[f30maybe]

I have a Black Sapphire E90 2010 3 series.

It has lots of Swirl marks and Scratches.

I am looking at doing the following -

Zaino PC, Z-5, Z-6

Can someone please let me know if this is a good idea? Also are there better or similar products in shops like Autozone that will work just as fine? Do I need a orbital for polishing or will elbow grease be enough?

Thank you!

[330iE90spt]

I never used any Zaino products, but might as well use it if you have it.

If you have swirl marks, depending how bad, you'll probably want to use a cutting polish. Buy yourself some clay if you don't have any. Wash car, clay and then use the Zaino (if any one of those are a cutting polish). Finish off with sealant, wax and you're good to go.

Go to detailed image's website and read their detailing guide!

[cesarr64]

I just got a Black Sapphire E93 2009 3 series, and did the following Zaino application:

1) Washed with Dawn to remove any prior wax, residues, etc.
2) Applied Z-18 Clay Bar
3) Washed with Z-7
4) Applied Z-PC
5) Applied Z-6
6) Applied Z-5 several times until I got most of the swirl and scratches at the minimum

Next step I would apply a few layers of Z-5 with ZFX, cleaning with Z-6, then apply Z-2 a few days later.

Note: If you have scratches that went over the paint, there is no product that would cover those, you'd be required to touch paint those areas.

[miker2013]

Originally Posted by f30maybe

I have a Black Sapphire E90 2010 3 series.

It has lots of Swirl marks and Scratches.

I am looking at doing the following -

Zaino PC, Z-5, Z-6

Can someone please let me know if this is a good idea? Also are there better or similar products in shops like Autozone that will work just as fine? Do I need a orbital for polishing or will elbow grease be enough?

Thank you!

you will not be able to remove lots of swirls and scrathces by hand... no amount of fancy polishes or waxes will do what a machine can do in just a few passes... black sapphire bmw paint has a very strong clear coat so if you want decent results, if your budget allows, get a pc style polisher and some light swirl remover polish

save your money and do not buy zaino, there are many product you can buy that will do just a good a job for much less money

i removed many swirls and scratches on my black sapphire vehicle with flex 3401 and wolfgang swirl remover/ finishing glaze.... if you can swing it, its a great combo

[psnt1ol]

Originally Posted by miker2013

you will not be able to remove lots of swirls and scrathces by hand... no amount of fancy polishes or waxes will do what a machine can do in just a few passes... black sapphire bmw paint has a very strong clear coat so if you want decent results, if your budget allows, get a pc style polisher and some light swirl remover polish

save your money and do not buy zaino, there are many product you can buy that will do just a good a job for much less money

i removed many swirls and scratches on my black sapphire vehicle with flex 3401 and wolfgang swirl remover/ finishing glaze.... if you can swing it, its a great combo

I wouldn't go as far as saying it is impossible to do paint correction by hand but it is extremely difficult and time consuming. An average 2 step paint correction with a machine like the Flex 3401 or the Rupes 21 would take about 8 plus hours. We are talking weeks if you try to do this by hand.

[stephano5]

dont mean to hijack but how do you guys compare zaino with autoglym, lake country or 3m for detailing?

[miker2013]

zaino is an old technology..... what products are u specifically talking about?

[stephano5]

to be honest all their products. I have heaps of left over meguiars I will firstly use up. so for the meantime im tossing up for lake country/3m backing pad + buffing/polishing pads. but once I finish off my meguairs ill move on to their respective detailing range

[miker2013]

its all job dependant... meguires have good products, as long as its the pro products and not the OTC lines

lake country backers and pads are among the best, if not the best... again, deopends what kind of paint you are working on and how bad it is.... if its not bad, get a white/grey/red pads combo for light polishing and buffing... if its bad, orange or maybe a mf cutting pad or a yellow foam for the tuff spots but be careful with mf or yellow as they will marr the finish

also, polishes are also job specific.... if its regular light swirls and scratches, swirl removers will work but otherwise u may need a compound on the tuff spots

[Otruba_843]

Originally Posted by miker2013

zaino is an old technology..... what products are u specifically talking about?

This. Why do so many people use Zaino on this forum? It so old and outdated that almost no detailing professionals use it. There is MUCH better stuff out there.

[Detailers Domain]

are you planning on using an orbital polisher?

[Elliott@DetailAddict]

I can't really quote on the app, but I agree with miker2013. Use a pc orbital, it will save you a lot of time and effort. Also, you would get a lot more correction from the machine as well.