[Gripster]

So I finally got around to applying the Zaino I bought. I went:

Wash w. Dawn-->Clay--> Wash w. Z7-->Z5 (2 coats) -->Z2 (1 coat)

I used Z6 between coats of Z5 and Z8 after the final coat of Z2. ZFX was used with the Z5 and Z2. I wanted to add more Z2, but was pooped. It was a hot one today.

Observations as a Zaino First Timer

- Finish is awesome. Smooth as glass. I ran out of day light for a proper inspection for swirls etc, but it looks good in twilight http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29053
- This is the first time I've taken so much care with towels, applicators. Had to get it right before washing the new E90.
- Claybar seemed a bit of a waste. The car was newish, so paint was in good shape. I'm sure it helped.
- Z8 is seemingly no better than Z6, just harder work and more expensive. I really enjoyed using the Z6, it goes on nicely and comes off nicely. Z8 was bloody hard work to remove - I even saved a fresh towel for this final coat. I might come to appreciate with time...

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Overall, the Zaino process is confounded by mixing of ZFX and all of the products named Z#. Makes it much more off putting which is why it has taken more than 2 years of knowing about it, to give it a shot. They need to reevaluate their marketing. I'm sure that they could attract more users by simplifying the product selection process.

While the finished product is excellent, the cynic in me thinks that I could have achieved a similar result with some elbow grease and store bought wax. That said I LOVE the smell of these products, and I'm hoping that the added protection will make it worth the money.

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[DPritchett]

Congrats on the car and on the Zaino -- my son turned me on to Zaino a few years ago -- I'd been a Meguiar's and Zymol user before that. I've always been impressed with the results that people attain with Zaino.


So I finally got around to applying the Zaino I bought. I went:

Wash w. Dawn-->Clay--> Wash w. Z7-->Z5 (2 coats) -->Z2 (1 coat)

This is the classic approach, and judging from your pictures, you got good results.


- Claybar seemed a bit of a waste. The car was newish, so paint was in good shape. I'm sure it helped.

On the detailing boards they say the end product is 90% preparation and 10% product; I think the clay was a good choice even for a new car. Just think about the factory lot, rail, port/ship/port, rail and truck time the new car spent reaching you. There's probably more industrial contaminants on the new paint than we care to think about. Also, I'm sure you've noticed the brake dust our cars produce, and even if you drove only a few miles there was some contamination from your brakes on the paint.


Overall, the Zaino process is confounded by mixing of ZFX and all of the products named Z#.

While the finished product is excellent, the cynic in me thinks that I could have achieved a similar result with some elbow grease and store bought wax.

I have to agree with you on the naming -- some people are confused by the fact that Z-5/2 are called polishes -- when they are actually last step products -- but then if they called them waxes, people would think they are carnuba based. It's a lot more complicated, I think, reading about the application process than it is actually doing it. One place Zaino excels is durability -- if you are only after protection of the paint, twice a year is enough. And if you are after more, the ability to layer makes it easy to keep up.

With dark and metallic paints, some people only use Z-5 (i.e. no Z-2) -- it's supposed to show more of the character of the paint which tends to get lost because of the shine Z2 produces. The protection is the same, and its one less step.

[LousyShot]

Car looks great! I did my first Zaino job on my car this weekend too. Pretty much the same process that you used, except that I didn't finish with Z8. As for the clay, I couldn't beleive the amount of crud that came off of the car. My car is only a month old, but came with alot of contaminants already on the finish. I won't clay any more than I need to, but seeing the clay when I was done and feeling the finish made a believer out of me. Good job on your car.

[06alpine325icm]

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[pander5]

That looks awesome. Nice job!