Should I switch to zaino?

B

breakneckvtec

New member
Well last spring - summer I buffed out my swirls and was protecting with Klasse. I loved it, BUT I did feel that the Klasse left a little bit of a "sterile" look to it, it didnt quite "pop" enough for me. I was toying with the idea that since most of my swirls are out maybe switching to zaino for the next spring - summer. I have some questions regarding it first though:



1) Can I was with whatever car wash soap I wish?

2) What zaino products do I need and what order do I apply them to a clearcoated car?

3) Any special tips or advice?

4) Application methods?

5) Does the zaino itself protect, or does it require a protectant layer once you achieved your look? ie, can I toss klasse on top? If zaino protects as well, how does the protection compare to that of the klasse? How does it last?



Thanks for the help.
 
1) Can I was with whatever car wash soap I wish?
Click to expand...
Yes - it is recommended to use their Z7 car shampoo, but something like Meguiar's GC wash is fine.

2) What zaino products do I need and what order do I apply them to a clearcoated car?
Click to expand...

The bare essential Zaino products are Z1 and Z2.

3) Any special tips or advice?
Click to expand...

For best results, you can use their QD, shampoo, ZFX, etc., but those are optional and may complicate the process. Check out www.zainostore.com

4) Application methods?
Click to expand...

Apply Z1, apply Z2 over that, let the two dry, and then wipe off both with a MF.

5) Does the zaino itself protect, or does it require a protectant layer once you achieved your look? ie, can I toss klasse on top? If zaino protects as well, how does the protection compare to that of the klasse? How does it last?
Click to expand...

Zaino itself lasts longer than anything I've tried. In the Guru Report's wax test, it beaded to the end of the test.
 
After using both, I prefer klasse for appearance on black, but of course you'll never know how you feel about it until you see it yourself.



1. You can wash with any soap, but z6 wash does seem to enhance the shine. it supposedly rejuvenates the zaino layers you have and prolongs its durability.



2. Z1 or ZFX, and either Z2 and/or Z5. Since you already have klasse, many people have substituted using klasse AIO for the dawn wash, which in my experience, did not cause any problems.



3/4. Apply thin like klasse SG. Apply in straight lines, up and down on vertical panels, and front and back along the length of the car for the horizontal panels. I'm not sure if this actually makes a difference, but it is the recommended procedure and it doesnt take that much more effort to do. You will not have problems with removal if it dries for an hour (shorter with zfx).



5. Zaino is the protectant. According to zaino, the only topper compatible with zaino is zaino. As for durability, klasse and zaino are generally regarded as equals.
 
Very helpful, thanks. I think I might give this a shot. :bounce



So I would go Z1, Z5 over it, let dry wipe off with MF towel

Then apply Z5 until I am happy with it, up to 3 coats, then go to the Z2, is this correct?



How hard is it to buff this off, is it easy to work with?



And final question for now, How can I get my Klasse off my car to get it ready for the zaino? I applied the last coat of klasse probably in late september, about 5-6 layers total. How do I get this off to prep it for the zaino?
 
I don't know that I know many people who use a product like Zaino because they don't want to have to wax their car for 6 months. If you are the type to use a sealant like Zaino or Klasse then the chances are that you'll either be putting on another layer a couple times a month anyway. Who really cares about how long it lasts as long as it lasts between coats? I don't think durability should really be a major factor in deciding what to use if you are going to be layering it anyway.



As far as other application methods and tips, the stuff on the zaino website has about everything you need to know. Its not any different than applying any other product. Just put it on and buff it off. Unless you use the ZFX stuff then you still need to wait a day between coats for it to cure. I don't know if ZFX is worth the price just so you can put multiple layers on in one day... but it floats a lot of boats. On your color car Zaino is probably going to look pretty good.



You might want to check around and see if anyone has some samples they can sell you before you drop the money on the full bottles of product. There are lots of products out there so trying them all is valuable education. Good luck with your testing. :bigups
 
breakneckvtec said:




And final question for now, How can I get my Klasse off my car to get it ready for the zaino? I applied the last coat of klasse probably in late september, about 5-6 layers total. How do I get this off to prep it for the zaino?
Click to expand...



Polish it off. Something like Meguiar's #9 or 3M SMR should have enough kick to polish it off. By the time you get around to preping the surface for Zaino the Klasse should be mostly starting to wear off anyway. You could even use AIO to strip it down. Lots of people use AIO as a base for Zaino anyway. It doesn't hurt a thing.
 
Thanks, I guess that about answers all my questions. However, you dont seem to be to hyped up about this stuff. It seems great. Your right I dont care really about the longevity because I dont want to layer, but because come end of fall when I generally leave my car alone through the winter I want the protection I built up over the good season to last, thats why I asked about how well it protects. Thanks for all the info guys. :xyxthumbs
 
I agree with Jngrbrdman, durability is not a major factor with Autopians as we all wax our cars frequently for fun don't we?. As far as I am concerned the depth of the shine & ease of use are the most important, 'cos if it's a PITA to use then I wouldn't wax it as much would I, & were would be the fun in that?
 
