[Grinder]

For Christmas I finally got some much needed Zaino products. I got ZFX, Z1, Z2, Z6, Z7, and Z18. Now i assume I do: wash with dawn, z18 (with Z7 as lubricant), z2, z1...or something...?

Also, I'm a little hazy on how to use the Z7 as a lubricant...

Help me! I wanna go out and wash my baby...and my mom's car, and my dad's car..

[minirossa]

Try the link below. I got alot of good advice from people
on this site before I took the "Zaino plunge".

Actually a very kind M3 owner, whom I met on this site, helped me thru the entire process. He wanted a ride in a MINI!

We did the Dawn wash, Z1,Z5,Z2 & Z6. By the time we
finished the car had 4 coats of Z2.It was alot of work but the car looks great & is very easy to maintain.


http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/

[Grinder]

Thanks I'll check it out. I had forgotten about that site.

Yes, it is a bit chilly. Weather.com says it's 30° and feels 20° And I'm *still* about to go outside and wash three cars...

[minirossa]

Grinder,
You may want to wait for a warm spell of weather. Zaino is
VERY sensitive to heat & can take a long time to dry in cold
conditions.

I did not use the ZFX which (from what I read) accelerates the drying process. I would still play it safe and apply the polish when it warmer outside.

Also be sure to work in a garage or carport where you can reduce the amount of dust blowing around.

Oh...and obehave is right; those guys ov autopia are FANATICS!

[Grinder]

How do you wash the car in a garage?? I mean, first of all the lighting suck in mine, but that can be fixed with the careful placement of some floodlights. But the whole hose indoors thing strikes me as a bad idea....

[Grinder]

Quote:

Originally posted by obehave
Forgot; do you have a California Duster or microfiber cloths to use as tack cloths prior to doing your applications? Might want to keep one handy. I have to working outside and it does help.

Ummmm?

[CurtP]

Quote:

Originally posted by obehave
You can get them just about anywher now days. Of course the quality varies but I bought mine at Target along with a silicone water blade and I've been pretty satisfied.
It's basically just a safe way to dust off your car.

Try to get the one with a wooden handle -- it has a much better mop head on it. Also, make sure you "season" it according to the directions that come with it.

As far as Zaino tips, why not visit their home page? There's a bunch of detailing tips there, and it's usually better to get advice from the horse's mouth anyway.

Zaino Bros

And if you have any questions about use of any of the products, drop Sal Zaino a line. He's very proud of his product and will steer you in the right direction. Even better, call him. When I first started using Zaino several years ago, I had questions and just gave him a call. Although I had to leave a voice mail, he did call me back after a short while and talked to me for over an hour -- at his cost. His customer service really is second to none.

[minhi]

grinder,

i'm local to you so if you PM me I can give you some tips or walk you through any problems. there are a few of us in the DC area MINI group that use Zaino, so plenty of info available.

i would wait until it gets above 50 to do any serious zaino applications. when it is this cold, even with ZFX (which speeds up the drying process a lot) it will still take a long time to dry. in the summer with ZFX, it might take 15-20 minutes for it to dry. In 50 degree weather it takes well over an hour for me. Keep in mind I've got over 12 coats, so I know how to apply it super thin. Since you're just starting, you will apply it too thick, which will extend the drying time. So really wait until a warmish day to do it (i know later next week it should be in the upper 50s). until then just wash with z7.

since you have ZFX you actually do not need Z1. In fact if you were to use Z1 + Z2 in under 70 degree weather it would take a long time to dry.


to use z7 as a lube, you mix a capful in a 16oz spray bottle, you then generously spray the car with this mixture and then run the clay bar across the lubed area to clean the paint.

[paddy]

like Minhi, I am local to you. I applied Zaino just last week. Washed and dried the MINI outside, then moved inside to the garage. It takes a little longer now that winter has set in, but still able to get the work accomplished.

Also, here is a Zaino procedure that I found on a Roadfly BMW forum:

Zaino Instructions

If you're going to go the Zaino route, you'll need to do the following:

1) Prepare the car to meticulous condition prior to applying Zaino. Any waterspots, swirls, scratches, etc. must be removed before applying the Zaino. Use a lot of care when claying; search through this page and the next page - Nick wrote a really great "Clay How-To" that will be invaluable for your clay job.

