S100 is the easiest wax I have ever used in my life. Easy on and easy off with no white on the plastic...
 
Yes...S100 is like butter, it looks great over #7.



So if I were to use Zaino...I use the ZFX on every coat I want to dry fast, right?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top