[Fig123]

Okay, I just got my Zaino kit in the mail. Now I have read the web site and a few other webs sites on the application and to tell you the truth I am confused. If anyone is familiar with the application (with the ZFX kit) please comment on what steps I think I need to take. I truly believe that the instructions are overly complicated from Zaino.

Now this is with the ZFX Additive!

Step 1. Wash car with Dawn (blue)
Step 2. Clay bar and use Zaino Car wash for lube (1/2 cap full and 12oz of water). Then wash car again.
Step 3. Apply Z5 that has been mixed with ZFX (4 drops of ZFX to 1 ounce of Z5)
Step 4. Add another coat of step 3 if needed and again if needed…
Step 5. Apply Z2 that has been mixed with ZFX (4 drops of ZFX to 1 ounce of Z2)
Step 6. Apply more coats of Z2 as needed or until bottle is empty.

Does this sound right to the Zaino experts here? The Zaino site just confuses me to death. I just don't want to f-up my paint. Trust me I know to get rid of water spots before application. To you that reply thank you in advance.

[zp2063]

I agree wtih you about the instructions, but once you've done it a couple of times you'll have it down. You can also call them up and they will give you all kinds of help. I think having the newer ZFX instructions and the older z-1 instructions confuse things a lot.

I've had Zaino on my car since the beginning, so I might be able to help you out. The first year or so I used Zaino, I didn't use the claybar, but added it later. The Zaino instructions say to clay it first then use dawn, but you'll want to start with a clean car anyway, so your steps 1, 2 and 3 will work.

To use your format:
1) Wash car with Dawn
2) Caly car according to instructions
3) Wash car again with Zaino wash
4) Mix your ZFX w/ z-5 and apply per instructions, then wipe off
5) Apply z-6 according to instructions and wipe off
6) Add a z-2/z-5 layer per instructions, then wipe off
7) Apply z-6 again
8) And final z-2 layer
9) And z-6 again
10) Done!

You can apply from 1 to 3 coats of ZFX & Z-2/Z-5 in one day. I usually get tired after 2 coats. The z-6 in between is also another step so you're really going over the car multiple times for each application.

Since I usually do two applications, I use z-5 for the first one, then z-2 for the second one. If I'm only doing one application (say in a couple of months or so after doing a "full" Zaino job), I'll just do one application of z-5 or z-2 depending on what my paint looks like or how much of one I have on hand . If I want the most gloss possible, I'll use z-2, if the swirls on my black car have been bugging me I'll do z-5. I also only clay it once, maybe twice a year.

My one tip to you is use all Zaino stuff SPARINGLY. Whenever people are not getting the Zaino results they think they should, the recomendation I hear fist is use less.

You won't mess anything up with Zaino, so just give it a shot and see how you like your results.

/zp

[Fig123]

Thanks for the reply.

So just to clarify one thing in step 4 you listed, that is the only time I add ZFX? or do I have to add ZFX to the Z2 and other coats of Z5 after step 4?

[FlyinbySTi]

wow, that seems like a lot of work. Now i know why i never invest in Zaino and stuck with Klasse.

[520]

^+1
Way too much work

[Nachos Libres]

Originally Posted by Fig123

Thanks for the reply.

So just to clarify one thing in step 4 you listed, that is the only time I add ZFX? or do I have to add ZFX to the Z2 and other coats of Z5 after step 4?

Z-5 sucks IMO. I used 3 coats and it didn't take out the swirls like I thought it would. That said, you want to do all the Z-5 coats before the Z-2. This is because the optical properties in Z-2 are much better than Z-5, and if you put a coat of Z-5 over the Z-2 it's not going to look as good (although you can do this if you get swirls later that you want to remove). I don't use ZFX (I use Z-1) but you are suppose to mix ZFX with Z-2 on every coat. It supposedly has the benefits of Z-1 and also allows faster drying time, but here in Texas I never have a problem with drying so that's why I stick with Z-1.

So here's what I do:

1. Wash with dawn (I never did this with any of my cars, because claybaring has the same results, though some people like to dawn and claybar to make sure all old wax and contaminents are removed).
2. Claybar (you don't have to use the car wash and water mixture, I use straight tap water with a spray bottle and that works fine for me).
3. Wash again (with or without dawn) to remove claybar residue (again, on my last 2 cars I didn't do this but I did wash it with my STi).
4. Apply Z-5.
5. Remove Z-5 (repeat #4 and #5 again if necessary).
6. Apply ZFX and Z-2.
7. Remove Z-2 (definately repeat #6 and #7 again as many times as you wish. I apply at least one coat of Z-2 every month).

