Zaino and Pinnacle (beware of pictures)

[JasonC8301]

I finally had the chance to use Zaino on a 1999 Burgundy/Maroon ML320. The paint was in great shape. Three dents, a few rock chips, and VERY VERY VERY faint swirls. You have to be in direct sunlight at be less than 12 inches from the surface and looking at different angles to find them. Since it is a well kept car, and the ML paint seems to marr very easily. I decided that one coat of PPCL with the PC and foam polishing pad and clay on the horizontal surface was the only paint prep needed.



Here is the car after PPCL (Sorry for the quality of the pictures, the Canon was away in CA and the camcorder/digi cam combo was all that was available.)

 

[JasonC8301]

After Dawn wash - Look at the water, just lays on the surface

After drying it I tried to find swirls. I did not find any. I skipped the Z-5 and used Z-2 with ZFX.

 

[JasonC8301]

Here are the supplies at the beginning.



1 neatitems.com MF (darn tag, ripped the towel's corner to fraying)

1 100% cotton USA towel (Cannon)

Z-2

ZFX

Z-6



I poured 1 and 1/4 ounce of Z-2 into the mixing bottle and put in 5 and 1/2 drops of ZFX into it. I shook it for 1 and 1/2 minutes.



I let it sit for 10 minutes while doing the door jambs. I then came back and shook it some more. I then began to apply.

 

[JasonC8301]

The Z went on fairly easily. It took 8 minutes to apply.



Here is the residue

I then let it dry for 10-15 minutes (varied between the 3 coats.)

 

[JasonC8301]

I did the finger pass test and it came off easily enough.



I tried to remove the ZFX with the Mf towel, kinda hard, then the cotton towel easier but too much lint.



My final conclusion, first pass with cotton towel to "break" the surface. Then Mf to finish removing the Z to a shine. And boy did it shine.



Removal surprised me, it was harder than Souveran but easier than Blitz. I thought it was going to be a breeze to wipe off. It comes off easily but I think I expected too much.



The shine was great. I expect it too get better the next time I see it (3 weeks) and I will bring along the Canon for better pictures.



The paint looked lighter. The owner used NuFinish on the paint a month ago. I think the stuff darkened the paint while Zaino brings out the true color of the paint.



Everyone at the BBQ loved the finish.



Here is the car after 2 coats of ZFX and 2 applications of Z-6.

 

[JasonC8301]

 

[ALAN81]

one word beautiful

 

[JasonC8301]

The ML320's friend came over with a 2000 Black E430 4matic that is well taken care of minus the swirls put in from poor washing methods and Zymol cleaner wax.



I used PPCL with PC and foam cutting pad. On two or three rock chips, the owner touched it up. There was still that bump in the finish. I used 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and sanded down the surface. Scared the crap out of the owner looking at the dull spot. I did two passes with PC and compound. It blended right in, barely see the touch up paint unless you are staring at it for 5 minutes.



Black paint was left smooth, glossy, and ready for Souveran.



I did one application of Souveran by hand.



Here are the pictures

 

[JasonC8301]

 

[JasonC8301]

 

[JasonC8301]

 

[JasonC8301]

I give the :up to Zaino and Pinnacle.



I like Zaino, I tried that whole water tension thing on the ML this morning. The water just beaded and rolled right off.



The Pinnacle PCL was a bit hard to work with on the Black MB but it must of been the warmer weather during the afternoon.



The Souveran performed well as usual and the owner is getting the Souveran kit soon. I made him a believer on the wax. Price wasn't an option (ok maybe the Zymol Estate glazes were) but he loves the Souveran, especially the no residue or chaulk left on trim.



Sorry for the pictures again. will fix this next time once I get ahold of the Canon again....



Jason



EDIT: 1 ounce of Zaino covered the truck 3 times and the windows once. I felt so bad pouring out and cleaning away the other 1/4 of an ounce.....

 

[JasonC8301]

Thanks Alan.

 

[imported_Intermezzo]

The Z went on fairly easily. It took 8 minutes to apply.

I then let it dry for 10-15 minutes (varied between the 3 coats.)

8 minutes to apply?!?! Holy smokes Jason, that is fast! :up



Thanks for the review. I'm looking forward to any follow-up info or updates on how the Z is holding up.



Tony

 

[chevyguy28]

Jason:



What do you personally prefer on a black car? (zaino or souveran) I eventually decided to stick to carnuba because I assumed it would be deeper and wetter as opposed to the mirror like shine that zaino gives. Comments?

 

[William420]

8 minutes to apply?!?! Holy smokes Jason, that is fast! :up



Tony

I'll 2nd that. Give me 8 minutes and I'm just done with a hood & 2 fenders. Well, great job on the detailing! I gotta try to work faster! :xyxthumbs

 

[ultrajim49]

Jason :



I'll say you're "primus inter pares"



(ask for translation if you don't understand)



:bow

 

[Guest]

omg that souveran shine is killer on that E!

 

[JasonC8301]

I use quick light strokes to apply any wax/sealant by hand. I am sure by the third coat everything was covered at least twice (had to alternate between eating in one hand and applying with another.) I hope the Zaino residue on my fingers won't cause any problems with the hoot dogs/ hamburgers and other stuff I had.



Justin - on the black E I used Pinnacle Souveran and polished with Pinnacle PCL. I am not concerned with durability since the owner of the car will wax with Souveran once every 2-3 months and wash with Pinnacle bodywork shampoo/Crystal Mist once every three weeks (car is in a garage 24/7 everyday minus that Saturday where he drives aqround for short trips (basic parties, get togethers, errands.) I believe the Souveran will last for 3 months on this garage queen.



cvcaelen - "primus inter pares" Latin?? Please translate.



Nothing wrong with taking your time and caressing the finish. I spent 4 hours on the ML320 from start to finish (wash, PPCL, dawn wash, 3 coats Z-2 with ZFX with 3 applications of Z-6)



I spent 3 hours on washing the E, PPCL it, then a coat of Souveran. Also the E should have less surface area than the ML (imagine me standing in the foot well (open a door and stand on the part between the seat and door trim) holding on to the rail with one hand witch the PC in the other. I think I need a step ladder or be 8 feet tall to reach the top of the ML comfortable. The E on the other hand was a bit easier to handle for my height problem. Only if I was 6'2.........



Canon Powershot A10, Z-7, Z-6, Z-2, then Z-6, and a review of Zaino after the 3 week mark to come.



Happy Detailing,

Jason



PS, the Camry will get a wash and coat of Pinnacle Paste Glaz after I finish with the ML, the interior will be done also (10 years of grime and dust/dirt.)

 

[Guest]

lol jason. I am 6' 8" and i still used an upside down bucket to buff the roof of that jetta... lol.