I haven't had time to completely test it. I got some samples from Jason right as I suddenly got too busy to use it. The end of the season rush usually keeps me pretty busy. Now its too cold out to use it. The people who actually use the Zaino are hyped enough for everybody else who hasn't used it anyway. :lol There isn't anything wrong with it as far as I can tell. As long as the Zaino bottles don't mind if I use other products as well then it is welcome on my shelf. As soon as I start finding my bottles of Klasse knocked onto the floor with little daggers sticking out of them then I'm going to start getting suspicious. ;)



I think the protection is probably about the same as Klasse. The difference between Zaino and Klasse is going to boil down to how it looks. They are both going to last a long time and they are both going to protect a long time. Its all down to which you like to use and which looks better. They both rank a 10 on every other category from what I know about them.
 
:rofl



Funny ****, well I am going to give the zaino system a shot, heres the plan for next spring:



Wash with Z7

Yellow pad, 3M SMR to remove Klasse and level it down a bit

Z1 topped with Z5, several coats of Z5

Z2

Zaino gloss enhancing spray between coats and then see where I am when the dust settels....Excited to try this out.
 
Klasse doesnt really hide any of the swirls you cant quite get out though, not that I have many swirls, at this point I guess I am about 99% free. My girls civic however is older and that thing has swirls I just cant seem to get. Wouldnt you say the Zaino will help better in this area?
 
If you have tried polishes like DACP and haven't gotten them out then Zaino isn't going to help either. In the end it is still just a sealant product. The swirl removing abilities are very very low in comparison to products that are actually meant to remove swirls. I wouldn't expect miracles. You still need to prep the surface properly if you want the right results. Why hide the swirls when you can remove them? If you can't remove them then you can't hide them either.
 
My car is pretty swirless



My girls car you can see them at certain angles...



I will be buffing her car again in the spring, might try the DACP on hers before the zaino.



Thanks.
 
Purely my opinion:



You want more "pop" because Klasse is too "sterile". I say top your Klasse with a carnauba. If you want durability, try something like #16 or Collinite. Zaino is not a deep product and has very low gloss. It is incredibly shiny, though. But maybe not what you want if you don't like the "sterile" look of Klasse.



Your girlfriends car has some swirling still. IMO Klasse SG does more to hide swirls than Z5 does.



However, you sound excited to try Zaino, so I'm sure you will. And, you'll never really know how it will work or look until you try it. If money is a factor, try a carnauba first. If it isn't, then just get the Zaino since it'll drive you crazy until you do. :)
 
breakneckvtec said:
:rofl



Funny ****, well I am going to give the zaino system a shot, heres the plan for next spring:



Wash with Z7

Yellow pad, 3M SMR to remove Klasse and level it down a bit

Z1 topped with Z5, several coats of Z5

Z2

Zaino gloss enhancing spray between coats and then see where I am when the dust settels....Excited to try this out.
Click to expand...



Your going to have to do another step between the SMR and the Z1 to cleanse the surface .. Dawn wash or maybe AIO ..
 
I agree with aurora40. If your not happy with the sterile look of Klasse you should try topping with a carnuba of some sort. I personally think that Zaino and klasse look almost identical(sterile IMO also) but both are great protection wise. As for swirl hiding Zaino will do absolutely nothing to hide swirls and I mean nothing so make sure your paint is perfect before applying and this includes waterspots not etched in waterspots I mean regular waterspots that come out of crevices after you dry your car as Zaino's polish will not remove/clean anything.
 
madazskunk said:
As for swirl hiding Zaino will do absolutely nothing to hide swirls and I mean nothing
Click to expand...



I'm sorry but I disagree here and speak from experience.. Z5 when used properly will *fill* minor swirls thus hiding them.
 
We all know that appearance is based on personal preference and most everyone has different opinions on what looks best. We also know that different products will look good on some cars and not on others.



On that note: On my wifes Silver CRV I think Zaino looks fabulous. Since the metallic paint doesn't have much depth I find the Zaino Shine really enhances the cars lines. On the other hand Zaino on my MB looks horrible. The shine looks very sterile and my car looks dull grey.



Regarding the swirl filling abilities of Z5, it is minimal. I've found it will fill swirls caused by washing the car with a Viking lambswool mitt. Swirls deeper than that (like buffer swirls) and Z5 won't touch it from my experience.
 
My suggestion: ignore what everyone else has said about appearance and try Z first-hand. I've used Zaino on a black car and managed to get it deep and dark, rich, warm, and glowing. IMO, it's possible with all the 'general consensus' floating in the forums, that we get this, "I hate it! My hood just turned plastic!" impression of Z even before using it.



My 2 cents... :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top