Zaino Durability

T

txz28

New member
I am considering getting Zaino for my wife's 2004 Honda Accord, dark blue. The main reason I want it is for durability. I can never get the time to wax her car as often as I would like. The big issue holding me back is the big initial cost to try zaino ($95 with S&H for the kit).



In your application, how long does a zaino application last? I know it varies based on fifty factors. How would you compare the durability compared to other products you have tried?
 
Well lets see I did 2 layers on my wife's dark blue Highlander back in April and seems to be holding up still.With ZFX you can do about 3 layers on your Accord with about an oz. of Zaino (half the mixing bottle) and it should last about 4 month's give or take and also how you maintain it.And you could do it all in one day.This should give you an idea of how little product is needed.



I've been using QEW and WAUD now on my weekly washes and seems to add to the durability,this would apply to any product you decide to use.
 
If you use the wash and QD to maintain, 3 coats should last around 4-6 months. Zaino is one of the more durable products out there. You might also look at the Klasse twins.
 
If you want to throw together a budget kit, simply get the Z6, Z7, ZFX, and Z5. There are many people that don't bother with Z2 for dark cars, and the difference in shine is not that great. This would cost you a little less I gather. Z6 and Z7 are not required strictly, but they will help increase the longevity as well. When you get your Z6, dillute it with distilled water.



Even with another system, you will have to buy some quick detailer and car wash, albeit at a lower price. The expensive part of the Zaino line, IMO, is ZFX. It's shelf life is only 18 months.



As far as your question, I usually do 3-5 coats over a weekend and don't reapply for 6-9 months. I really don't understand people who reapply coats every 2-6 weeks, because then Zaino's main advantage will have been negated.
 
I agree with what Justin stated plus:



Just get Z2 ($12) if your car is blue and surface marring will be repaired prior to application (PREP), ZFX ($19) and Z6($10). This will run you about ~$50 including shipping.



This price is equal to the Klasse twins (with shipping) and the low-end Pinnacle line without its QD Cystal Mist ($19) and any shampoo you use for your vehicle.





That is about $3 per application @ 1oz / session ( 3 coats easily/ session) with a frequency of every 6 months works out to be that this order will last you 8 years @ $6 per year. During this time you will probably need to re-order some Z6 and replace your ZFX (shelf life ~18 months) but I have some ZFX that over 2.5 years old and working and appearing normal. Store all detailing products in a temperature constant environment @ 60-75*



Since you do not plan on washing this vehicle with a high frequency, the Z6 will last about a year even undiluted. 12-15 spritz per session will do an entire cleaned vehicle.



In summary, the initial investment can be reduced (~$50) without decreasing the end result or maintenence frequency and is very comparable to other proven durable sealants (Klasse). Add Z7 to complete the total maintenence package, a worthwhile small increase in total ($58) cost, and you will not only have a very durable protectant on her vehicle but one the retains it beauty over the lifespan of the protection.
 
I applied it over a year ago and it still beads, albeit less than before. There's not doubt it will last you at least 6 months. Don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, but beware of the "plasticy" look with Zaino. It didn't bother me that much. I just like the "wet" look much better now.
 
Care to elaborate? I have prepped my paint to a swirl free finish, and even tried AIO underneath. However, Zaino is never going to have the depth of other products.
 
JustinTRW said:
Care to elaborate? I have prepped my paint to a swirl free finish, and even tried AIO underneath. However, Zaino is never going to have the depth of other products.
Click to expand...
I use Zaino products by request quite a bit.....with proper prep.....and he's right:cool:
 
txz28 said:
I am considering getting Zaino for my wife's 2004 Honda Accord, dark blue. The main reason I want it is for durability. I can never get the time to wax her car as often as I would like. The big issue holding me back is the big initial cost to try zaino ($95 with S&H for the kit).



In your application, how long does a zaino application last? I know it varies based on fifty factors. How would you compare the durability compared to other products you have tried?
Click to expand...



Got something to trade? I would be happy to trade or work out a good deal for a bottle of Z5 that I will not be using and some ZFX. Just shoot me a PM if you are interested.
 
Terry said:
I use Zaino products by request quite a bit.....with proper prep.....and he's right:cool:
Click to expand...



