well took the plunge with zaino
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From: Ohio
well took the plunge with zaino
just got the kit in today. Gonna start the process this weekend. I'm used to the claying and such already. I'm hoping this will be the end of any haze marks. Black is a hard color to take care of.
Anyways, any tips from the pros will be appreciated.
Anyways, any tips from the pros will be appreciated.
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From: NH
1. Wash truck with the dawn dishwashing soap. This will strip any wax or grease residue that may be present on the paint.
2. Get a 20oz size or so plastic spray bottle. Fill it 2/3 full of clean water. Put about half a cap (from the Zaino car wash bottle) of the Zaino car wash in with the water. Put the spray nozzle back on and mix solution.
You will use this to lubricate the paint when claying the truck.
3. Use the Zaino, or any good brand of clay. If it is the Zaino clay it comes with two pieces in the bottle. Take one and separate it into 2 pieces. Main reason for doing this is IF you DROP it on the ground you MUST throw the clay away. Do NOT bother trying to get the dropped clay clean because you will never get all the little dirt specks out, some you won’t see but if you try to use it after dropping on the ground you WILL see nice little scratches in your paint.
Now with your piece of clay in hand, spray the mixed solution on an area of about 1 sq foot. Spray generously (the solution is cheap so don’t worry about over kill) if you spray to lightly if will dry up quick, which makes it easy for the clay to STICK to the paint (no problem) except when it sticks you’re most likely to drop it. Move the clay back and forth until it feels smooth or feels like it needs more lubrication. You will know if you are picking stuff up because it feels a bit rough, or kind of like clicking while you go back and forth. When it is real smooth you know the area is done. You may also find most the truck feels smooth as you clay, but down around the fenders, bottom of the door etc will most likely be the areas that need the claying.
As your claying you want to turn the clay frequently, knead it where you’re turning the area of the clay you used into itself to expose an area of clay that has not been used yet. If you use the same area of the clay, especially after you feel a rough spot on the paint surface you will be dragging the stuff you picked up across the paint. Myself I would recommend after you do 1 – 2 areas to knead the clay and use and area that hasn’t been used yet.
4. After you finish claying wash the truck again, this time use the Zaino car wash.
5. Dry the truck using 100% cotton towels (made in the USA). The good brands not the cheap crap from overseas, because even though they say 100% cotton they have other materials in them that could scratch the paint. There may be other recommendations for drying from other post so you decide which suits you best.
6. After the truck has been dried your ready to polish using the Zaino. If you do not have the ZFX I would HIGHLY recommend you get the ZFX. The following is assuming you’re using the ZFX, if not the dry time may be much longer after you put a coat on.
7. Mix the ZFX with the Z2 (light colors) Z5 (dark colors) using the 2oz bottles provided in the kit. If you fill the bottle close to 2oz then you will want about 8 drops of the ZFX. Mix well for about a minute. Let sit for about 5 minutes while you get things ready.
8. Get your applicator ready by wetting it and ringing it out good. This helps so it doesn’t absorb a lot of the polish. After the 5 minutes re-shake the bottle again and now you’re ready to polish. On the sides of the truck, doors, fenders, tailgate etc put the polish on in an up and down motion (not circular) just straight up and down. Put it on LIGHTLY I would say about a dime size amount of polish on the applicator will do about a 2 foot section or so.
On the hood, do the same straight application, from the windshield to the front of the hood, not from one side to the other, from the windshield to the front of the truck.
9. Once you are done applying the Zaino with the ZFX I would wait about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes find an area you can run you’re finger across to see if it is clear and shinny or if it looks smeared.
It WILL be HARD TO SEE the Zaino polish. I have silver and it is a pain to see. You will have to look at it at an angle until you can tell.
You want to make sure that it is NOT smearing. It won’t hurt the paint, it will mean the Zaino has not dried completely and it will be a PAIN IN THE @SS to take off. If it does smear with the finger test wait another 30 minutes or so.
