This forum was very helpful in deciphering the Zaino steps (why Z5 before Z2 for example) and so I Zaino'd my car in late July for the first time:

1. Washed w/ Dawn as recommended
2. Claybar'd
3. Washed w/ Zaino car wash
4. 4 coats of Z5
5. 4 coats of Z2
6. Z6

Some pics attached, I'm very happy w/ the results.

So my question now is, what do I do next, especially for the remainder of the year? I can't find too much here about this.

Do I:

1. Have to do another "total" day, e.g. claybar, et. al? What do you folks do, once a year?
2. Have to put another coat of Z2 on this year? Note that in Boston, my season will probably "end" around late October early November.

I do understand I should spray on Z6 occasionally. Note that I'm using Zaino car wash for my weekly wash.

I guess I'm looking for advice on what I should do between now and next year in this northern clime.

Thanks!

 

Stuff's great isn't it. This past weekend I REALLY wanted to put on another coat of Z5 & Z2, or at least one coat of Z2. After washing , with Zaino car wash of course, and drying... it really didn't need anything. I looked real hard to... just didn't need anything. Ended up doing a quick blast with Z6 just to make me feel better.:smile:

 

Like any other wax Zaino will not last forever. I apply Z2 about once every 6 weeks or sooner cuz it is easy. You should not need to clay very often, not sure about the offical answer to this.

Z5 is for removing swirls and filling scratches so I mostly use z2. Did you apply Z6 between coats of Z2/Z5? That is recommended for the deepest shine, but not mandatory.

Sounds like you are off to a good start and on your way to 20+ coats. Congrats on choosing a quality product and providing the best care for your MINI.

Looks very nice!

 

Thanks! Yes, I used Z6 in between, and for the final coat....

 

So it sounds like you would have just put Z2 on, without doing anything special?

Maybe I'll do that in September...

Came home tonite thru massive thunderstorms and hail, will Z5 get the divots out?

 

Z5 has a limited swirl hiding capability but it maxxes out after 2 coats. If you can't hide it after 2 coats it's too severe for Z to hide.

Z2 is optically clear so you always want to end up with Z2 and add subsequent coats with Z2. Add as many as you want.

Zaino is one of the most durable sealants on the market. The protection will last many months. Even if the maximum shine and beading degrade slightly the protection is still there and greater than most all the competition. Feel free to add coats as often as you like but just know that adding coats more than every several months is a bonus and not absolutely necessary.

Z6 quick detailer boosts the shine between coats.

Z6 quick detailer is something that can, and should, be used often. I use it almost every day. It boosts the shine, adds protection and is a safe way (with a microfiber) to remove dirt and debris between washes. (good lubricity)I also use it after washing to add slickness to the finish. I also carry a small bottle of it in the car in case of bird attack!

Z7 shampoo will also boost the shine and it's lubricity will help your cotton or wool mitt glide over the surface and avoid scratches. This is a more important reason to use shampoo than for dirt.

There is no timeline for claying. It's always a "feel" test. If you feel debris, bumps or anything in the paint then clay lightly when you shampoo the car. It doesn't totally remove the Zaino. It does abrade it some. Then just add another coat of Z2 to touch things up.

And yes, Zaino does prevent hail damage. I think you need somewhere in the neighborhood 5700 coats.

 

Ho Ho, looks like I overdid it on the Z5, just call me the karate kid, eh?

thanks for the claying insight....I was afraid I'd have to start from scratch (Dawn) again for a claybar application. I'll just go from feel as you say.....

 

Got my MC in July 2003. Zaino'd immediately, used Z6 spray every few days as needed to keep it shiny and slick, washed at least once a week, and another couple of coats of Z2 every couple of months.

Just last week (after over a year and 34K miles) I finally felt the need to start from scratch with Dawn and claybar, then new 4 coats of Z2. It's like getting your teeth cleaned - feels so nice and fresh...

 

Instructions say you can dilute Z6 50% with water. Anyone done that?

 

I'm down to my last inch of Z6. I'll stretch it and see how it works:smile:

 

I hate to ask stupid questions, but here goes. I just ordered my Zaino kit and I noticed on the bottle of Autoglym I used before it had a warning about using it on "painted plastic". Now, my question is: What parts of the mini do you apply the Zaino to and what parts don't get any? Do you put it on all painted parts? On chrome parts?

 

--->kirk: All painted parts and brightwork (i.e. chrome/stainless) can and should be waxed (including Zaino). You don't really want to wax your black plastic, use something designed just for it like 303 Aerospace, Stoner Trim Shine, or Lexol Vinylex.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

OK, I mixed up my last bit of Z6 50/50 with water.
It works like watered down Z6. Not bad to keep me going until brown arrives with some new stuff. It also works OK on spot stuff like bird poo and bug splat. Keep a bit of 50/50 in the car for emergencies, otherwise use it full strength. If cost is the issue, get some Mothers QD. Smells great:smile:

 

I like Z6 MUCH better at full strength. Remember, one of the reasons you use a QD is for it's lubricity. It lubricates the surface so the MF towel glides over the paint reducing friction and so it easily lifts dust and dirt without scratching. The more you "cut" that ability to lubricate the more you lose some of the benefits. Plus you lose some of the slickness Z5 provides.

