[mike20022]

Here is what I am doing tomorrow morning. So please let me know if this is incorrect.

#1 - Wash with Dawn.

#2 - ZFX (Mix Z2 wit ZFX, fill the little 2oz vial) Fill bottle with Z2, and then add 10 drops of ZFX, shake well. Yes I know, only good for 12 hours.

I am skipping the Z5 and Clay Bar steps. (Brand New Silver Graphite - 330i)

#3 - Apply Z2-ZFX mixture to entire vehicle, and let dry for about 30 minutes, car will haze.

#4 - Remove Polish with MF towel.

#5 - Spray Z6 - Small sections at a time.

#6 - Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 (2 more times). Yes I have read not to apply more than 3 coats within 2hrs of the ZFX mixture.

#7 - Spray Z8 for the final touch.

#8 - Take some pictures and post them on E90

#9 - Drink a Beer, or maybe 9 depending on how this goes. This is my 1st time using Zaino, so I am a lil nervous.

#10 - Grill some Food! Happy Memorial Day E90'ers! Hopefully most of you are enjoying the day off.

Tomorrow is suppose to be hot and sunny, so any last minute tips from you experts? My car is brand new, and I do not
see any swirls so I decided to skip the Z5 step. I have read just about every forum on this Zaino stuff.

Can you apply Zaino in direct sunlight?

Any Last Minute Tips?

Thanks All!
-Mike-

[diesel007]

If your anal like me:

I would clay it...Wont hurt to make sure the stuff you can't see or feel is rid from your clear coat and eventually your paint right?

and you are starting with a polish? I would start with a mild cleansing compound/chemical to make sure you are down to the clear coat b4 you do all that work. Plus washing the car is going to give you some mild swirls.

What is z6? Wax? Sealant?

[mike20022]

Z6 is the Zaino Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer. And the Dawn should get me down to the the clear coat. I may wash it twice with Dawn.

Later,
-Mike-

[pander5]

I have to agree with the dieselmeister, even new car's benefit from a clay cycle. Also, no polish or buffing steps to enhance the paint brightness, slickness etc.?

WHOA on the 2 oz's!!! The trick with this stuff is THIN, THIN and did I mention THIN layers. I do 3 Z2Pro/ZFX layers on my entire car including wheels with about 2/3 of an ounce and I usually have a trace left over.

[petesamprs]

My only suggestion would be to consider not preparing a whole bottle of the Z2/ZFX mixture. You put that stuff on so sparingly that even half the bottle can probably do the 3 coats you can do in 1 day.

So, I would do 1/2 bottle of Z2 w/ 5 drops of ZFX.

Also, you mentioned it would be hot and sunny, but I wouldn't wash the car in the sun (higher risk of water spots).

[Pompey]

I did exactly the same steps with my E90, and it turned out terrific! I ended up washing most panels twice, as the water was still beading after the first washing.

In retrospect, I probably should have clayed the hood--the rest of the car didn't need it. Next time.

"Thin" is right! I mixed up just over a half-bottle of Z2Pro/ZFX, and there was a little left over.

[mike20022]

I think that's where I went wrong. Well 2 things gone wrong. 1st, yes I still has water spots cause the sun was drying it too quick. 2nd I used to much of the 2oz bottle. I went through the full 2ounces!

So now how do I fix this. It doesn;t look bad but there are some streaks, and obviously still some sealnt residue on the car. Can I wash it tomorrow, and follow the steps again minus the Dawn?

Thanks!
-Mike-

[shimshimhada]

The last time I Zainoed my car, I only filled up to 1oz. and after three coats, I still had some left. Get some q-tips or something, or a butter knife covered with a mf towel to clean that residue.

I was lazy this weekend and just washed the car and didn't dry it. I have sooo many water spots.

[xeta]

Hey Mike and pompey,

Thanks for confirming the steps in the forum...makes me feel better about doing my first zaino. (I also told my wife there are a few "extra" steps I needed #9 and #10).

[Mr. BMW]

Originally Posted by diesel007

If your anal like me:

I would clay it...Wont hurt to make sure the stuff you can't see or feel is rid from your clear coat and eventually your paint right?

and you are starting with a polish? I would start with a mild cleansing compound/chemical to make sure you are down to the clear coat b4 you do all that work. Plus washing the car is going to give you some mild swirls.

What is z6? Wax? Sealant?

Why use clay on a car that does not need it? If there are no contaminants on your paint there is no need to clay it. If you run your fingers over the surface and don’t feel anything or don't see anything then why bother? If you don’t clay properly you now run the risk of damaging your paint for no reason.

If you are doing a two or more step process, like polishing and then waxing, there is no need to clay unless your paint has a lot of contaminants.

[diesel007]

Originally Posted by Mr. BMW

Why use clay on a car that does not need it? If there are no contaminants on your paint there is no need to clay it. If you run your fingers over the surface and don’t feel anything or don't see anything then why bother? If you don’t clay properly you now run the risk of damaging your paint for no reason.

So you are saying there are no contaminants on a new car? These cars don't come from Germany in a temperature controlled bubble.

You clay a new car to remove things like Rail Dust. It's Metal dust that works it's way into your paint and will cause rust spots. The longer it's in your paint the harder it is to remove. There is no way to tell if your car has been exposed to these elements, so why not be safe and just clay it?

You only risk damaging your paint finish if you use an improper claying technique. You can damage your paint from doing a simple wash, does that mean you are never going to wash your car because you could damage it if you do it incorrectly?

Originally Posted by Mr. BMW

If you are doing a two or more step process, like polishing and then waxing, there is no need to clay unless your paint has a lot of contaminants.

...polishing does not replace Claying. Polishing removes light surface swirls, and enhances the appearance of you clearcoat before you apply your wax or sealant.