Last minute Zaino advise

D

DSimmon

New member
Well, I went out and bought the Zaino system for my car. I have read as many posts as I could find, and the instructions about application on the Zaino website.



I'm curious if anyone out there has any last minute advise for a guy before he goes out this weekend and does his best to make his car look great.



Right now I'm just :work: until I can go wash it!
 
Apply it thin! Now repeat that 1000 times in your head, and all will go well. :D



Despite all the instructions, it's actually very simple to use, considering the results it provides.



What are the steps you will be taking in your detail?
 
Well, I have a 2004 Mazda 6 with leather, so I went for the more expensive kit. I don't know if I'll use the leather stuff right away, because the interior isn't dying for attention, since I Aerospace it about every 10 to 14 days and keep things clean.



But it has gotten a bit grubby on the outside. I haven't washed it recently, because I didn't want to wash it to clean the dirt off, then turn around and re-wash it when I got the Z in hand. So I plan on washing and claying. Not sure if I really need to wash again after the claying or not, have read some conflicting comments on there.



I have some minor swirling on some body panels (bought used, so I can't have complete control over that), so I'm thinking Z5 to start. Unfortunatly the kit didn't come with Z8, since everything I've read says to alternate Z2 layers with Z8, but I will then do a layer of Z2 after the Z5. Then maybe 2 or 3 layers of the Z2, and use the Z6 as a QD to keep it clean as it gets a bit dusty/polleny.



That was my plan atleast.



[edit] Should I go ahead and use the applicators that was sent with the Z system, or should I ditch them and use some of my MF's?
 
I dont know if you got the ZPC, but my biggest piece of advice besides put it on as thin as possible, is nothing looks better than Klasse AIO topped with Z5 Pro.
 
What color? The darker the color the more important is the PREP (hold true for all LSP's)

How bad are the swirls? Deep or superficial? Eliminate as many as possible. If your kit contained the Z-PC Fusion use it for minor surface blemish repair.



Use the applicators that come with the order. They are very good and the latest bunch (last couple of years) are more durable. These applications are made of 100% cotton and verrrrry soft. These pads spread the sealants very well on a clean, clayed and polished finish. Prime the applicator with a spritz or 2 of Z6 will help greatly with achieving a thinnnnnnn application.



A vehicle of the size of a Mazda 6 should require no more than 1 oz for 3 applications. 1/2oz for the first coat and 1/4 oz for the 2nd and 3rd layer. You should barely be able to see the wet sealant on the paint. Though I prefer to apply sealants/waxes in a straight line motion, I find Z5PRO fills defects better if applied in a orbital motion. Why? :nixweiss



I would apply 3 coats of Z5PRO/ZFX on day one and apply 2-3 coats of Z2PRO/ZFX on next application. You want to apply Z5PRO until all defects that can be hidden by this product before topping with Z2PRO.



Get some Z8!!!! Z8 usage after a wash will give you that "just waxed" appearance in 15 minutes plus augment protection. Great stuff!!



Have a great time and be patient. Do not rush the Prep to get to the sealant application. :wavey
 
if it's a dark mettallic I'd suggest sticking with the Z5Pro- I preferr the look of Z5pro to Z2pro on navy blue mettallic
 
If I missed someone mentioning this... use Z6 on the entire car between each coat, since you don't have Z8. Z8 is a more recent product... they used to suggest using Z6 between each coat, and that's all I've personally done. You will not believe how slippery the paint is after a coat of Z2/Z5 and then a wipe down w/ z6. I can throw a towel at the nose of my Trans Am and it just launches up the hood and over the roof!
 
the more time spent at the beginning the better the Z5/Z6/Z2 finish will be. I'm a 1st time user of Z having just done my car in the last week but have been a glaze/carnauba user for many, many years.



My Most Recent Zaino Prep: All pads are Lake Country.



Wash with dawn (or Z7)

Clay

Wash again with Z7 (per Zaino dist recommendation). This step will be a breeze.



PC + Yellow Pad + Menzerna IP (to remove light-moderate swirls, IP has none or few oils so it works well with the total Zaino system)

PC + Orange Pad + Z-PC (the orange pad cleaned up better for me than a white pad, any oils left behind by IP are removed here)



Apply Zaino Polishes to the paint, wheels and Z-16 the tires



Lay back, relax and admire your hard work. It's well worth it in my humble opinion. The compliments are still coming from my friends and neighbors.
 
No ZPC for me. And the color is Glacier Silver. And the swirls I have are nothing big. Just something I can notice when I look at an angle with the sun shine reflecting on it. Only notice it on some areas. I believe the Z5 should be enough.



