A simple question for Sime.....I've got a white. It doesn't seem to matter what I put on (I'm curretly using McGuires products), or how often I clean/wax it, it always ends up looking, well....white! Am I going to see any improvement or difference if I shift over to your Zaino routine? I don't have problems with swirl marks, and it always looks "dazzling" in the sun, so would I be wasting my time and money on doing anything different? Thanks.

 

1YSKS2K, good question!

I used to have a white Series 6 RX7 and at that time, I was using Meguiars products (Gold Class Wax included) and obtained a very good result. Zaino was unavailable in Australia, so I couldn't trial it. So, when I heard all the hugely positive reviews about this stuff when I first came to America, being a past professional detailer, and now, a Marketing Professional, I was VERY skeptical!

I gave the product a chance and I am so hapy that I did. Everyone was telling the truth about this stuff!

I haven't used Zaino on a white car yet, but I know that based on the positive responses from the Corvette Forum members, Zaino works well on all colors.

What I can tell you is that one of the great benefits of Zaino that I haven't found in any other product is its anti-static ability. Zaino actually keeps your car brighter for longer, and you can go further in bewteen washes.

Ever polish a black or dark colored car and then 10 minutes later, get pissed because it is already covered in dust? That's because the polishing action charges the paint - and dust is attracted to it. Zaino has a formulation that somehow resists this dust attraction. Don't know what it does, but it works!

Zaino is really no more expensive than any other quality car care product range. You could use up what you have of the Meguiars, but you'd most likely want to change when you run out. I do believe the Zaino process does provide a better finish, and while it might be a little more difficult to see this on white, it will have more lustre.

As the white on the S2000 is a cool white and not a warm white like on the new Z06 Corvette, you will get good results from Zaino. The cool tone of the paint will eccentuate the angles on the car, whereas a warm white would mute it.

But, if you do go with Zaino, I would recommend that you start from step one and strip all the old polish/wax off your car (Liquid Dawn!!). This will give you a good base to start withn and will provide for better results in the end. It does take more time, but it is well worth it!

Hope this helps in your decision!

Cheers,

 

Sime -- we're keeping you busy!

Do you apply Z-6 between coats of Z-2??

Also, I've found the Zaino Z-16 "perfect tire gloss" works perfectly for the black trim on the bottom of the rear bumper and the black air dam thingys in front of the tires.

 

Sime - Thanks very much for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. I feel vindicated in having purchased the stuff (Z1, Z2, Z5, and Z6) a couple of weeks ago, even though it has been too cold to use it yet. I had been using Meguiars Gold Class, and thought that a couple of coats of that made my red S2K look pretty good. I can't wait to see what the Zaino does. Have you had a chance to compare the results with Zaino Z5 against the 3M Swirl Remover? I don't have a significant problem with swirls, but I thought that I would use the Z5, instead of the Z2, for at least the first coat - and then perhaps 3 coats of Z2. Seem reasonable? My car is 1 year old and I've taken pretty good care of it from the perspective of washing and waxing. Do you think that the final result would be significantly improved by doing a claybar treatment before applying the Zaino? Thanks again for your wisdom.

 

okS2k, yes, I am very busy on this particular post!! Whew! Somebody get me a beer!

I want to make it clear though that I don't want to be regarded as a 'god' or anything like that. My advice is not the be all and end all, and I certainly didn't win a gold medal in any 'Detailing-Olypmics' I'm just fortunate that I have had a lot of professional experience doing what I do, and some show wins to back it up. If I can proffer my wisdom to you guys, then I am very happy to!

With regards to Z6, yes, I do apply it in between coats of Z2. You only ever need one coat of Z1 Polish Lok though. This is applied after the wash, the claybar, and Z5 swirl remover. Follow the Z1 up with Z2. Nothing more required after that.

Importantly, DON'T add any type of wax to 'seal' the paint after you have put the final coat of Z2 on. Z2 is specially formulated as a final finish product.

Although it is not essential to put a coat of Z6 in between Z2 coats, I like it because it gets rid of and dust and debris that may have settled on the paint since you last polished. Plus it adds more of the anti-static coating to the paint, so you are less likely to attract dust to the paint in between Z2 coats.

