Zaino

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imported_User Name

New member
So, I finally took the plunge and just ordered some Zaino and while I know it is not a product that is sold at PAC, I'm going to review it here as a comparison to Blackfire Wet Diamond.

Right now, Wet Diamond is my #1 LSP. Simply said, I've never used something which I liked so much, but I've been up and down on Zaino for years.

Quite a few pros that I really respect tell me great things about Zaino, so I bit the bullet and bought some. I should have it by this weekend and I expect to use it by next. I think I'll try it on my IS350.

I've heard both sides of the Zaino debate, but I guess I won't be satisfied until I see it for myself. Stay tuned for the Zaino vs. Wet Diamond vs. NXT 2.0 vs. Wolfgang Deep Gloss 3.0 comparison.

Anyone have any tips for what I should do to prep my car for Zaino? It is currently wearing two month old Wolfgang DGPS 3.0, which is still beading nicely. Do I need to do anything more than a Dawn wash? (I'm very irked at using Dawn on my baby).
 
User Name said:
So, I finally took the plunge and just ordered some Zaino and while I know it is not a product that is sold at PAC, I'm going to review it here as a comparison to Blackfire Wet Diamond.

Right now, Wet Diamond is my #1 LSP. Simply said, I've never used something which I liked so much, but I've been up and down on Zaino for years.

Quite a few pros that I really respect tell me great things about Zaino, so I bit the bullet and bought some. I should have it by this weekend and I expect to use it by next. I think I'll try it on my IS350.

I've heard both sides of the Zaino debate, but I guess I won't be satisfied until I see it for myself. Stay tuned for the Zaino vs. Wet Diamond vs. NXT 2.0 vs. Wolfgang Deep Gloss 3.0 comparison.

Anyone have any tips for what I should do to prep my car for Zaino? It is currently wearing two month old Wolfgang DGPS 3.0, which is still beading nicely. Do I need to do anything more than a Dawn wash? (I'm very irked at using Dawn on my baby).
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I've been using Zaino for almost 10 years. I've never like the "Dawn wash" idea on my cars either, but I don't think it will actually harm the paint. It just seems so harsh!!!

I would claybar the entire car before applying Zaino. Will you be using Z2Pro or Z5Pro? And did you order ZFX?

My basic tips would include:

1. Use a couple drops of ZFX and mix in the provided bottle. Make the sealant dry faster and last longer.

2. Apply in long overlapping strokes from front to back of the vehicle.

3. You'll know when to wipe it clean by running your finger across the surface of the paint. If it smears, it's not ready... should wipe clean.

4. After removing the sealant, apply Z6 or Z8. (Z8 is, by far, the better choice.):clap:

I've got BF and Zaino in a dead heat right now. I use each of them about 50% of the time, depending on the vehicle I'm doing.

Good luck... let us know what you think of the products in comparison with Blackfire WD.:drool5:
 
User Name said:
Yes to all. I got Z2Pro, Z5Pro, ZFX, Z6 and Z8, along wtih the clay and Z7.
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I always tend to use Z2P on lighter colors and Z5P on darker colors. Z5P is supposed to have "some" capability to fill swirls. I haven't found that to be true, but it will give you fantastic shine and longevity!

Of all the Zaino products, I would say that Z8 is my favorite. It will put the finishing touch on any vehicle. Be sure to try Z8 over BFWD as well... outstanding!!!!:biggrin:
 
Agree with everything Luster has said -
Been using Zaino for about as long and here in the Northwest, it will last about 9 months or so, depending on the weather, on a vehicle left outside.
The shine is always outstanding to me, and when washed with their carwash and wiped down with their Z6, it helps renew the material again.
And as Luster has said, Z8 on top extends the life and gives it more pop.
I found as I got more experience that I dont need but around 1/4 - 1/2 oz of material to apply 3 coats to an average sized vehicle, with 3 drops of ZFX.
These coats are really thin, but that is how they want it and it works great for me.
Unless you are using a machine to apply it, I find that you dont use as much by hand and there is no wasted polish in the pad afterwards. It doesnt require you apply it very hard like rubbing compound or a polish, just rub it in and move to the next panel.
Weather conditions will determine how quickly it driies, hotter, less humidity is the best for it drying quickly.
Their red claybar is easy to use, not agressive, may take a little longer on dirty finishes (not yours), but is less apt to mar the finish.
Zaino says that the one-time Dawn wash is all you need to prepare and that claybar will also remove the previous product on the paint. You will have to see for yourself on your vehicle how it works for your needs.
I also have an IS350, Tungsten Pearl, '08, with 2100 miles. It looks very shiny but eveyone has their own opinion on what "shiny" is to them.

I had several coats of Z5 on a '05 Acura RL Opulent Blue Pearl that I took back at the end of the lease, had not done anything to it before I took it back so the material was on there for about a year, and it still outshined everything on the dealer's lot. They have it up for sale today and it says - "The Cleanest Car on the Lot". This vehicle was kicked out of the garage about a year ago when the IS350 came home, so it endured a really bad winter, snow, ice, everything but hail, and still cleaned up beautifully wth no additional application of product.

I just received some Blackfire Wet Diamond and will try it out soon.
Good luck with your testing.
DanF
 
Stokdgs said:
I found as I got more experience that I dont need but around 1/4 - 1/2 oz of material to apply 3 coats to an average sized vehicle, with 3 drops of ZFX.
These coats are really thin, but that is how they want it and it works great for me.
Unless you are using a machine to apply it, I find that you dont use as much by hand and there is no wasted polish in the pad afterwards.
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Absolutely! Thinner is better. I can do a car 16-20 times with an 8 oz. bottle of Z2P.:thumbup:
 
Okay, so it looks like I'll...

