Step THREE. OCD SWUNG!

[Yii]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

That's *one* way to start out. The reason they say that is for the very first application of Z2 polish/sealant. So many polishes have a wax compent to them that Zaino ensures nothing is left on the paint with a Dawn wash. Effective if nothing else. I did do this for many, many years on my 2000 540. I never had a problem with the paint on that car and I still don't after 10 years of ownership. Dawn will strip EVERYTHING off the clear/paint and you will have a perfect surface for the Z2 to bind onto.

But no. I haven't washed with Dawn since I started using ZPC- Zaino's polish. To my way of thinking, a polish with zero wax component will also clean the paint as it removes swirls, etc. Since it is a Zaino product, it will allow the Z2 to bind to it as well. The reason I went with ZPC then Zaino's All-in-one (with some sealant/wax included) was that I didn't want to leave my paint exposed with nothing on it- even if overnight. It also made for a nice progressive polish procedure- heavier cut Minzerna--->lighter cut All-in-one.

After the polish is done, I layer multiple applications of Z2. I find that the second coat really makes a difference in the smoothness of the paint, and the the 3rd is just about right. At four and above, you're at the point of diminished return for effort and effect.

Thanks for the response on that question. I went to the Zaino web site and i guess ill take package #2! lol its a nice start. Ill wash with the z7 than clay bar, start with 1 layer of z2 pro than z6 between the added layers of z5. Any advice or suggestions to add on to this? i believe i also add Zfx to the mix of the z2 and z5 in the 1 oz bottles. This is to my understanding the steps they recommend. Steer to towards the light!

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Yii

Thanks for the response on that question. I went to the Zaino web site and i guess ill take package #2! lol its a nice start. Ill wash with the z7 than clay bar, start with 1 layer of z2 pro than z6 between the added layers of z5. Any advice or suggestions to add on to this? i believe i also add Zfx to the mix of the z2 and z5 in the 1 oz bottles. This is to my understanding the steps they recommend. Steer to towards the light!

I did not see an application of polish like an all in one or a full polish product. Zaino makes them, but you can use anyone's as long as you prep for Z2 after. Remember, this is the most crucial step: Prepare your paint by getting most of the little scratches off and make it a nice, smooth surface. The more coarse cutting products- like Zaino's ZPC- will have a more intense affect here. But *any* application of polish will help. I would *at least* start with Zaino's all-in-one as a base for the Z2.

I have not ever used Z5. I just use Z2 and ZFX. Oh- Store the tiny bottle of ZFX in your fridge. That's right! If you don't, it will turn to gel in a year. It's so expensive, I tried to find a way to keep it forever. The ZFX in my fridge has been there for over three years. I don't know what Zaino would 'officially' say about that. I used it last week and it worked fine.

I just get a small amount of Z2- like less than 1/2 of one of the little bottles- and add a couple drops of ZFX to it in a mixing bottle they provide. You have to apply it VERY thinly to the car. Zaino's mantra is always "Less is more." This mantra works whether it is polish, wax, Z6, anything. Even the clear seal says that about a QUARTER OUNCE will do a whole car. They may charge a bunch, but they do want us to use them a long time!

Another trick is to sort of 'cure' the applicator with a few light sprays of Z6. This will make the applicator less thirsty. I use one of those foam hand held applicators. By the time you get to Z2 applications, your paint should be super smooth so the application will not require a lot of force.

Except for the few drops of adding in ZFX and shaking the bottle, this type of process works with pretty much any wax/sealant application.

Good luck! Post pics!

[ArmyX5]

Very nice. I just ordered the Total Protection Show Car Kit, $85 for this kit is alot, but I hope is worth.

[dskyers]

So question ... I live in miami it rains alot here. How long does that really hold up outside? I assuming after one wash its back to how it was before?

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by dskyers

So question ... I live in miami it rains alot here. How long does that really hold up outside? I assuming after one wash its back to how it was before?

Well, I *hope* you mean will it look like it did just *after* the wax and polish and not *before* the whole polish and wax! My experience has been with my dark green 3.0 X5 that I parked outside at work very near an airport. (No, I am not a stripper)

I bought the 3.0 7 years ago in response to my wife's announcement that we would be first time parents. I drove a 540 that I wanted not to park outside near the airport, but that I wanted to keep. I bought the thing to beat the hell out of it and just not care about it. Well, I fell in love with the damn thing and started treating it just like my trusty 540.

This car weathered full rain, snow, 100 degree sun, tree sap, birds, rail dust, everything. The reason I would do a wax every fall and spring is because it *needed* it. Yes, the reflection is still good and most people think it's clean when it's dirty, but *I* saw acid rain spots on the black trim, tar that wasn't coming off after a wash, and all sorts of other things that made me know it was time. The key for me was that *most* of the time, none of those spots could survive the next application of clay and polish. Even if I had to use a deep cutting yellow pad and some 3M PerfectIt intensive polish, I could get most of the really bad stuff out. The exception is the roof which still has acid rain spots, but then the roof wasn't always a huge priority for waxing either.

My indicator that the wax did it's job was that I could polish the paint again six months later and it still looked great. Now, having said that, I did not always make it to a six month routine. Often, it even stretched to a year. The car still *looked* great because I had spent so much time over the years with a solid paint polish over and over again. But, while washing it, it becomes very evident that the wool wash mit is not gliding as smoothly over the surface. It almost 'grabs' in comparison to those early washes. That's what's happening now to the green one and why I will polish it one last time before sale.

Sorry for the long answer. The short answer to your question is, yes. It will look like it did right after you waxed it with a simple wash. That will diminish with a number of washes according to your environment, but in what I consider a fairly harsh environment, my goal was to repeat an application of wax and paint polish every 6-9 months.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by ArmyX5

Very nice. I just ordered the Total Protection Show Car Kit, $85 for this kit is alot, but I hope is worth.

The key to a great looking wax is great looking paint. Use a clay to get the big pieces of stuff, then use a polish. Look for swirls and other light scratches to go away as you polish. With a synthetic product like Zaino, those things can be highlighted. Softer carnuba waxes will often fill in those scratches making them less apparent. They also don't gloss as much as they give a deep luster. It's all what the user prefers.

I can't stress enough, though: Paint prep! Clay then polish. You will notice that your paint is smoother even after just the clay bar. Lots of people use a spray clay lube on the surface of the paint to help it glide along. I also prefer to use the spray, but I add a little extra to the process. I put a BUNCH of soap (three ounces or so) in a bucket and add a little water (1/4 full at most). I use a wash mit to go over the (already washed) surface I am about to clay. I then dip the clay in that slick mixture to get a nice slick piece. I use the spray lubricant to add just that much more. Maybe that is too much product, but it works for me. Don't forget to check your clay and fold it back onto itself periodically. It will get REALLY black along the window trim.

Whatever is on your paint will shine through your wax.