While I have to stress that it's purely my opinion, I'd say that it is somewhat of a waste to back track out of the #9 back to Z because of that additional Dawn wash step.

You see, #9 and oodles of other swirl-remover products on the market utilize abrasives as well as rich oils to help to, not only remove but, hide surficial blemishes. Obviously, if you utilize the Dawn as a step before the Z, you're going to remove that 'helper oil' (I think I might coin that as my own term ).

If your vehicle is in the top notch shape you've described, I'd go with the procedure that Boss recommended earlier; #9, NXT, and, as a totally optional step, you might try #26 over your NXT. I've done that in the past and it's still one of my favorite combos (but I haven't tried it on white as of yet... so, I'd be interested in your results).

RP

 

hrm hehe, sounds like a plan, also i know ive read about waitin 24 hours between coats an stuff, i know your a busy person and i thank you for al lyour help, but wanna break down this process for me? lol, just pretend ive never washed a car before and never seen wax before...tell me what i should do ... with megeuirs, pretend this was going to be done to your truck, by me...tell me how to do it

 

well, being a zaino user, and former megeuirs user, it does take longer, zaino seems to take forever to dry....even on hot days, especially having to do 2-3 coats of it, it took forever, and i was ready to sleep after waxing my truck....

 

Read my posts Mike because obviously you haven't. I've recommended that he TRY BOTH PRODUCTS. Good lord.

If you don't like reading it, don't. It's pretty damn simple.

I've offered loads of help to loads of people here. To come in and personally attack me for answering a question that was DIRECTLY asked isn't right and you know it.

We've crossed paths more than once here and you've always seemed to have a personal vendetta against me for some reason and, frankly, I'm a bit perturbed that you continue to do it. If you have better advice, belly up and offer it. Until then, sit in the shadows and be upset that I try to help.

RP

 

RockPick is my buddy and I love “debating” him on the Meguiars vs. Zaino…

Anyhow, he is right, there really is nothing in any of the Zaino products to deal with swirls. Z5 is marketed for swirl removal but it helps with very, very light swirls by basically filling them in after 3 – 5 coats. When I say “light’ I mean **** light, where you have to look at weird angles just to see them…

Zaino is non-abrasive and such will not harm your paint finish but will not cure any minor problems you might have with your paint that products like Meguiars could help. However, in order to help they have to have some abrasives in them and if not careful and especially, have some experience with a buffer you could very well damage the paint further.

Now, you mentioned something about using #9 and then Zaino. Zaino can NOT be applied over wax. It HAS to be applied to clean paint which is why they recommend using Dawn dishwashing soap to remove wax and any other oils that may be on the paint surface. Therefore if you used #9 for swirls you would wash it right off with Dawn and have the swirls back.

The one important thing I would have to disagree with my good friend RockPick is that Zaino does NOT take extra work or processes over any other good brand of wax/polish/sealants.

Yes, there are some processes but nothing different with any other product, basically it is as follows:

1. Wash paint surface with Dawn dishwashing soap to strip all waxes, oils, and grease that may be on the paint.

2. Clay if necessary.

EDITED TO ADD:
After claying you will need to wash again to clean any residue left by the clay.

3. Apply a coat of Zaino (Z2 or Z5 with ZFX)

4. Allow 30 minutes or so to haze.

5. Buff off the Z2 or Z5.

6. Apply another coat and repeat.

(I don’t see any additional steps or “loads of time” that other good product would not require. Remember, surface preparation is key to any good product giving you a great shine and great protection.)

No more then 3 coats of Zaino can be applied in a 24 hour period with ZFX. If you don’t use the ZFX you have to wait approx. 10 hours or so between coats. You are building a shine and each coat adds to the shine. The first few coats are not real noticeable but after 3 it begins to look great, get 5 or more and it is OUTSTANDING!!!!

Basically the only difference between Zaino, and products like Zaino and wax like Meguiars is protection, the durability and longevity of that protection.

As you mentioned, using a buffer with Zaino would waste a lot of product. Many products such as Meguiars just about require a buffer to get the best possible shine out of them. Zaino is different because you get a great shine with or without a buffer. A buffer will not add to the shine, at least not noticeable by the naked eye…

If it’s about longevity, durability and an awesome showroom shine then Zaino is your product…

 

Touché' 01.. Nice post as usual and I think that Josh has been forced to officially pass the Zaino torch to you. You definately know the Z product; much more so than I do. I can only speak on behalf of one application of Z.

I'll have to get back to you on the reply on a 'start to finish' with Meguiar's as the wifey is summonding me to the lower level for dinner. Stay tuned!

RP

 

If your using Zaino without the ZFX then your right, the drying time can take forever especially if it is humid out. The first time I used Zaino I did NOT use the ZFX and about called it quits to ever using Zaino again.

I read up on the product and found that the ZFX is an accelerator that not only helps with bonding and giving you the ability to put another coat on as soon as you buff off the prior but it also greatly decreases the drying time.

I would say if it’s a humid day it will cut the drying time from approx. 1 – 2 hours down to about 30 minutes. The other key is to use VERY LIGHT coats of Zaino. If you use the 2oz bottle you should be able to get 3 coats from that 2oz with no problems.

The heavier the coats the longer it takes to dry and if it is not completely dried before you buff it off your in for a long day and sore arms. When dried it comes off SUPER easy…

 

well see, i put it on, that takes like 20 minutes...up an down an stuff, then wait 30-40 minutes...put another coat on...another 20 minutes, then 30- 40 minutes wiaitn, then another coat, wait 30-40 minutes... thats like 4 hours already....if i do all this usin the PC an megeuirs , it wont take as long of a time and definitly will be easier

 

That's true, you may be able to put 3 coats of Meguiars on and buff it off faster then 3 coats of Zaino.

