For year in the miata world i heard everyone rave about the Zaino. Now that we have a new MSCa, i am thinking that it may be time to change my s0-s0 detailing habits & do it right.

I am tempted by the zaino, but this car is a daily driver, not a garage queen. Is zaino the right product? or should i look elsewhere?

thanks!

-jac

 

I use Zaino on my daily driver. It holds up well enough - as well as most everything else, anyway. Plus it's not that hard to apply. I've found that a couple of coats on the nose seems to help keep the bugs and gunk from sticking. As the old movie quote goes, "If you have the means, I highly recommend it."

 

In talking with some fellow MINI drivers this weekend, they indicated the Z'ing the car was labor intensive. I plan on using Nu Finish (see thread in Detailing). I have used it for years, and it does an excellant job. Not only is it easy, but it does clean as well.

 

I would think zaino is even more important for a daily driver. I view it more as a protectant than anything else. It creates a protective layer from the elements.
Zaino doesn't have to be labor intensive. A layer of Z-2 once a month is all you need if you don't want to go insane about it. That alone will look and protect better than any wax out there.

 

I know it's not talked about here much, but I like Zymol products.
And not the turtle wax Zymol either.

 

The entire Zanio process is more labor intensive than just cracking open a bottle of Nu Finish - that I will give you. To "do Zanio" right, you need to wash with blue Dawn, clay, and then hit it with a couple layers each of Z5 and Z2.

But a layer of Z2/Z5 I don't think is any more difficult to apply than a layer of Nu Finish. In fact, I think Nu Finish makes a big enough mess that the Zaino is actually easier. YMMV.

I used to use Nu Finish on my wife's truck - it was OK. I know a lot of paint guys who actively warn against Nu Finish. I've never heard anyone recommend against Zaino. Sure, you'll get your "Which Product Is Better" holy wars - but never outright "Avoid this at all costs."

 

Hey Red:

Labor intensive? For me, the only labor intensive part of using Zaino is needing to mix the ZFX together with the Z2 or the Z5 and shaking the bottle. I find it goes on and comes off no differently than Nu Finish, Meguires or Mother's. But Zaino seems to last longest.

hs

 

What is the 'turtle wax' Zymol? Is that the Zymol you buy in the store as opposed to mail order? Can you buy the 'not-turtlewax' stuff in stores?

hs

 

I'll second the thought of using Zaino especially on a daily driver. I have several cars and experiment and test waxes all year long. But the two cars that are my "drivers" are Zaino cars because I want a perfect look, slick feel and high gloss every day....but don't want to work at it.

Zaino is liking waxing and then flipping on cruise control.

 

Why not just take it to the local car wash and pay for the "deluxe" wash?

Just kidding

 

Harumph!...(cleaning off my computer monitor)...

 

what means YMMV ?

 

Your Mileage May Vary

 

Great for the daily driver... holds up well against the elements and contains UV blocker to help protect against fading

 

I'd be willing to bet that the people complaining about Zaino being more difficult to apply than Brand X have never applied a coat of Zaino. Sure, there are maybe 2 more steps than using any other product, but the time it saves you in re-application and/or less frequent washes is WELL worth it.

If you don't want to spend a whole lot of time on detailing a car, I definately recommend Zaino

 

One thing that I don't like about Zaino (I've been using it for a couple of years now) is that it seems kinda toxic. It's made of some funky "aliphatic" (?) hydrocarbons that will probably embed themselves in your organs after some time. After using that gloss enhancer spray, I always feel like I've built up a film on myself, really gross.

But Zaino lasts and lasts, much better than Zymol for durability. But Zymol, you can virtually eat, it seems much less toxic.

I might give Griot's Garage Paint Sealer a try next. It looks like less work than Zaino, and you only have to put it on once a year. Maybe you can even eat it.

 

Just to put your mind at ease...it's VOC compliant and "organ safe" , (has been for a long time) which can't be said by most sealants. Most sealants and waxes shouldn't be used near open flame!

 

Turtle wax Zymol is the blue bottle stuff you can get at the store. The good stuff is from mail-order.

I use the Zymol HD-Cleanse and the Carbon Wax.

 

Then go w/ Zaino. Seriously, people have other preferences...I use Klasse...but Zaino is very, very good (and most likely the best) so if you're buying stuff, and want to re-write your regimen...why not just dive into Zaino from the start?

If there are other considerations, fine, but if you want to jump into detailing as a (more or less) hobby, you won't be going astray...so do it!!!

 

Yummmm! Is that best with or without ketchup?

 

I use Zaino on my daily drivers and have for years. One of my primary reasons for using it is because it is so easy and fast. I apply Z1, apply Z2 over it, cover the entire car, and then go back and wipe it all off. Takes maybe 20 minutes.

 

Thank you all for your insight. Seems like Zaino can handle the day to day abuse. I don't mind spending a saturday to get it right, I just want to make sure that this is the right stuff to use. I have a black miata that my buddy has helped me detail over the years, and i always wanted to try the stuff. I just never felt like putting the cash there.

I know that this can start a Holy war, and I think you all for not really taking it there. Kind of reminds me of the SC vs. Turbo Jihads back on miata.net

BradB: "Zaino is liking waxing and then flipping on cruise control." If that sums it up, i love it!

thanks!

-jac

 

The first time is always the most painful... or something like that.

The initial application - with the Dawn wash, the clay bar, the ZFX, etc, etc is a good way to spend an afternoon. From that point on, at least until you decide to start all over again, it's really simple to add another coat of wax / polish / whatever you want to call it. And Zaino is much less likely to leave white stuff on the black plastic bits.