OK I read some other threads and I think I know what I did wrong but here's what I did:

1) Wash with dishsoap
2) Claybar
3) Wash with Z7
4) Z5 with ZFX
5) Z6
6) Z5 with ZFX
7) Z6
8) Z5 with ZFX
9) Z8

So now the surface is silky smooth. The shine is good but it's not as glossy as I hoped it would be. I'm comparing the shine of my Mini compared to the pics on the zaino website. After reading some threads I think I should have applied Z2 as well. Is this right or am I expecting too much? Anyway, next time I'll do 3 coats of Z2 with Z6 in between the first 2 coats and finish off with Z8. Hope that works. Any suggestions?

 

I think there were several problems in your approach. First off after your claybar and washing you should have alternated Z2 and Z5 ending with a final coat of Z2. After your final Z2 coat, you should apply one coat of ZFX (mixed with either Z2 or Z5). You can then finish up with Z6 or Z8.

 

I thought the use of ZFX was so that you didn't have to wait as long before applying coats? FYI: I waited about 20 mins between coats. I did read about going back and forth between Z2 and Z5 but unfortunately I didn't do that. I'm planning on doing 3 coats of of Z2 next weekend. As far as I know this is ok. I'm attaching some pics of the Mini. Unfortunately, they're taken inside the garage at night with the overhead garage lights on (fluorescent lights) From the pictures you'll see that it's clean but it doesn't have that glossy/wet look. Suggestions anyone?

 

Apply two coats of Z2 the same way you applied Z5 and you should see a better shine.

 

I am told that you "CAN" alternate between Z5 and Z2-Pro...not that you necessarily "SHOULD" do so for better results...just that there's no adverse effect to doing so.

Z5 will shine less, but hide more swirls and scratches.
Z2 will cover less, but will shine more.

Your original sequence is fine, ending with 2 or 3 applications of Z2-Pro, wiped down with Z6 between. At the very end of the process, you can use Z8.

You are correct that all the ZFX does is allow you to layer coats in less time (all in one day). If you stretch the process out over several days, you can delete the FX. But who would want to do that??? <G>

Also, if cost is no option, you CAN use Z8 as a Z6 substitute, or use Z6 all the time, and Z8 only on those special occasions. I find myself grabbing for the Z8.

You've done a very nice job! You can Zaino the beltline rubber/chrome strip, the side mirror plastic parts, and all the glass as well.

I use the Zaino tire gloss on the spats (wheel arches) trim, and tires.

 

If time allows after work tonight I'm going to drop 3 layers of Z2. What I'm wondering is to save time could I skip washing the car? Sounds crazy but I just zainoed on Saturday and it was QD'd after I motored. Has been sitting since Sunday evening. I would only save about 20-30 mins by not washing...but I won't have much time to do it. So if I can save time by not washing that would be great! So is it feasible to zaino and not wash it prior to doing so?

 

If it's pretty clean then dust it off, go over it with z6 and then put on some z2. that's what I do.

 

That's what I would do, too. I've done this before with no ill effects. Having said that, you do want to be certain the paint is clean enough that dusting and Z6 are OK.

 

You're right. I got it wrong. Z2 adds more gloss though. That might give you the look you crave.

 

Well I think it's clean enough. I didn't dust her off but after taking her out last (a few hours of motoring mostly sunny weather) I did do a Z6 to the areas that got dirty (dust/bugs). I think I'll just do another quick wipe down with Z6 and then put on some Z2.

 

Go for it. Z6, Z2/ZFX, Z6, Z2/ZFX, Z6 or Z8. That should give you the slick, wet look you're after. Let us know how it turns out.

 

I concur :smile: Z2 is the glossy one. I really only use the Z5 as an undercoat on my black car. ZFX is a necessity.

I have noticed now that Z2 pro has replaced Z2 that my bottles don't wash clean anymore... Z2 pro seems much less water soluble... anyone else notice this??

I just did mine in prep for the dragon :

 

Your process sounds good, but I stop at 2 layers of Z5. The Z2 has a much better shine, though Z5 does better w/ filling in the swirl marks. If you need more than 2 layers of Z5 for your swirl marks, you are going to need something much more serious than Zaino to help with them. Now just start layering up the Z2.

On dark colors, if you want to be absolutely crazy about it, you can layer on a carnuba (pick one with no fillers like p21s or Soverign). It will give you a bit more richness to the shine. On lighter colors, you won't even notice the difference, but it pops on darker colors and reds.

 

Z2 Pro has solvent in it whereas the old Z2 was completely water based.

Use denatured alcohol to clean the bottles. Two shakes and they are crystal clear.

 

hey thanks! I knew something was up... I didn't see any new/special directions, but I may not have very hard. I'ts about time to re-order too...

 

You said wash with Dishsoap. ARe you talking about the same stuff you do your dishes with?

 

Yep, my Zaino rep recommends Dawn. It strips the existing wax and preps the paint for Zaino.

 

There is your problem.

DON'T use a household detergent to wash your car. This is one of the most common mistakes. Dish soap, laundry soap, and household cleaners are often too harsh to use on a car's paint. They can strip off the protective wax coating and possibly dull the paint's finish. A dedicated carwash formula, on the other hand, is formulated with a milder soap that doesn't affect the protective coating

This is from Motor Trend April of 1999
I would talk to a body shop you trust to verify this, after all paint is there bussines. See if there is any way of correcting this mistake.
Good luck
Now go make your MINI shine.

 

Clarification:

Motor Trend is right for the average schmoe who waxes once in the lifetime of the car, if that often. But before a good detail and/or wax, you WANT to strip off all the old wax and gunk, hence the Dawn.

For just a quick wash between waxings, use a milder car care formula.

 

sal recomends a wash with dawn befor starting with the zaino process ...i have done that and it strips all other waxes from the car it works very very good...now the paint is ready for zaino..... also use zaino car wash from now on for best results

 

I so diasagree with this.

Try here http://www.howtocleananything.com/hc...le8autowax.htm
This might help explain my view on this.

Like I said earlier call a Paint shop and see wha they say.
I for one have never or will ever use Dish soap on any car I own.

 

No pics available but I just layed on 3 layers of Z2. That's a total of 3 layers of Z5 and 3 layers of Z2. I'm at work (Mini not here with me) but immediately after finishing she looked shinier and more reflective but still not as wet/glossy as I was expecting. How many layers does it take to get that wet/glossy look like in the pictures on the Zaino website?

BartMack,
How many layers are on your Mini?

 

I think I'd trust the guy who makes the polish, Sal Zaino, as to how to apply it properly. Dawn is the exact amount of alkilinity that you need to remove the waxes before applying zaino directly to the clearcoat.

 

I agree that using Dawn or any other dish detergent on automotive paint would ordinarily be ill-advised. The key thing to recognize is that in this case it's being recommended as the first step in a process to clean, polish, shine and protect the paint. This process uses polymers not natural waxes and preparing the surface for bonding is a key step in creating a lasting shine and protective layer.

There's more than one way to perform the care and feeding a car's paint needs. But for the application of Zaino, this is the way. If you're using another product, you'd likely use another technique. To each his own

 

Bummer I have 3 layers of Z5 and only 2 layers of Z2 with Z6 between the layers and Z8 on top. My expectations have been met quite well, indeed. It looks wet and slick. The Z8 might be the thing that gets you what you were expecting. Hope this helps.