First Time Z User vs. Black Tahoe Z71

mgm2003

mgm2003

New member
Here’s my first go-around with Zaino products. I was a skeptic of Z, and really didn’t have my hopes set too high. After years of reading and hearing about Z I had to try it. It's one of the few product lines that I haven't tried.

This detail was done over the course of 4-5 days. I spent the majority of my time on the polishing steps. The Z application was a piece of cake.

Process Used:

Wash: Optimum Car wash, with Vinegar/APC mix.

Clay: Optimum Clay

Wells/Wheels/Tires: Optimum APC, the tires and wells were dressed with NL.

Polish:
Menzerna IP, FPII, P085RD

Tools Used:
Metabo & PC. LC Polishing/Finishing pads. I was installing holograms like a mad man on the Metabo, and decided to switch to a DA early on.

After the polishing process I wiped down the paint using Z6 QD spray.

Seal:
ZFX/Z5 x 3, ZFX/Z2 Pro x 2, Z8 wipe down. In-between coats, I used Z6 to wipe down any residue on the paint.
Here are a few after shots:

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I plan to detail the STS over the weekend using ZPC and ZFX/Z2 pro. So far, I’m VERY impressed with Z5, Z2-Pro, and Z8
 
Vey nice. You decided to get into the "Zone" what are your thoughts on the Zaino vs the products our sponsors offer. :eat: Also 4-5 days to use the Zaino stuff is not looking good im used to just waiting 1 day for EX-P to cure.
 
HMMM. with zaino u can layer up to 3 times in one day.

i too am very impressed.i appied 3 application of z5 and the next day topped with some spit shined pinkwax/ocw... the results were amazing. zaino makes cars look animated.
 
Miami_Sunset said:
Vey nice. You decided to get into the "Zone" what are your thoughts on the Zaino vs the products our sponsors offer. :eat: Also 4-5 days to use the Zaino stuff is not looking good im used to just waiting 1 day for EX-P to cure.
Click to expand...

I think the DC sponsor products are excellent, and will continue to use them.

In my opinion.....
-No one product line offers the best of the best end to end.
-Detailing products are subjective to personal taste.
-Most products work as described as long as you follow the directions. Reading the product label up front is always a good start.

In regards to the Z line. ZPC, Z5, Z2-Pro, and Z8 will remain in my stock pile for a long time. To my eyes, Z looks significantly better on my black paint. I intentionally left a few areas of minor marring around the rear hatch & door handles (where a polisher can't reach), and Z effectively hid them. Z reminds me of a very good glaze with a sealer.
 
The truck looks great. As you previously were I too am skeptical of Zaino. Do you have any pictures of the car from details where you have used other products. I'd be curious to compare.

Personally, I don't think it's possible to convince me to use Zaino. Three reasons why:

1. The Zaino fanatics. While I'm sure there are many, many more nice people that are Zaino users there are a lot of MAJOR jerks who use Zaino. All they do is put down other products and say how great Zaino is. Those people really discourage me from using Zaino as I shudder at the idea of being lumped into a group with them (I prefer being a jerk by myself :naughty ).

2. I've read some IMO questionable detailing advise on the Zaino website. Like the dawn wash for instance is not good detailing practice IMO. I want to feel confident that if I have a question I can contact the manufacturer and get a solid answer. Their IMO questionable recommendations on their website shake my confidence that I would get the best answer possible.

3. I'm not really interested in putting 5 layers of sealant on my car. I'd rather have it looking just as good with one or maybe two layers and then maintaining it more often. This way I don't need to spend 4-5 days doing one car.

Now, before any Zaino user decides to jump all over me please keep in mind that my decision like many detailing product decisions is opinion based. It really doesn't do any good to debate a person's opinion with them.
 
mgm2003 be proud of your work It shows with process, product and results! I am glad that you did the work to get the outcome that you wanted.

Mikeyc..

I talk about openess with my wife often when it comes to information technology. She is into electronic books and what they can do. People are always saying bad things about one book over another. It is no different in technolgy as to shinology. It is all a matter of what you want to do. But being open to change makes the technology or shinology better because it induces thought, process and product.

Do not change then Mikeyc. It is ok. I have gotten great results with a lot of different product. My garage is stacked with bottles of different products. I spent six hours working on my hood for a carnuaba test. I did it because it was fun for me. IIRC, I went over the hood six times to get the job done. Looked good too, IMO.

What I have found from Zaino users is that the paint preparation is what has to hook a person. It does not matter what LSP is used... the paint needs to be prepared properly. The Zaino people that I read about and listened to... were the one's that challenged me to get the prep right for the detail that laid ahead. I forget about the Zainophiles that are rude and over zealous. I remember people that are erudite.

With all that said, this post is not about debating change, but it is about being open to possibilities. I think any DC member wants to find the perfect detail. I think it is out there. At least there is the possibility...yet, I hope that I do not find it. It would take all the fun out of detailing my shiny truck with what ever product I use for the end result.
 
cwcad said:
I talk about openess with my wife often when it comes to information technology. She is into electronic books and what they can do. People are always saying bad things about one book over another. It is no different in technolgy as to shinology. It is all a matter of what you want to do. But being open to change makes the technology or shinology better because it induces thought, process and product.

