I bought a Zaino Kit from the local rep here in Hawaii. He was a fine gentleman that took time to go over the process in depth.
I actually bought it for my father's black 02 vert, and decided that yesterday was a good day to try it out.....
After washing with "Dawn" detergent, and clay barring the entire car, then applying the ZFX/Z5, then Z6 G.E., then another coat of Z5, then a coat of Z8, I can tell you that the car looks 100 times better. Problem is that I was expecting a bit more....
The car still have some hard water spots, and the Z5 didn't fill the tiny scratches as it was suggested it would.
Let me make it clear that I'm not hating on Zaino, but for 6 hours of HARD LABOR, I just thought I was going to end up with a better finish....
I am an avid Zainoholic but I will tell you that the Z5 does not cover fine scratches as advertised. I don't care how many coats you lay on there. The only answer for scratches is paint prep meaning a buffer and some sort of abrasive cleaner like SIP or fusion depending on the depth of the scratches. As far as POP, a wax IMHO will outshine a sealant. What you are getting from Zainos is a shiney look with probably the best durability available on the market. I haven't tried it but if you want more shine, you should use clear seal and then top it with your favorite wax. I am more concerned with durability, especially on a black car.
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2008 2LT Silver Vert w/ black top, manual 6-speed, dual tone interior, Fusion Exhaust, Z51, HUD, and lots of Zainos
I bought a Zaino Kit from the local rep here in Hawaii. He was a fine gentleman that took time to go over the process in depth.
I actually bought it for my father's black 02 vert, and decided that yesterday was a good day to try it out.....
After washing with "Dawn" detergent, and clay barring the entire car, then applying the ZFX/Z5, then Z6 G.E., then another coat of Z5, then a coat of Z8, I can tell you that the car looks 100 times better. Problem is that I was expecting a bit more....
The car still have some hard water spots, and the Z5 didn't fill the tiny scratches as it was suggested it would.
Let me make it clear that I'm not hating on Zaino, but for 6 hours of HARD LABOR, I just thought I was going to end up with a better finish....
Did I do something wrong?
Well, let's start out with when was the last time the paint was polished....?
The finish is all in the prep work prior to any wax or sealant product.
The water spots and scratches need to be removed (Polished out) before you use Zaino for the best results. The rep should have made that clear when you bought the kit.......
Spying Beast, I have used Zaino products for about seven years and they work for me. I show my Vette and compete in concours events, so I want that extra touch on the finish to make it stand out. Zaino paint products are mainly for protection and shine.
To obtain optimum shine for that deep wet look, polishes such as Z-5 and Z-2 require layering. I have found that after about three coats (layers) of Z-2 you will reach about 90% of the optimum shine that can be obtained. Each layer after the third only a minor improvement will be notice. To obtain the deep wet look, layering is important and after just two coats, as you said you used, you are not ever close to the full potential of the product.
Z-5 has fillers in it that are supposed to cover (hide) minor scratches and swirls. I agree with Corpsvette, I have had little success with Z-5 hiding even minor scratches and swirls. Zaino has a fairly new product called Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner Swirl Remover that is made to remove minor scratches, swirls, oxidation and other blemishes. I have not used this product enough to form a valid opinion since I used it in combination other polishing compounds. Z-PC and Z-AIO are the only polishes, for paint/clear coat, that Zaino sells that have abrasives.
Not having seen your father’s Vette to see the extent of the tiny scratches you referred to, Z-PC may or may not have course enough abrasives to give you the results you are looking for. You may need to go to more abrasive products manufactured by other companies such as Menzerna. In either case, I would highly recommend a machine polisher rather than trying to remove the scratches by hand. Even with a machine polisher, it may take several hours to remove the scratches and water spots that you referred to.
Once you’ve removed the scratches and water spots is the time to spend applying Zaino polishes to achieve and maintain that deep wet shine that you are looking for.
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Norm
LPE Installed Maggie IC Super Charger, ECS blower cam, ECS alky system, TPIS Headers, Hi Flow Cats, Coras Pro Series, Black Wing, Excedy Duel Disk Clutch, 373 gears, Tubbed w/345's, LPE Signature HRE Wheels, C6 Z06 brakes and shocks, C5 Z05 Sway Bars, Short Shifter and some other stuff
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach / London State: Dazed and confused
The correct surface preparation methodology and technique constitute 95% of the detailing process; the reasoning behind the choice of quality products is to eliminate any limiting factors, thus enabling you to place emphasis on technique used.
