Just wondering if anyone else has REALLY tried Zaino vs. other synthetic brands. If so, I'd love to hear any comments and conclusions. Which did you prefer and why? Those that have only tried Zaino versus something they bought at Pep Boys, please don't pontificate.

I'm NOT talking about P21s, S100, or other carnauba-based waxes. I want an apples-to-apples comparison, and I'd love to hear any experiences specifically with Poorboy's EX Sealant, Menzerna FMJ, and Klasse AIO and/or SG.

Any takers?

Thanks!

(BTW, I'm not trying to use this as a slam toward any brand. I've used all the above and they're all great products)

 

of zaino, klasse and finish first-

zaino is probaby the most difficult to use, with klasse next and finish first the easiest. however, my preferences in order would be zaino, klasse then finish first. i would also mention that they all have strengths and weaknesses and the ranking is purely my personal choice.

of the three, zaino is on my car, finish first is on the other cars in the family and klasse will likely be on the others when the finish first is gone! i also use finish first on other cars that i help out with (one reason is that i was given several bottles of finish first!)... and yes, i do like finish first a lot!

 

My experience would be with AIO, SG, Zaino, WG, & EXP.

For any car that I don't particularly enjoy detailing often (wife's Pilot), I use the Zaino. Hands down, it lasts the longest out of these brands. I can usually go about 6 months on Zaino (covered parking). On my S, I don't particularly care about longevity since I detail it about once a month (at least in the spring/summer/fall months). I'll usually clean the paint every three months with AIO and then use WG or EXP about once a month. I'm currently using EXP, but don't particularly like the look of it. It also doesn't bead well at all after the first week, although I hear that this is a characteristic of EXP and that it doesn't indicate that the product is no longer there. Call me picky, but I like to see the beading every time water strikes my car. I prefer the look of WG, but I think I'm in the minority on this one. As for the SG, I refuse to use it due to the difficulty of application. I know all about the WOWO technique, but I'm not out to learn Karate, and would rather have an easy application process.

I've come to the conclusion that on my S, I'm going to continue trying out different sealants during the summer months (UPP is next on my list) and use Zaino for the winter time where there's less of a chance to detail.

-sam

 

To clarify, WG is Wolfgang Sealant and EXP is Poorboy's EX-P?

If the second is correct, why did you try the EX-P s. the EX?

 

Yes, you're correct. I didn't actually buy the EXP myself. One of my buddies who's also into detailing said it works well on silver cars so bought me a bottle to try out. Like I said, I wasn't particularly impressed by it. Easy application, though.

-sam

 

I've used just about all of those except FMJ.

Zaino wins hands down for longevity. Z2 Pro is getting closer to the look I like also. It's going to be hard to beat.

WG is on my car right now except for the hood (testing Z2 Pro and Z8). You aren't alone GrimReaper. I also really like WG. It is super easy to use and looks wet.

EX is a pain in the butt and I'm not real fond of the carnauba blend. EX-P which is a pure synthetic polish is better but I never really got into it. I felt that synthetic really did have a plastic look to it.

AIO is great for those quick wash and polish jobs for friends and family that abuse their cars. It is a great paint cleaner that offers some protection. It makes cars look pretty good for a short period of time.

SG is worthless to me. Unless your car is perfectly cool and you apply it very thin, you'll need Arnold's arm to get that stuff off. SG's time has come and gone.

UPP - Haven't used it, although some feel it is a rebadged Blackfire.

Blackfire - another early synthetic that I didn't have luck with. I would get areas that looked wetter than others. It was blotchy, I don't know why.

NXT- a mass consumer product designed to get the general public used to synthetics. Not bad for a cleaner type snthetic but nowhere near the protection of most of these others.

 

I've been using Klasse for years and have never had any issues removing AIO or SG. I don't use the wipe on - wipe off method. My AIO (I never got around to the SG) lasted from October to April and 5k miles it still looked and felt great.

Mark

 

You probably don't want to hear my story, but here goes anyway.

I have been using Finish First for four years now and still haven't even come close to using up the first can that I bought (it's not a big can, either). I apply the polish with my Porter Cable polisher and it makes it extremely easy to put a very small amount of polish on the car. I have not used Zaino on my car, but have used it on other cars locally and I can say that nothing that I have tried is any easier to apply than Finish First. It is applied the same as Zaino, in several steps.

When we have a local get together, the new people all assume that I'm using Zaino, so their face always falls when I tell them that I'm not using Zaino, but Finish First (a Zaino look alike) with S100 on top of the base coat of the synthetic polish.

I also make the car look as wet and shiny as it does by using 3M Swirl Mark Remover once a year and my Porter Cable polisher first, then applying my annual Finish First application (several coats, like Zaino) and topping everything off with the S100 carnauba (which is very similar to P21S). I use the carnauba wax during the year, but I feel that the synthetic base gives the finish more durability than just carnauba by itself. I have had several chunks of tires, etc hit the finish and they just wipe right off.

In my estimation, the finished product is only as good as the polished/prepared car before any synthetic polish or wax has been applied to the finish. If the finish doesn't look good before I apply the synthetic polish/carnauba wax, it isn't going to look good afterwards. The key is in the preparation before waxing.

I believe that Zaino is the longest lasting polish on the market. I also don't like the looks of Zaino by itself. I prefer the looks of a good carnauba wax, which gives the paint (my car is red) a glow and depth that synthetics just can't provide. The synthetics also provide more durability than the carnauba wax has. This is why I choose to use both.

Sorry to be so long winded, but Wanabe wanted me to give you my thoughts on this subject.

Thanks,
Bob

 

Also, just to clarify, I absolutely love AIO, just not SG.

 

Thanks for the VERY good feedback by all! Those were very honest, straightforward and fair comparisons! Keep 'em coming if you have more, but so far, the answers are great!