[SharpPointyStick]

Might be off topic, but I have noticed people posting non-BMW detailing here. If this shouldn't be posted here, then please delete. I just want to tote the Zaino horn, stuff is amazing. I love the finish so much, I am going to strip the coat of Zymol I placed on my 323 (a few weeks ago) next weekend and redo with Zaino!

Just finished going over my 2001 Nissan Xterra.

Products used (in order);

1. Sunlight Dishwashing Soap (couldnt find Dawn)
2. Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit
3. Zaino Z-PC
4. Zaino Z-AIO
5. Zaino Z-2 PRO
6. Zaino Z-6
7. Zaino Z-2 PRO
8. Zaino Z-8
9. Zaino Z-2 PRO
10. Zaino Z-8
11. Autoglym Car Glass Polish (window exterior)
12. Stoners invisible glass (window interior)
13. Autoglym Instant Tyre Dressing

Above all used by hand...

Before





After Zaino Z-AIO





All done

[pander5]

Fantastic results for a hand job! Looks great and you can feel better knowing it's going to last a while.

Have you considered a Porter Cable ROB? When I went from hand methods to my first PC it was night and day and cut a great deal of work time out. I even apply my Z2/Z5 using a PC and it's fast.

Just offering a suggestion to make it easier for you - I know a machine outfit including backing plate and assorted pads costs $$ in this economy.

[NoKids]

Very Nice results on your Nissan!

Since we're talking about Zaino, rather than start a whole new thread i'm going to continue this one and ask a few questions. Zaino must be the most confusing product to understand for someone who's never used it before. I spent the past 3 days going over threads in E90post, the Zaino.ca website, and other websites online to figure out what products I need to "Zaino" my car.

I have a freakin headache. Everyone has their own method! At one point i didn't know the difference between a polisher and a sealant. In the end I am sticking to the Picus advice of detailing the exterior. And today I bought the following from Zaino.ca:

ZPC
ZFX
Z5
Z9 (to compliment the Z10 i already have).

This is the step by step I am going to follow:

-Wash with car soap
-Clay with clay bar
-Polish with ZPC to chemically clean the paint.
-Wipe down with 50/50 solution of isopropyl alcohol and water to remove any polish residue.
-Seal car by adding ZFX to Z5 (cures in 30 minutes).

Questions

Do I have to buff the sealant off as the final step?

Would you advise using a Porter Cable for polishing, sealing, and/or buffing? Or would that use up too much zaino?

How would you improve the detailing process I just mentioned? Should i have gotten the Z2 as well to apply after Z5? Should I have gotten ZAIO instead of ZPC?


thanks.

Originally Posted by SharpPointyStick

Products used (in order);

1. Sunlight Dishwashing Soap (couldnt find Dawn)
2. Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit
3. Zaino Z-PC
4. Zaino Z-AIO
5. Zaino Z-2 PRO
6. Zaino Z-6
7. Zaino Z-2 PRO
8. Zaino Z-8
9. Zaino Z-2 PRO
10. Zaino Z-8
11. Autoglym Car Glass Polish (window exterior)
12. Stoners invisible glass (window interior)
13. Autoglym Instant Tyre Dressing

Above all used by hand...

[jopa489]

Very nice, really brought out the depth and metallic shine of the paint.

[Craig@SupremePower]

nice job...

[SharpPointyStick]

Thanks everyone for the compliments.

Originally Posted by NoKids

Do I have to buff the sealant off as the final step?

Yep, the Z2 (and I would assume Z5) dries to a haze. From what I can gather the Z-CS is the only sealant which wouldnt need buffed off afterwards

Originally Posted by NoKids

Would you advise using a Porter Cable for polishing, sealing, and/or buffing? Or would that use up too much zaino?

I have never used a Porter Cable, too chicken, but if I had one and was comfortable using it I would use it for applying/removing the Z-PC and removing the Z2/Z5. Applying the Z2/Z-AIO was really easy, took maybe 20 mins to apply over the whole truck.

As recommended on the Zaino website, I tried misting the Applicator with Z-6 to make spreading the polish easier, but found spraying a little distilled water onto the car surface for the first few panels made spreading the polish easier. Tried the same method using the Z-6, but preferred using distilled water.

Originally Posted by NoKids

How would you improve the detailing process I just mentioned? Should i have gotten the Z2 as well to apply after Z5? Should I have gotten ZAIO instead of ZPC?

I debated getting just the Z-AIO, instead of the Z-PC but since the xterra had some paint issues I bought them both. The Z-PC definitely made the paint clean, squeaky clean. Since the Z-PC is abrasive, I only plan on using it yearly, with spot treatment as needed.

Saying all that I am in no way an expert on Zaino, as this was my first time using it.

[NoKids]

that zaino must be magic. even though you're a beginner the car looks like it's got brand new paint!