Zaino
 

Need I say more? :thumbup:

I love you, man, but the Zaino is wayyyy too involved for the casual user. If you are an anal retentive detailer like I am, you will get a great big smile on your face once you have used Zaino in the proper way, it really does a great job, and if you pay attention to instructions, it can even become a low-maintenance solution for keeping your ride shiny. If you're not into spending hours applying the product correctly for intial application, best to forget Zaino in my humble opinion.

About orbital polishers if you do plan to buy one/already have one: make sure it rotates under 3000 rpm. One with a variable speed control will be best. More speed than 3000 rpm, and it's called a grinder and you could damage your paint.

For all the recommendations that people (and the Zaino company) give for washing your ride with Dawn dishwashing liquid: that's fine if you're gonna do it before you apply Zaino and maybe 3-4 times a year would be ok, but Dawn has a high alkaline content and it's got some other ingredients that over time will not be friendly to auto finishes. Dawn does, however, kick ass at removing carnuba waxes and polishes/silicones, etc. I believe even Zaino warns against washing with Dawn every time.

For washing and using any clay bar type product- go front to back on surfaces parallel to the ground, and up and down on vertical surfaces, you'll cut down on the instance of swirl marks this way.

I think everyone knows to dry from top to bottom, not the other way around, and 100% cotton towels are best. Do like md and steal you some next time you're at the Holiday Inn, but don't try that at the Ritz Carlton :D

Have you tried the Z2Pro and new Z8 spray sealant?

Great stuff. :2thumbs:

The reformulated Z2Pro seems just a bit thicker in consistency than the "old" Z2 (which seemed great to me). The Z2Pro provides very long lasting durability and a deep, glossy shine. Topped off with the Z8 -- applied very sparingly-- the shine just pops, and the feel is as smooth as...silk. Zaino just laughs at all the rain we've been having (on the friggin' weekends :mad: ). The water beads incredibly, and sheets right off. The durability and longevity of the shine is truly remarkable.

What's your weapon of choice for the black trim? Have you tried Z16? (I think that's the #) I've been using Mother's Back to Black since Driver8's "Lost in the Woods" post way back when. I like it, but it lacks durability. I've also used Meguairs #38 Tire & Trim dressing gel with good results. Anyone have any experience with Black Again?

Jeff and Drex: Thanks for this new forum. :thumbup:

Zaino is a ton of work, no question, and my wife think I am nuts, but I believe it is worth the effort. My X was sparkling for over 6 months! I want to Z again next week, but we've got about 7 straight days of rain on the way. :mad:

Just Zaino'ed the X last weekend, about 2 hours after taking delivery...I wanted to cry since it is TiAg, and I didnt get the same mindblowing results as I did with my E46(Met Blk)...But it still made my eyes water seeing the shine on the thing... :wow:

Its not just zaino. IMHO you should be following the initial steps no matter what you finish with. Wash, clay, wash, polish is what I did for the first time. I used zaino so I had a added step of using the Z1 for the first time this year, but after that I wash and I just use Z2. Its so easy to apply that I probably put it on every other time I wash the car. I really like that fact that you can put it on in the full sun, and that it comes off so easily.
Addictive anal rententive behavior? I suppose, but what do you expect, I hit the car with a leaf blower after I wash it to get the water off.
Jesse

HAHAHAHA!!! LMFAO!!!! :bustingup :bustingup :rofl: A leaf blower?!?

YOU ARE THE MAN!!! I thought I was bad...!! I go around my trim with a Q-tip when I take off the Z-5...But I think you got me beat though!! HAHAHAHA!!!

No, the Q-tip thing is worse. :thumbup: hehe :)

Love Zaino. Used it on my Vettes for years. It is not for the casual user. To di it right it takes me a good solid day to put a few coats on. Also, if you put to much on :wow: it will take even longer. Meguirs is great, but does not offer the long lasting protection that Zaino does.