Based upon testimony in threads I read I bought a myriad of Zaino products in preparation for the arrival of my new Mini. It's now here and I have five applications of polish on. I am very happy with results but there is a question that has been nagging me.

The little blue bottle of Zfx polish I received was only half full. Wondering if this was a mistake, I e-mailed Sal Zaino. His reply left me thinking he may have thought I was accusing him of shortchanging me. I had praised the product but simply asked if the bottle was supposed to be full. His reply was simply that I had plenty for lots of coats. He didn't really answer my question and I still don't know if I only got half of the fairly expensive concentrate than was intended. Can any other Zaino customers tell me? I decided not to ask Sal again since I am certain he is an honest guy (based on previous threads) even though honest businesses make mistakes.

This isn't really a big deal in the scheme of things. I am more curious than anything. Also, I am a cornfed Iowan raised to be terminally over-polite. Sal (love the name) is a Jersey guy so we may have the classic "failure to communicate". But, hey, enquiring minds want to know: is it usual to only get a half full bottle of Zfx polish?

 

No. don't worry, the bottle doesn't come full. And it is very concentrated. Follow the directions on the slim side, meaning when it says used 2-3 drops (or whatever) use 2.

Also remember that Zaino goes a long way. Spread super thin coats. Most people spread way too thick. I normally mix up HALF a vial of ZFX at a time, cutting the mixing instructions in half. This is enough for a couple of top coats for the upper surfaces to any car.

 

yes, the blue vial should only be about half full, however this is enough product to last a long, long time. You only use 2 drops per ounce of polish. BradB is right, super-thin coats are what you're supposed to do. I usually only mix up a half ounce at a time (quarter of the bigger bottles in the zfx box), and that's good for about 2 thin coats on the MINI.

 

We will chime in and concur with the previous posters.
zFx comes with ample number of drops - about 1/2 full - for lots of applications.
We got 5 applications from small mixer bottle and probably put it on too heavily.
Enjoy the shine!

We do have one question for the Zaino experts. Car went in for some roof touch-ups and came back from the body shop with swirl marks and some shallow scratches in the finish. They don't appear to be through the Zaino coats, but are unsightly as they are. Should we simply use Z5 and reapply, should we buff down or should we use a light coat of polishing compound on the affected areas and then begin in those areas all over again? Tnx in advance.

 

Dang, I can only get 2 coats with a half of a mixing bottle. I didn't think I was using too much, maybe I will try even thinner coats nex time.

 

>>We do have one question for the Zaino experts. Car went in for some roof touch-ups and came back from the body shop with swirl marks and some shallow scratches in the finish. They don't appear to be through the Zaino coats, but are unsightly as they are. Should we simply use Z5 and reapply, should we buff down or should we use a light coat of polishing compound on the affected areas and then begin in those areas all over again? Tnx in advance.

You may want to repeat the intial prep instructions from the zainostore.com website to get rid of the swirl marks and scratches. I would assume washing with dawn and using a clay bar is best to remove prior Zaino. Then using the Z5 swirl/scratch remover after drying the the roof. Use a few applications and see how that turns out, then apply a few coats of Z2 with ZFX afterwards.

When you said the MINI went in for some "touch-ups," do you mean paint job? If this is the case, I would NOT use anything on that roof for some time. Let the "touch-up" cure before applying Zaino or any other product.
:smile:

 

You should be able to apply three coats of Zaino on a MINI with 1/4 of a bottle (the ones supplied with ZFX) of Z2 or Z5. If you aren't getting three coats, you're applying too much. Applying too much Zaino is the #1 mistake newcomers to the product make. It needs to be so thin that the surface of the car only appears damp when you spread it.

As for using Z5 to remove those buffer marks, yes, that is the product to use. But, you probably will want to wash the car with Dawn to strip any oils/fillers that the body shop used when prepping your car. Z5 will not bond if oils/fillers used in common swirl mark removers, polishes, etc. exist on the car. Strip it down with Dawn, then begin applying multiple coats of Z5 until the swirls/scratches are gone.

Good luck,
JS

 

So is there any harm done by putting it on too thick???? Less shine???

 

Thanks, everyone, for the responses. I was probably putting it on a bit too thick. I got three coatings out of !/2 bottle mix. Not too bad but I'l go lighter. It really does seem to be great stuff.

Good luck with the swirl problem too!

 

Please assist me in the Zaino products.....
I have my mini coming soon. I've asked the dealership NO WASH AND NO WAX...Is this correct..
On a brand new mini what products should i buy and what should I not buy..Any suggestions would be appreciated..I presume no dawn/clay bar...Also i presume to buy the product for CLEAR COAT FINISHES..Is that correct..Cheers all !!

 

The first thing you want to do when you get your MINI home is to clay bar it. This removes all the contaminants from transportation. Then immediately wax with your favorite (like Zaino, to be thread-relevent)

Read over my basic tips for car care. They should help, but if not, don't hesitate to PM me.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

>>We will chime in and concur with the previous posters.
>>zFx comes with ample number of drops - about 1/2 full - for lots of applications.
>>We got 5 applications from small mixer bottle and probably put it on too heavily.
>>Enjoy the shine!
>>
>>We do have one question for the Zaino experts. Car went in for some roof touch-ups and came back from the body shop with swirl marks and some shallow scratches in the finish. They don't appear to be through the Zaino coats, but are unsightly as they are. Should we simply use Z5 and reapply, should we buff down or should we use a light coat of polishing compound on the affected areas and then begin in those areas all over again? Tnx in advance.

I agree with pooky13. But if you can feel the scratches with your finger nail, Zaino will not do the trick. If that's the case, you're looking at using 3M scratch and swirl removers with the use of an orbital. Good luck and keep us in the loop!

 

Z5 has some fillers but is capable of only very slight swirl hiding and maxes out at 2-3 coats.

I agree that a proper claying will make the paint surface silky smooth, even on a new Mini which accumulates some debris on it's venture here. I follow up with 3M Swirl Mark Remover. (I use a Random Orbital Buffer but this can be done by hand in back and forth motions with a pure foam pad.) Dark colors can benefit further with a paint cleanser somtimes to remove any residual hazing. Wash well with Z7 shampoo to remove residual oils and apply Zaino.

Remember, if you can see the ridges of the Zaino drying white then you are applying it on too thick.

 

>>So is there any harm done by putting it on too thick???? Less shine???

Nope, no harm. No less shine either - it's just more work to remove the excess when polishing it out.