In between coats you can spray Z-6 to make the shine look even better. There's also some even better stuff than Z-6 (I think it's Z-8 or something like that) but Sal says to only use it for car shows since it's so expensive for everyday use. I use Z-6 to clean my car between washes when I get dirt on it. Also make sure to apply the Z-5 and Z-2 in vertical motions (up and down) when doing parts of the car that are verticle (i.e. doors, front bumper, trunk, rear bumper, etc.) and use horizontal motions (side to side) on parts of the car that are horizontal (i.e. hood, roof, top of trunk, wing, etc.). This really does make a difference in how the car looks when taking off the Zaino.

[Nachos Libres]

Originally Posted by FlyinbySTi

wow, that seems like a lot of work. Now i know why i never invest in Zaino and stuck with Klasse.

It's not that hard. The first time of applying any product to a car should require the use of dawn and/or claybar. After doing the first coat correctly any additional coats really only take about a total time of 1-2 hours for application, drying, and removal.

[MKIVSupra]

Correct. I use Klasse and the initial application has just as many steps, including multiple coats of Klasse SG. Of course you don't have to apply multiple coats of SG just like you don't have to apply multiple coats of Zaino.

[FlyinbySTi]

Yeah, but Klasse just seems easier i guess. Maybe cause i don't do multiple coats.

Just the red grey bottles. Toss some NXT over that and Bam done.

[docd187]

I also use Klasse and let me tell you using multiple coats of the sealant glaze is amazing. I did all the prep work and did one layer of Klasse All-in-One. Then I put on one coat of sealant glaze, let it sit for 4 hours, put on a second coat and let it sit for a couple hours, and then a third coat sat for overnight. When I took the third coat off the car just looked rediculous. I had so many people just stare in awe at the STi, even a 911 GT2 owner. He came up to me and asked what I used to clean it

[Nachos Libres]

^^ I get the same thing with Zaino. To each their own.

[zp2063]

Originally Posted by Fig123

Thanks for the reply.

So just to clarify one thing in step 4 you listed, that is the only time I add ZFX? or do I have to add ZFX to the Z2 and other coats of Z5 after step 4?

This was answered elsewhere in this thread I believe, but for the sake of clarity I'll answer too. You'll mix ZFX and Z-5 and then use as much of that little bottle as you need for how ever many coats you need. Then, you'll mix up another bottle of ZFX and Z-2 for those coats.

The ZFX is required for the Z-2/Z-5 to properly cure and dry on your car so you can buff it off quickly.

/zp

[zp2063]

I've been using Zaino since I got my STi and I like it a lot. My buddy has a used car place and he needs to detail cars quickly and get good results so he uses Klasse all-in-one. He says it's a jack of all trades. He just got me some to try, so I might strip the Zaino and give the Klasse a try. I think I can use a Random Orbital with the Klasse, but using that with the Zaino would be a waste I'm told as so little product is required.

/zp

[docd187]

Originally Posted by zp2063

I've been using Zaino since I got my STi and I like it a lot. My buddy has a used car place and he needs to detail cars quickly and get good results so he uses Klasse all-in-one. He says it's a jack of all trades. He just got me some to try, so I might strip the Zaino and give the Klasse a try. I think I can use a Random Orbital with the Klasse, but using that with the Zaino would be a waste I'm told as so little product is required.

/zp

I believe over on autopia.org they state that if you want to use a machine with the Klasse, use a dual action polisher. They don't mention a random orbital. And also Klasse Sealant Glaze should be applied in extremely thin layers. I put very little on and it's a pain to take it off unless I use a quick detailer spray because I put it on too thick. I've been told that if you see the layer of Sealant Glaze when you apply it, it's too much.

[Fig123]

Thanks again everyone for the help. A few weeks back while my wife was driving the car a deer ran out and hit the side of the passenger door. Not much damage to the car ($1,300) worth. Just two small dents on the door. The body shop did an amazing job. Looks new again. I had to buy the Zaino to get over the guilt I feel. Damn $500 deductable, that came out of my TS350 fund.