hi everyone,

i recently got my S about 6 months ago and haven't got around to waxing or anything, but i've been washing every week. question is, i read a lot about zaino and how great it is, but it seems really complicated to do.

first off, so zaino isn't a wax, but a polish? if i put on zaino, will i still need to wax it?

some threads also mention removing the zaino coat, would i, or what reasons would that be to remove it?

since it's a polish (i'm assuming) and not a wax, is it clear? because when i've waxed my previous car, i would get it unintentionally into the crevices and the wax would basically get stuck there.

and lastly, about how much would it cost to get started with all this stuff? thanks in advance!

 

zaino is not a polish- it is a synthetic polymer... like a wax, but instead its synthetic.
polishes are used to remove a very small amount of clear coat or paint (to remove defects, such as swirls or scratches)

at the top of our main page we have some helpful links- check thisout:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=76007

 

Zaino is a very good "system" (as it is not just one product). I've been using it for years on the S. However, be it known that it is expensive and it is NOT the "end all, be all". There are other comparable (and better) products that are much cheaper.

 

If you want to start with something simple that I think works pretty well, try a product called 'Klasse All-in-One' Similar to Zaino but only one product requiring no mixing or anything, just wipe on/wipe off, and you can apply a carnuba wax over the top of it if you want MORE shine. (Which you can also do with Zaino) The Klasse is around $20 for enough to last a couple of years at the rate you're going.

 

Xviper, I just ordered the starter kit and I am planning on dedicating quite a few hours this weekend. Ive heard great things about zaino, and I know its an enthusiast product.... AKA meaning a good amount of effort, but I have heard the results are amazing. I was just curious of what you thought was a better and less expensive product? And why do you use it over the cheaper alternatives?

 

i am not xviper, but will give my two cents anyway!
an easier synthetic that can be compared to the zaino shine is finish first- i was using finish first on my car in the beginning (2000)- at all the meets the other owners all assumed it was zaino.
finish first has a zaino depth without the multiple layers. boiler and i began "sandwiching" finish first and carnubas back then. i remember when i was asked to test zaino and sal zaino told us it wouldnt work to sandwich (we challenged him- and it does).
that was a long way of saying an easier zaino that i would recommend is finish first!
http://www.finishfirstpolish.com/

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i was going to mention klasse, but captainmike beat me to it!- klasse is also a great choice.
probably the biggest klasse guru is dave bynon ("autopia" on our board)- his article:
http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/inf-wax.html

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a lot more info is in the stickies at the top of our main page:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=192818

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=257080

 

First of all, Zaino is a GREAT product, so I'm not slamming it in any way. However, it is not a cheap product and it started out (years ago) as NOT being a simple process to use. (It may have simplified somewhat by now but still is not a one step process.)
You have heard right. The end result is stellar and if you like to "caress" your car, this product will give you that opportunity. The shine is spectacular and it lasts a good long time, even if you choose not to layer it as some people do.
Zaino had (and may still have) a very smart marketing plan. I got into it just to see what it was all about. I bought most of the "components" at the time. Now, realize that you don't use each component at the same rate, so at any given time, you will need to replenish some but not all off what you have. This kinda keeps you going and going and going with Zaino. Eventually, I'll use it all up and most likely stop. That is the only reason I keep using it. I don't wish to throw away the stuff that I have left laying around.
Over the years, I've used many products and they have come and gone. I'm sure there are many, many other new products out there that I've not tried. Some of these (as noted by others) are also very good. For example, in the past, I've used "Prolong" and it gave a spectacular shine and finish to my black Viper. It was cheap and easy to use and didn't cost much either. I've also used the "Duralube" product, the "2002" product made by Turtlewax and plain old Carnuba based paste wax. All of these worked well and gave a great looking finish.
I just like to experiment from time to time. If not for this, I would have just stayed with one over the years. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the suggestions given so far and you probably won't regret going the Zaino route, either. ANY kind of detailing that you do to your car will pay dividends and reward you with a great looking car.

 

I don't find Zaino that complicated or expensive in the long run. All you need is Z2 pro and ZFX. Wash your car, clay it, wash it again, use Zaino Z2 with ZFX drops.


8oz of Zaino does my car 14-16 times. The ZFX drops last for ~2 bottles of Z2.

29.90 for 2 bottles of Z2
$19.95 for one bottle of ZFX drops

$50 for roughly 30 applications of Zaino = $1.66 an application. I have paste waxes that are way higher than that.


With that being said i have a closet full of stuff. Wolfgang gives a nice shine and is cheaper per application. Poorboys EX-P and 4*upp will also work out to be cheaper. Bottom line is that there a million great products on the market. Keep in mind that what you are looking for is mostly protection. The shine on your car and the depth appearance of your paint comes from all the stages you do to your car BEFORE you apply wax or polymer sealant. Last stage products add but a small percentage to the look of the finished product.

Here is a hood with absolutely no wax or polymer on it. It just went through a polish cycle with my rotary.

 

Nice Polish Ubetit! Are those TWO sets of crutches hanging on your garage wall? You race motorcycles?

 

thanks everyone for your input and help!!