Clean Edge Detailed: Jacked 350z

[jw]

From reading many posts on this board it looks like Zaino is the way to go. I've looked on Zaino's web site and the process looks confusing. I plan on using z-2, z-5, zfx, and maybe z-1? My questions are do i need to use z-1 if i'm using zfx? After i use zfx and z-5 do i need to wait 24 hours before applying z-2. Is the zfx really worth it.



Another question i have is, i believe it says to apply zaino in a circular motion. Is this good to do, everything i have ever read about detailing says to apply in straight back and forth motion to avoid swirl marks? What do you guys do.



thanks

 

[William420]

If you are using ZFX, you do NOT need Z1.



If you are using ZFX, you do NOT need to wait 24hours before applying Z-2. You can apply up to 3 coats in the same day, provided that you mix ZFX with Z5 OR Z2. You only need to wait 24hours if you are not using ZFX, but be sure to use ZFX the first time you start Zaino process.



Yes ZFX is really worth it. Z dries faster and you can do back to back layering in the same day! Some report improvement on shine w/ZFX!



I do Straight back & forth motion without problem. You don't have to do circular motion if don't want to (circular motion was suggested to maximize the coverage). On all Top surfaces of vehicle, use a back and forth motion (from front bumper towards windshield). On all Side surfaces (doors, fenders, etc.) use a vertical motion, up and down.



Don't forget to get Z6 (QD) & Z7 (WASH). They are all essential to work with the Zaino system.

 

[Steve @ Guru]

Anyone notice that the newer Z2 seems to work better than the older Z2??? I just ordered a fresh bottle of Z2, and when comparing it to the older Z2 the new stuff seems better - less smeary, more gloss, more slickness...



Anyone else notice this??

 

[imported_Intermezzo]

Steve,



I noticed this myself. The new Z-2 is a bit slicker, and glossier. Less smeary? Hmmmm, now that you mention it, yes!! It did seem to go on easier and perhaps even buff off easier. Hard to believe that Sal could improve upon the existing Z-2, but looks like he did!

 

[imported_killerjg]

jw - I just tried Z two weeks ago. Was really impressed. I went the ZFX way, expect to use it once in a while. Will use Z2/Z5 the standard way in between.



I doubt you'd be diasppointed with this product.



William are you still Z'ing or did you go back to the carnuba?

 

[imported_Intermezzo]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by William420 [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>Yes ZFX is really worth it. Z dries faster and you can do back to back layering in the same day! Some report improvement on shine w/ZFX![/b]</blockquote>
William, I completely agree. A few other benefits include a higher level of initial hardness and increased slickness.

 

[DETAILKING]

I thought it was just me. I too noticed a higher gloss and slickness on the last coat of zaino that I applied with my new bottle of Z2/ZFX. I didn't think much of it at the time, as zaino always gives me great results, but after hearing this from steve and intermezzo it is all starting to make sense!



Sal is always upgrading and improving products as technology allows. This is how he stays on top of the competition with the lastest technology. I remember a few years back when he did this with Z6, and Z1, with no public announcement. For Z6 people noticed an improvment of higher gloss and more slickness, and for Z1, it was a more userfriendly formula as people were having trouble with drying times when thicker coats were applied. If you used zaino for a few years you will recall that the old Z6 was green, and now it is purple. Also, the older Z1 was whiter in color.



I wouldn't put it past sal to have improved Z2. I will give him a call tomorrow and find out for sure............keep you posted.



DK

 

[MikeLS]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by DETAILKING [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>
I wouldn't put it past sal to have improved Z2. DK [/b]</blockquote>


:bounce

 

[Steve @ Guru]

that the Z2 has been improved. I have an almost full bottle of the older Z2 (like about 6 months old), and I'd bet anything that the new Z2 is a new formula.



I had been using the old Z2 with ZFX, and while it did apply a little better and definitely buffed off easier, the new Z2 just seems to be 1000% better than the old stuff...



Just my thoughts, glad to see I'm not alone.

