I need help spending money - I think I want Zaino

[imported_GregCavi]

My head is absolutely spinning,... but I have to say, this is the most helpful forum I have ever been on. You guys are quick to help a newbbee out and I really appreciate that. What I think i am going to do is order the Zaino before i confuse myself and give it a try. If I feel something is missing I will try and tweek it a bit. I have a few ideas from other threads I have read. I am sure that there are other products alot better, cheaper, and even more expensive then Zaino but for a beginner I feel like this will be a good place to get started. Anything has to be an improvement over swirls and meguiars off the shelf. I am going to order there ultimate kit and add a few things into the order,



While I still have you all here, is the tire gloss worth getting, I currently am using Armor All Extreme and I must say for the price, I am extremely happy.



Thanks again for all the help,



Dan

If you are happy with the AA, then by all means, stick with it. With that said, the Z16 tire gloss is great. It seems even folks that generally don't like the zaino lineup, enjoy the tire dressing. Make sure to perfect the paint ie. remove scratches and swirls prior to applying zaino (or any wax/sealant).



Greg

 

[Danspeed1]

You certainly can put a nuba on top but I have done that with several nubas and a) it did not make much difference and b) it did not last long.



To me its like putting salad oil on top of water, it just floats on the surface until something washes it away, it never really bonds.



I do not think that putting Z8 on top of a nuba is really worth it, its not going to bond and then you are back at the oil and water thing.

In that case, alot of people have posted about the lack of wetness,... whats a few possible substitutes besides the RMG, if I decided i am unhappy with the gloss? I would really like to try the Zaino system but I don't want to spend another $150 on other products if I can help it.



Dan

 

[Danspeed1]

I use the Armor All Extreme exclusively, you are not going to see any major gains by getting the Z tire dressing. Stick with the AAE, its good stuff and HIGHLY under rated. People get stuck on the AA name.

Stick with it I will,



I agree, very good product. Stays on the tires for almost 2 weeks (if it doesn't rain) and doesn't get on my fenders.... easy to apply, and high gloss, all for a cheap price,



I am happy.



Ok,



Sounds like a plan



Thanks William,



Dan

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

In that case, alot of people have posted about the lack of wetness,... whats a few possible substitutes besides the RMG, if I decided i am unhappy with the gloss? I would really like to try the Zaino system but I don't want to spend another $150 on other products if I can help it.



Dan

Well I have no problem mixing product lines, except when it comes to Zaino. Ive been detailing since 2002 and I have tried damn near everything with Zaino as it was the first "boitque" product I bought and Zaino is best on its own for LSPs.



To prep the paint you can use anything and everything but I dont like mixing products with Zaino when it comes to final sealing.



The way that I look at Zaino vs most other sealants is glass vs gloss. Zaino gives a hard candy shine that makes your vehicle look like its wrapped in glass. A nuba has a more moist wet shimmer to it. I like the glass look, but again its all up to the individual. I would try out the Zaino and see what you think, if you dont like it put it up for sale here. You will take a little hit but believe me Zaino goes fast around here, you should not have a problem unloading it.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

Stick with it I will,



I agree, very good product. Stays on the tires for almost 2 weeks (if it doesn't rain) and doesn't get on my fenders.... easy to apply, and high gloss, all for a cheap price,



I am happy.



Ok,



Sounds like a plan



Thanks William,



Dan

Plus the thing I like about it is that it kind of stains your tires black. It penetrates and even after rain or washing the tires still have a good black base. Most other dressings, especially the h20 based just fade fast and when they wear off they look dirty still. At least thats how I see it. I go through 2-3 of the AAEs a summer.

 

[Scottwax]

I read you can top it off with a coat of P21s Wax for high gloss.

Actually, you may want to use something like Clearkote's Carnauba Moose or Meguiars #26 on black, P21S tends to look a little 'bright' on solid black paint.

 

[Scottwax]

If you want to go with Zaino without your head spinning from all the various products, I'd recommend Z-PC to polish out your paint, Z-AIO as your final polish, Z5 Pro for your LSP and Z8 to maintain the finish after every couple of washes.



I agree with Ron that the BEST depth is achieved using RMG (or one of Meguiars pure polishes like #81 or #7) and topped with a carnauba, you can still get acceptable depth with the above Zaino option.

 

[joshtpa]

If you want to go with Zaino without your head spinning from all the various products, I'd recommend Z-PC to polish out your paint, Z-AIO as your final polish, Z5 Pro for your LSP and Z8 to maintain the finish after every couple of washes.



I agree with Ron that the BEST depth is achieved using RMG (or one of Meguiars pure polishes like #81 or #7) and topped with a carnauba, you can still get acceptable depth with the above Zaino option.

That is the exact same lineup I recommended to him on page 1 of this thread.

 

[Danspeed1]

Ok,... I did it....