Do not change then Mikeyc. It is ok. I have gotten great results with a lot of different product. My garage is stacked with bottles of different products. I spent six hours working on my hood for a carnuaba test. I did it because it was fun for me. IIRC, I went over the hood six times to get the job done. Looked good too, IMO.
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CWCAD,

I'm not sure where you got the idea that I'm not open to change. I am an extremely flexible person and very open to trying new things and new ideas. This year alone I have bought and tried hundreds of dollars worth of new products from various product lines based on recommendations and reviews from this board and other detailing boards/forums. I have also integrated multiple new tools & techniques into my detailing regimen based on information from the same sources. This being said DC is not a forum for debating people's ability to change.

I merely added my opinion and thoughts to this thread to add value to it. I feel that the more various opinions and general thoughts that can be added to a thread the better for everyone involved. Isn't that what DC is all about? Frankly, it is probably 50% the Zaino zealots who turn me off from the product. However, I'm also not interested in the 10 layers, mixing, etc involved. So, I stated this in case others had not considered these factors. It's important to examine the downside of every product along with the upside. The more educated we can get before the buying decision is made the happier of a consumer we'll likely be. While it's fun to try new products many of them can cost a lot and I would prefer to be a more efficient consumer. It doesn't make sense to me to try a product if I can figure out in advance that I won't like it.
 
Mikeyc said:
Personally, I don't think it's possible to convince me to use Zaino. Three reasons why:
Click to expand...

Just because you have reasons does not mean that you are open.
 
John:

:bow :bow :bow


Looks amazing...The work paid off! 1 thing though...I think the shine is so bright its screwing up the light meter on your cam :).
 
cwcad said:
Just because you have reasons does not mean that you are open.
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There's a difference between being open and being blindly open (i.e. trying everything without rhyme or reason and forethought). I was open to trying Zaino at one time but pre-screened it based on what I had read about the product. Knowing what I know about the product at this time it would be difficult to change my mind as I currently feel the cons well outweigh the pros based on the way I like to care for my car and the time I am willing to commit. If I could be convinced that the time and money required for Zaino would yield significantly better results than the products I've used then I would switch as well. Don't be afraid or offended when people site negative qualities of a product that you like. Voicing concerns about a product in a review is as valuable as stating the benefits.

Anyway, MGM sorry about taking your thread off topic. The truck looks as good as any well detailed black truck I have ever seen. Please continue to post your thoughts about Zaino (good & bad) so that we can all continue our decision making process about this product line.
 
Mikeyc. To answer a few of your questions, based on my use....


-IMO, no need to Dawn wash if you plan to clay. I don't see the point for both, and I'm not sure what Dawn will do over and above Clay. Regardless, I didn't Dawn and didn't notice any bonding issues.

-I think the product names make it sound confusing. Z this, Z that.... The process is very easy to use. I'll admit, when I first started looking into Zaino, the product names, steps, etc... kept me from using it too. It sounded like a lot of effort, but it's not much different than most any other detail.

-A few things that I don't like: The fact that you have to mix in drops of ZFX in the polish/sealer when you first apply Z2/Z5, and you have to use ZFX if you plan to layer. ZFX @ $20 bucks a pop is steep in my opinion. Hopefully we'll see Zaino come out with a product that doesn't require mixing. That said, the mixing process isn't hard or time consuming, just something different. If you like the warm look of carnuba, then Z (or most any other sealer, excluding EX and WG) isn't going to give you the look you want (IMO).
I haven't tried topping Z with other products, but plan to use OCW, FK#425, and a carnuba (Pink Wax or Natty's Blue).

I plan to keep an eye on slickness retention before I use other products. If Z holds a slick finish after several washes I'll be a happy camper.

I spent about 3 1/2 hours on my STS today. Wash, Clay, ZPC polish, and Z5/ZFX x 2 and it look better than anything I've had on my silver paint. The only thing even close, has been FK #218/#2180. On dark colors, I think the look of FMJ is in the area of Z5, but I would give Z5 the edge (a big edge) on gloss, depth, and clarity. I don't think pictures capture what you see in person.

After using ZPC on the neighbors minivan x 2 and on my STS x 2, I have only used 1/3 (at most) of the bottle, which surprised me. A little goes a long way. ZPC is one of the top 2 or 3 polishes that I've used via a DA machine. It's very effective, easy to use, provides a nice lube between pad and paint, wipes off easy, no dusting, and effectively removes light to moderate defects. I'd put it somewhere between FPII and IP. ZPC leaves a very high gloss finish (on par with FPII or Optimum).

Overall I'm very impressed with Zaino and I'm glad that I invested in it. It really is unlike any other product that I've used. I'll definitely use it again. The finish on black and silver just glows.
 
Nice Tahoe!!!

I too have a Black vehicle and have had good luck with Zaino. I reapply it about every two months... more often in the summer. I mark the calendar so I can track beading retention and am testing Wolfgang sealant on half of my wifes hood now. I remain open minded looking for the "miracle in a can" product.