Zaino products last a long time in terms of coverage. You use the product spearingly. I probably have put about 15-20 coats of Z2 cumulatively over the last 11 months while I owned my C5 (hey, I'm a freak, what can I say???), and after doing 3 coats on my S2000, still have 1/8th of a bottle left. I'll put more coats on my S when it gets warmer. Also, I still have 1/4 of a bottle of Z6 left too after doing a claybar job on it. This is ALL from my original order to Zaino in early 2000!

Here's my (ex) Corvette with Zaino:


Keep in mind that Chevrolet paint is nowhere near as good as Honda paint, so your S2000 will look even better.

Dallas - you won't regret your choice! With regards to the Z5, this is applied BEFORE the Z2. Z2 is the FINAL COAT and nothing goes over this except Z6 gloss enhancer.

With regards to the clay bar, to determine if you need it, run the back of your hand over the paint. Does it feel baby bottom smooth, or car you feel some resistance and bumps/pits in the finish? Do you have any animal dropping or road tar staining? If the answer is no, then no clay bar required. If you are anal about it, the by all means do it. It won't hurt the car. You'll need to do the 'strip wash' with Liquid Dawn to absolve the paint of any old wax/polish. You may need to wash the car twice like this if you have had it for a year. You know that you are 'there' when the water stops sheeting and running off your car. It the water sits on the paint in an irregular pattern and is not beading, you have succeeded.

Cheers,

[Edited by Sime on 03-07-2001 at 09:26 AM]

 

Sime - Thanks. Yes, I think I understand the sequence - following Sal's recommendation to wait 24 hours between coats of Z5 or Z2 and use Z6 immediately before applying all but the first coat of Z5 or Z2, it would go like this: Day 1 - Z1 and Z5, Day2 - Z6 then Z5, Day 3 - Z6 then z2, Day 4 - z6 then z2, ..., finishing with a final Z6 wipedown. Right?

BTW, Do Zaino distributers ever distribute to retail outlets, or are they strictly providing alternate mail order sources directly to consumers? Does Sal have rules about that?

 

In regard to Z-5, I've put a couple of coats on it on my red S2K. I have some swirls but not too much.

I did not see much difference after removing Z-5....If I had to do it over, I probably would not buy Z-5. Otherwise, the Zaino polish does work as advertised.

Mike

 

Damn Sime, got a good post goin here..

Lips, I was wondering how long before you diclosed your drying secret!

Dallas, call Sal. You probably have a local distrbutor. We have one in Austin. Just a drive accross town or a lunch meeting set up. I always feel like I'm gonna get busted when I buy it cuz I'm doin' a deal.

I've been pushing Zaino here for quite a while and I'm glad to see it finally caught on. I actually set up a group buy once with Sal. Hooked up about 20 owners.

I would visit the web site in addition to following Sime's excellent advice. There's good stuff there too.
As I recall Sal mentioned Z2 and Z5 are interchangeable over each other. I do it quite often to my wife's Accord V6. Z5 is the only thing I've found that would remove cat scratches. Imagine how well it works on swirlys.

I also recommend against periodic wipe downs with Z6 except immediately after Z2 or Z5 has been removed. The car almost always has fine grit on the surface after even a few hours and the wipe down drags it accross the surface. I usually rinse with clean water then dry, followed by a Z6 wipe to brighten up the finish.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MHK S2000
[B]In regard to Z-5, I've put a couple of coats on it on my red S2K.

 

Wirejock - I agree with Sal about the interchangeability b/w Z's 2 and 5. However, personally, I would prefer to have all the swirls and scratches removed completely before I would be using Z2. Sometimes though, you can't help scratches and swirls that occur after you have put down 6 coats of Z2! You have to use Z5 over the top.

I also agree with you about not using Z6 as a type of 'Instant Detailer'. If you do use it as an instant detailer, only use it if the car has been kept indoors and not exposed to any exterior dust. I think I mentioned above to only use it in between coats of Z2, and if you need to get dust off the car, wash it, or at least hose the car down.

Thanks for the compliment on the thread by the way. It feels good being able to help!!