Who uses Zaino????

[BEAFRAID]

I am thinking about ordering one of their kits which includes...

ZFX™ Flash Cure Accelerator Additive
Z-2 PRO™ Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Car Finishes
Z-5 PRO™ Show Car Polish for Swirl Marks and Fine Scratches
Z-6™ Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer Spray
Z-7™ Show Car Wash
Z-18™ ClayBar

Seems like a great product..anyone have any positive or negative points on the product or ease/difficulty of use?

[68GT500MAN]

It was recomended to me my none other than Jeff "Batman" Miller after he painted my roadster in 2006. It works great on my dark merlot color.
Doug

[mikiec]

I have been using it for the past 8 years.. Love it.

Mike

[CoryB]

I've been a Zaino user for a number of years. Their starter kit is good, but may not be exactly what you need.

Are there any swirls in the finish? If so, get some Z-AIO to polish them out. Despite the descriptions of the Z-2 and Z-5, they have little-to-no polishing ability. If you don't polish them out, you get shiny swirls!

The other advantage of Z-AIO is that you don't have to use the ZFX additive with it - it provides the base layer of the finish. Subsequent layers of Z-2 or Z-5 don't have to have the ZFX either, although it speeds up the curing process. I only use the ZFX if I'm doing multiple layers of Zaino in the same day.

Also, the Z-18 clay is very mild. If there are surface contaminants I'd go with a more aggressive clay. Personally I use Mothers clay when I do a car for the first time. The Z-18 is good after that.

Don't get me wrong though. Zaino is wonderful stuff. When I bought my first kit many years ago, Z-AIO didn't exist so I bought the exact kit you're asking about. After working with it for a while though, I really think they should update the kit contents a bit...

[BEAFRAID]

so after washing the car you would start with the swirl remover then go to the other steps?

[Burnett H]

My son recently bought a new GMC pickup, and the dealership offered to install a paint clearcoat product, and interior protection system. I'm pretty sure that Zaino is the brand he told me they were offering.

Is this product also available from dealers? And if so, does anyone know if it is the same product, or different?

Where do you buy Zaino products? Retail or online?

[mikeinatlanta]

Originally Posted by Burnett H

My son recently bought a new GMC pickup, and the dealership offered to install a paint clearcoat product, and interior protection system. I'm pretty sure that Zaino is the brand he told me they were offering.

Is this product also available from dealers? And if so, does anyone know if it is the same product, or different?

Where do you buy Zaino products? Retail or online?

It is not the same product dealers use. Dealers claim their products last many years when they actually won't last as long as Zaino. Used to be that it could only be bought at the Zaino store here. Not sure if that is still the case.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by 1bad69

so after washing the car you would start with the swirl remover then go to the other steps?

My process is wash, clay, wash, dry and then polish (swirl removal).

After that it's Z-2, Z-6, Z-5, Z-6, ...

[BEAFRAID]

thanks Cory...

[jayguy]

I have to agree that Zaino makes a great product. After 4 years in Seattle, with almost never washing my truck, I used the whole Zaino kit (Z-AIO wasn't available yet) on my Black Sand Pearl Toyota Tacoma to get it looking pretty for a sale.

The clay bar was amazing, and other than the swirl remover I did the same steps listed above. Wash, clay, wash, dry, Z2, Z6, Z5, Z6, Z5, Z6. Truck came out looking absolutely amazing, better than the day I picked it up at the dealer.

Worked, too, I got a great price for it when I sold it.

I've been a bit lazier with putting it on my Mustang, but I really should do a full treatment on that car. I'll have to use the swirl remover this time tho, there are some swirls that need correcting.

[dukegrad98]

This thread is a couple of days old, but I feel compelled to offer a differing viewpoint. You couldn't give me a Zaino product. Not because it's bad, but because it isn't that great, in my experience.

I spent two entire weekends going through the umpteen steps on a 911 I used to own (this was back around 2000). I've never put so much work into an exterior detail as I did with the Zaino products. And, simply put, I was very disappointed when all was said and done -- the car didn't look a shred better than any other coat or two of cleaner wax I might have used in the past.