Thanks for all the advice guys. Last comment, but do you believe the Z-7 wash would be possible to do with the 2 bucket system?



And is it absolutely necessary to wash again after claying?
 
DSimmon - I'm in the same boat as you are this weekend, although I already got the Dawn wash, clay and Z wash out of the way. Now I just wait for tomorrow AM to start the Z5Pro applications :)



I did get Z8 in addition to the kit - you guys recommend this between the layers instead of Z6?



*** I noticed a few minutes ago that I didn't get all the 'ground in' bugs off the hood before the Z wash, so, I better spend some more time on the hood before starting the Z5 apps. After Bug Squash or PB S&W to get the rest of the bugs, or maybe claying, should I wash the hood/front again with the Z wash or can I wipe down with Z6 or Z8, then proceed to Z5Pro?
 
You will like the leather conditioner.

A fellow Autopian loaned me some for use in the car (and had applied it during his detail). Nice scent, low sheen and not slick.
 
It is your choice to use Z6 or Z8 between each coat. I normally use Z6 between the first 2 coats and Z8 prior to the third coat for the day. Reason: Z8 is in itself a sealant and I do not want to overwhelm the serial application's curing since Z8 is not activated (ZFX).



After cleaning remaining bugs, I would use clay and soapy water (Dawn or Z7), wipe down area with remaining soapy solution, Z6 entire vehicle and proceed to apply Z5PRO.
 
blkZ28Conv said:
It is your choice to use Z6 or Z8 between each coat. I normally use Z6 between the first 2 coats and Z8 prior to the third coat for the day. Reason: Z8 is in itself a sealant and I do not want to overwhelm the serial application's curing since Z8 is not activated (ZFX).



After cleaning remaining bugs, I would use clay and soapy water (Dawn or Z7), wipe down area with remaining soapy solution, Z6 entire vehicle and proceed to apply Z5PRO.
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Cool, thanks for the feedback.



I've got the 3rd coat of Z5Pro drynig right now... In the Zaino instructions it says not to apply more than 3 coats of polish per 24 hours even if using ZFX.



*** Was wondering if everyone pretty much stuck to that or do you do more in the same day. I anticipate applying 3x Z2.



THanks!
 
blkZ28Conv said:
I stick to the 3 coat max rule.
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Ok, I'll hold off till tomorrow... maybe I'll hit my wife's Liberty now.



Normally after 3 coats I'm pretty tired and boredom is starting to set in. ;)
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Yep, know what ya mean, however, wanna get it done.
 
blkZ28Conv said:
I can assume you like the look and applying Zaino is alot easier than many make it out to be. :hifive:
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So far here is my feedback after 3 coats of Z5Pro. Tomorrow I will be applying 3 coats of Z2Pro and will throw some more feedback in this thread.



-Love the ZFX! What a concept! Get 3 coats on in a matter of a few hours instead of a few days. :getdown

*** Has anyone ever tried using the ZFX with other sealants. Hmmmm?

-To answer your question blkZ28Conv - Yes! Overall, much easier than I expected.

-Looking good, really good. Can't wait to get lots more coats on!

-so far it reminds me alot of FMJ. Really does.

-so far the slickness is not up to FMJ, but I'll reserve judgement till I finish with the Z2Pro

-Application - after the first coat I ditched the Z applicator and went with a yellow foam pad applicator and found it to be much easier to work with.

-I'm not real hip on the Z wash - why do we need to use it anyway?

-I'm using Z8 inbetween layers. This too reminds me of another Menzerna product, HGAS.



Overall, I'm liking it so far. I will admit something I am disappointed with, and it's my own darn fault - when I was claying I must of got careless and caused a number of small, minute scratches. However, it looks like Z5Pro is filling them in. Tomorrow when I finish and get the car out in bright natural light I'll inspect and let you know how well they were filled in.



Edited: If you've never washed with Dawn, WOW!, it really takes off the sealants and waxes. My honda had tons of WG, WG sealant spray, HGAS and the Dawn just stripped it away effortlessly. I put it in my foam gun, then followed up with a bucket/mitt wash of the stuff. The Dawn really foamed big time! I do have the Dawn foam gun piece on my camcorder, as I get some time I'll convert and post.
 
Open_SpeedZ33 said:
I dont know if you got the ZPC, but my biggest piece of advice besides put it on as thin as possible, is nothing looks better than Klasse AIO topped with Z5 Pro.
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Really? I'd love to see the pictures of the result.



JF
 
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