Zaino Experience

[gnb]

Ordered Z1 (2) and Z2 (3) and received in the mail today.

Excellent response time given that I had to mail Zaino the check last Tuesday.

Can't wait for the week-end to try this stuff out !

[malekoman]

that is great. i am still researching what is best for my ride and my lifestyle. please do post your results including all the other products you used for cleaning and polishing.

why did you choose the Z1 over the ZFX?

[gnb]

Dunno what ZFX is ..

Just did my research here and went to Zaino's website.

I am a sucker for all the good PR on this product.

Matter of fact, my boss had me order a bottle of Z1 and Z2 for his cars.

I'll post the results as I have the time and energy to apply the stuff to my 2 week old 2002 White Sr5 Sequoia.

nathan

[EZ2BME]

Hey gnb.....
You're the FIRST Seq owner in San Antonio to join TS!!

You'll love the Zaino products. I've applied twice since taking delivery last July of my Tundra.
I used Z1, 2, 6, 7 & 18 (not in that order) with excellent results.
I just received Z5 today for future use.
I plan to order the ZFX and use it on next application which I'm due for now.
Here's info on the ZFX product, which Zaino just released:
http://www.zainobros.com/files/info.htm#ZFX
Once all this rain clears up, you can tackle that big Seq and Zaino it!! Have fun!
BTW, SATundra, Tundra00, Hover and I should be getting together for a lunch sometime this summer. If you'd be interested, you're more than welcome to join us when we do.

John

[gnb]

Just finished applying zaino Z1 and Z2 on my 2002 white Sequoia.

Two coats of Z2 on the hood.

Stuff goes on easy and comes off easy- the shine is great.

Driving down the road the mirror finish on my hood is almost distracting.

But really, the stuff seems to be really good.

Now I am interested to see how long it holds up under a Texas Summer sun.

[beckerg]

OK, I've read all the raves about Zaino here for a couple of years now. I've used Maguier's almost exclusively for years and have acheived very good results with their systems, but everything I read is compelling me to give Zaino a try. Before I do though, I have a question for all you detailing buffs...

Has anyone who has used Maguier's systematically been converted to Zaino? I don't mean someone who has just tried a couple of products, but someone who is a detailing fanatic who religiously keeps their finish in top-notch shape. If so, what was it that made you a convert?

I am tempted to try the Zaino, but am cautious as I have seen many "Gee-Whiz" products over the years that did not live up to their hype.

Thanks, I appreciate the input.

--JB

[TIGERTUNDRA]

From what I've read, Zaino, for shine, not durability, works better on light colored paint. For durability, its the same on any paint.
Since you have black, if you are looking for that deep shine, zaino might not be the best and a carnuba based product maybe better. Now , I haven't used zaino, and I will when I run out of the Meguire's products, since I have a light colored paint. I went with the Meguire's to begin with , because it was easier to get and I needed it right away...

[CATiger]

Originally posted by beckerg

I am tempted to try the Zaino, but am cautious as I have seen many "Gee-Whiz" products over the years that did not live up to their hype.

Thanks, I appreciate the input.

--JB

Do a search for Zaino on this site. I think you will find that all users have nothing but the highest praise for Zaino, including myself. You can read some of my old posts if you are curious about what I have used and my results. I cannot speak to Zaino's ability on dark paint though. I am not a 'detailing nut,' but have become quite fanatical about my Tundra

I have not used meguiars, but my brother in law has. IMO, the Zaino is remarkably better over time. However, this could be because he has a two year old and a newbie and I am still a bachelor, but hey, Big Daddy's got different priorities now and both are still in diapers )!

JD

[akauth]

Originally posted by beckerg

Has anyone who has used Maguier's systematically been converted to Zaino? I don't mean someone who has just tried a couple of products, but someone who is a detailing fanatic who religiously keeps their finish in top-notch shape. If so, what was it that made you a convert?


--JB

JB, I used to use Meguier's (3 step + final inspection) but now I use Zaino. The Zaino looks better and is slicker but only if you use their soap and put z-6 on it regularly.

If you don't retreat it regularly, it still looks great and is durable, but there isn't that much of a delta in appearance. I did use the final inspection regularly too when I washed. Actually, I found that "the slick stuff" by the wax shop worked better as a final finish and used that to pump up the shine and keep the finish slick.