2) Buy the following Zaino products:
Qty 1: Zaino ZFX (enough to do 12oz of Zaino)
Qty 1: Zaino Z5 or Z2 (you'll use about 1oz per 1.5 - 2 coats)
Qty 2: Zaino Z6 (quick detailer; one spray per panel)
Qty 1: Zaino Z7 (the best wash in the world for Zaino)
Qty 1: Zaino Z16 (my favorite tire dressing)

3) It will come with instructions, follow them to the "T". With ZFX, cure/dry times are nearly instantaneous - don't bother with Z1, ZFX is *SO* much better. It also makes it much easier to use (in general).

4) If you decide to clay the wheels, do it *after* you have clayed the car. It's unlikely you'll need to clay them; just mix up some ZFX and Z5, and Zaino them like normal.

5) Most importantly LESS IS BETTER when using Zaino. I can Zaino our Tahoe 3 times on 1oz of Zaino. You apply it *extremely* thin.

6) General steps:

a) Dawn wash, dry
b) Clay (use car soap w/water as lube)
c) Wash/dry
d) Use polish if desired (I like P21S Paintwork Cleansing Lotion)
e) Wash with Z7/dry
f) Mix up 2oz of Z5 w/8 drops of ZFX
g) Lightly mist a little Z6 on your applicator (just a slight amount)
h) Wipe down the car with Z6 (spray a shot on a panel, buff dry)
i) Apply Z5/ZFX; you should use about 1oz on first coat.
j) Buff off Z5/ZFX
k) Wipe down the car with Z6 (spray a shot on a panel, buff dry)
l) Apply 2nd layer of Z5/ZFX (should use about .5oz on this coat)
m) Buff off Z5/ZFX
n) Repeat k-m
o) Admire your work - and give a final wipe down with Z6

Total time for this job should be about 6-8 hours; most of the time will be spent in the prep & first Zaino coat. Afterwards, Zaino glides on and off w/very little effort & time.


have fun

paddy

[Grinder]

Maybe we could do a little Zaino get-together sometime then. At the end of one of our MINI meets we could motor to someones house and make all of our wonderful beasts sparkling clean!

[MoonPie]

Paddy's got the procedure down, he and a couple of other MINI owners taught hubby (MINIMiller) do his the first time...it is the best...we love it...shines like a star.

Grinder, don't you live in MD or No.VA?

We do wash & waxes sometimes, it's a bit cold but I agree, we need to do a few more as soon as the weather gets nicer.

Someone had it right, wash outside/wax in your garage, just hang one of those light thingies that is attached to that orange chord, lucky you have a garage!

[Grinder]

MoonPie, I live right down the road in Great Falls... As soon as the weather turns warmer maybe the same people could teach me how to do it. I've gotten a lot of good tips and ideas from the guys on Autopia, but nothing quites beat being shown how to do it in person.

[minirossa]

Grinder,
Sounds like you are in good (local) hands.

One more small tip: After you wash your MINI take it out for a short drive around the block to shake the water out of the trim & door seams.

This keeps the water from dripping out while your are
doing the Zaino application.

Good Luck!

[Grinder]

Hmmm, i was going to wait until a convienent MINI meet...but ~60 degrees tomorrow is making that Zaino call to me! I don't think i can hold out

[paddy]

What is the badge under the "Cooper S"????

paddy

[capsfan13]

(shivering) Needs my fix! These hands long to smell like Z6 (and crud being removed) again. Curse this falling white blanket of chill! Curse my brake-dust encrusted wheels! Curse not having a garage! Curse paddy for not adopting me!

*sob*

-Troy

P.S. Hope everyone's doing ok in this stuff. Can't wait for another meet!

[PigLick]

Paddy, you use an entire ounce for your first coat, and a half ounce per coat after?! I used 2/5 ounce (12ml/12cc) total for my first two coats, and it seemed to come out just fine. After having done that, if I were to do it again, I'd probably up to 3/5oz (~2/5oz for the first coat, then 1/5oz for the second), but even so, 1.5oz for two coats seems like a lot! Of course I've only had mine on for about 3 weeks now, so we'll see how it holds up long-term...

PigLick

[paddy]

took me a while to decypher what you were talking about. Now I remember what I was talking about. At times it is so hard to tell if you have even applied the Zanio everywhere. Like most procedures you learn more about them, the more times you do it. We will see what the Spring and Summer bring us this year. I am soooooooooooo tired of all the snow up here. I just wnat to clean my baby...

paddy

[Grinder]

I'm with ya Paddy. 3 months later, and I haven't had a chance to Zaino my baby yet. I'm waiting for a tutorial and some nice weather to break out the good stuff!