[txusa03]

Originally Posted by StewtheBassman

I know I know, that is clear by your mileage!!! It's just SO rewarding!!!!!

If your definition of "arm almost fell off" is rewarding, then i definitely pass on the zaino.

[StewtheBassman]

Originally Posted by txusa03

If your definition of "arm almost fell off" is rewarding, then i definitely pass on the zaino.

[txusa03]

I think I am lucky because i got silver. Compare to my black car, man the silver is really quick to clean and it does not shows too much dust eventho my car has a thick layer of dust from one week of no wash.

[Gripster]

Originally Posted by txusa03

At one of my local dealer, they applied this coating on the car ($1500) when brand new and they strip the coat every 5 yrs and re-apply it. The water has no chance to bead, it just dripped right off the surface. Does water stay on your car after you zaino it?

I only get to wash it every 3 weeks or so, but yes, the water simply rolls off. The effect is not dissimilar from using RainX on glass.

Black cars are a pain. Technically, the E90 was my wife's car (but she's only driven ~500 of the 4500 miles on it ) so she got to pick the color. I'm told that black goes with more outfits than silver...

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by Gripster

I only get to wash it every 3 weeks or so, but yes, the water simply rolls off. The effect is not dissimilar from using RainX on glass.

Black cars are a pain. Technically, the E90 was my wife's car (but she's only driven ~500 of the 4500 miles on it ) so she got to pick the color. I'm told that black goes with more outfits than silver...

water just beads on my car but does not roll off. aybe when I retired and have nothing to do, then I will pay more attention to detailing my car.

[Gripster]

Originally Posted by txusa03

water just beads on my car but does not roll off. aybe when I retired and have nothing to do, then I will pay more attention to detailing my car.

You have a silver car and looks like Meguiars is doing the job for you, so whatever. I don't need to persuade you how best to look after your car. (nice pics at the top of this thread by the way)

Only reason I was so adamant about posting here was that the Zaino was intimidating, but it turns out that it was really not much harder than a regular wax job. I put off doing it on my last two cars, but getting a black E90 (bought not leased) made me want go out and do it properly.

I think people obsess with Zaino and put, like 20 coats, on their car. That is a lot of work. The stupid product naming makes applying it seem like an organic chemistry practical.

The fact is, it's just not that hard to do - and that was my only point. If you're the type of person that applies wax by hand, your car will probably look better than the vast majority of BMW owners that take their car to the automated carwash (with brushes )

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by Gripster

You have a silver car and looks like Meguiars is doing the job for you, so whatever. I don't need to persuade you how best to look after your car. (nice pics at the top of this thread by the way)

Only reason I was so adamant about posting here was that the Zaino was intimidating, but it turns out that it was really not much harder than a regular wax job. I put off doing it on my last two cars, but getting a black E90 (bought not leased) made me want go out and do it properly.

I think people obsess with Zaino and put, like 20 coats, on their car. That is a lot of work. The stupid product naming makes applying it seem like an organic chemistry practical.

The fact is, it's just not that hard to do - and that was my only point. If you're the type of person that applies wax by hand, your car will probably look better than the vast majority of BMW owners that take their car to the automated carwash (with brushes )

I hope i did not misled anyone with the title. I noticed that lots of folks use zaino and their car looks great. I truely believed that the Zaino products are of high quality that professional would recommend. I am simply trying to give those (like myself who might be intimidated by Zaino multiple products) some other alternative if they are intimidated by zaino. Maybe after using a regular wax and feeling more comfy, they might upgrade to the zaino. Was not my intention to bad mouth Zaino.

[ga-bmwdrvr]

I've mentioned this before, but for those intimidated by Zaino I would suggest the Duragloss products. It can be as simple as using the Pre-cleaner (if you do not want to clay) followed by a coat of 105 polish (synthetic sealant similar to Zaino). Then use Aquawax after every wash (takes about 10 minutes for the entire car at most). I bet you could gat away with about 6 months before "waxing" with 105 again and it will look great. The products can be found locally at some Car Quest stores.

[Ph3n0m73]

Don't be afraid to use the clay bar.

I've used Mother's California Gold ($12-20 depending on where you go) on my C5 and C6 Vettes, and all I can say is- holy crap. It is sooo easy and makes such a difference.

Before the clay bar, the paint felt rough- I could hang a towel over the fender, and the contaminates in the paint actually "grabbed" and held the towel. After a 60 minute clay job, I couldn't get the towel to stay on the fender.

I'm not rich- far from it- so as you could imagine, when my buddy suggested (emphatically) the clay bar, I was definitely skeptical. After the first use, I can't stop singing it's praises. Trust me- try it. You'll be so glad you did.

Springer

[meruyailir]

Give Poorboys EXP a try. It's very easy to use. You can even use it in the hot sun. Then top it off with their Natty's or P21S. They work great.

[meruyailir]

Originally Posted by StewtheBassman

Stew, is that your car in the snow? It looks sexy. I think I love blue.

[StewtheBassman]

Originally Posted by meruyailir

Stew, is that your car in the snow? It looks sexy. I think I love blue.

LOL No, it is pdtar's
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34625

Nikki made the sig and I couldn't resist using it!

