Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics which Zaino for a beginner?

I know use a search, but I never used a really good wax/polish on the tour so I was wondering which should I order? I know I could use the claybar and a couple of other things, but which things should I buy/or other products are just as good/2 or more of since it goes faster/etc....

or maybe 1 of everything ?

Thanks , any help would be appreciated

Ok- I have yet to use this stuff and have been waiting for a group buy on it (which I noticed someone is getting together in the GB section). Here is what I got from reading the instructions that they have on the Zaino site. I will order the z7 wash, clay bar, z1 pre cleaner, z2 for clear coat paint, z5 for swirl marks. I think that is it. Now- if you want to polish quicker- the way I understood the questions is that you can use the flash cure (ZFX) to cut down on wait time and eliminate the z1. Others that have used this AWESOME product can correct me if I am wrong, but this is what I understood I would be needing from reading the instructions and tips on the Zaino page. if you have leather or plastic you want to clean they have stuff for that.

hey thanks for the reply! n e help appreciated!! .. though the hardest question for me to know the answer would be: which of the products I should buy extra of, which goes the quickest??

Thanks again

What to buy/you'll need:

-Dawn
-a nice wash mitt
-Z-7 Wash
-Z-18 Clay Bar
-Z-1 Polish Lok
-Z-2 Polish
-Z-5 Swirl
-Z-6 Spray
-Fieldcrest towels
-some "not so absorbent" applicators

It's well worth it. Good luck.

Now that is a good ? i think someone said once that you get like 6 coats out of a set- not sure though- anyone know how many coats before you need to re stock- I know I read the stuff is highly concentrated

Med, very good summary from the Zaino site.

Some notes: If you decide on using Zaino, the key to getting an outstanding result is the prep work. Z2 is 99.9% optically clear and if the underlying paint is not free of swirls and contaminents, they'll just be highlighted because Zaino doesn't cover. Z5 does a little, but Z2, no way. For example, in the last two weeks I detailed both my car and my wife's F-150. I probably spent several hours doing prep work and about an hour between the two cars applying and taking off the polish.

Pete has a good list. I'll explain what I did to both of my dark cars.

1) Wash with dawn to strip off all old wax and dry with one of those Fieldcrest bath towels.
2) Use a clay bar - I like Zaino's and it is pretty cheap for two bars.
3) Wash again with Dawn or Z7 - I just rinsed it off since I came right from previous step
4) Polish it - I used 3M Swirl Mark Remover (SMR) and liked the results. My wife's truck is a 99 model and it needed help, despite the use of Z5 last summer. 3M SMR is relatively mild abrasive so it's pretty hard to screw up. It also takes a while when used by hand.
5) wash another time
6) bonus step use some Z6 on it to enhance the shine
7) now apply Z1 but do not remove (skip if using ZFX)
8) Apply Z2, Z3, or Z5 as appropriate. All Contiques have a factory clear coat but some other cars do not. If you plan to use on other vehicles, choose the products wisely or just use Z5.
9) After waiting for it to dry (see Zaino site for the test), wipe off the polish. I say wipe because it comes off so easy, there is little buffing.
10) hit it with Z6 again

If you do all those steps following some of the tips on the Zaino site, you will probably have the best looking car in the parking lot and in your subdivision. It sounds like a lot of work and can get confusing, but after a little experience, it's not so bad. The only real effort is the SMR or similar polishing. Everything else is going through the motions.

This process I plan to use once a year while I apply additional coats through the summer. Additional coats are so easy. After a hand wash with Z7, use Z6, then slap on a coat of Z2/Z3/Z5. Then move the car into the sun and it will dry in under an hour. Remove dried polish and more Z6. Total effort under one hour except dry time. Lots of other litte things here and there that I picked up since my newbie time last year.

Z5: use it whenever you want. You can use it in place of on top of, or under Z2. Either can be the final coat. It doesn't have to be always Z2.

Martin re: what to get multiple items
Z6. I love the stuff and use it inside and out. I could use up 4-6 bottles before one of Z2. Smells good, keeps the dust down, and holy shiny and slick after use! As a newbie, I only got aboout 6 coats with a bottle of Z2. Well, I should double-tripple that with my second bottle. You really wnat to put it on as thin as possible. 1) it dries quicker and 2) any extra is wasted. Remember, we are not filling in scratches and buffing them out, we are applying a thin sealant to the paint. Some people have gotten 50 coats with a bottle of Z2. So, keep this in mind. One way to help get those thin coats is to quirt a little Z6 on the applicator so less soaks into the applicator. Z7 wash s similarly concentrated. 2-3 capfulls per wash bucket is all you need. Put the wash in first, then add water and you'll foam up the bucket quickly. And it smells so nice too.

Sorry for the long reply. I think I've sniffed too much Z6. But I admitt that I have to get up a couple times a day and walk to the window to admire my car.

Aaron

:p

I'm geting Z1,Z2,Z6 to start! Is that ok for now?

What color is your car??? If you have a dark car with swirl marks and light scratches z5 is highly recomended, along with z2. I have noticed many people like the 3m swirl remover along with using zaino.

alright.... Z1, Z2, Z5, Z6

my car is clear right?