dheel

Recently purchased the new TL and was wondering what everyone is using to wax with. Have used Collinite #915 paste wax for my previous TL with excellent shine and durability. There is a lot of hype with Zaino, is this justified?

nickpoore

As a follow up question...

What Zaino products should I buy for a comletely new TL?

partagas

Go over to bimmerfest.com. Don't tell them who you are. There's a whole forum on detailing over there.

automophile

Zaino is NOT hype. I have been using it for 3 years, and would NEVER go back to using wax. Zaino is superior in EVERY way. It looks better, it protects better and lasts much longer(up to 6 months or even longer!). Waxes are organic and break down much sooner than the Zaino polymer.

It goes on and off faster and easier - 20 minutes to polish the whole car by hand!. Go to the Zaino forum on Edmunds, and you will get lots of good advice from hundreds of happy users and feel free to ask questions. Everyone is very helpful.

Then, go to www.zainostore.com for all the information about what you will need. To get started, you will need to spend about $80, but you use so little, it will last for 2 years or more.

This picture is our 7 year old Accord. It would look even better if I had been using Zaino from the beginning, instead of only the last 3 years. I used to have to wax it every 6 weeks to keep the shine and protection, but now only twice a year!

chadr

Zaino is the what I use. Love the stuff. Get the ZFX accellorator, the Z2 polish, the Z6 spray detailer, the Z7 car wash, and the tire stuff. If you want to do the full monty you can also get the Z18 clay bar.

I really like the Zaino, it is great stuff.

Z Factor

Zaino is considered the cats meow among car enthusiasts. Most of the show cars have Zaino on them.

tl4ratz

I have been using Zaino for about a year - it was highly recommended at m3forum.com so I called the phone # on their web page and a Zaino (I believe his name was Sal Zaino) answered the phone and talked me through the process. BTW, even though your car is brand new use the clay bar - you will feel the difference. If you go to the website at www.zainostore.com they have good info on what to buy and how to apply, etc.

lsbuffs

How important is the Dawn wash? I've purchased the Zaino products and am getting ready to use for the first time, but the prospect of stripping off all the paint protection with a Dawn wash is a little intimidating.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

It's ok.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

Very important. When dealing with a polymer like Zaino, the paint surface must be completely clean from contaminents, grease, oil, etc.

Do not skip that step.

HacksawHilliard

Zaino looks like great stuff. I have one question however: how long does it take to apply everything they say you should use? I don't want to spend a lot of time (seems it would the better part of a day) to wash and wax my car.

automophile

1. DAWN - this is necesary to remove the wax that will yellow, before applying the optically clear Zaino. Otherwise, it is like painting over old paint with clear. It also gets off road grease and grime. Don't worry about hurting the paint - you only do it ONCE.

2. TIME - Let's see - you are using what is arguably the world's greatest car polish, heads above anything else. It will make your car look like a jewel, and you only have to do it twice a year - and you are concerned about how long it takes? LOL!

Well, you are in luck! Zaino goes ON and OFF faster than you can say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! No. really. After careful wasahing and drying, it takes me less than 20 minutes to fully polish my car. Zaino just WIPES on, no rubbing! For additinal coats, it goes even faster, because the car gets smoother and smoother. Wiping off is even faster.

Unlike waxes, Zaino builds up with each added coat, getting smoother, shinier and offering more protection.

I did 3 COATS on my TL, detailed the interior, Scotchguarded the carpets and detailed the wheels and tires in 2 hours. This is MUCH less time than it use to take me to machine wax and buff my car.

JUST DO IT!

HacksawHilliard

Thanks for the info. I think I'll try it. Now I just need a dry day around here to do it. Damm rain...........

Z Factor

It does not stip off "all the paint protecction", i.e. the clear coat.

It strips away wax, grease, etc., but your clear coat is still fully intact.

Good luck

2k4TLkev

ok i just looked on the zaino site...good stuff and im bout to get the show car package..but I got a question...u guys are sayin u only do the zaino treatment about twice a yr?...so all the other time u wash the car...u just wash it normally with just car soap? or do u still have to do the steps everytime u wash the car? thanks

gregory28

Just plain car soap. Zaino sells a car soap, too.