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by StewtheBassman

LOL No, it is pdtar's
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34625

Nikki made the sig and I couldn't resist using it!

haha I was wondering when the first person would ask you that hahah and it is a little early for christmas :P

[StewtheBassman]

Originally Posted by Nikki

haha I was wondering when the first person would ask you that hahah and it is a little early for christmas :P

Like that time I put the pic of Dagmar in my avatar and got all those marriage proposals

[meruyailir]

Gripster, don't you have to Dawn the car the first time and apply Z1? That's what I don't like about Zaino, it has to be exclusively Zaino applied all the way. I love applying different layers of different products.

I just tried my 2 years old Z2 that I only used once. I tried to apply it thin (on top of a layer of Poorboys EXP). An hour later when I wiped it off, it still left some streak that I needed to use Z6 to completely remove it.

Maybe I should try Z2 Pro. How is it better than Z2? Easier to remove too?

Originally Posted by Gripster

Yeah - but the juice is worth the squeeze. I washed my car for the third time since applying the Zaino and the water repelling and beading properties was just like I'd done it fresh. The stuff is that amazing. Having to spend 2-3 hours applying once every 6 months for this level of shine and protection is a no brainer if you drive a black car.

The problem with Zaino is that their product naming convention is intimidating.

Zaino Instructions
Z-7 wash - Rinse – Dry – Z-2, Z-3 or Z-5 with ZFX –Remove polish – Z-6 or Z-8

Translation
1) Wash car.
2) Apply polish
3) Use a gloss enhancer (optional for that factory fresh paint look)

Note: If you're lazy you can skip step 3.

After that you just wash the car to keep it clean - a major time saver since you don't have to wax/polish for another 6 months!

From your first post, you said this was the fourth time in 1.5 years you had waxed your car. With Zaino, you would only now be due for your third. And I promise you would get much better results in between applications, not to mention the protection.

[Yvette]

take pic direct by the sunlight,,,,

[ziadak]

Do you guys know if zaino products are available outside the US, or if it can be ordered online?

[OC Guy]

Originally Posted by txusa03

At one of my local dealer, they applied this coating on the car ($1500) when brand new and they strip the coat every 5 yrs and re-apply it. The water has no chance to bead, it just dripped right off the surface. Does water stay on your car after you zaino it?

StewtheBassman, I rather spent time behind the wheel

They sold you snake oil. Nothing more than a heavy duty type sealant that would've costed you $45 for some detailer to do it.

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by txusa03

At one of my local dealer, they applied this coating on the car ($1500) when brand new and they strip the coat every 5 yrs and re-apply it. The water has no chance to bead, it just dripped right off the surface. Does water stay on your car after you zaino it?

Originally Posted by OC 335i

They sold you snake oil. Nothing more than a heavy duty type sealant that would've costed you $45 for some detailer to do it.

Maybe I should rephrase my post , I saw this black 5 series that got this coating done and water just dripped right off of it. I would never pay $1500 for such coating especially if I do not know what is involved to make it so expansive. Only rich ppl have this done and many of which drive 5 and 7 series.

[Gripster]

Originally Posted by meruyailir

Gripster, don't you have to Dawn the car the first time and apply Z1? That's what I don't like about Zaino, it has to be exclusively Zaino applied all the way. I love applying different layers of different products.

I just tried my 2 years old Z2 that I only used once. I tried to apply it thin (on top of a layer of Poorboys EXP). An hour later when I wiped it off, it still left some streak that I needed to use Z6 to completely remove it.

Maybe I should try Z2 Pro. How is it better than Z2? Easier to remove too?

The honest answer is "I don't know", but I did do the Dawn wax strip thing when I first applied Zaino. Having spent over $100 on products, I wasn't going to take shortcuts and risk not getting the famous Zaino finish.

Not sure how layering with different products would affect the finish with Zaino. I guess if you layered on top of a high quality product, it would be fine, but if you put Zaino on top of 'dollar-store cheapo wax' then your finish could only be as good as the cheapo wax. Zaino is optically clear (at least that's what they say...) therefore if your other product was not, your finish would not be either.

They do imply in all their instructions that you should stick with their products, but then they would - so that they can sell more!

-----

With respect to the old Z2 that you used, did you use it with ZFX catalyst? I know that ZFX will degrade with time (shelf-life ~18 months). I wonder if that may have caused your problems.

[meruyailir]

Originally Posted by Gripster

The honest answer is "I don't know", but I did do the Dawn wax strip thing when I first applied Zaino. Having spent over $100 on products, I wasn't going to take shortcuts and risk not getting the famous Zaino finish.

Not sure how layering with different products would affect the finish with Zaino. I guess if you layered on top of a high quality product, it would be fine, but if you put Zaino on top of 'dollar-store cheapo wax' then your finish could only be as good as the cheapo wax. Zaino is optically clear (at least that's what they say...) therefore if your other product was not, your finish would not be either.

They do imply in all their instructions that you should stick with their products, but then they would - so that they can sell more!

-----

With respect to the old Z2 that you used, did you use it with ZFX catalyst? I know that ZFX will degrade with time (shelf-life ~18 months). I wonder if that may have caused your problems.

I don't have ZFX and I never used it. It's optional and I take it literally.