Okay, I got done last night but couldn't post due to a website problem.

Anyway, here are my impressions of each step of the Zaino process:

Dawn: It takes grease out of your way, what can I say?

ClayBar: Pretty neat, but my TL really didn't have much of the gunk Zaino talks about and I know for a fact it came here from California on a semi, so no rail dust and its garaged, so no fallout, plus its only a month and a half old for criminy.

Z7 Car Wash: works just as good as any washes out there I've tried.

Z2: I put on 2 coats of this stuff with 7 Phoenix hours in between. It went on very easy but it was just as hard to buff off as my Meguiar's Gold Class. The car looks super, but maybe only incrementally better than the results I've obtained from Gold Class. I don't think I will get 10-12 coats from this small bottle, either. After 2 coats, which were applied very conservatively as far as amount goes, I have less than 2/3 of the bottle left. As far as durability and paint protecting properties, only time will tell.

Z6 Gloss Enhancer: This S#$% is the BOMB! and may be the secret to the Zaino process. While I thought the polish looked decent, it really lit up with this stuff. So much so that I sprayed it on my wife's new (to her) 2000 Land Rover Discovery. I just put Gold Class on it last week. You wouldn't believe how much better the addition of the Z6 to the Gold Class looked. My wife even commented it was much shinier than when I applied the wax and the sun was blinding from the right angle.

Was the Zaino 5 times better than the Gold Class (since the whole system costs five times more)? I'll answer that question by asking this, is the BMW 540I $23,000 better than the TL?????????

I will say that comparing the whole Zaino process to Meguiar's is a little unfair since I'm sure if you wanted to do the Meguiar's right you could buy the dawn, Z7 or other wash, and the claybar. And since the Z6 worked great on even the Meguiar's, its probably really on fair to compare the cost of the Z2 polish to the Mequiar's polish.

Will I buy Zaino again? With the exception of the Z6, probably not.

Now I know Automophile is going to come to Zaino's defense, but just remember this is the guy that probably spends 5 times more on interconnects that sound 15% better. By the way Automophile, I have Kimber PBJ for the audio signal and Monster THX for the Component Video, so you see, I'm about bang for the buck, and thus, THE TL...

 

Beware, the Zaino cult member will be :chainsaw: after you now, so you had better head for the hills.

 

I agree - the stuff is hard to get off :chainsaw:

Like you, I was ready to be disappointed - until I applied the Z6!

 

Not sure how much you guys put on, but I had no problem getting it off. I used the ZFX which made the process go really fast (only 20 min drying time needed). You mix the Z2 and ZFX in a really small bottle. That bottle lasted for 3 full coats. I'm thinking that despite what you may believe, you are using way too much of the stuff. It should be nearly invisible, so much so that removal should be really easy because you cannot really even see the stuff.

 

Can you use Z6 gloss enhancer thing alone on the car that did not have any previous Zaino stuff?

 

I've used Zaino for about 2.5 years. A couple of things I've learned. There are no more steps for Zaino than any other product. The dawn and clay have nothing to do with Zaino - you should do this before any waxing. All the "Z1, Z5, Z2, Z6 steps - forget all them. Just use Z2.

If it didn't come off easily, you probably did not let it dry long enough, and it sounds like you put it on too heavy. I probably get at least 10 waxings out of a single bottle.

Finally, the stuff lasts MUCH longer than any non-polymer wax I've ever used. Let me repeat - MUCH longer. No comparison.

Just my .02

 

What will happen to get a nice car wash at a car wash place and just put Z2?

 

Is there life without ZAiNO?
You guys get a kick back on this stuff?

I think proper use of a clay bar and a good Wax on a regular baises. Is less labor, cheaper and about the same results!

 

I disagree...I don't like wax and what it does...a nice clear polish looks nicer to me. Also, no wax=none of that white residue on all the rubber trim

 

I know you are supposed to use Z6 between coats, but are you to apply the Z6 after the last coat that you put on?

 

Finally some one has seen the light!!!!! I have hopelessly been pufffing along this song for weeks finally vindication!

 

organa7,

Z6 is a gloss enhancer and it also helps you to take off any polish you might have left behind. After the initial Dawn, claybar, z2, z6... process, I just use Z7 to wash the car and z6 to enhance the gloss.

 

Not sure how vindicated I would feel given that there is all of a handful of people on your side!

 

Hello Vtechbrain,

Have you ever responded to my replies to you regarding Nu-Finish? If you have, I have missed them.

 

If you used 1/4 a bottle in 2 coats you are putting way too much on the car. Go back and use half the amount you did (very tough to do if you come from the old school wax methods because often you cannot even seen the zaino you are putting on) and see if that changes your perspective. Zaino actually looks worse with too much on the car.

Oh and another trick is use z6 in between coats. Really makes a difference.

