First Zaino

[NC2Stay]

My baby got her first Zaino today. It went very well, and looks great, but I did have a question.

The finish was in excellent shape. After I washed with Dawn, it was very smooth and clear. I used Z2 Pro with the ZFX hardener. Two coats. Sprayed with Z6 Gloss Enhancer after each coat. I wanted to do more coats, but time ran out.

Anyhow, she looks GREAT. But, running my hand over the surface, it doesn't seem as smooth as other products I have used. It also feels slightly gritty. I have polished it as best I can.

Is this normal? Any ideas?

Thanks, Bob

 

[Rabbit]

Souinds like you forgot the "claybar"? Makes a big difference!

 

[slapshot]

Souinds like you forgot the "claybar"? Makes a big difference!

I agree. You should have clay bar'd it after the Dawn wash. That would have removed the small imperfections/deposits on the surface of the paint. Had you done the clay bar, it should have felt perfectly smooth before you applied the first coat of Zaino.

If I remember correctly, Zaino used to recommend no more than 2 coats with ZFX within 24 hrs. FYI, the only time I use the zfx is during the summer here in FL when the humidity is really high. Zaino dries pretty well on it's own.

 

[NC2Stay]

Well, perhaps. But it WAS really smooth after the Dawn - the finish was really in excellent shape. The gritty feeling is from the Zaino, not the finish. I am wondering if I didn't apply it correctly somehow.

Maybe I will try another coat tomorrow, perhaps without the ZFX. Thanks for the info...

 

[kingman]

Mucho coats

Hi
I have the same color and it took about 7 coats to get it the way l wanted. I didn't clay the car either.

Alan

 

[RV Guy]

What is Zaino?

Thanks

 

[Jeb]

What is Zaino?

Thanks

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc

 

[wishuwerehere82]

http://www.zainostore.com/

 

[slapshot]

NC2, are you positve you got AAALLLL of the Zaino off??? When you add the ZFX, it dries quicker, and if you didn't get all of it off, the residual could feel rough. I had to put some elbow grease on a few coats of the Zaino with zfx. Personally, I don't like using the ZFX. It can make removing the Zaino very hard. Just so you, and everyone knows, Zaino is designed to be applied in very thin coats. Don't apply it heavily like other waxes. The thinner the coat, the better. If you apply it too heavily, it can be hard to get off, and may leave small spots that are difficul to wipe off.


Check it in the garage if you can, ideally under flourescent lights. They are good for showing imperfections. Look at the paint at an angle, you'll see the little swirls if that is the problem.

In 4 years of Zaino, I've never had any similar problems. Even after the first coat, the paint felt ver slippery and smooth. I have around 6 coats (3 coats of Z5 and 3 coats of Z2) on my Vette. Each coat gets better and better.

 

[NC2Stay]

Thanks. Interesting that when I got out and drove her this morning, the finish was MUCH smoother. That ties in with your theory that I hadn't removed all the Zaino, and perhaps overnight it either dried more or something.

I did try to spread it very thin, and think I did. How many ounces of Z2Pro should a Vette take per?

I did use white towels as specified, but they weren't the brands that Sal recommends - couldn't get them here in the sticks. But I don't recall using much elbow grease at all - thought you didn't have to.

Next step: put another coat on ASAP without ZFX and buff the hell out of it.

Thanks, Bob

 

[NC2Stay]

Well, that's my problem! Zaino says a single 8 ounce bottle should do 20 applications. I did two applications in 1/2 bottle!

But I really thought I wasn't putting much on. Well, live and learn...

Bob

 

[slapshot]

LOL....I'd say that just a tad on the heavy side. When I used the smaller mixing bottles that came with the ZFX, I got around 4 coats out of that.

Your first coat will take just a bit more than the subsequent coats.

Try a coat without the ZFX and put it on really thin, almost as thin as you can get it. I bet you'll notice a difference. If you apply it thin enough, let it cure long enough, Zaino normally comes off very easily.

 

[cjs2]

I am about to purchase Zaino. I am going to clay the car, then use the Zaino. Should I not use the ZFX and just use the product "straight"? What do you recommend? I know I have seen about 1 million posts on this, but everyone seems to have a different theory. Before I buy this stuff I would like to know what people who have used this product think....


Thanks!

 

[silver98]

First thing, clay bar the car. You won't believe the difference it makes. Secondly, there is a bunch of info on how to use the various products on the Zaino website. The ZFX comes in a little blue bottle. I strongly recommend usingit. It makes the product go on and come off easier than any other wax / polish I have ever used.

Remember, that with Zaino, if you think you are not using enough, you're probably using too much! I know that sounds funky, but as little as possible will work better. Don't worry about 'seeing' a cloudy / hazy covering on the paint. It will be there. When you mix up a bottle, you should shoot for about 1/3 the volume of the bottle and then probably have enough to do the whole Vette and the wheels (if you have the clear coated ones).

One last thing, its a little difficult, but when doing the horizontal surfaces of the Vette, like the hood, trunk lid,targa B pillar, use front to back strokes, but on the vertical panels, like the doors and rear clip, go up and down. It does produce a better look by reflecting the light better. The wax on / wax off method is NOT for Zaino.

If you have any questions, call Zaino, the folks there are extremely helpful and take the attitude, that if you succeed in making your Vette look great, they succeed with their product. A nice refreshing attitude.

Joe

 

[Aurora40]

Just a quick tip for anyone who wants the clay, you can also buy the Mother's clay kit and get the exact same clay that Zaino sells. If you are about to order from Zaino anyway, it may not matter, as the Mothers is about $10 for one bar plus some lube and a little cleaner/wax trial. The Zaino is about $17 for two bars, plus the shipping (which doesn't matter so much if you are ordering anyway).

Just FYI so people are aware. If you aren't ordering anything else, it may make more sense to head to your local auto store to get the Mothers kit.

 

[slapshot]

The ZFX just makes the Zaino cure a little quicker under certain circumstances. I only use it in the summer when the humidity is really high here in Florida. If you use ZFX and applytoo much, it will be a bear to get the stuff off.

For newer cars with good paint, a good wash with Dawn, claybar, a few coats of Z5 and then a few coats of Z2 will work just fine with great results. As with ANY wax/polish, preperation can make or break the entire job. On my Vette, I had to wet sand and buff a little before anything. Then it got about 3 or 4 coats of Z5, then 4 coats of Z2. I've done quick touch up coat of Z2 since.

I also use the Meguire's claybar, it's cheaper than the Zaino. I use the Meguire's quick detailer spray also in between washes. Heck, I haven't washed the Vette in a couple months, it's easier to just wipe everything down.

 

[Billybeau1]

Put the first coat of Z5 on my C6 Saturday. Used the ZFX. I did the whole car with one ounce. Let it sit for a couple of hours. Wiped off and sprayed the car with Z7. Smooth as a babys bottom, and the shine WOW. This stuff is amazing. I did not claybar the C6 but I plan on claybaring the 74. My plans are to put 4 or 5 more Z5's in the coming weeks then before the show at the end of May, I'll use Z2. Highly recommend.