I purchased the ZKit Ultimate Kit, ZP-C, and a bottle of Z8. $158.80 OUCH!!! :shocked Well, we'll see how it goes. I will buy the rest of the stuff as soon as I get more $$$; I would still like to get the clear seal. I need some polishing pads and towels, those will be my next question, and maybe I will try substituting some of that Zaino for other stuff If I don't get the look I am going for.



Thanks for the help,



Dan

 

[imported_DieselMDX]

good choice you will be happy with zaino just remember the shine and depth comes from proper prep u can spend 160 on zaino but if your paint is not properly prepped it will not look as you hope it will.

 

[danforz]

Yea, a tad bit expensive but you'll be happy with the results.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

Ok,... I did it....



I purchased the ZKit Ultimate Kit, ZP-C, and a bottle of Z8. $158.80 OUCH!!! :shocked Well, we'll see how it goes. I will buy the rest of the stuff as soon as I get more $$$; I would still like to get the clear seal. I need some polishing pads and towels, those will be my next question, and maybe I will try substituting some of that Zaino for other stuff If I don't get the look I am going for.



Thanks for the help,



Dan

One thing that you can do to make your Z8 go a long, long way is to put it in a small 2-4 ozs bottle with a fine mister. I emptied out a bottle of lens glass cleaner and honestly 4 ozs lasted me months with regular use.



Something like this:

 

[Macruz19]

I bought all the Zaino a few months back until I wanted to buy a PC with all the pads and polishes BEFORE I used Zaino....the right way..

 

[Macruz19]

One thing that you can do to make your Z8 go a long, long way is to put it in a small 2-4 ozs bottle with a fine mister. I emptied out a bottle of lens glass cleaner and honestly 4 ozs lasted me months with regular use.



Something like this:

I use a 2oz spray bottle for my Z-6. I leave it in the car for small uses.

 

[ron231]

If I see the term "fanboy" used again, someone's going in timeout. That kind of crap just serves to fan the flames of product flamewars, and it's getting old.



Tort

(moderator)



:bat

Sorry about the fanboy thing :doh but you must admit, there is a large abundance of zaino users that are always going around saying "zaino is the best" or whenever someone posts about carnauba, some zaino users will always say that it doesnt last and how they used to use carnauba but now its all zaino zaino zaino. And now that zaino offers prep products too (zaio, clay, and zpc) there are zaino users that literally have every single step wash>clay>polish>aio>sealant ALL zaino.



This to me just doesnt seem right becuase I own detailing products from many many different manufacturers, I dont see one manufacturer as king of them all, and when anyone claims that one manufacturer is the be all end all best of the best with no exceptions, then I would say they are wrong.



Granted, there are some that do this with meguiars (meaning every step in their detail is meguiars)... And I say the same thing to them, there is not one king all have ups and downs.



For instance, menzerna might has the best abrasives around, whereas clearkote might have the best glaze around etc...





I am not saying zaino is bad, its an above average sealant, but thats all it is, a good sealant.



Many others would agree with me that people really over-hype zaino. This is why I used the term "fanboy". But now that I know it's not allowed I wont use that term anymore :nervous: .

 

[Macruz19]

I'm a fanboy but that doesn't mean I always use Zaino on my car... LOL!



But really, it's all about looks for some, and I think Zaino looks the best ON my car. I will continue to try other products, but it's gonna be hard to take Zaino off of my starting lineup.



Especially my new favorite combo is...



PC prep/ Menz/ Sonus/ 3M

Z-AIO

2x Z5p With ZFX

1x Z2p

Z-CS

Z-8 next day.

 

[imported_DieselMDX]

One thing that you can do to make your Z8 go a long, long way is to put it in a small 2-4 ozs bottle with a fine mister. I emptied out a bottle of lens glass cleaner and honestly 4 ozs lasted me months with regular use.



Something like this:

LOL I do the same thing

 

[Scottwax]

Especially my new favorite combo is...



PC prep/ Menz/ Sonus/ 3M

Z-AIO

2x Z5p With ZFX

1x Z2p

Z-CS

Z-8 next day.

Eh...more than I want to do. ZAIO, 1 layer of Z5, maybe 1 more with the next wash and maintain with Z8 every couple of washes. :grinno:

 

[Macruz19]

Eh...more than I want to do. ZAIO, 1 layer of Z5, maybe 1 more with the next wash and maintain with Z8 every couple of washes. :grinno:

Scottwax... I'll give that a try one day. I love that Z5p as the last coat on my car.

 

[ron231]

I challenge one avid zaino user to a product shoot out, send me samples of zaio and z5pro and I will send you samples of p21s paintwork cleanser, RMG, and either natty's or zymol carbon.



We will each do half a hood using the blue tape method and compare. I promise to use the products the right way, and give an honest review.



Any takers?