Confused about Products - Glaze, Sealant, etc

Y

Young_Stallion

New member
I am very confused as to what is what, what is the BEST stuff to use, etc..



I am a long time user of zaino, which is claimed to be a polish. Everyone on hear I see says Polish the paint to bring up the shine, then wax and then top off with a sealant or glaze, etc..



So is Zaino really the wrong way to be doing things...or should zaino be used only as a top coat sealant after a polish/wax, etc..



I am very confused as to what is what and when to use it.
 
In the technical sense, Zaino is not a polish, but a sealant by our definition. Zaino is fine to use. A polish is generally regarded as an compound that contains abrasives to remove imperfections. So if you are going to use Zaino, wash, clay, polish, then Zaino, then top with wax if you'd like.
 
I am just looking for the 100% best results and will do whatever it takes. I will be getting a black car for next season and need to keep it MINT.



Sal Zaino himself said do not use wax on top of or under zaino-



I am so confused with everything ;-(
 
From what I learned of Autopia



Polish - an abrasive product that removes paint imperfections, they come in various cutting levels from mild to wild. They help to restore gloss and smooth out the paint. Usually are used to remove light to moderate swirl marks and oxidation.



Glaze - like a polish but only adds gloss to the finish. Does not contain any abrasives by any means. Strictly used for adding depth and gloss to the finish.



Wax - a temporary protection barrier that also adds gloss to the finish, but only lasts for about a month or 2. Sometimes 3 if you maintain it well. Can be used on top of paint sealants for added depth to the finish.



Sealant - a more hard shell like protection barrier that lasts longer than wax. Some sealants don't shine as well as other carnuba waxes but there are some out there that mimic the shine of carnuba.



Compound - a very strong abrasive that removes severe imperfections. Usually used as a last resort. Also used after wetsanding to remove the haze off the paint. Polishing after compounding adds more gloss to the finish and removes the haze left by some compounds.



Paint Cleaner - a very mild polish. For example Meguiars Premium Paint Cleaner in the Medallion line, Klasse AIO etc... These are very mild, they do remove swirl marks but very little. Also they aid in removing oxidation.



Hope this helps you out. Please if anyone sees any mistakes or wrong description about each category, please let me know,,,,91
 
Young_Stallion. You'll find lots of your answers in the articles posted at the "Learn" icon.



But in general, if you're using Zaino, these would be the steps:



1. wash & dry (using Autopian anal methods)

2. clay (Mother's, ClayMagic, and Autopia Block have all worked well for me)

3. polish if necessary to remove swirls/scratches -- always follow the "least-abrasive" method -- i.e., first try a relative gentle polish like 3M SMR and only work up to move abrasive if the gentler ones don't do the trick

4. remove all polish residue using a 50% alcohol/water solution, Meguiar's APC+ at 64:1, or perhaps a Dawn wash

5. Zaino away!



Some folks top Zaino with a carnauba, but I have not found any wax really enhances the look on my white car.



But, really, do read thru the Autopia articles to get a better understanding of all these processes.



That's my $.02 -- Others can probably refine/correct my tips.
 
Lynn hit the nail on the head!



Wash, clay, polish, remove oils... Zaino away!



Here is a good read and you may want to print this out!



Zaino Tips



If you get streaking with the NEW Z5, mix up some Z7 (1/2 capfull to 12oz water [distilled is best]) in a spray bottle andspray the effected area, wipe, no more streaks!



Regards,

Deanski
 
Young_Stallion said:
I am just looking for the 100% best results and will do whatever it takes. I will be getting a black car for next season and need to keep it MINT.



Sal Zaino himself said do not use wax on top of or under zaino-



I am so confused with everything ;-(
Click to expand...



Sal is right on the "Can't use wax UNDER Zaino as the next layer won't bond. But you can ( and I do) use wax OVER Zaino for added depth. If you wax over Zaino you need to remove prior to the next Zaino application with a Dawn wash etc.
 
I am not confused about zaino, etc...I did everything to a T for Zaino (except the polishig to remover swirls first)



I am trying to look and see if zaino is not the best for a black car and if I should be just sticking to a Carnuba Wax and a Sealer/Glaze on top of it instead of the Zaino and maybe a Wax on top of it
 
Young_Stallion said:
I am not confused about zaino, etc...I did everything to a T for Zaino (except the polishig to remover swirls first)



I am trying to look and see if zaino is not the best for a black car and if I should be just sticking to a Carnuba Wax and a Sealer/Glaze on top of it instead of the Zaino and maybe a Wax on top of it
Click to expand...



I think the wax will be tha last layer no matter what you use. Mine is black .. I have Zaino but 2 coats of #26 on it for depth.
 
What is #26?



So you suggest tossing a few coats of zaino on there and then a Wax/Glaze on for added depth? What is the "best" for dark/black vehicles.



It is ok if I have to learn new steps. The car never see's rain and I will buy/do whatever it takes to keep it as close to perfect as possible
 
Young_Stallion said:
What is #26?



So you suggest tossing a few coats of zaino on there and then a Wax/Glaze on for added depth? What is the "best" for dark/black vehicles
Click to expand...