 

We had an awesome day here Sunday after a horrendous day of rain (and a tornado 10 miles away) on Sat....so I put two coats of Z2 on the MINI...it sure sparkles.

Showed my son how to claybar, but I'm gonna use traditional wax on the old Volvo he's driving, not worth the $$$ for Zaino there!

I'm almost out of Z6 tho', guess I better ante up for a new bottle, doesn't sounds like cutting it w/ water works too well....also imagine you lose the smell, which is almost as good as the old mimeograph machines from the 60's, eh?

 

LOL! Childhood memories!!! (But just kindergarten, mind you! )

 

I've been lurking in the Mini sites, spec'ing the 2005 I want to order early next year. It's here that I found out about (and fell in love with) Zaino products. I just gave my wife's metalic blue Nissan Murano the following treatment
- Dawn Wash
- Claybar with dilute Zaino wash as the lubricant
- Zaino Wash
- Zaino Z5 - Polish to fill in very light scratches
- Zaino Z6 - Gloss enhancer
- Zaino Z2 - Polish
- Zaino Z6 - Gloss enhancer

The results were STUNNING! Their leather in the bottle product is amazing, giving a great feel to the seats that seemed a bit dry to me, direct from the factory. The smell is better than new car! Something akin to walking into a high-quality leather goods store. The tire dressing turns the wheels dark and slightly shiny, without dripping and/or oozing anywhere. I bought a tire swipe foam applicator at Pep Boys and it applied like a dream.

I had the same question about Zaino on the black plastic components of my car, so I shot off an email to the company for technical assistance. Here's a copy and paste of my conversation with Sal Zaino (yes... the owner answered my question personally.... I feel so special!)

--------------------------------------

Question:

[size=2]My car has two different types of black plastic trim:
1. A smooth, shiny plastic that is not painted
2. A coarse, porous plastic that is not painted

If I used my old Meguiars wax on #1, it would shine it nicely and buff off perfectly.
If I used my old Meguiars on #2, I would have a horrible mess of white swirls in the pores. On previous cars, I've gone to the extreme (for me) of masking off the #2 areas with blue painters tape before waxing.

Can / should I apply Zaino to both types of plastic?

Answer from Sal Zaino:

Zaino Show Car polish is to be used on any non-porous, non-textured surfaces. If your plastic parts are non-porous (not textured) use Zaino Z-2, Z-3, Z-5 polish & also Z-6 Gloss Enhancer spray.
If you have porous surfaces(Cladding, front spoilers, grilles, rubber etc.) that need protection use Z-16 Tire Dressing. It's awesome on any textured, porous surfaces.

--------------------------------------

Question:

Can / should I apply Zaino to windshield glass?


Answer from Sal Zaino:

Yes...
Z-6 works great on clean exterior glass. It will leave a high polished finish that repels water and makes the wiper blades work better...
Remember Z-6 is extremely concentrated, a little goes a long way.... Another Tip is... You can also use Z-2 on the exterior windows. The combination of Z-2 and Z-6 is awesome on exterior glass... and preferred by many of my customers....

Z-6 is also safe for use on aftermarket window tint.

[/size]

 

Well, if this GD New England weather ever warms up / doesn't rain on a weekend, I'll be getting the Zaino out.

After this winter, I can tell my boot needs to be claybar'd, as you can feel the bumps w/ out the saran wrap. But the rest of the car feels fine. Is it OK to just claybar the boot, and then Zaino, or should I just go ahead and claybar the entire car again?

Note that I'm not planning on Dawn'ng it, just claybar, wash, and start my layers....

 

If you have had Zaino on before then you can just start layering. I assume you are using ZFX. At least do a good wash with Z7 first. A clean base is essential.

I would clay at least the horizontal surfaces and then do a lookover on the rockers, etc. for tar, debris, etc. Better to clay now than waste time waxing over bumps!

 

If you're really happy with the rest of the car, then you can do just the boot. But if it were me, I'd Dawn any area that I was about to claybar. You really want it as bare as possible, including getting rid of any Zaino before claybarring. Your car, your call.

 

scooterboy, there is no need to strip wax before claying. Just wondering why you choose to do so.

Also, FYI, a Zaino wash will not remove Zaino. If you want to remove Zaino for some reason, like to switch to another brand, wipe the areas with alcohol.

:smile:

 

I was wondering this precise thing, and then it shows up (cue the Twilight Zone theme)... I luv NAM!

I can be spotted at stop-lights, caressing my sexy smooth Zaino'd black roof through my open window . (I don't know if that would be considered "motor-vation" or "motor-bation lol). I too found the boot loses its perfect smoothness, and gets that "before I clayed" feeling, rather quickly compared to the rest of the car. This is even with frequent QD.

So I was contemplating this spot-claying, and wondering what was the right prep for this. That smooth paint feeling is so addictive!

U guys are terrific,
Tatt

 

Yes, truly a great resource, thanks from my perch too guys...

 

There are support groups to help cope with this addiction...I go Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Until I am cured I continue to spot clay the boot as needed with quick detailer as lube. I occassionally rewax the area as it does "abrade" the wax but doesn't totally remove it.

 

Now you got me worried about my addiction. I've had my 05 MCS for 2 months and have put on 7 coats of zaino plus used the QD more times than I can count. Somebody stop me! But thanks for the tips. Going to try the Z-2 and z-6 on the windshield this weekend.