-Steve

 

[William420]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Likecars [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>William are you still Z'ing or did you go back to the carnuba? [/b]</blockquote>
LC, Still Z'ing, but shine doesn't really get better anymore. With all these talks about improved Z2, I gotta order another bottle and see. By the way, a little OT, I rec'd that new CMA MF towel (the max??). Will be trying it as finall buffing towel w/Zaino this weekend.

Also experimenting with BF durability....

Also experimenting a little with Souveran....

But for now, Z is the way to go for me

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

Z2 just seems to be 1000% better than the old stuff...</blockquote>

Geekysteve, you've been ZainoFied. lol

 

[never gone]

Greeting all, I'm new to this forum and looking forward to sharing some of my work and contributing in any way I can. So a guy from a local car club had been asking me for a while if I'd detail car. He didn't want to take it to anyone else which was obviously appreciated, but little did I know what I was in for. I've detailed some pretty swirled up cars but I believe this one takes the cake! He had it "detailed" a while ago by some hack shop who of course only cared about speed and NOT quality. As a result he had lots of buffer trails and just swirls on top of swirls. His passenger side door had also been side swiped so I had a LOT of scuffs and scratches to contend with. BTW, this was all done with a DA!

Here's the condensed version of the process....

wash
clay
polish with Monzerna SIP/106FF
wash again
Danase Wet Glaze
Sealed with Ultima Paint Guard Plus
Waxed with P21S
Wiped down with Zaino Z-8

Tires cleaned with Eagle One A-Z tire cleaner
Wheel Wax on wheels
Zaino Z-16 on tires

Mothers Alum Polish on Exhaust

Nano One Protectant on interior (I forgot interior shot).

CD2 Engine Detailer on engine but no engine shots.


There's going to be a ton of pics as I'm going to take you all around the car so here we go....


Here's the car before

Here's some close up's of the carnage....

Hood

Rear hatch area

Here's the passenger door that was hit

Close up of a spot on the hood (crazy swirls!!!!)

So even though these pics don't do justice as to just how bad the car was, you get the idea. Now into the garage for 16 hours of polishing. Now the before and afters....enjoy.

Hood before

Half hood polished

Polished!

Looking down at hood before

Looking down after

Cool pic looking into hood after polishing. Looks like a mirror.

Front driver side fender before

Half polished

Polished

Half the driver door polished

Rear hatch with half polished

Here is the passenger door that had been hit.

Half polished

All polished! There were some small scratches that were too deep for me to correct but overall, it's about 98% corrected!

This is where the bulk of the scratches where when he was hit.

Passenger fender before

Passenger after

Hood outside before

Hood outside after polishing (this wasn't sealed or waxed yet!)

Crazy swirled spot before

Crazy spot polished

Exhaust before

After

Rear wheel before

After

Ok, 16 hours later we have full car shots! I'm NO photographer but hopefully I was able to kind of capture just how slick, deep and wet the paint looked.

So there you have a it. A TON of pics but it was a HUGE job so hopefully you enjoyed seeing the progress as much as I did doing it. I believe my hands hurt for the next 2 days.

 

[Old Pirate]

Great work on the Z Chad! what a improvement it got! bet the owner was very happy with it.

 

[Husker Z]

Wow, what did the owner use as a wash mitt 80 grit sandpaper? Those are some awesome shots and the car looks great!! Nice work!

 

[Tru_Shine]

Wow, what a great turn around!

 

[never gone]

Wow, what did the owner use as a wash mitt 80 grit sandpaper? Those are some awesome shots and the car looks great!! Nice work!

I too thought the car had been dried with sandpaper, it was nuts.

 

[bmw5541]

That is truly a remarkable transformation. You really did it justice!!! The 50/50 shots really tell the story of just how good of a job you did. 100% improvement:thumbup:

 

[imported_superchargedg]

Sweet work on that Z....they are known to have soft paint.

 

[never gone]

Sweet work on that Z....they are known to have soft paint.

Thanks. You have a G35?

 

[imported_kakeuter]

Wow, excellent turnaround! The 50:50 shots are incredible!

-Kody-

 

[SIDetailing]

Wow what an amazing job you did on that Z! I don't know what the hell happened to that car before but it looks better than showroom quality. Great job!