[Windshadow]

Well As I wait out my MINIs trip accross the big pond I find myself pondering the Care I will be giving it...

the top choices seem to be Meguiar's NXT Generation Tech Wax
or Z-2 Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Car Finishes
Has anyone used both of them on their MINI and would they like to comment?

BTW I just used the new MR.Clean car wash system on my soon to be traded in 89 Range Rover and it realy does work just as advertised and since the RR has about 3 times the surface area of the MINI I was very glad it did... it will be my car wash of choice from now on

[gtshnzr]

I've been using the Meguiar's Crystal 1,2,3 system and am happy with its looks. Others on her swear by the Zaino however.

[Actual Size]

Ever since using Zaino Bros. products I've never looked back. Tons of people comment on the way our BRG/BLK MINI looks after treatment and it turned a never waxed, seldom washed, ungaraged 1996 4Runner belonging to a friend of ours into a thing of beauty.

[johnlondonw3]

I tend to go with Zaino,but it is expensive for us in UK (as well as being unavailable so requires considerable effort to get it sent over) a couple of people have reported very good things about NXT......

my only comment about car washes is to say stay away from them,Ive followed the advice for washing as per the Zaino web site and the car is unmarked......be especially careful if your ordering black as the problems with swirl marks are significant if you dont take very good care

[Wul]

The only downside of Zaino i believe is it is fiddly to use (mixing products etc) and takes time to cure. But the results are supposed to be good. NXT however is applied like all other waxes - apply, leave for 30 mins and buff off. So it will boil down to how long you wish to spend waxing?

[Windshadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by Wul

The only downside of Zaino i believe is it is fiddly to use (mixing products etc) and takes time to cure. But the results are supposed to be good. NXT however is applied like all other waxes - apply, leave for 30 mins and buff off. So it will boil down to how long you wish to spend waxing?

Thanks WUL based on that I will try the NXT

[Giuseppe Pepperoni]

[Giuseppe Pepperoni]

Be very careful of cross linking polymers. While they offer a lot of protection they are the body shops worst nightmare if you ever get in an accident. I know Zaino claims to be cross linking but don't know about NXT. By the sounds of it it probably is to compete with Zaino but you will never get them to admit it due to the long term effects.

[alanz]

Using Zaino Z2 with ZFX eliminates the drying time. I'm ready to wipe off the first parts of the car as soon as I'm done with the last parts applied. Mixing one ounce for a MINI application takes only a few seconds, as does washing out the bottle afterwards.

[Windshadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by Giuseppe Pepperoni

Be very careful of cross linking polymers. While they offer a lot of protection they are the body shops worst nightmare if you ever get in an accident. I know Zaino claims to be cross linking but don't know about NXT. By the sounds of it it probably is to compete with Zaino but you will never get them to admit it due to the long term effects.

Could you elaborate please and why are they a problem for body shops if they know they were used? surely there must be a commercial stripper available to the trade? or even a polish to remove them?

What long term effects? are you saying these products are bad for the paint of my MINI over a few years of use?

[Giuseppe Pepperoni]

Yes there are paint prep products that remove them but not always. The solvents will move it around on the surface but unless extra special care is involved then you will have an issue. Most body shops in the US are more like production lines and even if told will not take the extra care.

As far as long term effects. The more coats you put on the more difficult it is to remove. In addition cross linking polymers or amino functional silicones bind together so strongly they can, at times, effect the flexibility of your paint. Paint manufacturers have, for years, been trying to make paint flexible and durable. They seem to have done a pretty good job.

[Windshadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by Giuseppe Pepperoni

Yes there are paint prep products that remove them but not always. The solvents will move it around on the surface but unless extra special care is involved then you will have an issue. Most body shops in the US are more like production lines and even if told will not take the extra care.

As far as long term effects. The more coats you put on the more difficult it is to remove. In addition cross linking polymers or amino functional silicones bind together so strongly they can, at times, effect the flexibility of your paint. Paint manufacturers have, for years, been trying to make paint flexible and durable. They seem to have done a pretty good job.

Nice to have an expert to keep me from making an expensive mistake. what then do you recomend as the best way to make my MINI shine and look it's best

[Giuseppe Pepperoni]

I prefer products that do not cross link. My last purchase was Mothers Natural Formula Paste (no cleaners). It smells great and I can use it on just about anything hard and shiny. The best part is it is so economical. I'll probably get to wax my mini 100 times from the same can.

