I bought my 02 MCS used.
When I got it, it was a beautiful dark deep rich Dark Silver color.
I can't remember whether the guy said he was applying Xymol or Zaino...(since I'd never heard of either).

At first, I was using the Laserwash touchless car wash.
I purchased Zaino products, and started from scratch with claybar, ZFX Z5 x 3coats with the spray polish between. I'm planning to apply coats of Z2 when it gets warmer.
I use quality (from a source recommended on this site) microfiber...

But the car is NOT the same color as when I bought it--its a lighter dark silver...I'm disappointed. What am I doing wrong? Its a noticeable difference to others, too...



_________________

Kewpt Up 02 S Dark Silver/White/Chrome...........
Ride a horse, Drive a truck, Fly the Coop!

 

Indeed a strange occurance ....
I've not heard this issue before.
Nothing about these cars actually surpirses me anymore ...so I'm less shocked than I would normally be.
Please post some pics if you can.... before and after you noticed the change... if possible ?


Peace,
D

 

perhaps uv?

 

It's the Zaino that is making your MCS "appear" lighter as it's actualy reflecting more light. I know it sounds like a load of bull, but I got an Indi Blue 04 MCS, I did the same thing (3 coats of Z5+ZFX with Z6 between layers) and (2 coats of Z2+ZFX with Z6 between layers). I swear the car looks lighter . I know it sounds crazy

Cheers

_________________
2004 MCS Indi Blue /W Sport, Lapis blue interior - Stock for now, but not for long.

 

I use Zaino as well. All of my peers say my LY is lighter than other LY cars they've seen...

 

I am about or was about to order the Zaino kit for my DS/B MCS. I really don't want it to appear lighter, I like that dark silver. Can I still use a different combo of Zaino or is there an equally good product that can maintain that deep rich silver look?
Thanks all.

 

You can always try waxes. I was on the fence for about 3 months on whether to use a Synthetic polish like Zaino or Natural Carnauba wax product like Zymöl. Did a lot of reading, asking friends, even some soul searching. I came to the conclusion that Zaino was worth a try as it was the easier to maintain once you get several layer of the product down. Don’t get me wrong I was very close to going with the Zymöl line of products. They have wax called Carbon that is designed for darker color cars like Indi Blue or your Dark Grey. The problem its natural wax and I would have to stay on top of the car every month. I looked at it from a total cost of ownership, primarily how much time I was willing to invest. I am very happy with the Zaino for the time being. If you got the jitters …. Maybe you should go with something like Zymöl.



Cheers

 

Fascinating Captain,

Perhaps there is intelligent life on the planet after all.

Natural Carnauba wax like Zymol keep the color as we are used to seeing it,

Synthetic products like Zaino reflect more light and make the color appear several shades lighter than we are used to seeing.

Fascinating. Nevertheless they are a cruel culture. Prepare to destroy the planet. Photon torpedos at the ready.

Mr. Spock

 

You could always bead-blast the paint to a matt finish......very dark

Cheers,

James

 

I use Meguirs wax and my 02 BRG mini is lighter then other BRG minis I've seen.

 

Thanks for the explanation...I thought it might have something to do with the Zaino..

 

I've used both Zaino and NXT 'wax' which is a combination of carnauba and synthetic polymers. The NXT definitely makes cars of all colors look deeper and richer in color, especially the dark colors! I've become a permanent user of NXT as I find it much easier and faster to apply than Zaino; you only need one coat vs. at least two with Zaino (one each for Z2 and Z5 or whatever the combination is). Because it's easier and faster, I use it more often, so the fact that it doesn't last as long as Zaino is just fine with me.

If you want a deep shine and the color to get richer when you wax, try NXT. It's made by Meguiar's and is available in most auto parts stores like Pep Boys.

 

Actually, to be accurate, you only have to use one coat of Zaino if you want. Z5 has fillers, Z2 is optically clear and lets only the color of your paint, and nothing else come though. Layering or using both Z2 and Z5 is strictly personal choice, not necessity.

Carnaubas and pseudo-polymers are inherently filled with many solvents. Most have cleaners and most have fillers as well. All of these tint the reflective color of the wax. Technically, these are reflective impurities. But from a marketing standpoint you put a positive swing on it and call it a warm glow or a deep look. If you like that particular look, whether it be a yellowish, reddish or brownish tint, then that's the look you choose.