When it is dry, it is very easy to buff off. If you feel like you’re really having to buff the hell out of it to get it off (towel DONT feel like it glides right across the paint) then it is not dry and it’s just smearing around.
IMPORTANT, when buffing off the polish to use same type of towels (100% cotton made in the USA). Turn your towel frequently when buffing off the Zaino polish, like any other polish/wax.
Once your done buffing off the first coat you can apply the second coat (only if you’re using the ZFX) otherwise I think you have to wait like 8 hours in between coat. When using the ZFX you can only put a max. of 3 coats on in a day. You should really notice a nice difference after 3 – 5 coats. Some people use the Zaino Gloss enhance (detail spray) in between coats. I have done it before and not done it and didn’t notice any real difference. So myself I wouldn’t waste it between coats.
Hope this helps a bit…
2. Get a 20oz size or so plastic spray bottle. Fill it 2/3 full of clean water. Put about half a cap (from the Zaino car wash bottle) of the Zaino car wash in with the water. Put the spray nozzle back on and mix solution.
You will use this to lubricate the paint when claying the truck.
3. Use the Zaino, or any good brand of clay. If it is the Zaino clay it comes with two pieces in the bottle. Take one and separate it into 2 pieces. Main reason for doing this is IF you DROP it on the ground you MUST throw the clay away. Do NOT bother trying to get the dropped clay clean because you will never get all the little dirt specks out, some you won’t see but if you try to use it after dropping on the ground you WILL see nice little scratches in your paint.
Now with your piece of clay in hand, spray the mixed solution on an area of about 1 sq foot. Spray generously (the solution is cheap so don’t worry about over kill) if you spray to lightly if will dry up quick, which makes it easy for the clay to STICK to the paint (no problem) except when it sticks you’re most likely to drop it. Move the clay back and forth until it feels smooth or feels like it needs more lubrication. You will know if you are picking stuff up because it feels a bit rough, or kind of like clicking while you go back and forth. When it is real smooth you know the area is done. You may also find most the truck feels smooth as you clay, but down around the fenders, bottom of the door etc will most likely be the areas that need the claying.
As your claying you want to turn the clay frequently, knead it where you’re turning the area of the clay you used into itself to expose an area of clay that has not been used yet. If you use the same area of the clay, especially after you feel a rough spot on the paint surface you will be dragging the stuff you picked up across the paint. Myself I would recommend after you do 1 – 2 areas to knead the clay and use and area that hasn’t been used yet.
4. After you finish claying wash the truck again, this time use the Zaino car wash.
5. Dry the truck using 100% cotton towels (made in the USA). The good brands not the cheap crap from overseas, because even though they say 100% cotton they have other materials in them that could scratch the paint. There may be other recommendations for drying from other post so you decide which suits you best.
6. After the truck has been dried your ready to polish using the Zaino. If you do not have the ZFX I would HIGHLY recommend you get the ZFX. The following is assuming you’re using the ZFX, if not the dry time may be much longer after you put a coat on.
7. Mix the ZFX with the Z2 (light colors) Z5 (dark colors) using the 2oz bottles provided in the kit. If you fill the bottle close to 2oz then you will want about 8 drops of the ZFX. Mix well for about a minute. Let sit for about 5 minutes while you get things ready.
8. Get your applicator ready by wetting it and ringing it out good. This helps so it doesn’t absorb a lot of the polish. After the 5 minutes re-shake the bottle again and now you’re ready to polish. On the sides of the truck, doors, fenders, tailgate etc put the polish on in an up and down motion (not circular) just straight up and down. Put it on LIGHTLY I would say about a dime size amount of polish on the applicator will do about a 2 foot section or so.
On the hood, do the same straight application, from the windshield to the front of the hood, not from one side to the other, from the windshield to the front of the truck.