But if you'll use Zaino soap when you wash the vehicle, and you spray it down with z-6 (a half ounce covers the whole vehicle). You'll find that it stays cleaner because it's so slick, it beads water like crazy, and it shines great.

I use the zaino soap and z-6 on non zaino finishes too, and it imparts zaino characteristics to those finishes also. I use a german one step on my girlfriends mercedes (not klasse) and it looks as good as my truck which has several coats of zaino on it and it did it in one step. But I wash it with Zaino and z-6 all the time. That finish is guaranteed to last for a year (polymer).

If you use the soap and z-6 spray almost every time you wash (it's a little more work since you "dry" it one extra time) it will look like you just waxed it every time you wash.

Zaino has uv protection to protect the paint from sun damage also. Only a couple other waxes have that. It is a plus - especially if you use the wax on plastics.

Alan

[mswaz]

I juts finished returning all of my Griots PC Orbital stuff, I had bought the PC orbital kit and pads. I never used it.
I went to my local rep and bought the Zaino stuff. It seems and looks a lot easier to apply and there are tons of write ups and talk about Zaino products but I can't find much on the Griots stuff othere than associated with the PC orbital.
What are other opinions. Zaino was a heck of a lot cheaper also.
Did I make the right decision or am I going to regret returning the orbital?

[jabster]

I actually bought the whole system (incuding orbital) from Griots. The car looked great, but it was a looooooooooot of work! Also, I live in Phoenix, AZ and the Carnauba baked off in the Sun very quickly. Then I heard about Zaino and actually visited a local rep. The stuff is AWESOME!!! It takes a little time to do it right, but is just so darn easy to apply and remove.

My local Zaino rep was actually detailing a Black Z28, in the sun when it was about 100 degrees out, and the car looked MINT!

I bought the whole system (clay bar, Z5, Z2, Z6, and the wheel protectant) for about $70. I applied it to a dark blue Grand Cherokee (Hold on...I'm waiting for the 2003 Sequoias to hit the lots!) and I think that the paint looks absolutely amazing. It's been about 6 weeks and it's holding up great.

Unfortunately, I can't blow every other weekend waxing with Carnauba.

Zaino is the way to go in my opinion!

Oh yeah...I also returned all the stuff to Griots and they even refunded my shipping cost!

jan j

[hootydog]

Just spent half a day doing the full Zaino routine on my new white Sequoia, sure it has rained every day since then and including after I finished, but now the dust does not seem to want to stick, easily wiped off with a mist of water from my bottle and a swipe with a soft cloth. The finish is so slick you cant sit the bottle of Zaino on the hood, it slides right off. If you are concerned if its worth it...........my vote is yes it is.

[malekoman]

you will love Z on your color! excellent decision.

[mswaz]

Well after I put my Hellwig on Saturday it drove so good I Zaino'd it on Sunday.
First I clayed then washed the truck with Dawn.
I then applied Z1 then Z2, I thought very lightly or at the time and worried not heavy enough. Well it took three hours to get it off after letting it dry for an hour. It was plenty dry when I went to buff it out.
Question is: Is this normal? I was under under the impression that Zaino was really easy to remove but it was very difficult. Harder than any hand wax removal I have ever done.
The truck looks absolutely spectacular now but boy it was a workout. I am reconsidering returning the Porter Cable Orbital I bought for the Griots products I already returned. I was thinking with The P.C. it would be much easier to remove the Z2.
Anyone have any suggestions.
My Tundra was my test vehicle and now I am going to Zaino my X5 which will really be a bear Hopefully someone will have some hints.

[staggarlee]

Maybe the buffer isn't such a good thing to use for removing the Z2. I just did mine for the first time this weekend. I didn't use the clay but I did wash with Dawn first. I waited for it to dry and then applied Z1 followed by a coat of z2. I thought I was under applying it too because it was hard to see on there. I have the silver sky metallic. I kept looking at an angle at the paint to make sure it was on there well. Mine dried in about 40 minutes. It was 85 degrees and full sun, about 35% humidty. I used the recommended 100% cotton, made in USA full size bath towel to remove the Z2 and Z1. It came off really easy with the towel, almost no effort. I followed that with a coat of Z6. Looks great!