Went up to meet with Tom Quick in Shamokin Dam (an hour away from Harrisburg) to get my first products of ZAINO! I got the Z1, Z2, Z5, Z6 & Z7. I did the full bore cleaning of the SS today, despite my bumper in need of a new repaint. If you'd like to here of my steps I went with, here they are (from much contemplation of what the correct steps are, this is what I came up with:
1. Washed car with Dawn. 2. With car still wet, used clay bar (from Mothers) with diluted Z7 in spray bottle. 3. Rinsed car well and washed car using Z7. 4. Dryed car with terry towel. 5. Applied Z1, let sit of 30 minutes (upper 70's with sun out) 6. Applied Z2 over top of Z1 and let sit 30 minutes. 7. Wiped car off with terry towel. 8. Applied Z5, let sit for 30 minutes. 9. Wiped car off with terry towel. 10. Added a second layered of Z2. 11. Wiped car off with terry towel. 12. Finished with Z6 and buffed to a clear shine.
All that took about 4-5 hours (with breaks) It also included me washing the wheels and cleaning the tires. Pictures you say?? Here are some:
This is a dayight shot of my bumper that someone hit my car. Havne't gotten an estimate yet on how much it will cost to repaint:
My sister's 2002 RS vert in the reflection, not too bad of a reflection:
Good ole me of the reflection in the black part of the roof.
A rear shot of the SS. Dont look at the exhaust tips, I didn't get to clean them yet in that picture. Notice my sister's RS in there:
All in all, The Zaino works pretty well. I can tell a step up of performance from Meguires. And I'm sure I'll notice a bigger difference over a longer period of time (from what I've read). Pictures aren't the greatest as the sun wasn't at a good angle. But you get the picture. It will look much better once my bumper is repainted, whenever that may be. Sorry this was so long! And thanks all for the help in the past.
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
The pictures aren't coming up but if you don't use ZFX then you need to let the coats of Z2 or Z5 cure overnight, otherwise you will not get the layered effect. Congratulations on your conversion - one thing you will definitely notice is that the Zaino lasts much longer than Meguiars.
Posted by ss_rs_z (Member # 1888) on :
The pictures are great Dan and the car shines just like it came out of the showroom. The car looks great.
[ 28. April 2003, 04:21 AM: Message edited by: ss_rs_z ]
Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 88) on :
Looking goooood!! Now the key is to keep it up! Posted by JohnS (Member # 1073) on :
Very nice! Zaino rocks!
Posted by Kevin V 2002 SS (Member # 1025) on :
Another Zainoholic is born!!! Posted by DanPazich (Member # 1352) on :
quote:Originally posted by DaddySS: The pictures aren't coming up but if you don't use ZFX then you need to let the coats of Z2 or Z5 cure overnight, otherwise you will not get the layered effect. Congratulations on your conversion - one thing you will definitely notice is that the Zaino lasts much longer than Meguiars.
I was under the impression that only under cool/damp conditions you needed it to let set over night. I'm sure the longer you leave it set, the better. I'm sure I gave it a good 45 minutes for each coat. The sun was quite hot, so I'm sure that cut the time too.
Thanks all Posted by 01ss87iroc (Member # 1763) on :
Looks great! Gotta love Zaino...
Posted by NATESS (Member # 982) on :
looks great! BTW, if you go the the Zaino bros. web site, they have a tip page for application. all and all, looks like you applied it properly. you may want to spray on the Z-6 detail spray between coats of Z-1 and Z-2.
Gotta love that Zaino. Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
We're both right:
Let Z-5 or Z-2 polish dry at least one hour. Please NOTE: Zaino Show Car Polish works best at 60 degrees or higher. However, it can be applied down to temperatures of 45 degrees. It just will take much, much longer to dry. As much as two to three hours drying time is required if the temperature is 50 degrees or below. Also, If the humidity is high. Longer drying time is necessary. Humidity is a killer on the drying time of Z-2 or Z-5. The moisture in the air hinders drying time up to four times longer than normal. Sorry, but I can't help this. When you try to remove Z-2 or Z-5 when it is still wet. All you're accomplishing is moving it around. Kinda like reapplying it. Also you need to use a LARGE White 100% Bath size towel (please refer to my Tips & Tricks sheet on my web site for the proper towels to use) to remove Z-2 or Z-5. Smaller towels will not work efficiently.
To test if Z-2 or Z-5 is dry and ready to be removed. Wipe your finger on a hazed section. It should immediately come off and leave a crytal clear finish. If it smears, it is still wet. You can leave Z-2 or Z-5 on for hours or overnight if you desire. When it is not humid Z-2 will take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to dry. Depending on how heavy you applied it. I have applied Z-2 in the Arizona sun and it dried in approx. 3 to 5 minutes. I have also applied it in 38 degree temperature and it took about 2 to 3 hours to dry. Be patient. It's worth it. Different situations affect drying times. Also, remember you have Z-1 and Z-5 both on the car. That is two products that have to dry at one time. Takes longer. Z-2 or Z-5 does not cotain any oils and once it's dry will never ever look smeary or feel greasy. If you remove Z-2 or Z-5 before it is thoroughly dry and get any smears. Just wipe down the car with a damp cotton towel. This will remove any smears. Don't use Z-6 until you wipe the car down. If you'd like call me and I'll help you out with more info! Note: If you are using the New ZFX accelerator additive drying time is greatly reduced.
7. After removal of Zaino Z-2 or Z-5. You should wait 24 hours if the outside temperature is under 70 degrees and 6 hours if over 70 degrees, before applying the next coat of Z-5 or Z-2. 8. Use Z-6 "Gloss Enhancer" spray as per directions, between each and every coat of Z-5 or Z-2. It really helps give a three dimensional look.
It's antistatic properties will reduce dust and dirt pickup by 60%. Z-6 can be used immediately after removing Z-2 or Z-5 or right before applying the next coat of Z-2 or Z-5. Most of my customers prefer to use Z-6 both, before and after Z-2 or Z-5 for that extra gloss boost.
[ 29. April 2003, 03:59 AM: Message edited by: DaddySS ]
Posted by DanPazich (Member # 1352) on :
Thanks all for the replys and suggestions....I read all the hints/tips/directions on the Zaino Bros. website a while back....and thanks for reminding...I'll be sure to change my technique over time. Seeing that I'm a newbie, I have MUCH to learn from the old, wise masters (oh, sorry for including the 'old' part in there) I like to wash my car once a week though, so does anyone suggest what I should do the following weeks? I used to wash AND wax with meguires, but I know i wont need the Z1 again. Thanks all Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
Wash using only Zaino car wash. Then a quick spritz with Z6 and you're done. On my black car, I try to do a quick Z5 on at least one panel each time I wash. I use a car cover and a california duster so I don't wash nearly as much as I used to.
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Sorry this was so long! And thanks all for the help in the past.
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(oh, sorry for including the 'old' part in there) I like to wash my car once a week though, so does anyone suggest what I should do the following weeks? I used to wash AND wax with meguires, but I know i wont need the Z1 again. Thanks all