9. Once you are done applying the Zaino with the ZFX I would wait about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes find an area you can run you’re finger across to see if it is clear and shinny or if it looks smeared.
It WILL be HARD TO SEE the Zaino polish. I have silver and it is a pain to see. You will have to look at it at an angle until you can tell.
You want to make sure that it is NOT smearing. It won’t hurt the paint, it will mean the Zaino has not dried completely and it will be a PAIN IN THE @SS to take off. If it does smear with the finger test wait another 30 minutes or so.
When it is dry, it is very easy to buff off. If you feel like you’re really having to buff the hell out of it to get it off (towel DONT feel like it glides right across the paint) then it is not dry and it’s just smearing around.
IMPORTANT, when buffing off the polish to use same type of towels (100% cotton made in the USA). Turn your towel frequently when buffing off the Zaino polish, like any other polish/wax.
Once your done buffing off the first coat you can apply the second coat (only if you’re using the ZFX) otherwise I think you have to wait like 8 hours in between coat. When using the ZFX you can only put a max. of 3 coats on in a day. You should really notice a nice difference after 3 – 5 coats. Some people use the Zaino Gloss enhance (detail spray) in between coats. I have done it before and not done it and didn’t notice any real difference. So myself I wouldn’t waste it between coats.
Hope this helps a bit…
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From: DETROIT, (formerly Eaton County, Michigan)
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From: NH
You’re all very welcome…
Crued is right, Zaino really doesn’t take any longer then any other type of wax or polish. It just seems like it does from the procedure written.
The claying may take some time and of course to prep the vehicle correctly for Zaino or any synthetic polish the Dawn wash is a must and a ONE time only step required prior to the first use of Zaino or any synthetic polish. You just want to insure there are no other waxes left on the surface because if there is any then Zaino or any synthetic polish will NOT bond to the paint surface.
Claying may be needed on a regular basis, maybe once a year just depends on how your paint feels after a good wash. If there are any areas that feel a little rough, like around the bottom on the truck, around the fenders then you should clay. Could be once a year or longer before you need to clay.
Claying does not remove the polish and the polish, Zaino will not protect the paint from imbedded slivers of metal (brake dust, etc) from imbedding themselves into the paint surface.
I would say on average for myself when I polish and put 2 – 3 coats on I can do it in about 2 - 3 hours and that is allowing 30 minutes for the Zaino to dry and not really rushing. I don’t use the Gloss Enhancer between coats, only after the final coat.
I do use the Gloss Enhance after every wash since it gives it a little more protection, makes it nice and slick and I am telling you there is not really anything that sticks to it.
Bugs and bird crap come off pretty easy if you use the Gloss Enhancer after every wash. When you use the Zaino car wash it has a “little” polish in it to begin with.
The biggest reason I first went with Zaino is you do not have to use a buffer. Even if you do use a buffer it does not really enhance the shine. You get an outstanding shine from just hand buffing. I do not like buffers because for one I am not good at using one and two they are very good for putting nice scratches (swirl marks) into the paint unless your really experienced with them.
The next big reason I love Zaino is it really last. Last fall I put on 5 coats and it lasted a good 6 months through winter with all the road salt and grime and I was only able to wash at car washes. People where I work swore I was polishing it at least every other week…
Crued is right, Zaino really doesn’t take any longer then any other type of wax or polish. It just seems like it does from the procedure written.
The claying may take some time and of course to prep the vehicle correctly for Zaino or any synthetic polish the Dawn wash is a must and a ONE time only step required prior to the first use of Zaino or any synthetic polish. You just want to insure there are no other waxes left on the surface because if there is any then Zaino or any synthetic polish will NOT bond to the paint surface.
Claying may be needed on a regular basis, maybe once a year just depends on how your paint feels after a good wash. If there are any areas that feel a little rough, like around the bottom on the truck, around the fenders then you should clay. Could be once a year or longer before you need to clay.