Still, pretty vague to me folks. ;)



I have never applied Zaino with improper prep, so to speak, so I can't vouch for the difference. What exactly do you mean by proper prep? A wash? A swirl removal? Polishing?
 
I have never understood why Zaino has become such a cult favorite with many car sites (not here) when Klasse is basically the same with durability and appearance.



I know this is only my opinion but I can't understand how anybody would prefer the look of Zaino or Klasse over a top carnauba. The sealant look while highly reflective does look cheap and plasticky due to lack of depth. The beauty of sealants is the durability but the real beauty comes from a carnuaba wax. I think alot of those who swear by Zaino's appearance have never used a good carnauba on a properly prepped car. There would be many converts I'm sure. I've converted a couple of my friend who are now former Zainoholics after they were shown how my car had a richer shine.



My car has been prepped correctly and while SG did look good it did have that plasticky look at some angles. Once I topped with P21s the shine was much more substansial and the prep was the same. I can't think of any way to get depth from those sealants by prepping differently.



Don't get me wrong the sealant look is great but without depth and that added wetness it seems incomplete. For me a sealant is there for protection while the wax is the eye candy that only an Autopian can appreciate.
 
Yosemite Dan said:
I have never understood why Zaino has become such a cult favorite with many car sites (not here) when Klasse is basically the same with durability and appearance.

Click to expand...
Application is a bit different. With ZFX you can apply more coats in one sitting. Also, some (senior) Autopians used to have trouble with Klasse hazing and buffing. Far less reports these days of problems, but besides that Zaino and Klasse are just "different".



The "look" of sealants is opinion, as you said. Some people can perceive the same shine differently and a lot comes down to the eye of the beholder whether they decide they like it or not.



That's why detailing is still more art than science I guess.... ;)
 
I was a carnauba-user for 15 years and have recently switched to Zaino after researching about it extensively. I agree with 4DSC's statement that different people perceive shine in a different way.



Previously, when I was crazy over P21s, Megs No26 and Pinnacle, I was very familiar with the type of results that I could get from these top-grade Carnaubas. This is also were 4DSC's comments are relevant and leads to the golden questions:



1. How many types of shine are there?

2. Is your type of desired shine the same as my type of desired shine?

3. What's the diff between gloss, shine, wet look and reflectiveness? Do they mean differently to different people?



These questions are the main issues that created a diff between Carnaubas and Sealants.....the final appearance.



These are my perceptions and many may disagree:



Top class carnaubas give that rich, deep apperance with an oily-slick look that may not be very clear. However, it has been worthlessly disappointing in silver cars or other light coloured cars because I have not been impressed by any significantly different results.



Zaino, based on me being a new user, gives a clear, highly reflective look. Is reflectiveness = wetlook? I don't know.

I was surprised by Zaino's ability to "liven up" silver and light colours. The silver with its limited depth, becomes clearer and more reflective.



In the end, its what you want.



I have seen Zymol's exorbitant VINTAGE being applied by a Zymol authorised reseller on a new, properly prepped paint and I wasn't blown away at all. Sure...it looked rich, dark and deep. But it doesn't turn people's heads as they walk pass the car. This is significant to me because it shows that the results are not significant enough....regardless of the price.



But, on a Zaino prepped car, it turned heads everywhere it went. Even drivers of the same type of car asked me what kind of "polish" I used!!!! I asked them what was it that attracted them and the reply was "the shine". I gather that this "shine" was actually the vivid reflections off the paint surface that attracts attention.



Carnauba lovers can call Zaino plasticky or whatever. But there are so many ways to describe a "shine". You can say Zaino gives a "glassy shine" and you could be correct. In my opinion, no matter what kind of shine I've got, if it doesn't turn heads and does not elicit "oohs and ahhs", then the results are clearly insignificantly different and therefore not worth my time.
 
Actually calling a sealant's (Zaino) appearance a plasticity shine is actually an indirect compliment to the product. Though I do not agree with this description, automotive paints are a form of plastic. Therefore, Zaino and other sealants present the finsih in its natural state but with a durable protective coating.



Carnauba which I love also and have all the boutique brands produces a "different" appearance. One that can altered the optics and can enhance a sometimes not-so-deep appearing finish. Sometime this is due to prep, color and quality of painted finish. As mentioned previously certain colors (silvers, white) sometimes require this optical augmentation.



