Need some help in determining a good wax/sealant for my MINI. Winter is arriving shortly, at least in Germany, and I need a great product that will double as a wax for the summer time.

I have searched the threads but could not find much information on the Griots Garage products such as "Best of Wax" and there "Paint Sealant" products. There are tons of information from people boosting Zaino and NXT as the best but not much discussion on wether Griots is worth the money over Zaino or as good. I am also intersted in getting a PC. Griots has thier version as Autopia has a name brand (Porter Cable).

My question is, what has the best value (price vs. performance), the best shine, and the best wear. Is Griots worth mentioning or buying over Zaino or NXT? Need more information on Griots and if thier products are as good as the website says? Any information on All these products will help in my final decision.

Your suggestions, comments, and advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks and Motor On !!!

 

I have never used Zaino personally, but have been around those who have. However I do use Griots and love it. The Best of show has a nice shine and is easy to apply. I also notice it last about 3-6 months depending on how I maintain it. I also used there paint sealant last yet. I did notice that the swirl marks are little more noticeable, but thats just because I used it in one stage. It has been one year sense I have done either of my parents cars, and they still bead up nicely.

 

I have just begun using Griot's. My husband was skeptical ("Why can't you just use Armor All??"), and sat in a lawn chair and watched as I washed my car, then took the clay bar to it. By the time I had one section of the car clayed, he'd taken then other half of the clay out of the jar and was claying his Yukon. Three hours later, he'd helped me in using an entire 35 ounce bottle of Speed Shine and our cars were gleaming.

Needless to say, we love the stuff. In particular, I like:

Car Wash
Paint Cleaning Clay
Wheel Cleaner
Rubber Cleaner
Interior Cleaner
Vinyl and Rubber Dressing
Best of Show wax

We also have a plethora of microfiber towels.

Some people really like their glass cleaner as well, but I'm pretty much married to Hope's Perfect Glass (that I buy at Bed Bath and Beyond).

 

Sounds to me like you won the hubby over!!! Nice!

 

I have used both and I currently think that zaino is the best product out there as far as a sealant/wax that lasts. I have switched all my vehicles over to Zaino and have not looked back. It has a great shine and outlasts any wax by a couple of months. I like griots car soap, clay, leather cleaner and interior cleaner. If you are looking for a PC orbital polisher, coastaltool.com http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/S...72b+1156240521 has one of the best prices.

 

anyone try Zymol?

It's only $1850 for 22oz. lol

http://www.zymol.com/vintage2.htm

 

Yeah but $1850 gets you free refills for life . If you live only 19 more years thats less than $100/year!!!

 

What about using the "Paint Sealant" or "Best of Wax" from Griots? If I decide to go with Griots, which of the two products is best? What the difference?

Personally it looks as if Zaino is a much easier choice. Z2 on car, and I get both that Show Room finish and protection that I need from the elements of motoring.


I didn't even mention Zymol simply because of the price. Way too expensive when I know Zaino is cheaper and has high praise throughout the forums.

 

The Paint Sealant is for application over your clearcoat (i.e., after stripping off any waxes you have applied) - it seals your paint and protects it from the elements. You would apply the Best of Show wax after you finish using the Paint Sealant to give your vehicle another layer of protection and for a nice, warm finish.

I was a Griot's zealot until I used Zaino. I used both the Paint Sealant and Best of Show wax, among other products. What swung me over to Zaino was the dust factor - my MINI isn't a garage queen, and the dust that carnauba wax attracted made it perpetually dirty-looking. Using Zaino, there is a definite decrease in dust - perhaps about 60-70% longer before I decide to wash or quick-detail off the dust. Water also beads off the Zaino better than it ever did with carnauba wax.

I have always been wary of synthetic polymers, after seeing how fast Meguiar's NXT wears off, and so I went the carnauba wax way at first, but Zaino's ease-of-use in applying and maintaining, in addition to its durability, won me over. I still use a number of Griot's products - many of them are top-notch, if a little pricey.

 

See, now THAT's what I call a useful, clearly written mini review... After that, I admit I'm curious. I notice I do get quite a bit of dust on Meguiar's Gold Class wax (which I BELIEVE, if I'm not mistken, is a carnuba-based wax), and now I know why.

(Sigh)... I SO do not need more wax for my car. Buuuuuuut....

QUESTION: Is Zaino a "hand polishing only" material, or can it be used with a random orbital polisher? If so, what product do you Zaino veterans suggest? Would the process be Wash > Clay > Polish, or something different with a paint sealer involved? I'm looking ahead to wintertime (I know that I'm not going to be bucket washing and hand-waxing all that much in the sub-freezing cold, and I'm looking to seal the paint as best possible during bad weather).

Thanks!

 

if i wanted to remove a paint sealant, could it be done? I too am considering how to navigate this winter with the new mini. I rather it be all wax personally, and then detail spray that dust off. I am a natural type of guy.