[Windshadow]

Thanks I will give it a try

[CurtP]

Quote: Originally Posted by Giuseppe Pepperoni

Yes there are paint prep products that remove them but not always. The solvents will move it around on the surface but unless extra special care is involved then you will have an issue. Most body shops in the US are more like production lines and even if told will not take the extra care.

As far as long term effects. The more coats you put on the more difficult it is to remove. In addition cross linking polymers or amino functional silicones bind together so strongly they can, at times, effect the flexibility of your paint. Paint manufacturers have, for years, been trying to make paint flexible and durable. They seem to have done a pretty good job.

Just as a FYI, a wash with a strong solution of Dawn dishwashing liquid will remove Zaino. The wax/grease remover that is used in every body shop removes it as well (such as PPG DX440 which is what I use). I have been using Zaino for years - over six years on my Formula and do my own paint/body work. I have never had an issue with removing Zaino for repair work.

[Giuseppe Pepperoni]

I agree a strong solution of Dawn and wax and grease remover will get a lot of it but doing your own body work means you will take special care the job is done right. I'm not saying the products are bad just most people don't know how to deal with them.

[CurtP]

I'm not saying that you need both Dawn and wax/grease remover, either will work by itself. I have had some body work done professionally and they never had a problem with it either. Don't try to make it sound like Zaino is overly complicated to deal with - it can be removed in the same way other waxes are. I think that you are trying to make it sound like Zaino permanently changes the paint; it does not. Please do not speculate on a product that you're unfamiliar with. I haven't said anything negative about NXT because I haven't had the opportunity to check it out yet.

I also meant to correct Wul in my last post - Zaino is very easy to apply and maintain if the directions are followed. There is no mixing of products unless you use the ZFX additive - even then it's apply, let dry, then wipe off. Main difference will be slightly longer drying times, and Zaino comes off easily.

[Giuseppe Pepperoni]

Sorry CurtP, I haven't had the same good luck as you with cross linking polymer products. I'm glad you have had great result with Zaino ( I had a lot of fun mixing it up gave that feeling I was accomplishing something) and I would never use NXT. I'm boycotting Meguiar's!

[CurtP]

I'm not a fan of Meguiar's myself, but I try to refrain myself from saying too many negative things about it. Who knows, maybe their new product will be good.

What problems did you have with Zaino? Surface prep is key - the hardest part of using Zaino is getting the car "clean" for the first application (personally, I believe this should be done with any wax/polish). I also don't like using ZFX for the first application either - a super thin coat of Z1 followed by a thin coat of Z2, Z3 or Z5 is the way to go, then subsequent coats can be done with ZFX. There is a slight learning curve with Zaino - most people use way too much which makes drying times very long and can cause streaking.

Zaino isn't for everyone, but it's still my favorite. Applied properly, Zaino is cheaper per application than most other polishes/waxes, including Meguiar's. My recommendation is to use whatever product that one is the happiest with

[johnlondonw3]

Quote: Originally Posted by CurtP

I'm not a fan of Meguiar's myself, but I try to refrain myself from saying too many negative things about it. Who knows, maybe their new product will be good.

What problems did you have with Zaino? Surface prep is key - the hardest part of using Zaino is getting the car "clean" for the first application (personally, I believe this should be done with any wax/polish). I also don't like using ZFX for the first application either - a super thin coat of Z1 followed by a thin coat of Z2, Z3 or Z5 is the way to go, then subsequent coats can be done with ZFX. There is a slight learning curve with Zaino - most people use way too much which makes drying times very long and can cause streaking.

Zaino isn't for everyone, but it's still my favorite. Applied properly, Zaino is cheaper per application than most other polishes/waxes, including Meguiar's. My recommendation is to use whatever product that one is the happiest with

Curt ,

Im interested in what you say about ZFX application,I had ZFX,Z2 Polish Z6 Gloss enhabcer and Z5 swirl remover shipped over in December.Along with the stuff for the tyres and car shampoo
As the weather was so cold I washed the car down in washing up liquid (similar to Dawn)
and then used the ZFX and Z2, due to the cold weather Ive continued to use both products .Should I strip it off and start again ?

You also mention Z5 Ive not used any of this as so far the car looks perfect,its Dark Silver with a black roof and I cant see any swirl marks on it,so havent used the Z5,do you feel that using it is of any benefit after applying the ZFX/Z2 mix ?

Last question is the leather cleaner any good ,not that the leather is dirty as the cars only 4 months old ,what I really mean does it give a good smell of leather ?