Zaino vs. Meguiar's - Page 3

STiDriven · 07-21-2004, 08:51 PM

wow icefire, that is ridiculously clean and shiny...

Jules · 07-22-2004, 12:44 PM

I've been detailing my own vehicles since I was 17 (20 years ago) and owned my first car. The best process I've found, even for black cars, is as follows. Wash car with good quality car wash soap (not Dawn dishsoap). Dry car completely (in the shade of course).

If your paint is in good shape, not a lot of built up junk on it, then you probably don't need to use a paint cleaner on it. The best way to test this is to run your hand lightly over areas of the paint and if you don't feel a gritty surface then you can proceed to the next step. If you do feel contaminants then you need to either clay or use a paint cleaner. I've had good luck with Meguiars paint cleaner. Follow the directions on the bottle and you will have a smooth, clean surface when you are finished. I would not use the cleaner unless your paint is really neglected.

Next step is to polish the paint. This will remove those swirl marks you see on black cars (really they are on all cars, just much more noticeable on darker colors). The polish will actually fill in the tiny scratches in your clear coat. You rub this stuff on in a back and forth motion with a clean dry terry cloth rag (not in a circular motion) until it dries to a haze and wipe it off with a clean dry terry cloth rag. I use Mequiars polish, it comes in a tan bottle and it is dark brown in color.

Next step is to wax the car. You must wax a car after polishing it or the polish will not stay on the car for more than a few hours-read the polish bottle people, it actually says this on the product. I've had good luck with Meguiars yellow wax, this stuff goes on easy, covers well, wipes off easy and leaves a nice silky smooth shiny surface. Wax on with a foam pad and wipe off with a clean terry cloth towel.

The key to keeping your paint clean and scratch free is to use quality products to wash your car, stay away from car washes and use clean rags/towels or a chamois to dry the car. If you polish and wax your car a few times a year you will rarely have to use the cleaner (which will actually strip away your clear coat and paint after many years of repeated use).

I buy the towels at Costco and I probably have 300 of those small terry cloth towels in my garage in a cabinet. Wash and dry them when they get dirty. Dirt is what scratches your paint. Never rub a towel over your car to remove dust or pollen. Always wash it first.

Edit-I've never tried Zaino. Many people swear by it but but then again many people swear by the Atkins diet even though it can cause severe health problems and even death. I have better things to do than spend 10 hours detailing my car and it looks just as good doing it my way.

STiLLWILL · 07-22-2004, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

Many people swear by it but but then again many people swear by the Atkins diet even though it can cause severe health problems and even death. I have better things to do than spend 10 hours detailing my car and it looks just as good doing it my way.

WORD. Agree 100%. There's people who LOVE Zaino and there's people who aren't impressed with it from personal experience...I am one of those unimpressed with its results, and I have used it.

Jules · 07-23-2004, 07:29 AM

I screwed up in my steps. I checked my products last night and it is the Meguiars professional show car glaze and not the polish that I use to remove the swirl marks. The glaze will not stay on the paint very long which is why you must wax after to protect the finish and keep that shiny swirl mark free surface.

Meguiars has a website with a lot of great information about car detailing. I've used their products for years and I'd trust any car finish to their products.

STiLLWILL · 07-23-2004, 05:57 PM

I use Meguiars overspray clay, Klasse AIO, Klasse sealant, then back to Meguiars NXT. All can be done it half the time if not less than the whole Zaino process and the results are just as good if not better.

omni · 07-23-2004, 08:25 PM

I've allways been a fan of Xymol brand products...

Ol'SaltyBastard · 07-24-2004, 08:10 AM

I'm a fan of Meguiars Gold Class myself. The reality of the whole thing is that it's a factory paint job. While you can certainly make it look bad, it's only going to look so good. I had a $5,000 paint job on a '67 Camaro, so I was way more anal about taking care of the finish. Take another look at the Zaino advertisement if you want to see what color sanding the paint and clearcoat really does.

Just keep changing wash mitts, chamois, wax applicators and removers. If they are filled with dirt and grit, you'll be chasing your tail.

***MKIVSupra*** · 07-24-2004, 11:05 AM

One thing about the Zaino process... the initial application is the long painful one, after that it's quick and easy. It's no worse than claying, cleaning, polishing, and waxing with any other product.

gtpark81 · 07-26-2004, 01:27 AM

wow zaino sounds awsome? how much for the kit? like 80 bucks?

AndyH · 07-26-2004, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtpark81

wow zaino sounds awsome? how much for the kit? like 80 bucks?

$84.70:
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...ory_Code=Zaino

STiLLWILL · 07-26-2004, 05:28 PM

Did the Klasse treatment last week, then I just slapped on a coat of NXT this weekend:

-Matt

gtpark81 · 07-26-2004, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STiLLWILL

Did the Klasse treatment last week, then I just slapped on a coat of NXT this weekend:

-Matt

still will, i've always liked your photos man....you take really good angles of the car...nice job! keep it up for our veiwing pleasure

gtpark81 · 07-26-2004, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STiLLWILL

Did the Klasse treatment last week, then I just slapped on a coat of NXT this weekend:

-Matt

still will, i've always liked your photos man....you take really good angles of the car...nice job! keep it up for our veiwing pleasure

gtpark81 · 07-26-2004, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STiLLWILL

Did the Klasse treatment last week, then I just slapped on a coat of NXT this weekend:

-Matt

still will, i've always liked your photos man....you take really good angles of the car...nice job! keep it up for our veiwing pleasure

STiLLWILL · 07-27-2004, 12:21 AM

Thanks bro. :wink: Well if you insist...........................

ps...yes I was too lazy to repark my car for more front shots...lol, and if you're wondering about the blue and yellow hue differences, it was one of those sunny AND cloudy days.