No to the glaze .. look in here to see the reference to glazes

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/perfectshine1.html



My method to Zaino is to prep the surface with a non-filler type polish untill your happy with it . Then Dawn wash and Zaino it. This way your not Zainoing over the imperfections and trapping them under the Zaino. Last apply a coat of a Carnuba based wax doe depth. #26 is Meguiars Hi-Tech wax which contains carnuba.
 
A wax based glaze will cover up or try and fill/hide the swirls and imperfections..but it said the wax based one's allow them to reappear in a few days.



What is out there that is not a wax based that will get rid of them?



Zaino is not really a filler, so after a non filler type polish would you 3m SMR or something to get rid of the swirls, then zaino, and then a top coat of Carnuba?
 
No.. the polish is used to get rid of the swirl marks. 3M SMR won't work here it is full of fillers and the required Dawn wash will pull them out. I used Menzerna Polish



1) Dawn wash

2) Clay Bar

3) Menzerna Polish

4) Dawn wash

5) Zaino
 
So do not use the 3m SMR at all?



Also, is it bad or not worth it to use a lot of coats of Carnuba Wax...cause with my Zaino now I have like 100+ coats...can it make the paint to soft and allow it to be swirled, damaged easier, etc...



As you can see just zaino and lots of it does not really add a POP and DEEP shine..especially on Mineral Grey..not to mention Z5 does nothing for swirls.



This shot is of my car INSIDE the garage.

1292966_IMG-vi.jpg


1292962_IMG-vi.jpg


Untitled7-vi.jpg
 
F-150_91 said:
From what I learned of Autopia



Polish - an abrasive product that removes paint imperfections, they come in various cutting levels from mild to wild. They help to restore gloss and smooth out the paint. Usually are used to remove light to moderate swirl marks and oxidation.



Glaze - like a polish but only adds gloss to the finish. Does not contain any abrasives by any means. Strictly used for adding depth and gloss to the finish.



Wax - a temporary protection barrier that also adds gloss to the finish, but only lasts for about a month or 2. Sometimes 3 if you maintain it well. Can be used on top of paint sealants for added depth to the finish.



Sealant - a more hard shell like protection barrier that lasts longer than wax. Some sealants don't shine as well as other carnuba waxes but there are some out there that mimic the shine of carnuba.



Compound - a very strong abrasive that removes severe imperfections. Usually used as a last resort. Also used after wetsanding to remove the haze off the paint. Polishing after compounding adds more gloss to the finish and removes the haze left by some compounds.



Paint Cleaner - a very mild polish. For example Meguiars Premium Paint Cleaner in the Medallion line, Klasse AIO etc... These are very mild, they do remove swirl marks but very little. Also they aid in removing oxidation.



Hope this helps you out. Please if anyone sees any mistakes or wrong description about each category, please let me know,,,,91
Click to expand...
Woah.... :eek: not bad! :xyxthumbs ................are you feeling okay? ;) :D





This is subject to debate, but generally glaze/carnauba systems would be more forgiving to a less than perfect prep job because a coat of glaze is generally a bit better at hiding imperfections than sealants that are supposed to hide/fill like Z5. If you do a fantastic prep job and make the paint absolutely swirl-free and perfect beforehand though, it doesn't really matter except for that VERY subtle, fine quality of "the look".



I'd just like to mention that because the colour of your car is not really vibrant or dark, you probably will not be able to get an incredibly "deep" or "rich" looking finish the way a really well detailed darker car (ie, black) can. Compare a black car to a white/silver car in a showroom next time and you'll see what I mean.



I'd just use the SMR or #9 or what have you and give it a Dawn wash instead of buying something else harder to find or from mail order. Menzerna was mentioned because it is supposed to be non-filling. Just be aware that polishing out swirls by hand is no light chore, and that a "swirl remover" won't necessarily be strong enough to remove all your swirls (particularly by hand) so have a stronger backup product ready too if the swirl remover doesn't work in a reasonable amount of time. (Check out Lynn's post for condensed version :p)



Make sure you brush up on your washing methods/materials. Very important for keeping your car swirl-free.
 
4DSC, ya crackin' me up! :lol



YoungStallion, there's another possibility here, if you're not feeling pleased with your finish. I think I noticed another post where you mentioned applying over 100 coats of Zaino since April. Several of us have experienced marring in the Zaino. No, I don't think that's a bad thing. With this many coats of Zaino on your car, you may have a ton of scratches or other defects built up in the Zaino layers -- which is better than having the defects in your paint. Have you considered that?? :nixweiss I'm just stumblin' in the dark here.
 
1) Dawn wash

2) Clay Bar

3) Menzerna Polish

4) Dawn wash

5) Zaino



Question: Won't the dawn wash remove the oils from the polish or am I missing something?



Should it be clay then dawn to remove any residue and then polish?
 
jonmiller said:
1) Dawn wash

2) Clay Bar

3) Menzerna Polish

4) Dawn wash

5) Zaino



Question: Won't the dawn wash remove the oils from the polish or am I missing something?



Should it be clay then dawn to remove any residue and then polish?
Click to expand...



The idea with Zaino is to have paint to apply it to not oils from a polish. Matter of fact the Menzerna Intensive polish instructions say use 50/50 water/alcohol mix to remove.
 
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