This is what Zane was pointing out. With a good prep which has the goal of maximizing the "natural" depth, wetness, reflectivity, and color hue will only be "protected" by a sealant not "altered" in appearance. When using either a carnauba or a sealant, the goal of my prep is to achieve the final appearance I am seeking and asking little from the protectant for visual augmentation.

Products used, skill, experience, and bravery (wet-sanding and rotary usage :scared) all come into play when seeking these natural appearance goals.

Most sealants do not contain "cosmetics" (oils, which feed the paint ;) ) so all depth must be achieve via prep. Some finishes do not have great depth even when prepped to the max. Therefore, in order to give this appearance one should use a product that produces the appearance of depth (i.e. carnauba containing products or glazes).

What is the point of durability if you are driving something that does not meet your appearance needs? If Zaino / Klasse do not meet your appearance needs and long-term durability is not necessary, by all means do not use this type of protectant.

.

On the other side of the equation, why sacrifice durability if one can meet their personal appearance goal with a quality sealant like Zaino or Klasse. One always has the option to top with a carnauba and still maintain a long term protectant underneath and alter the final appearance one may desire.



Asking for a step by step method to achieve this is not possible beyond the basic polishing protocol. To imply that a sealant user is not being geniune by stating he/she has achieved a deep appearing results is just not called for. To call someone out for detailed steps to prove how he/she got these results is again unnecessary.

I am a big/small block fan /owner. I have tried the micro-block scene but can not find driving pleasure out of buzzing around and shifting endlessly to stay in the power (oxymoron ;) ) curve. Would I ever state that someone who does drives this genre of vehicle is not geniunely excited about the joy they derive from driving one? No.
 
Yosemite Dan said:
I have never understood why Zaino has become such a cult favorite with many car sites (not here) when Klasse is basically the same with durability and appearance.

Click to expand...

I have used both (using WOWO with the K twins) and I find Zaino easier to buff than SG. For me even with wowo, K turns to glue.

They are both good but my personal choice (preference) is Zaino.
 
Yosemite Dan said:
I have never understood why Zaino has become such a cult favorite with many car sites (not here) when Klasse is basically the same with durability and appearance.



I know this is only my opinion but I can't understand how anybody would prefer the look of Zaino or Klasse over a top carnauba. The sealant look while highly reflective does look cheap and plasticky due to lack of depth. The beauty of sealants is the durability but the real beauty comes from a carnuaba wax. I think alot of those who swear by Zaino's appearance have never used a good carnauba on a properly prepped car. There would be many converts I'm sure. I've converted a couple of my friend who are now former Zainoholics after they were shown how my car had a richer shine.



My car has been prepped correctly and while SG did look good it did have that plasticky look at some angles. Once I topped with P21s the shine was much more substansial and the prep was the same. I can't think of any way to get depth from those sealants by prepping differently.



Don't get me wrong the sealant look is great but without depth and that added wetness it seems incomplete. For me a sealant is there for protection while the wax is the eye candy that only an Autopian can appreciate.
Click to expand...



I am willing to take some hits on depth for durability. With our busy schedules it is hard for me to spend the time on her car as often as I would like.
 
There have been several comparisons to the Klasse twins. I have also not tried them. How would you compare the durability of Klasse to Zaino? Perhaps I am overlooking another good choice.



From what I have read, Zaino seems to have the edge, but Klasse requires less rigid prep requirements. By no means should proper prep be neglected. I have never been keen on the idea of dawn wash on a car.
 
IMO, prep is no different.



Zaino - ease of use, very little chance of smirring/haze

Klasse - SG can be a royal PITA is you are not careful with your application.



IMO - People make way too much of deal about Zaino's complexity. It's a very very simple, easy on, easy off type product.



I guess the confusion from Z1/ZFX and cures times etc but in the end, Zaino is very easy to use, extremely durable, very clear (no muting of metallics) and very cost effective as stated above.



I personally can not understand why ZFX is so expensive :angry . It's seems utterly ridicolous how much is lists for but in the end, being able to apply 3 x coats in one day forces me to buy it! :rolleyes:



Paco
 
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