The original Z5 did a great job of filling and hiding those scratches that only the perfectionists see. But even then, it took around 10 coats. The new stuff... not so much.
Filling any easy to see scratches with a wax/polish is a bit ambitious.
As far as your water spots go, they might be a job for a buffer and ZPC.
Did the Zaino distributor have a chance to look at your car? He should have told you about the water spots and how to remove them assuming he observed them.
Z-5 does cover scratches and I use it frequently on new customer vehicles. I always tell the customer that if after 3 applications you see the swirls and you are not happy, you should remove them with Z-PC or have the surface professionally polished first.
You also need to find out what caused the scratches to begin with so that you won't have to continually polish the surface.
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Jack Urban
2001 Corvette Coupe, Torch Red/Torch Red/Mag Wheels (unique 1 of 15,681 by http://www.compnine.com/vid.php)
1963 Corvette "Fuelie" Coupe, Ermine White/Red
Newsletter Editor - Midwest Early Corvette Club
National Corvette Museum Lifetime Membership #865, NCRS Member #40855
Previously owned Corvette: 1980 White/Dark Blue L48
Nebraska Zaino Distributor
Thanks for all of the replies gents.... Very much appreciated!
Let's start with the Hawaii Rep. He did not see the vehicle, and given the various degrees of existing car paint, it would have been impossible in a half an hours time, which I thought was very generous of him to give me for a 150.00 order, to go over any and all possible surface conditions.... He was a great guy, very knowledgeable... If anyone is at fault here, it was me for not being more detailed about the existing conditions of the 02's paint.
Second thing is that the Z5 did fill some of the lighter scratches, mostly swirl marks, but not all of them.. So it did do what he said it would to a certain degree....
Lastly, I, well my father & I did all of the work by hand, no polishers/buffers, etc. I'm always worried that I'm going to screw up the finish by using one, so I never bought one. As anyone who has applied this system can testify to, it's a lot of HARD WORK. Maybe I should buy one of those Craftsman buffers, get some polishing compound, and start from scratch....
The car does look a TON better, but I'd like to make it looks as next to new as possible. I'm sure most people would be happy with it, but when it comes to my Vettes, they need to be perfect....
Hi. I think the guys are referencing a dual action polisher like the Porter-Canle 7424, or similar FLEX, Meguiar's or Griot's machine. Different opinions on which is best, but those are apparently the go-to brands.
See ya. :hi:
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2003 Millennium Yellow Chevrolet Corvette Z51
2008 Precision Red Chevrolet Impala LTZ
Z-5 can only fill light swirls and light scratches. If your rep saw your car he probably would have told you to use a product like Z-PC, you need to use an abrasive product to remove your water marks (aka acid etching), also if you have swirls so on your hood, you can "spot treat" just that area with your Z-5, of course any swirls that Z-5 can not fill because they are too deep should be "repaired" with a buffer and a good abrasive polish. As said prep is the most important step to the best finish.
It's all in the prep. A multi-stage process starting with the proper PC, pads, and compounds. Especially on Black I've had excellent results with 3M and Mazerna Products. Then finish up with Zaino.
3M Rubbing, PC with Yellow LC
3M Swirl Remover, PC with Orange LC
3M Ultrafina, PC with White LC
Zaino Z5/ZFX three coats
It's all in the prep. A multi-stage process starting with the proper PC, pads, and compounds. Especially on Black I've had excellent results with 3M and Mazerna Products. Then finish up with Zaino.
3M Rubbing, PC with Yellow LC
3M Swirl Remover, PC with Orange LC
3M Ultrafina, PC with White LC
Zaino Z5/ZFX three coats
Please forgive me for my ignorance, but what exactly are/is a LC? And thanks to all for the help!
Please forgive me for my ignorance, but what exactly are/is a LC? And thanks to all for the help!
Yep, they are buffing pads makes especially for the PC (Porter Cable 7424) type random orbital buffers by a company called Lake Country. Many vendors here offer them and the different colors vary in aggressiveness. To really do it right you are looking at most of a weekend. But the good news is once you have it right, it's just a matter of taking the proper steps to maintain it.
Corvette Store
Zaino Problems.....
No words are better spoken.