Experiment with different waxes to find the look you like. I have nearly 40 waxes and sealants. Some you can tell the difference from. Some you can't. Some have zilch durability, some have good durability. Some have excellent shine, some are dull and lifeless. Some are overhyped and over priced. The wax test at Guru Reports is one of the best places to start for fair reporting.

 

:smile: Thanks for the info, BradB! While I am a big fan of Meguiar's products, it is certainly worth further investigation of all the car care products!


Clover

 

I'm in the Zaino camp and I love the long-lasting shine, but I've noticed more and more people mentioning a slight change in color or lack of 'depth'. I've got 3 recently-applied coats of Zaino (Z5-Z2-Z2) on my wife's Nissan Murano that has a dark blue metalic paint. The shine and gloss was great, but it seemed a bit sterile and not very rich looking.

On Saturday, I solved the problem with a single coat of a pure carnuba wax (P21S - No fillers, no cleaners). It definately gave the illusion of a deeper color (I waxed the hood 1/2 at a time so I could have a direct comparison). I like the highly reflective shine of Zaino and now I have the depth I was looking for... the best of both worlds.

On a slightly different topic, the Porter Cable dual-action polisher ROCKS! I applied a coat of wax on her SUV in about 20 minutes. It goes on thin and even... plowing across the roof and other large expanses very easily. It has the same motion as hand application at a much faster speed than I could ever do.

 

Agranger...you have good taste.
If someone said..."Quick, you have three seconds to grab one of the carnaubas out of your cabinet before the house burns down." P21S might be the first. It's a great value, very durable- for a carnauba, has a great shine and a good look. I have waxes costing 5 times as much that aren't near as good and many making wild claims that just don't add up. P21S is good stuff.

Some others are good, too. But that's one of the best.

 

I use Zaino on my '02 ds/w.....and haven't noticed this phenomenon. Maybe what you view as lighter........I view as glossier. Who knows? As long as the effect is uniform.......it's still silver and it's still a thing of beauty........enjoy your car's metamorphosis.

 

It's the Zaino - try Meguiers Tech Wax which actually seems to make the colour look richer, at least on my silk green. The colour couldn't be coming off as it's sealed beneath the clear coat and UV degradation usually doesn't occur until many years pass and then only on a car which is neglected, so that rules MINI's out as we're all somewhat compulsive about our babies.

 

The problem I have with zaino is that it made my roof look like chrome!


Luke

 

Umm... OK. I'd love to hear the full story behind how this quote would come about...

Here's my try:

Brad is hanging out in his garage, applying the 52nd coat of Zaino to his MINI. A Ricer car fanatic comes running into his garage, screaming something about Brad's not contributing enough to the Bondo, coffee-can exhaust or fiberglass spoiler industries. The lunatic (I call him a lunatic not because of his actions but because of his choice in cars) drops a magnetically-attaching bomb onto the hood of the MINI and screams "This car is going to destroy my way of life! It must be destroyed! Quick, you have three seconds to grab one of the carnaubas out of your cabinet before the house burns down."

 

nxt is a pure polymer, not a polymer synthetic blend. on my dark silver, it gave a highly reflective surface like zaino. but it didn't last as long.

the rain x ultra wax and quick wax are also pure polymers, but they give more of a carnuba like depth, not the super high reflective surface of zaino and nxt. if you want a polymer with depth, try them.

 

Just curious....What do you mean "pure polymer"? Also curious where the info came from.

 

Maybe he is drawing a contrast between a 'pure polymer' like Zaino and one that has cleaners like Klasse All In One.

Just a thought...

 

I double-apply Megs Gold Class and my car looks just fine and shiny and pretty and lusturous: at least that's what others say. Hard to argue this when the sun is low....

I'm just someone who likes being able to motor to Target to get what I need to keep my baby shiny. Cant do that with Zaino. Jimbo

PS it's funny on Mini2 all the proud citizens of the Empire are discovering Meguiar's products, and falling all over themselves in the process! LOL!

 

You guys are killin' me. Just when I finally kicked the obsessive habit of waiting for my damn MINI, now I have way too many options for keeping the little thing all shiny. I never even thought about all the different finishes of quality waxes. What do I use that is relatively easy on Pure Silver? Zaino, Xymol, NXT, or ?

I would be in a psych ward somewhere if I had a dark color,

Mike