And what sealed the deal was my call to Zaino about their "unconditional guarantee." I spoke to Sal Zaino personally -- and he refused to offer me tips on why I wasn't getting decent results, refused to replace or supplement his product, and refused to offer a refund.

I find that a good claybar (when necessary) followed by quality polish and some traditional natural wax twice a year keeps my cars looking brand new. And all for about $20 and a whole lot less wasted time.

Cheers, John

[mikeinatlanta]

One interesting thing about Zaino not mentioned here is that Guru reports first tested Zaino and hated it. After some detailing experts showed them how to use the product, they retested and loved it. Biggest problem with new Zaino users is that they treat is like other waxes and apply too much. In this case, more is definitely not better.

Don't know who this is from.

Guru Reports, an independent research group, released the results of its comprehensive test of 46 automotive wax products. With top marks in performance, ease of use, and durability, Armor All, Mothers, P21S, and Zaino were awarded Guru Reports' top designation, "Best in Class," according to the 2002 Car Wax Test - Special Report.

The inaugural study is based on a comprehensive set of test criteria and scientific research and analysis of 46 popular car waxes. The car waxes were divided into four categories; low priced, moderately priced, premium priced, and synthetic waxes. The study measured durability, ease of use, product availability, and performance amongst peers.

"Most of the waxes performed fairly well," says Guru Reports Editor-in- Chief Steve Litscher. "As our research indicates, the number of low and moderately priced waxes that performed extremely well is encouraging. This means the wax manufacturers are doing a good job of listening to consumers and delivering products that are a good value."

Litscher further states, "While consumers express great frustration in determining which wax to use, the products awarded our "Best in Class" and "Editors Choice" designations provide guidance in determining the right wax for the consumer's individual needs."

In the low priced category Armor All Protective Barrier Car Wax took the top honor. The Gurus praised Armor All for its high marks in the ease of use category and they point out that Armor All worked better than some waxes which cost 10 times as much.

In the moderately priced category the clear winner was Mothers California Gold Pure Carnauba, a liquid wax that performs well and is easy to use. The report states the Mothers wax under-promised and over-delivered. "Mothers continuing research and development efforts appear to be working in their favor," notes Litscher.

In the premium priced category the top honor was taken by P21S Concours- look Carnauba Wax. The Gurus noted that this product applies and removes effortlessly and produces outstanding results -- "We were amazed with how this product was able to drastically improve the shine of our test panels," says Litscher.

"Best in Class" honors in the synthetic wax category were awarded to Zaino Brothers Show Car Polish. This product achieved the highest overall score, one of only a handful to receive an overall grade of "B" or better. The test results indicate Zaino offers outstanding shine with unbeatable long lasting protection.

The automotive wax and polish market has grown rapidly over the past three years with sales reaching $1 Billion in the US. According to Charlie Romero, Publisher of Guru Reports, "The study shows that while there is a broad range of products from which to choose, there is room for improvement in product performance and customer satisfaction. Our research will allow us to develop a unique relationship with the manufacturers which will ultimately lead to better products that meet the demands of consumers. Customer satisfaction is determined by a product's overall performance, and we see that overall performance increasing."

The Guru Reports, "Car Wax Test - Special Report" is a comprehensive report on 46 popular car waxes. In addition to evaluating the wax products, the report includes answers to frequently asked questions, tips and techniques, tool suggestions from professional automotive detailers and feature articles. The Car Wax Test - Special Report can be purchased directly via the Guru Reports web site at http://www.gurureports.org

[cobranut1]

I used it on my Dino Ferrari for 10 years and have been using it on my Cobra for the last 4. I swear by it as long as you use it sparingly and per their instructions. Oh yeah, I only wax my car once a year, maybe twice and rarely wash my car preferring instead to simply use the Zaino gloss enhancer. Good stuff albeit $$!

Jon