I'm somewhat obsessed with detailing but time restrictions and winter makes it hard just to keep the cars clean.

Later,
JU
 
GSRstilez said:
John:

:bow :bow :bow


Looks amazing...The work paid off! 1 thing though...I think the shine is so bright its screwing up the light meter on your cam :).
Click to expand...

Sean, I took those bad boys in full sun! The light meter on the cam doesn't have a Zaino setting (LOL).

Mikeyc - I took a look at some of your posts tonight and see that you really like FMJ. Me too. It's a top notch sealer for sure.

IMHO Zaino is a few steps above FMJ, and it's not something that you have to look at and study. It's very noticable. Hey, I started out with an open mind and low expectations, and I'm one happy camper.

All things considered (ease of use, look, durability, cost, time, etc....) I would rank Zaino #1, followed by UPP and FMJ. I really think they are the top 3 all around sealers, but that's just my opinion. If you use any of them, I think you'll be happy. They are all EXCELLENT products.

I also like EX, WG, and FK #218/2180, but they are not as versitile as the Zaino, UPP, and FMJ. Just my opinion...

Ok, I'll go to bed now. New Years was fun!
 
Wonderful pics and work done on the Tahoe!

I've used the older version of Zaino prior to Z2Pro and found it very bright!

To give a more deeper look, I tried topping with Souveran on a red finish and it was worth it! The Zaino clarity along with Souveran warmth mad the finish look very deep and wet.

Once I get the Porsche C2S (black as well) I'll get a new shipment of Zaino and go to the dealership and finish there prior to delivery. They are getting a bottle of Menz P085RD for final finish (When I get my P085RD) prior to Zaino.

The wait is killing me!

Once again, wonderful example of Zaino on black! Sure, it's labor intesnsive, but then again, how shinny do you want it? Shinny does take planning and work. After spending all that time polishing, it pays to use a good LSP!

Regards,
Deanski
 
mgm2003 said:
Mikeyc - I took a look at some of your posts tonight and see that you really like FMJ. Me too. It's a top notch sealer for sure.

IMHO Zaino is a few steps above FMJ, and it's not something that you have to look at and study. It's very noticable. Hey, I started out with an open mind and low expectations, and I'm one happy camper.
Click to expand...
Yes, FMJ is one of the sealants I've been using laterly. Personally I prefer carnauba to sealants on my own car. I like the warm look a wax offers and I don't mind the trade off in durability. I've seen a lot of pictures of cars that have Zaino'ed and definitely it always looks great on black, blue, & red cars especially. Although, there are some colors and some shades of blue & red which it makes look "plastic-y" IMO. I think if my car was black I would be all over this stuff.
 
Mikeyc said:
The truck looks great. As you previously were I too am skeptical of Zaino. Do you have any pictures of the car from details where you have used other products. I'd be curious to compare.

Personally, I don't think it's possible to convince me to use Zaino. Three reasons why:

1. The Zaino fanatics. While I'm sure there are many, many more nice people that are Zaino users there are a lot of MAJOR jerks who use Zaino. All they do is put down other products and say how great Zaino is. Those people really discourage me from using Zaino as I shudder at the idea of being lumped into a group with them (I prefer being a jerk by myself :naughty ).

2. I've read some IMO questionable detailing advise on the Zaino website. Like the dawn wash for instance is not good detailing practice IMO. I want to feel confident that if I have a question I can contact the manufacturer and get a solid answer. Their IMO questionable recommendations on their website shake my confidence that I would get the best answer possible.

3. I'm not really interested in putting 5 layers of sealant on my car. I'd rather have it looking just as good with one or maybe two layers and then maintaining it more often. This way I don't need to spend 4-5 days doing one car.

Now, before any Zaino user decides to jump all over me please keep in mind that my decision like many detailing product decisions is opinion based. It really doesn't do any good to debate a person's opinion with them.
Click to expand...



I agree with #1,2,3 why should i pay so much money on something that will take me 4-5 days to complete. I mean come on ! :bawling: Everyone seems to compare anything Zaino has & embrace on how good it works. When in fact all your doing right is the prep. After that anything looks just as good. I also believe that becasue people spend so much money on the products they migh as well think positive and join the Z' Crowd. :horse & yes All these Z user are Annoying & can't wait to add a positive comment about everything zaino has to offer. :shifty:
 
Miami_Sunset said:
I agree with #1,2,3 why should i pay so much money on something that will take me 4-5 days to complete. I mean come on ! :bawling: Everyone seems to compare anything Zaino has & embrace on how good it works. When in fact all your doing right is the prep. After that anything looks just as good. I also believe that becasue people spend so much money on the products they migh as well think positive and join the Z' Crowd. :horse & yes All these Z user are Annoying & can't wait to add a positive comment about everything zaino has to offer. :shifty:
Click to expand...
Careful you might get accused of not being open. :rofl :dnaughty Seriously though, I was on another detail forum not to be mentioned and someone started a thread to ask people who don't use Zaino what their reasons are. I think in the end there were more posts in there from people who do use Zaino about how great it is than there were from people who don't use Zaino and why.
 
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