-Matt

07-21-2004, 08:51 PM	#31
STiDriven Junior STI Driver Car: 04 STi Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 133 Join Date: Aug 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	wow icefire, that is ridiculously clean and shiny... This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

07-23-2004, 07:29 AM	#34
Jules Senior STI Driver Car: Surfing, cars and computers Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 349 Join Date: Jul 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	110 octane on the pump in my town! I screwed up in my steps. I checked my products last night and it is the Meguiars professional show car glaze and not the polish that I use to remove the swirl marks. The glaze will not stay on the paint very long which is why you must wax after to protect the finish and keep that shiny swirl mark free surface. Meguiars has a website with a lot of great information about car detailing. I've used their products for years and I'd trust any car finish to their products.

07-23-2004, 08:25 PM	#36
omni Amateur STI Driver Posts: 26 Join Date: Jul 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Anybody regret getting the color they got? I've allways been a fan of Xymol brand products...

07-26-2004, 05:28 PM	#41
STiLLWILL The Next Petter Solberg Car: 2004 Aspen White STi Fav Mod: TiAL 44mm w/g Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 994 Join Date: Sep 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	rice Did the Klasse treatment last week, then I just slapped on a coat of NXT this weekend: -Matt

07-27-2004, 12:21 AM	#45
STiLLWILL The Next Petter Solberg Car: 2004 Aspen White STi Fav Mod: TiAL 44mm w/g Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 994 Join Date: Sep 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks bro. :wink: Well if you insist........................... ps...yes I was too lazy to repark my car for more front shots...lol, and if you're wondering about the blue and yellow hue differences, it was one of those sunny AND cloudy days. -Matt This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

07-22-2004, 12:44 PM	#32
Jules Senior STI Driver Car: Surfing, cars and computers Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 349 Join Date: Jul 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	I've been detailing my own vehicles since I was 17 (20 years ago) and owned my first car. The best process I've found, even for black cars, is as follows. Wash car with good quality car wash soap (not Dawn dishsoap). Dry car completely (in the shade of course). If your paint is in good shape, not a lot of built up junk on it, then you probably don't need to use a paint cleaner on it. The best way to test this is to run your hand lightly over areas of the paint and if you don't feel a gritty surface then you can proceed to the next step. If you do feel contaminants then you need to either clay or use a paint cleaner. I've had good luck with Meguiars paint cleaner. Follow the directions on the bottle and you will have a smooth, clean surface when you are finished. I would not use the cleaner unless your paint is really neglected. Next step is to polish the paint. This will remove those swirl marks you see on black cars (really they are on all cars, just much more noticeable on darker colors). The polish will actually fill in the tiny scratches in your clear coat. You rub this stuff on in a back and forth motion with a clean dry terry cloth rag (not in a circular motion) until it dries to a haze and wipe it off with a clean dry terry cloth rag. I use Mequiars polish, it comes in a tan bottle and it is dark brown in color. Next step is to wax the car. You must wax a car after polishing it or the polish will not stay on the car for more than a few hours-read the polish bottle people, it actually says this on the product. I've had good luck with Meguiars yellow wax, this stuff goes on easy, covers well, wipes off easy and leaves a nice silky smooth shiny surface. Wax on with a foam pad and wipe off with a clean terry cloth towel. The key to keeping your paint clean and scratch free is to use quality products to wash your car, stay away from car washes and use clean rags/towels or a chamois to dry the car. If you polish and wax your car a few times a year you will rarely have to use the cleaner (which will actually strip away your clear coat and paint after many years of repeated use). I buy the towels at Costco and I probably have 300 of those small terry cloth towels in my garage in a cabinet. Wash and dry them when they get dirty. Dirt is what scratches your paint. Never rub a towel over your car to remove dust or pollen. Always wash it first. Edit-I've never tried Zaino. Many people swear by it but but then again many people swear by the Atkins diet even though it can cause severe health problems and even death. I have better things to do than spend 10 hours detailing my car and it looks just as good doing it my way.

07-23-2004, 05:57 PM	#35
STiLLWILL The Next Petter Solberg Car: 2004 Aspen White STi Fav Mod: TiAL 44mm w/g Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 994 Join Date: Sep 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	I use Meguiars overspray clay, Klasse AIO, Klasse sealant, then back to Meguiars NXT. All can be done it half the time if not less than the whole Zaino process and the results are just as good if not better.

07-24-2004, 08:10 AM	#37
Ol'SaltyBastard Spec C Club Car: 1983 Mercedes Benz 3 Location: N. Kentucky/Cinci Posts: 1,464 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	I'm a fan of Meguiars Gold Class myself. The reality of the whole thing is that it's a factory paint job. While you can certainly make it look bad, it's only going to look so good. I had a $5,000 paint job on a '67 Camaro, so I was way more anal about taking care of the finish. Take another look at the Zaino advertisement if you want to see what color sanding the paint and clearcoat really does. Just keep changing wash mitts, chamois, wax applicators and removers. If they are filled with dirt and grit, you'll be chasing your tail.

07-24-2004, 11:05 AM	#38
*MKIVSupra* Moderator Elite Car: 04 Subaru WRX STi, W Fav Mod: KartBoy SS & Bushings Location: Illinois Posts: 8,745 Join Date: Jan 2001 Trader Rating: (0)	One thing about the Zaino process... the initial application is the long painful one, after that it's quick and easy. It's no worse than claying, cleaning, polishing, and waxing with any other product.

07-26-2004, 01:27 AM	#39
gtpark81 Senior STI Driver Car: black 04 wrx sti Fav Mod: none Location: seattle Posts: 377 Join Date: Sep 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	wow zaino sounds awsome? how much for the kit? like 80 bucks?