Scratch resistant paint and Zaino

[RonnieMartin]

For years I have been using Zaino Brothers polishing products on all my cars with spactular results. However, the new EX has scratch resistant paint.

"You could call it "self-healing" clear-coat paint: Scratch Shield has the unique ability erase fine scratches, such as fingernail scratches under door handles, and can restore the surface close to its original state, according to Infiniti. The process takes anywhere from one day to one week (depending on the surrounding temperature and the depth of the scratch). So, I'm unable to confirm the healing powers of the highly elastic resin used in this special paint clear-coat."

Is there any reason why I should not use Zaino polish on the new EX?

ThanksRonnie

[Barry Zack]

Ronnie,

That is a good question.

Send an E-mail to Sal Zaino and report back.

Zack

[Jager]

Id email infiniti or ask your dealer, then get it in writing tath its ok. nothing like ruining a good paintjob by accident.

[mikek]

Just some info on the Self Healing Paint.

You'll never get any dealer to give you care suggestions in writing, they wouldn't risk the liability.

[Barry Zack]

Jager,

The manufacture knows nothing about Zaino wax. And the dealer is the last person in the world to ask, they don't even know how to spell it.

Zack

[starstreak]

My Lexus dealer knows how to spell it, and sell it. He told me what wax does what(I forgot by now) why I would choose one over the other, Why he ordered one version and not another etc. I'm just pointing this out as it never hurts to ask. Especially if they sell the stuff.

Jager,

The manufacture knows nothing about Zaino wax. And the dealer is the last person in the world to ask, they don't even know how to spell it.

Zack

[Barry Zack]

Right ........... and your point is ............... ?

Zack

[starstreak]

You were saying not to even think of asking the dealer cuz they know nothing. Was just pointing out that the Lexus dealer knew what he was talking about. I remember looking up the wax on the internet and what he was telling me was pretty dead on.

Right ........... and your point is ............... ?

Zack

[Jager]

Barry its not that the dealer may know, but most dealers that you have a long term relationship and are asking /working with will be as helpful as possible, i know that the paint is not covered per se, but that does not mean the dealer wont help out as I have seen in the past, Also I know all manufacturers give their dealers a approved list of waxes and cleaning solutions for the lot vehicles as a recommendation so the dealer can detail their own cars, its worth asking about.

to the op if nothing else test the wax on a non visible area like the door sill and check it later and see what it does. at least if it does do damage its not visible.

id only do that as a last resort though.

[RonnieMartin]

Id email infiniti or ask your dealer, then get it in writing tath its ok. nothing like ruining a good paintjob by accident.

I did send an e-mail to Sal. However he has not responded.

Usually before I drive a new car, I prepare it with Zaino. If you can get a couple coats of Zaino before it gets road grime on it it will look great for years. Zaino contains no silicone or abrasives. The more yo put on it the better it looks.

Thanks guys for your replies.

Ronnie

[starstreak]

On a side note, how the paint feel? it is smooth? or does this new type of self healing paint feel different than normal paint?

[RonnieMartin]

On a side note, how the paint feel? it is smooth? or does this new type of self healing paint feel different than normal paint?

It looks and feels to me like any other new paint. The dealer charged me for a clear bra. a product by 3M. I told them that after I found out about the zaino I would prepare the car first then have the bra put on. It sure appears as if it would protect Unless you get the light just right you cannot see the bra.

Ronnie

[RonnieMartin]

I called Zaino this morning amd Zack said it would be ok to put the Zaino on it. I washed it with Dawn and dried it with a 200 mph leaf blower then applied the new all in one Za-ino prep and one coat of Z5 and one coat of C8.

Man it looks great !!! I am going to order some of the product that makes the C5 and C2 dri faster and layer it next week. It was so cold here today that I was afraid it would not dry. I plan to drive it tomorrow to Arkansas to meet my Daughter.

Ronnie

[Barry Zack]

Ronnie,

I love Zaino and have been using it for about 15 years. I'm a Corvette Guy and you know how we are. Just bought a new 2007 Z06 and have 8 coats on it now ........ and it keeps getting better. Just follow the Web Site and you wouldn't go wrong.

Zack

[RonnieMartin]

Ronnie,

I love Zaino and have been using it for about 15 years. I'm a Corvette Guy and you know how we are. Just bought a new 2007 Z06 and have 8 coats on it now ........ and it keeps getting better. Just follow the Web Site and you wouldn't go wrong.

