so i finally got around to zaino-ing my mini, about a year after i bought both zaino and mini (zaino actually preceded the car as i'd been spending way too much time on this board before the mini arrived). and it looks good, but i'm still not sure i did it right--maybe cost more than it needed to, and maybe didn't get optimum shine.

when i applied each coat, i just couldn't see that it was on there! i know a very little of each polish should have gone a long way, but i was never sure where i had gotten it & where i hadn't. i probably used way to much polish but then again i'm not sure i managed to spread it to all areas. maybe it was so hard to see b/c my car is white? i kept worrying it was just sinking into the applicator & not getting onto the car. could see little streaks of it here and there but could by no means see a consistent application to the mini.

any tips on this? want to do some more coats and do it RIGHT!

thanks!

-diana

 

Well, doing multiple coats is probably the best approach. Not that it necessarily gives you more protection, but the odds are that you won't miss the same spots *every* time, so after a few coats, you'll have full coverage on the car.
My wife's MINI is Pepper White as well, so I know what you're talking about with a light coat of sealant being hard to see. What were you using for lighting when you applied the Zaino? I find that using a handheld light helps a lot, because you can vary the angle of the light on the paint. (I have one of the twin Xenon pistol-grip lights that also makes an excellent "swirl finder" when I'm detailing).

 

I helped a fellow MINI owner do his PW MCS last year and it is tough. Zaino should be applied thin, very thin, so you did well. Also Zaino can be layered; with Z-FX added up to 3 coats within 24 hours. You can always add more layers to 1) be sure you got full coverage and 2) Zaino actually looks better with more coats.
I always used a Sonus pad (http://www.autopia-carcare.com/son-sfxpro.html) that worked pretty well. Now however I would choose a DP skinny blue pad (http://www.detailersparadise.com/Vie...2-691513519634). Whatever you use be sure to get it out of the pad quickly when finished. Use alcohol and Dawn to completely remove it from the pad.
ScottRiqui's suggestion is good as far as lighting. We did the PW MCS in the garage, but moved it to the sun after applying the Z-2 to see if we got it all. If your lighting is poor it is harder to see the dried Z-2 since it is white. Even if you just used a flashlight at different angles it would help.
Finally, when I was using Zaino (I now use Prima BTW), I would start with Z-PC to remove swirls, use Z-5 to fill, Z-6 to wipe down, Z-2 to wax and then Z-6 to wipe down again. I would repeat the Z-5, Z-6, Z-2 and Z-6 steps for a total of three times since I used Z-FX in the Z-2.
You probably know all this anyway. If you haven't read the process instructions that comes with the stuff (or from the website: http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...de=APPLICATION) it is worth it.
Good luck, have fun and share to pictures when you get a chance.

Chuck

 

I use the method suggested by BradB which is to apply Zaino with a foam pad, but mist the pad extremely light first with Z6...this way the Z2/Z5 doesn't get absorbed by the foam, so it all goes onto the car's paint. Also, if you take a scissors and make a cut at the edge of the foam pad, maybe a 5th of the diameter, to truncate the round pad a bit, it makes it a lot easier to get close to the plastic trim with that straight edge and be able to avoid getting zaino or what ever wax/sealant you are using on to the trim so you can avoid that dreaded white residue

 

I believe that Zaino will not leave a white residue on plastic that will not come off

 

Zaino does not leave a residue as nixjosh2 noted. If you get residue on the black plastic trim pieces, use a bit of peanut butter and a toothbrush and it will come right off.

I have just acquired the NEW Zaino All-in-one, Clear Seal, and Grand Finale "Triplets" kit. I've been using Zaino for over 10 years and can't wait to see how the new stuff works! The All-in-one smells yummy!!

 

true...zaino does not leave noticable residue, but I try to avoid it anyways

 

we use this product called BlackWow in the 2007's...

 

When using Zaino, I would actually do my trim as well. You want to avoid getting the Z-PC on your trim, but the Z-5 & Z-2 are not a problem. This is one of the advantages of the Zaino system - plus the good smell!
Good tip though umberto, a small spritz of Z-6 does help keep the Z-2/Z-5 from being absorbed by the pad.

 

thanks much for all the answers. i have applied the polishes both out in the sun, and in my garage w/ just an overhead light. next time i'll try the flashlight, and definitely use the z6 on my pad first.

hopefully this weekend! which brings up...best way to get old zaino out of little containers? soap & water didn't clean them--alcohol best? or just toss for fear of grit & get new (but i hate disposing rather than reusing plastic).

thanks & cheers,
d.

 

I think it's just the problem with PW. One on hand, it has to be REALLY messed up to look bad. But on the other hand, it never really looks fabulous.

 

I think if you've used the ZFX accelerator, and the old product has dried in the mixing bottles, you may be out of luck in getting them completely clean again. I've always been very careful to clean them out before they dry, so I don't know of a good way to remove dried Zaino, but it wouldn't hurt to try alcohol before giving up on them.