Zaino vs. Carnauba

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imported_Greg

New member
I have some newbie Zaino questions:



1. Does Zaino offer as much protection as Carnauba?

2. Does Zaino last as long as Carnauba (or longer)?

3. Which is better for New England winters?

4. Does Zaino stain black trim like Carnauba?



Never used Zaino... very tempted this winter.
 
Any quality polymer sealant like Zaino, will provide much more and much longer lasting protection than any carnauba wax making it better for New England winters. As with staining, it works fine on the shadowline trim and the side door molding of your Bimmer, but will leave some residue on cracks or rough surfaces.



For harsh winters, sealants like Zaino are the way to go!
 
zaino really kills carnuba in durability.......



Its easy to work with and stays glossy and slick for months. It also does not leave any residue or stains on black trim........



Hope this helps.......
 
Having lived in New England for over 40 years I would say Zaino or any sealant (Klasse) will be better for your car's protection. I wish I knew about Zaino or Klasse when I lived there. Apply several coats in November and only wash (Z7) and QD (Z6) all winter and still have that just waxed shine as you drive between those mountains of snow.:eek: :bounce
 
Do a search on polymer(Zaino) and carnauba. You will find a lot of information on anything you need to know on detailing by using the search function. There are at least a million posts on polymers vs. carnauba. :)
 
Don't be tempted to do your Zainoing when it's too cold out! It needs to be over 55 or so for best results, I would think. Of course you could do it in a heated garage just fine. Even with one coat you will have more protection than any carnuba-based product. I would do at least two back-to-back (over a weekend or something) to ensure maximum protection and coverage. More would be even better, of course!



If you can't get all the swirls out and so forth right now I wouldn't worry too much. Come spring time you can start over, no problem.
 
First, I recently put another coat of z5 on my Integra and z2 on the BMW. It was 50 degrees out and in both cases, the product dried in less than 30 minutes. Thin coats are key.



Also, we need to be careful when we say X provides more protection and Y, without defining what protection means. Both caranauba and Zaino will form a hydrophobic sacrificial layer on the car, and as far as I know, there is no conclusive evidence which proves one protects better than the other against water, salt, etc. What we do know is that Zaino and some other polymers have UV blockers in their formulation (how important this is is questionable to me. UV block is really important on the dash but I've never seen UV damage on a clear/enamel before). Finally, polymers tend to last longer than caranaubas and provide more complete protection over a wide range of temperatures.



My 2 cents...(which seems to be worth less and less in the current economy).
 
The coldest I applied zaino was around 45 degrees. Work in the sun, and you will have no problems. Oh....and go THIN!



UV damage usually comes in the form of fading. This is espeically evident on cars that only see the sun on one side of them daily, cars with repainted panels, cars with bra's, or cars like my Z-28 that is half composite, half steel panels. A product like zaino keeps the paint on all the panels the same color by protecting against uneven fade.



Also, carnuba is not really hydrophobic....it actually does a poor job of beading water....thats what the other "wax's" in the formulation are for....ie....polyethylene, parrifin,etc,etc.....
 
That a single coat of any sealant that lasts 3 or 4 times longer than another will provide better protection - especially when it's difficult to reapply coats due to the weather.



DK and Yell, you guys are Zaino pros. Alan will be doing this for the first time. I was just trying to help. It would be counterproductive for him to struggle with his first application, as it takes about 6 coats or so to really get the hang of it, IMO. You know what I mean. However, as long as it's above freezing it is, in theory at least, possible to apply any sealant - even Meguiars #26. Would I do it when it's 45 and sunny out? Maybe I would now but I knowing what I know now, I'm glad I didn't try that the first time I did it.



Does this make any sense at all? Sorry if I'm rambling...
 
First, to clarify, I am NOWHERE NEAR a Zaino pro or a detailing pro. What I posted was just my observations/opinions.



DK: Maybe you are right about caranauba NOT being very hydrophobic (I would still imagine it is quite without researching it, which I am not going to do), but my point was that wax (which we commonly refer to as caranauba) is hydrophobic as is Zaino. I just didnt state it clearly enough. Dont know which one is more hydrophobic than the other but we do know that both protect the surface of the car adequately.



Alan B: I say to try the zaino but if it is cold and NOT sunny outside, do it in the garage and let the car sit for an hour or two before buffing off. Like it says on Zaino's site, you can see if it is dry by running your finger through the "haze". If it smears, it isnt dry. If it rubs off, it is dry.



Carry on :)
 
Zaino pro (n): A person who has successfully applied at least 1 coat of Zaino, posted a picture on Autopia of aforementioned handiwork, and received kudos for same.
 
Looks like it will be in the low 40's when I apply the Zaino. I guess I will wash the car (warm water) and pull it into the garage for the Zaino treatment. I plan on picking up an electric heater for the garage.



The car I'm buying is a silver Protoge. New... but has been sitting on the lot. My plan was to Z1 then Z5. Can I put a coat of Z2 on the next day, or do I need to wait several days???



Thanks! :)



Oh... and should I Z6 after the first coat of Z5?
 
I would wait until right before you apply the coat of Z2 the next day and wipe the car down with Z6 at that time.Good luck you are going to love the ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ;)
 
Be very patient with the drying of the first coat. This will consist of the drying of two products Z1 and Z5 in your case. The first application can be frustrating because if you are familar with carnuba type waxes you will apply too much Z. Repeat thin,thin,thin as DK and others have stated. Since you have an unheated garage and the ambient temperature will be around 40* apply thinly ( very important ) and forget about it for a few hours. After you wipe it down you will probably only be slightly impressed by the results. Do not fear. After you Z6 and apply the next coat you will see what everyone shouts about. With each addition coat you will become amazed and glad you made this leap of faith.:bounce

Welcome to Zainoland. The journey to detailing perfection has just begun. :cool:
 
Are you going the Z1 Z2 route or the ZFX route?! I highly recommend ZFX route.....it is easier to work with, faster drying, better results, and back to back layering is achievable. AS for cost it's about the same. If you WERE only going to do one coat at a time like the old z1 z2 route......just use ZFX for the first coat (kind of like z1 z2,etc,etc. You can always layer on plain coats of Z2 on with no ZFX, and when you want to do muliple coats in one day, then use the ZFX.........



HOPE THIS HELPS....
 
Can you explain how ZFX's results are better. The reason I ask is because I have not gone the ZFX route because I do not plan on applying more than one coat a day. But if I am missing out on improved results I can change the errors of my ways and order some ZFX.;)
 
Since the car has been sitting out for awhile, you may want to consider claying first. Up to you, but I would. To really see if it needs this, use a cigarette cellophane wrapper or thin baggie and put it over your fingers. Rub lightly on some painted areas. Do you feel any roughness? If so, you should clay. If you don't have Zaino clay get some Mother's clay at your local auto parts store. Clay inside also to keep your hands from freezing off.



Yes, you can put another coat of Z2 on the next day no problem. I would leave the car in the garage after removing the first coat and apply Z6 just before the next coat. That way you can be confident that the first coat has cured sufficiently and there isn't really any benefit to using Z6 right after removing a coat vs. just before the next coat. I always do it just before the next myself and feel that I get a better shine that way.
 
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