Zaino users....any tips?

[Doug Zielke]

After all the positive comments here and elsewhere about Zaino car polish, I ordered and received the "system".



The Zaino website gives loads of info regarding the various application procedures. But I'm wondering if users have any additional pointers for the products. Please share your "secrets".

[tobluforu]

I just received much of the same. All the people that are polish gurus swear by this stuff. Here's the site you want to go to. http://autopia-carport.com/ForumIndex.htm
Do a search for zaino-lots of good pointers. You want to do 2 coats of the the polish. Lots of work but, your car will look awesome. Use a good applicator-cotton-no water. Apply a very thin coat, polish and then another. Do not start wiping it off until you use the finger test, let it dry at least 20 min to a half hour. Drag your finger across it and it should just wipe off. Then polish it out. Do not use an orbital. Use a cotton loop towel or a micro fiber which seems to be the rave.

[APKhaos]

Doug,
The Zaino system is the goods - the reviews say it all. Lots of good technique tips on the Zaino site, and on most of the wax bigot sites. In fact, there is nothing tricky about it.

Not sure I like his clay bar approach, so I did not take that step.
If your paint is near perfect, just clean carefully with Dawn, then use the system. I cleaned, used 3M Hand Glaze first, then the system. Worked beautifully.

BUT.....the initial hazing coat, I think Zaino calls it Polish Lock, will leave a white residue on anything black that it touches - rubber or plastic. I tried everything, but the white haze would not move. Keep this in mind, and try to avoid the black bits.
In frustration I called Sam Zaino [he's a trip]. He explained the chemistry [assuming I followed every wayward molecule], and said the only thing to get rid of the haze was peanut butter - Skippy smooth or crunchy. Half thinking he was yanking my chain, I tried peanut oil. It did not work. Janet thought I'd lost it when she saw me heading for the car with a big jar of Skippy!
But it worked - beautifully.

You will like the finish.

[MarkY]

When using Zaino, remember thin coats, so thin you can barely see it. I've never seen Z1 dry in anything less than an hour and I live in Phoenix. Also, I would not recommend using a micro fiber towel for buffing. Stick to several 100% cotton bath towels. Did I mention to use thin coats?

Here are a pictures of the hood and side of my 1988 Black Coupe. Not bad for 13 year old paint.

[Doug Zielke]

Thanks guys...thin, thin, coat. I think I've got it! Mark, I love that picture. Nice belt buckle!

[DANNOV]

This stuff is the greatest, you will not be disappointed. Put Z1 and Z2 on in thin coats and let Z2 dry for a full day or more before wiping it off. If you have slight scratches, instead of Z5 use Z2, and use it over and over again. I find that applying a second coat or even a third (of Z2 or Z5) over the first and then removing it all with a cotton towel works very well.

I am constantly getting positive comments about our 95 Vette. I thought we had a real problem with paint slight paint scratches and swirls but after about 4 coats of Z5 they vanished. Then, use the Z2 (for clear coats) and the result is truly amazing.

I don't know what this stuff is, but it works and is by far the best polish I have found. Also, the finish does not seem to deteriorate with time and constant washings. Once you use Zaino you don't go back to anything else. I will be the first to admit that any evaluation of shine or gloss is purely subjective. You have to try it yourself and make your own judgment.

The only person I know who said it made no difference was my brother-in-law who used it on his custom Harley. But the cycle was so shiney before Zaino that I doubt if anyting would improve what be had already. The best test is to use Zaino on a car used every day and washed often. My wife's Vette is an everyday car and gets a beating, after Zaino it looks like a new paint job and it is relatively easy to keep it that way. The Vette and the Carrera get nothing but Zaino.

[Jorgeman]

Mark--that hood picture is awesome. I've gotta' believe ZAINO would PAY to use it in their advertising! Camera looks like my Olympus D450 Zoom. Great shot!


george 86T

[MarkY]

Originally posted by Jorgeman
Mark--that hood picture is awesome. I've gotta' believe ZAINO would PAY to use it in their advertising! Camera looks like my Olympus D450 Zoom. Great shot!


george 86T

Thanks for the kind words. You're correct, that is an Olympus D450.