 

Sorry z which one was that? Short tale: It contains no abrasives and is very easy to use. One or 2 coats recommended. Can stain some plastics (none in hondas), and will attract dust, but the dust wont stick. Contains no wax and was the first fully polymer polish in the market. Maybe since this last step of zaino is the magic it might well be worth it to try on top of a new finish coat! I would try that in a very small area because in my expirience New finish and other waxes dont jive very well since it is very strongly hydrophobic, non-polar aliphatic polymer. Think of rain X but for paint. Although they are different compounds they have almost identical water repellent properties!

 

Sorry - Had to reply, but you are making an incorrect judgement.

1. You used WAY too much, that's why it was hard to remove. It ISN'T WAX - you don't use it the same way.
2. Compare the Zaino finish with your wax finsih a couple of months down the road, THEN you will see the big difference. I Zaino only 2 -3 times a year. Waxing was required once a month to keep protection and shine!
3. NOTHING is easier to use. Wax must be rubbed on and rubbed off, it is a LOT more work. I did it for many many years, I know.
4. Add a couple more coats of Zaino, you will see a shine that is impossible to get with any wax.

I'll look for your clarification in a couple of months.

By the way, regarding your note about cables - ALL special speaker cables are a big wank! We audio engineers get a big laff over all the special "hi-tech" speaker cables!!! It's like saying a special garden hose will wash your car better! HA ha ! This does not hold for signal cables - they CAN make a difference under certain conditions, but the hi-tech cables are usually overkill for consumer applications.

 

Just a quick point not all cables are the same THICKER multi element cables have smaller resistance and greater bandwidth than thinner cable. You can really thell the difference in the bass quality between thinner and thicker cable. The brand is unimportant though, therefore, the cheapest thickest cable with the most strands is the best cable. The difference becomes more pronounced as the distances increases. In cars as you point out the difference is slight because the distances tend to be short.

 

I appreciate your comments on WAX but Meguiar's Gold Class is a POLYMER coating and usually beads for about 9 months to a year before I have to re do it.

As far as putting too much on and it not drying, I waited for over an hour. It was 79 degrees with 13% RH here and I did the finger test as directed. I couldn't understand how putting too much on would make it look worse if I buffed it all off, with my cut up 100% cotton towels I might add.

I will definitely finish the Z2 bottle out, using much less this time, but I still think the Z6 is what is giving this it's miraculous shine. My wife even commented the Z2 didn't look any better than her car did last weekend until I threw the Z6 on both and she was amazed.

I will admit the Z2 went on much cleaner than anything I've ever used and did not seem to get in the cracks and crevices at all. It also didn't discolor the mudflaps or other rubber or plastic when I accidentally got some on them...Or maybe I was just using so little because I paid so much that I didn't goop it on. I wonder if I would get the same results if I used just a little of the other stuff.

Has anyone ever stopped to wonder what Mr. Zaino actually puts in this stuff??? It can't be that much of a mystery.

Final Question, Automophile: I used the cotton applicator included with my order. Are you supposed to use it dry??? Or dampen it like normal polishes.

I chose to dampen it with distilled water and wrung it out very good.

 

Hey VTEC,

Rain X makes a polymer polish.

NOVICE,

If you are stapped for cash, I would buy the Z6 and just spray it on after any cheap polymer polish.

CLAYBAR,

Okay, I may be a sucker but did anyone think that $18 claybar looked just like the $2 clay you can buy at Michael's or any craft store? Wait, I know, I know, it's a special Zaino Clay with magical properties and all impurities removed. If you belive that, I have some pills that will make you $%$# longer for $19.95.

 

Common mis-conception. Some thinner cables actually sound BETTER than thicker cables. Some of it has to do with the quality of the metals, Other issues concern the methods of retaining tension on the wound wires. That audio engineer can attest that certain "thin" wires are actually of higher quality than the "thicker" ones. So, thicker is not "neccessarily" better once quality is injected into the equation. That being stated....A car is a TERRIBLE place for a TRUE audiophile. Can you tell I've got some home theather/audio stuff in my background? PS - Not an engineer though...

 

Actually,

It is a bunch more complicated than wire thickness and wire quality, although most audiophiles will agree silver sounds the best. There are low impedence wires out there and wires that have teflon or even dc-powered di-electrics. The PBJ I use actually looks pretty cheap but sounds awesome.

http://www.kimber.com/pbj.htm

...I think we are way off topic.

 

what do you use between polishs? and hoe often. z7, z1, z2, z6 this is order i want to use it in. should i use Z1 and if i start this proccess before i get swirls do i need z5? thanx

 

There have been several, including your NuFinish Challenge thread. Here is one of the other threads where I responded to you on this matter.

http://www.acura-tl.com/forum/showth...h&pagenumber=2

.

 

All those Z's are making me dizzy.

Between polishes...

Wash with Z7, Towel Dry, and enhance gloss with Z6.