2k4tkkev: It only took a month to get your question answered, I hope you weren''t holding your breath. :-)

danno

Once you apply the beginning steps, its a piece of cake after that. It does take a good part of the day in the beginning, then to do the TL after and then on, about 45mins.

fragiletour

In a previous thread somebody said to wax the wheels so brake dust wont stick,

Should we put Zaino on our wheels as well??

SK2003TypeS

Zaino works well on wheels and glass as well. Brake dust will still stick eventually if you don't clean it, but with Zaino on your wheels, it'll make it a lot easier to clean.

2 months after Zaino, just a regular wash with Meg's GC and some Meg's FI.

KJSmitty

I love the color of your 03-S... I do wish the 04 was offered in the same.

Zaino on the way...

Smitty

marquis

Anyone thinking of organizing a group buy of Zaino products to try and get a deal on price....spring is coming

Also, how strong of a Dawn mixture should you use on the first wash? The Zaino site doesn't mention what it should be.

baby_igor

Good information on Zaino. I'm ready to do the deed.

After reading the Zaino site, he says 60 degrees is the right temp.
Has anyone tried the process on a warm winter day, say 40-50 degrees?

I've got an older car that I will need to use the clay on as well first. Will this take too much time for only a few warm hours?

JoganJani

I used a 3/4 - 1 oz. for a 2 gallon on my new TL.

JoganJani

baby_igor,

For an average car, it should not take you more than 30 mins to clay bar it. Have a Z7 mixed with water in a spray bottle to use as lubricator. It took me 20 mins to do a new TL. Though did not have much contamination.

SK2003TypeS

Thx Smitty, what color did you get ?

I've done Zaino applications in the 40s and 50s without any problems. It may take a little longer to set before buffing it out. When they mention 60 degrees, I think that's an optimal temp to use Zaino. But a dryer 50 degree day would probably be better than a hazy humid 70 degree day. Just do the smear test as mentioned on their site to see if the Zaino is ready for removal.

I usually schedule 45 minutes to an hour for claying.

ndabunka

Why do you guys say Dawn removes wax? I can see it as a good prep for zaino for the removal of oils, but wax? I've seen this posted a number of times but DAWN dishwashing liquid is not designed to remove WAX. It IS designed to remove oil, grease, etc but not wax. I have other cars I have waxed and subsequently washed using Dawn and not once was the wax finished completely removed. Now after 20 or so washes and 4-6 months of weather, the car does need to be waxed again but...BTW I am a Zaino virgin (It just arrived today). Can someone point to some studies or details about how/why Danw would remove wax?

SK2003TypeS

ndabunka, Good Point.
Well, I can't point you to a study or link that will explain the Dawn theory at a chemical level because I haven't seen one yet. If anyone has, please post it.

I do agree that Dawn will not definitly remove all wax. And from experience, I've done dawn washes on Zaino and at best, it seems to weaken Zaino, but not fully remove it. So yes, the dawn will remove the oils and greaase from the paint which is important for Zaino's "cross linking". But I've applied Zaino on top of Pinnacle's Paint Cleaning Lotion and have not seen any "failure" of Zaino. Of course others may disagree.

Between the wash with dawn, clay and 2nd and 3rd washes, this process is pretty good (from my experience) for removal of prior waxes & sealants. Something like Klasse AIO removes Zaino pretty well.
Some people use an alcohol mix with water or mineral spirits to really get down to the clear coat.

SK2003TypeS

Step #3
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...de=APPLICATION

ndabunka

I had previouslt read the Zaino claim of high alkalinity. They say it cuts through carnuba but my past experiences did not show that. I'll take their word for it though. For this car, it really makes little differnce as it's new and there's no carnuba to remove (that I am aware of) on it.

SK2003TypeS

I don't know if it would "cut" through carnuba. But a lot of Zaino users use a carnuba as a topper. So after you lay down a few layers of Zaino Z2 or Z5 (w/ Z6 in between each layer), put a coat of your favorite carnuba (not a cleaner wax) on top of the Zaino. Zaino will give the paint protection and great clarity. The carnuba adds wettness and depth to the color. So you get the best of both worlds. S100 is a great choice. Pinnacle Souveran if you feel like spending. The only downside to this, is if you want to add more Zaino layers, you'll have to strip the carnuba.