If I sealed it, and then found I had a spot to wax and wash it by hand, i would want to remove the protectant seal. I understand that the seal is kinda dull.

 

Let me be the third person asking for the advice on Winterizing the MINI. Not only will the temperatures be too cold to wash my MINI, but I need a strong, durable protection on the paint. German's love salt on the roads, and I will probally end up rinsing the car off after every drive. Will Zaino take place of what Griots boosts as a Protective Sealent? Is Zaino a synthetic? Carnuba's usually wear off quick. I imagine that any product with Carnuba in it will just wear quicker.

BTW, great review/information in this thread. Thanks again for your help

 

I try to zaino all my vehicles with 2 coats of Z2 late in the fall and I have found that the protection lasts until spring when it is warm enough to detail again. I have used zymol before on my SUV and was not impressed with how long the shine lasted. It did look good after I had aplied it but a couple of washes and the beading was gone. P21S is the only wax that lasts for a longer time but it still does not match zaino. My SUV with zaino will still bead water after a couple of months and it is a vehicle that is outside all the time.

 

Regardless of the seasons, Zaino wins over Griots Garage?

It looks like I am forking out the cash and getting an order of Zaino. If Zaino is cheaper and better than Griots, why would you buy Griots? What are the advantages of using Griots over the others? For example; NXT is cheaper and simple to apply. Zymol has a great shine but is way out of budget for some. What are the clear advantages that sets Griots apart from the rest? Does anyone here swear by Griots? Or is the consensus Zaino and/or Meguires products depending on your taste?

 

I believe the color depth on griot's beats out the zaino nxt which is more of a show /gloss/ wet look.

also, from what im gathering, griot's speed clean is considered excellent and efficient at removing in between wash contaminants. It being a strength of the line works best with its own wax. Plus griot's has a nice female who answers the phone and explains everything to you for 40 mins

did that yesterday!

 

i don't get any dust build up on my Griots Best of Show.
infact, i was very surprised that i have no dust because the GoldClass
(natural wax) i was using prior to NXT was terrible in terms of dust
build up especially until the first wash.

 

Isn't Klasse made in Germany? Like Zaino, it's a acrylic polish. I use the Klasse twins here in the rustbelt of New Jersey - "there's a 1/2 inch of snow?? Dump an inch of salt!!!". Klasse holds up.

Klasse AIO is the sealant. Klasse SG is the gloss. It may be easier to get Klasse in europe versus Zaino or Griot's. But what do I know? There's also Autoglym's Super Resin from the UK. They're all good. Get what's easily available and doesn't cost an arm and leg to ship.

One trick the folks who use Klasse do is to add a topper coat of carnuba wax to get a deep lustre. Zaino is a popping look. Very glossy. Horses for courses. So you can use the Klasse twins in the winter, but top them off in the summer with a carnuba wax for that deep look.

 

Havn't seen the Klasse AIO around here. I have been to several German stores and none of them carry Klasse. We don't have pep boys and auto zone like the states so its hard to find any type of detailing products. Everything I have I order online.

The problem with Germans is that they don't believe in doing anything themselves , often they will pay someone to detail the car. If something breaks or needs maintanance, they pay someone else to do it.

NOT MY MINI. Only MY hands will touch my MINI when it comes to detailing it.

 

From the Zaino website: (sounds like you could wax in the fall and again in the spring)

Maintaining ZFX™ Enabled Show Car Polish
ZFX™ enabled Show Car Polish is very durable. If you're using the Zaino Show Car Polish system primarily for protection, a single coat will protect your car for up to six months. Two or three coats of ZFX™ enabled Show Car Polish will give your car up to 9 months of lasting, durable protection.

For the best protection possible, we recommend sealing your car with ZFX™ enabled Show Car Polish twice a year. To maintain the finish and good looks, wash your car three to four times a month with Z-7 Show Car Wash and give a quick wipe down with Z-6 Ultra Clean™ Gloss Enhancer Spray.

If you're using ZFX™ enabled Show Car Polish to create an award winning, head turning show car finish, apply three coats of ZFX™ enabled Show Car Polish with a layer of Z-6 Ultra Clean™ Gloss Enhancer Spray between each coat. The following week or month, apply another three coats of ZFX™ enabled Show Car Polish also with Z-6 Ultra Clean™ Gloss Enhancer Spray between each layer. Each month thereafter, apply a single coat of Show Car Polish. (Z-2, Z-3, or Z-5)

Z-8 Grand Finale™ Spray Seal offers a unique opportunity to drastically enhance the shine, gloss, depth, slickness and protection of the Zaino system. Leaving for a car show and need an extra boost of gloss? Use Z-8 Grand Finale™ Spray Seal . Heading out on an extended road-trip and want a little extra protection from the elements? Bring along Z-8 Grand Finale™ Spray Seal .