 

See it's that simple. You can do it half asleep.

 

Should have used it dry...that may have effected your results.

 

Spray a shot of Z6 on the pad to moisten it up

 

well did the Z thing..no not 350.. Zaino..

guys...sorry to say... this thing collects just as much dust and pollen like you would never believe....

steps I took
dawn
Z claybar
Z7 car wash
ZFX with Z2 polish clear coat
waited all day to dry (florida humidity)
took it off (more difficult than people were lead to believe)
Z6 enhancer
another coat ZFX and polish
Z6
last coat of ZFX/polish

car looks nice...but as far as it repels dust with the uses of Z6 is pure BULL$HT (as stated and claimed on their own instructions and comments paper and website)

to me Z6 is a nice product but so is Meguirs Final Inspection (both are = to me)

k... I chopped my head off already for the Zaino Cult as a sacrifice

 

I would venture to say, 99 percent of the people on this forum knows how to take excellent care of their cars!
I wax my cars once every two to three months, but they are garage keeped. I spray them down with Zymoll detailing spray every other day. I`m happy with the finish I get from the wax I use. Once a year I`ll take it to a Pro., They clay it for me.
Zaino has a large cult following on this forum. Unless your in lock step with them, your against them!

 

If you only had 1/3 of the bottle left you used way to much, reason why its hard to get off.

 

The thing that the Zaino has that trumps the gold class is that hte Zaino lasts A LOT longer.

I used to use gold class, but I had to rewax after 2 car washes... the Zaino doesn't have that problem.

 

Only time will tell how long the zaino will lasts.. if it does lasts longer than the ones I have used.. (meguiars gold..etc..etc) then I will of course purchase it again.

One more note, the car after zaino is extremely slick... the slickest I can remember compared to any other product Ive used.

 

You have to end with Z6, it keeps the dust away. My car stays WAY cleaner now

 

I agree. I never knew you switched shing! Anyways, after 1 year of Zaino on one of our cars, it still beads and feels slick. And its in the sun all day at work, no covered parking. Meguires Gold Class might last 3 months if we are lucky.

 

My dad imports audio equipment and accessories, and is good friends with the audio engineer at the company. What was stated is missing a big piece of the equation. Just because a given cable is thicker, doesn't mean quite that much by itself. Another important aspect is how the cable is braided to shield from noise and such. The really high end cable is 4 way braided with both left and right channels. The really good (but not as high end) cable is 2 way braided with just the +/-.

Plain old 10guage cable that you buy at radio shack is not braided at all, so you get lots of opportunity for your sound to degrade. If you don't believe me, take some ethernet cable, and unbraid the wires, then see how much throughput you get

 

Hi Swat Dude:

Thanks for your comments. I didn't realize that so many people noted that I am so "pro Zaino". I apologize if it is too much, but I became a convert after using all types of waxes for more than 30 years, and being EZXTREMELY skeptical of all the claims regarding Zaino. I diligently wached the forums for a YEAR before I tried it, and now will never go back to wax.

I look forward to your comments down the road a few weeks. Please keep me informed of your impressions of the Zaino finish in a couple of months.

I use only about 1 ounce or less to do my cars. I can Z my TL in 15 minutes, with 5 more minutes to buff it off with a sheepskin wahs mitt, and another 5-10 minutes for Z6.

The applicator is best used damp, as you did. However, most users will dampen it with a couple of spritzes of Z6. I think that this also helps it go in easier. By the way, Sal told me that the Z6 is water soluble, so it washes off in the rain or when you wash your car. It won't give any lasting shine to non-Zaino polishes. The reason it shines your car so well with Z2 is that it may slightly dissolve the Z2 as you buff, getting it even smoother. This feature also removes any Z that is left polishing.

I have never tried using Z6 on a waxed car - your comment is very interesting. However, I HAVE tried using other "finishing sprays" on Zaino when I ran out of Z6. Uh-Uh! Made a mess - don't do it!

There has been a lot of discussion on the Zaino Forum on Edmunds about what is in it, but no one seems to be interested in having a detailed analysis done! Most are just happy that Sal and his brother have taken the time to come up with what we've got.

Drive safely!

 

I still don't know how you guys use so little. I put the third coat on yesterday and if it didn't keep applying the Z2 to the pad, it drug across the car with alot of resistance. If I tried to just keep going without putting more on, my elbow started aching from having to push the pad so hard.

 

By applying Z6 between coats make it more slicker and easier to apply the next coat.

 

Clublexus had a Zaino clinic just this weekend in Charlotte I went up and attended. We had a Zaino rep come and show us from 9-5 (it's a day job) what to use, which products to use etc. At first, I was skeptical but by the end of the day, I was convinced to buy a Zaino kit.
If you want to take the time and really notice the difference in the details, ZAINO is for you. You have to do it right to get the right results.
Highly recommended.