I noticed your comment about NEVER USING DAWN DISHWASHING SOAP ON YOUR CAR.Actually This is the first step in applying Zaino products. In order to get the zaino to work properly you mus strip all the old was and silicone products off the car. Zaino recommends that you use Dawn as part of the prep for application of the Zaino products.
Zaino products are all chemically related (polymers) and compatible with one another. The following is basically what Zaino recommends in applying their products for the first time.
1. Z-AIO all in one prep
2. Cotton applicators at least three you may get a couple free.
3. ZFX accelerator additive. This is not needed in the summertime. However, when it is cold and damp it helps the polish to dry faster. By the time you get to the back of the car it is just about ready to remove. Just be sure not to mix more than one ounce at a time.
4. Z5 polish
5. Z2 gloss enhancer
6. Z6 detail spray
7. Z7 car wash
8. Later you may want to order some Z-8 Grand Finale Spray Seal and Z-CS Clear Seal.
After using the products for several years I have found the following the best way to use it.
One important thing is that after you initially use the products all of them are compatible. You can go to any of them in any order as long as you wind up with the Z2 gloss enhancer and Z6 detail spray last.
1. Just this one time, wash your car with Dawn dishwashing detergent. The product you use in the sink not in the dishwasher. Rinse well and dry with 100% cotton towels. (I found my towels at Sam’s. I have not seen any in a while there.) What I do to speed up my drying and to keep from using several towels, is to use my leaf blower to dry the car first. That gets all the drips from under the molding and places you cannot see. Then it usually takes on one towel to dry the car.
2. Instead of the clay bar I use finesse’ from 3M. On a new car, I would not use either the clay bar of the finesse’ unless it is really rough and has water spots. You want to remove all the water spots before you begin using the Zaino because Zaino contains no abrasive. Zaino also does not contain any silicone.
3. Apply the Z-AIO all in one with one of the cotton applicators that they send you to the entire car. Give it about an hour to dry. Then remove it with your 100% cotton towel.
4. After you remove the Z-AIO use the detail spray one panel at a time using one side of your 100 % cotton towel to remove it and then turn the towel over and keep rubbing until it is smooth. Do this on the whole car. Start with the top first. The over spray that gets on the windows is great also. In fact you can use the detail spray on the windshield.
5. Now start putting down layers of Z5 polish. Mix it up with the accelerator in the small bottles only about one ounce. That way you will not have any left over. After you finish with the Z5 that you have added the accelerator it will not keep. Don’t pour it back into the original bottle. It will make it all set up and be unusable.
6. Because of the accelerator, the Z5 will almost be dry by the time you reach the back of the car. When you apply the Z5, use back and fourth motions on the roof hood and trunk and up and down motions on the doors. Avoid making any circular motions with your pads or towels.
7. Between each layer of Z5 use the Z6 detail Spray. On your first application you may want to apply only one layer of Z5. Later you can come back to it because all of the products are compatible.
8. The last application should always be Z2 gloss enhancer. It gives your paint a high gloss and light reflection. Apply it with a new applicator. The applicators can be washed with your towels and used many times. Follow the Z2 with the Z6 detail spray. Be sure not to use any fabric softener like Downey.
9. Maintain the just waxed look by washing the car with Z7 car wash and the Z6 detail spray. If the car is a daily driver it will last for almost a year. About 6 months later you may want to freshen up the shine with a coat of Z5 and Z2 with the detail spray in between and after the last coat of Z2. The beauty of these products is that chemically they are all related and you can apply them in any order as many times as you want as long as you apply Z2 last. One thing about Z2 is that is can be applied in sunlight. The other products should be in the shade.
I hope this helps if you need any help give Zaino a call. I am afraid of the Clay Bars because I scratched one of my cars several years ago using the clay bar. Use all of the products sparingly. A little goes a long way. Do not apply a thick coat of Z5 or Z2. It is best to put on thin layers.
Before they came out with the accelerator I would wait over night for each layer to dry. However, now with the accelerator it dries quickly. I started using Zaio products in the fall of 1999 when I got my 2000 corvette. I found the products on the corvette forum. Zaino first started making it’s products exclusively for Corvettes and show cars.
My old corvette when I sold it lookd 2 feet deep. I see it ocassionally now
and it still looks great. My EX is silver and I used the above description in applying the Zaino and when parked next to a new EX on the show room floor you can really see the difference in the way it reflects light.
Any time you want to freshen up the shine, you can apply either Z5 followed by Z2 or Z2 by it's self. When I am on the road with my ZO6 I will wash it with the Zaino car wash dry it and apply a coat of Z2 right in the sunlight. Always I the last thing I apply is the Z6 detailer. It only takes a few minutes. There is nothing like the shine of a red corvette on a bright sunny day.
I hope this helps
Ronnie
for more info and verification go to http://www.zainostore.com/
Never ever ever ever use any type of dishwashing liquid to wash a car. It is far too aggressive and will strip all wax/polish off the car!