Claying does not remove the polish and the polish, Zaino will not protect the paint from imbedded slivers of metal (brake dust, etc) from imbedding themselves into the paint surface.
I would say on average for myself when I polish and put 2 – 3 coats on I can do it in about 2 - 3 hours and that is allowing 30 minutes for the Zaino to dry and not really rushing. I don’t use the Gloss Enhancer between coats, only after the final coat.
I do use the Gloss Enhance after every wash since it gives it a little more protection, makes it nice and slick and I am telling you there is not really anything that sticks to it.
Bugs and bird crap come off pretty easy if you use the Gloss Enhancer after every wash. When you use the Zaino car wash it has a “little” polish in it to begin with.
The biggest reason I first went with Zaino is you do not have to use a buffer. Even if you do use a buffer it does not really enhance the shine. You get an outstanding shine from just hand buffing. I do not like buffers because for one I am not good at using one and two they are very good for putting nice scratches (swirl marks) into the paint unless your really experienced with them.
The next big reason I love Zaino is it really last. Last fall I put on 5 coats and it lasted a good 6 months through winter with all the road salt and grime and I was only able to wash at car washes. People where I work swore I was polishing it at least every other week…
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From: NH
I should have also added that it should not take more then 1 ounce of Zaino to polish the entire truck. So if your going to put two coats of polish on and fill the 2oz bottle up you should have only used half the bottle for the first coat.
This will give you a good indication if you’re using too much Zaino. It is very easy for first time users (myself included, and I learned after the second time) to use to much Zaino. If you do use too much it will not hurt anything but it will be a real pain in the butt to remove.
I finally got it right the third time I did my truck and it was very easy to buff off the Zaino. The first two times and especially after the second time I was about ready to give up on the Zaino because it was such a pain in the butt to get off.
This will give you a good indication if you’re using too much Zaino. It is very easy for first time users (myself included, and I learned after the second time) to use to much Zaino. If you do use too much it will not hurt anything but it will be a real pain in the butt to remove.
I finally got it right the third time I did my truck and it was very easy to buff off the Zaino. The first two times and especially after the second time I was about ready to give up on the Zaino because it was such a pain in the butt to get off.
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From: Ohio
wanted to thank you again 01 XLT SPORT for your advice. Looks like the application and the amount will be the only problem for me or anyone.
If it's too thick, it is just a biaaatch to remove or it takes that much longer to dry?
If it's too thick, it is just a biaaatch to remove or it takes that much longer to dry?
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Bells, Tenn,USA
You're right.... the hardest thing to learn about Zaino is how far just a little bit will go. I've got my application down to 1.5 ounces for BOTH my F150 SC and a camry car...... That's about a half-ounce per vehicle......... Adding a little Z6 to your app pad really helps extend it and then it's so easy to remove.....
Then what you'll REALLY like is the long term protection.... I was so used to waxing every month to get taht fresh shine and now I can go 6 months and the trucks still look good.............
Then what you'll REALLY like is the long term protection.... I was so used to waxing every month to get taht fresh shine and now I can go 6 months and the trucks still look good.............
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From: NH
Originally posted by Daves01L
wanted to thank you again 01 XLT SPORT for your advice. Looks like the application and the amount will be the only problem for me or anyone.
If it's too thick, it is just a biaaatch to remove or it takes that much longer to dry?
wanted to thank you again 01 XLT SPORT for your advice. Looks like the application and the amount will be the only problem for me or anyone.
If it's too thick, it is just a biaaatch to remove or it takes that much longer to dry?
Yes, if it is to thick it will be a pain in the butt to remove and it will also take longer to dry, even with the ZFX...
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hmm.I wish I could figure out how not to use so much.For some reason I always wind up going thick.It works awesome on my black GN,but am wondering if I would be able to even tell on my silver Lightning?I know you said you have silver 01XLT,but does it really give the gloss and depth like say it does on the black?I had thought of looking for a wax or polish made specifically for metallic paints.