1. Wash with Dawn.

2. Clay with ONR as Clay Lube.

3. Z2 Pro with ZFX (White car)... how many coats, how long should I wait between each coat?

4. Z8
 
User Name, I would do a thorough IPA wipe after clay.

I've had issues with going straight from polishing to ZAIO followed by Z2PRO. It just didn't have the trademark Zaino durability without wiping with IPA after polishing.

I now always IPA before the Zaino and have had nothing but good durability, slickness and looks with it.
 
bigpoppa said:
User Name, I would do a thorough IPA wipe after clay.

I've had issues with going straight from polishing to ZAIO followed by Z2PRO. It just didn't have the trademark Zaino durability without wiping with IPA after polishing.

I now always IPA before the Zaino and have had nothing but good durability, slickness and looks with it.
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I've never done that with Zaino, but it certainly sounds like a good idea, especially since an IPA wipedown costs next to nothing and only takes 5 minutes!!! Good plan!:thumbup: [Old guy keeps learning daily.]:D
 
FWIW, I would wash it with dawn after claying. Using ONR as a clay lube could leave something behind that might not give you fair results.

Wash normally, clay if needed, wash with dawn, apply.
 
How about this...

1. Wash normally.

2. Clay with ONR.

3. Wash with Dawn.

4. IPA wipedown.

5. Apply Z2 Pro with ZFX

6. Finish with Z8?

Not for nothing, and I'm going to try not to let this influence me, but I'm already getting pi$$ed off at how finicky Zaino can be!!! I like my LSPs Bubba Proof!!!:D
 
I have been on the fence with Zaino for years. I've given away the first two kits I bought and then I thought I'd give it yet another try and bought a third kit about a year ago. I needed some more Z9 last week as I like that very much, and since I have not used ZAIO or Z8 I added them to the list as well...they just showed up yesterday. I must say Zaino's turn around time is awesome!

I'm going to give it another shot this week and see if I like it better using ZAIO before the Z2...I have just always applied it right after polishing.

I sitll hate the idea of mixing ZXF/Z2 into those stupid little bottles that are a PITA to clean out. Boo Hoo
 
User Name said:
How about this...

1. Wash normally.

2. Clay with ONR.

3. Wash with Dawn.

4. IPA wipedown.

5. Apply Z2 Pro with ZFX

6. Finish with Z8?

Not for nothing, and I'm going to try not to let this influence me, but I'm already getting pi$$ed off at how finicky Zaino can be!!! I like my LSPs Bubba Proof!!!:D
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That's the way I do it.

Zaino really isn't that finicky. I've been using it for years with great results.

I wouldn't be using it on customer cars if it didn't produce awesome results!!!:biggrin:
 
Luster said:
Did any of those issues involve streaking?
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Yes, as a matter of fact. In addition, the Zaino (I always do ZAIO on the PC followed by Z2PRO because I do not have ZFX and ZAIO fits into my process well) just wasn't as slick as it normally is after application, and didn't have the normally excellent tight beading and slickness retention.
 
Sometimes the humidity is so bad in my area, that Zaino never fully dries. Even when applying it really thin, and leaving it overnight.

If it streaks. Just take a damp microfiber, and go over the streaks. This should help remove them.

Zaino's a great product, but it can be very temperamental. Depending on weather conditions.
 
I have had great results with :
Dawn wash
Claybar
Polish to correct paint
Polish with ZAIO
3 x Z5 for dark or 3 x Z2 with 3 drops ZFX for 1/2 oz. I just buy 1/2 oz bottles from any number of sellers on the Internet, last time I used Abundant Health and found some really nice ones.
I wipe of the little Zaino that remains and then do a Z6 wipedown and apply the next coat until 3 are on and off.
Then I apply ZCS ClearSeal that day and the next day wipe down with Z6 and do ZCS ClearSeal again.
Lasts for 9 months or so.
And then to add insult to injury, I usually dont add anymore Zaino except for Z6 wipdowns after washing and 1 Z8 after the Z6 wipedown
I dont ever add coats in between that time before I look to do it again.
It took a couple of years or more to finally use up all the ZFX.

It sounds like it is alot of finicky stuff but it really isnt.
They want you to use 4-5 drops of ZFX per ounce of product, so measure out 1/2 oz or so, and put in like 3 drops of ZFX. If it makes it dry a little quicker that can be a good thing if its cool or humid dont you think ?
The ZFX really speeds up the process - I wouldnt do it any other way.

Before Zaino AIO I just went straight to the Z2-5 with equally great success, but the AIO seems to help polish it out a little more, and gives you a great base to start off on. They even say that just stopping there would be great and it would last a long time.

The secret - get some smaller cheaper bottles, and throw them away and not worry about cleaning them ! :)

Good luck with this let us know how it works for you - and dont forget Sal Zaino is usually available to talk you through stuff or email back to you if you get in a bind, etc.. They are also very nice people as are the people who own and manage this site.

DanF
 
Stokdgs said:
- and dont forget Sal Zaino is usually available to talk you through stuff or email back to you if you get in a bind, etc.. They are also very nice people as are the people who own and manage this site.

DanF
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Excellent advice... Sal is the best at customer service!:hurray:

(Well.... Angelo @ PAC ain't too bad either!) ;)
 
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