I have participated other forums for several years, all BMW related. Zaino is promoted strongly. I purchased their full line and have done my car twice with it. I am reasonably pleased but no real POP like I read and see here!

My Color is Black Sapphire Metallic. It deserves to POP!

I do all the steps and give myself a full weekend - don't mind it at all - enjoy being with my car!

Fresh ideas are welcomed!

Best!
Jack

This was taken on a Sunday when my dealership was closed - with fiberglass hardtop -

 

Wow. Your car looks good!

If you aren't happy with it then check this out.

I also have black and the ules are a little diffeent. This is what I found:

Make sure you have done the machine polishing etc. Zaino and then I use Natty's Blue wax over it. Incredible depth. With black it's all about depth much more than just shine.

Good luck!
Black isn't a color, It's a lifestyle!

tw

 

When it comes to waxes, the selections are far and wide, but the choice should be easy. It really comes down to time you want to spend, the look you're after, and money.

Traditionally, for a wet and glossy look, synthetics are the way to go. They're easy to work with and are relatively inexpensive. Some good ones out there are Einszett Glanz, Autoglym Radiant Wax, RejEx, Zaino, etc. For a more warmth and definition, natural carnauba is the answer. Some good choices are P21S, Zymol, Swissvax, Pinnacle, etc.

Ultimately, it comes down to prep work. You can apply a $2500 wax from Zymol on a car that's not prepped properly, and compare it to the same car that's had paint correction and apply a $20 wax from Einszett, and you'll see the einszett will look far superior to a wax that costs 100X. So, a properly cleaned and imperfection-free paint is more important than wax choice.

Properly correcting the paint simply means removal of swirls, scratches, or flaws that are in the clear coat that hinder the appearance and clarity of the paint. You can achieve great corrections yourself safely if using the proper products. It all depends on what your finish looks like now to start with.

Hope this helps. Post a picture of your paint in the sun and we can diagnose your situation better. Here's a good reading to get you started on the right foot:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...er-finish.html

 

Moe is correct that it is 85% prep work and 15% LSP but that said I try just about everything and have tried just about every product on the market including some of the high dollar Zymol and Swissvax waxes and I find that Zaino is still my favorite. It has incredible durability, looks awesome and is relatively easy to use. I find it looks just as good if not better than some of the best nuba's on the market but should probably mention that looks are subjective. JMHO

 

Thanks -

"Black isn't a color, It's a lifestyle!" - I will remember this!

I think I am doing the steps right -
Dawn to get off old wax and general cleaning -
Z-18 Clay Bar -
- - do I need a cleaner/polish at this point?
Z-2 for clear coat - by hand foam pad - 2 coats -
Z-5 polish - by hand foam pad - 2 coats -
Z-8 Grand Finale Spray - with orbital buffer -

Just bought AOI and Clear Seal but have not used them yet - big move to another state!

Where would Natty's Blue Wax fit in? Applied by pad or buffer? Where do you buy it?

Zaino is described as a "polymer". It is supposed to build I am told. How will other waxes, cleaners and polishes work with a "polymer"?

You are right - it is all about the DEPTH!
Thanks again!
Best!
Jack

 

If your paint needs correction you may want to pick up ZPC and go over it with that first with a ROB and then go on to Z-AIO or Z2 by hand. Z8 is also intended to be used by hand and not really with a buffer. It is a QD on steroids or the icing on the cake as I like to call it.

You will like the CS, it is quick and easy but just make sure you follow it up with Z8 as I think the Z8 really makes it pop and give it another dimension of depth and wetness when used together.

I would not use a nuba on top of my Zaino. I have tried it and found it looked no better than Z8 and it needs to be removed for Zaino to bond when adding additional coats.

 

I think you've got everything down. You may want to get a flex polisher and Menzerna's newest polish, Power Finish. This polish will correct and finish down very well. One polish, doing two jobs. Then follow it up with the zaino polish and wax. I'm willing to bet it'll give you results you haven't seen yet.

 

Thanks - "Right on" link - best description of "Carnauba" I have seen!

Driving down to Natchez, MS for the weekend - searching for warmth and the sun - and the wheel time! I will try for some new pics then - took this pic last time -

 

I heard that about "nuba" - I think it was P21S I tried - bad choice in the hot sun.
Like you say, I will try the order you show above next time (soon!).

Thanks for the encouragement!
Best!
Jack

 

I will check this out - This is a great forum! Thanks for all the help!

Best!
Jack

 

Sounds like I am on the right track with Zaino. So, Z8 primarily for Dressing Up the Shine and giving depth but use a micro fiber - last step after the CS which I will start using.

ZPC (I have to check if I have this?) applied with ROB. I'm not doing this step!

Thanks for your help!

Last year my wife flew out for a week to be with her ailing parents - I ordered in a nice selection of Zaino products and a new ROB the week before. It was "car guy heaven"!

Thanks!
Best!
Jack

 

Actually you should use z5 first, then z2. You can check the web site. Better yet is AIO, then Z5, then Z2. Also remember you need ZFX between coats.

Hope that helps.

G

 

My thinking was to remove scratches and swirll marks first - z2, then polish for deep shine z5, then alternate z2 & z3, using Z6 between. I use 2-3 drops of the zfx fixative with each a z2/z5 application.

I bought AIO since my last major detail, so I will try it as you say above.

What I really want to do is spend the weekend detailing my car! Wheel time always come first!

Much hyelp! Thanks!
Jack

 

z5 is the one that helps with scratchs not z2. This is from their website.

"For maximum gloss, follow Z-5™ PRO Show Car Polish with one or more coats of Z-2™ PRO Show Car Polish. Z-2 will provide an even higher gloss finish than Z-5. Always use Z-6 Gloss Enhancer Spray or Z-8 Grand Finale Spray Seal between each and every coat of Z-5 and Z-2."

Note - follow z5 with z2.

Again - like everyone says - the polishing part is really the most important. Don't expect that z5 will subsitute for a good clay/polish job.

G

 

You guys should be posting some of your work. Glad to see you DIYers sharing your experience. This is what this forum is about. Thumbs up.