[TheRox]

Wondering if I can get you detail experts to give me a hand here.

So instead of studying, I've spent the last few hours researching on how I'm going to Zaino my Monaco Blue '09 e90 in a month or so. I don't think I have any swirls.

Prior to this, I used mother's california gold system (3 stage) once, i did clay, wash etc. I have the PC buffer and lake county pads.

I could not find one source that lays out the logical steps to Zaino a car, but this is what I've put together so far:

1. Wash Car with Dawn/Palmolive? (I usually use meguiar's gold class)
2. Clay Bar (mothers)
3. (ZPC if paint correction needed) – not now
4. Z5
5. Z2
6. ZCS – key for protection of paint
7. Z8 – can be applied after each wash; confers extra protection


Questions:

1. Use of Dawn/Palmolive soap seems harsh. Can't I just use meguiar's gold class again and move on to clay bar? This is my first time Zainoing my car.

2. Should I bother with ZPC? It sounds harsh, mother's system system has a pre-wax cleaner, I don't see the zaino equivalent? Do I even need a pre wax cleaner?

3. Can I use my porter cable random orbital buffer to apply ZPC (if needed), Z2, Z5, ZCS, and/or Z8? If not, should I buy the zaino pad, and for which one?

4. For in between washes (ie. wash every month), is there some maintenance wax or sealant I can use from zaino? Should I just wash with meguiar's gold class, and then apply Z8?

Thanks for all your responses guys! I really appreciate ! Feel free to comment on my steps if you feel I mixed them up or missed a step!!!!

[TheRox]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=zaino+101

[pander5]

You say you don't have any swirls and that's surprising. If that is the case I would still suggest using Zaino All In One with a white pad on the entire car before laying down your Z2/5. ZAIO is a superb paint cleaner and a good base layer for the sealant. ZAIO may be the equivalent of the Mother's Pre Wax Cleaner (not familiar with Mother's).

I use my PC for everything but Z6 and Z8. Those I do by hand with a plush MF towel.

Also, your question #4 is exactly what I do and love the results.

[fdriller9]

To answer your 1st question...Dawn is kinda harsh but that's ok. When your claying and rewax or sealing the car you need the paint exposed. The dawn will take off the previous coat of wax or sealant completely, giving you a clean surface to clay/wax/seal. To answer your 3rd question...Just get a car wash soap that will not remove your wax or sealant. Then you don't need to apply anything between waxes.

[ideliver]

This is what I do

BTW...the Z-CS is amazing

1. Use of Dawn/Palmolive soap seems harsh. Can't I just use meguiar's gold class again and move on to clay bar? This is my first time Zainoing my car.

I like the Zaino soap...

2. Should I bother with ZPC? It sounds harsh, mother's system system has a pre-wax cleaner, I don't see the zaino equivalent? Do I even need a pre wax cleaner?

The Z-PC is a very mild polish...similar to Menzerna Final Polish PO85RD...polish is a very different product from wax

3. Can I use my porter cable random orbital buffer to apply ZPC (if needed), Z2, Z5, ZCS, and/or Z8? If not, should I buy the zaino pad, and for which one?

I use the PC for Z-PC only...I use the Zaino pads they give you with Z2/5/AIO...I also use their blonde towels for removal

4. For in between washes (ie. wash every month), is there some maintenance wax or sealant I can use from zaino? Should I just wash with meguiar's gold class, and then apply Z8?

I use the Zaino soap...but often use a quick coat of Z2/5...when done properly...it adds like 30 min to your work...the use of ONR really gives a nice shine too...

[zaxjax]

Follow what Pander said and you shouldn't have a problem


I will add that using Dawn just strips the car of any wax or sealant that may be applied, it is just a good way to start the process. I wouldn't use Dawn all the time, it is harsh.