How long does it take for a coat of Meguiars to dry?

 

well, theirs a ton of variables in that but with the PC i would suspect it dry in 5-10 minutes after applied, could be faster depends on how much is appied an temp and such...but with my hand applications of megueirs back in the days, it dried pretty quick

 

thumbsup: RockPick


DrPaul84:

I don’t think you can go wrong with either product as long as you maintain the protection either affords.

Myself, well I have been a wuss of buffers and no way I am going to try and learn how to use one properly now (unless RockPick let’s me try one out on his new truck). In the past I tried many different products including Meguiars and they just didn’t seem to meet my expectations but then again they were all applied and buffed off by hand.

Once I found and got hooked on Zaino with the ability to put it on and buff it off by hand and still achieve an unbelievable shine, like you would see with other products such as Meguiars, it was all over.

Not that I am afraid to try something else but for me Zaino has consistently met and exceeded my expectations and that’s what its really all about for anyone, so long as their product of choice meets and exceeds their expectations why experiment…

 

I got to put my 2$ in, its all RP fault lol JK. Well its like this, if you ask people looking at a artwork, you will get different opinions from each one.
I do detailing for a living and I can't say I'm a expert and a know it all but one thing that I do know is that having a good looking surface is 98% perpetration.
I go sometimes and visit a follow detailer in the next town over. He does things different then I do but I don't say nothing (well I do your work sucks, he laughs) because in Detailing there most be a thousands ways to detail a auto. Its just about like cooking from a recipe, its all depends on whos the chief is.
I use NXT, Zaino, #20 and a bunch of others it all depends on the auto. On a corvette Zaino or Souveran Wax. On my honest opinion I like Zaino better then NXT but it all depends on the auto that it goes on.
On the F150's that I have seen here on this BBS I would use Zaino or Souveran. Why because Zaino it has a lot more protection then brand X. Being a truck owner myself I know the abuse a truck goes though specially my truck. NXT is good stuff but it does not last long but for the price you can't beat it.

I just did a black expensive SUV that was all scratched up, I only had so much time with the $ I was getting paid for that i could spend on it so correcting the paint defects, for the price I used NXT, Zaino would of covered the paint defects better but costs to much to use Zaino. NXT did a great job, looks real good. Also you have to wait like 8-24 hrs to apply the next coat of NXT

If you are going to bash me please take a # my dog has first at me.

 

Great post NP!

You definately hit the nail on the head. There are oodles of great products out there. Poorboys, Souvern, Meg's, Z, Four-Star, Pinnacle, 3M, Klasse, Menzerna, Diamondite, Collinite, etc... etc... etc.... I've used most all of them and they all have pros and cons. Some offer deeper reflectivy on certain colors, some protect longer, some dance the macarena (okay, maybe not so much).

The point is this, surface preparation is 99% of the battle.

I picked up quote from a guy who knows a lot more about this detailing stuff than I do several years ago. It was a quote that he also abided by and, to my knowledge, still does...

"Find something you like and use it often" -- Jack Anderson, PPG Paint Company

It really makes sense if you think about it...

RP

 

Thanks for the response Mike.

Simply put, the necessary application of several coats of Z'X' to build up to this film build that most Zaino guys say is necessary. Not to mention that it takes forever to dry, even with ZFX. That is what I was referring to.

With just about every other product on the market (note that I've refrained from beating my Meguiar's drum because it's just so 'tiring'), I can wash, use a one step product that polishes and protects and be done. Yes, I, personally, use more steps but, as an option, I can simply go that route and have great protection, a great swirl-free shine, and simple on and off. I've already mentioned that the durability might fall short versus 4 layers of Z but, to date, durability, even with longer pauses in between applications, has never failed on my vehicles (5.5 months and going for a single coat of MPPP on my wife's Accord SE -- it is showing some signs of disappearance though). As a bonus, dry times are faster with most other products.

Now, if I have to apply four coats of brand 'X' and eight coats (two applications / year) of Z over a 6 month period and still have the same outcome... well, that's my stance.

Again, I don't have an agenda against Z (I used to because I always loved ribbing Josh and 01XLT). I've tried it, reviewed it, and found it to be another product that is available for everyone to try and use. If another person likes it and wants to use it, so be it. It's not for me.

RP

 

I'm sure that all sealers have polymers and it takes time for the molecules to bond to the surface. ZFX is a accelerator that takes about 5 min's to 3 hrs to cure. (not dry) without when a sealer takes 8-24 hrs to cure.
"Sealers" there are deterrences some have more polymers some have less of it.
Carnauba wax is different then a sealer, Carnauba dries, sealers cures.
Every wax Co. has there own ingredients, like #20 that has silicone in it.

Artwork is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to the look of a car's surface, some like it glossy, some like it oily, some like /w depth the combinations goes on and on. A car's color has alot to do with it too.

What was this thread all about again? oh yes NXT Vs Zaino time it takes to put on. I would say both are equal in the time it takes to put on for the "BANG". Its more like Zaino's Z2 or Z5 you can put right on just like NXT but Z2 is a vary pure high grade clear polymer. compearing these two sealer is like compearing beer at a store or who has the bigger d ick <- well don't know about that but it sounded good. Both are great products no doubt