Zack

I also bought a 07 ZO6 last year just about this time. I have lost track as to how many coats it has on it now. The color is Victory Red. BTW are not all Corvettes Red?

Thanks for your reply

Ronnie

[Barry Zack]

Ronnie,

Well that explains the Zaino connection. Zaino is the best coating money can buy. However, I am still trying to visualize what the Zaino does when the EX35 clearcoat moves under it.

And, yes all Corvettes are Red.

Zack

[mikec]

Ronnie,

I too have been using Zaino on my pearl white Murano and love the products. I'm waiting to receive my EX35 also in pearl white and have been wondering if I could use the Zaino on it.

Living up north where they throw salt on the roads in winter our cars are being bombarded by large salt crystals. After getting all kinds of chips out of the paint I also was looking into the clear bra but I figured that since the damage was done it was too late. I kept touching up the chips with the Lanka paint chip kit. It would be ideal to install the clear bra on the EX before it gets damaged. Does it change the color of the paint or is it affected by the sun?

My Murano came with a clear coated covering in front of the rear wheel wells. It looked pretty good and didn't change color. I wonder if it's the same material as the 3M product.

Mike

[RonnieMartin]

I don't know if it is the same product or not. However I am going to wait until I have layered the zaino before installing the Clear bra. What they told me was that they have software that designs the clear bra after taking a picture of the car. It is cut with a lazer then applied much like window tent is applied. We don't have salt on the roads her in the South or snow either but all of my cars have suffered from rock chips from the debris along the shoulder that gets back up on the road find ultimately propelled by the car in front of you. We also have big dump trucks that fly up and down the road with out a cover spraying rocks.

It really chaps me when you are doing 70 mph and a big dump truck passes you with a sign that says stay back 100 feet!!!

How do you do that? Most of the time the tag is either absent or obscured.

I took a short trip yesterday up to Arkansas and averaged 65.4 mph and 26.1 mpg.

The Ex really has a nice ride.

Ronnie

[mikec]

How much do they charge for the bra?

[Mark Booth]

Given the "Scratch Resistant" finish on the EX, I am hesitant to install a clear bra. I don't know how the two will react against one another and I don't want to make an expensive mistake. Further, the lower front bumper on the EX is a black slightly texturized plastic finish. It is not smooth like the paint. I doubt a clear bra can be attached to that area and that area is where 75% of the rock nicks are going to happen.

Mark

[michel]

Well I asked my dealer's prep department here in Montreal Canada and they don't even know who the Zaino Brothers are!

The Infiniti.ca website is not even updated yet - no EX35 on it yet!?! the M2008 was just updated last week. So I don't dare ask them, they don't seem to know what they are doing, period!

So if the dealer and distributor don't know, go to a show and try to find a japaneese product manager who comes from Japan, if he doesn't know, he will make a point to get the info. Too bad the major shows are already passed.

So it leaves us with the Zaino brothers. I emailed them as well asking them to provide me with the info. I will also look up their liability when it comes to their product.

Ciao for now

[michel]

Also sent an email to Sal Zaino. Waiting for response. Will post as soon as received (if Sal agrees to it)

by the way, the owners manual section 7 page 2 specifies nothing about washing and waxing special care for the Scratch Shield paint (SSP). Furthermore, I did not find any reference to this topic anyware in the manual.

It seems the journalists are talking more about it than Infiniti is!

Ciao for now

[Dodgeyaussie]

I called Zaino this morning amd Zack said it would be ok to put the Zaino on it. I washed it with Dawn and dried it with a 200 mph leaf blower then applied the new all in one Za-ino prep and one coat of Z5 and one coat of C8.

Man it looks great !!! I am going to order some of the product that makes the C5 and C2 dri faster and layer it next week. It was so cold here today that I was afraid it would not dry. I plan to drive it tomorrow to Arkansas to meet my Daughter.

Ronnie

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!

[Dodgeyaussie]

Also sent an email to Sal Zaino. Waiting for response. Will post as soon as received (if Sal agrees to it)

by the way, the owners manual section 7 page 2 specifies nothing about washing and waxing special care for the Scratch Shield paint (SSP). Furthermore, I did not find any reference to this topic anyware in the manual.

It seems the journalists are talking more about it than Infiniti is!

Ciao for now

I just attended a drive/comparison/training day on the EX and can tell you that the only thing you need to be concerned about with regards to the Scratch Shield Paint is when using a maching polisher. Polishers create heat and heat is what accelerates the "healing" process, however if you get it too hot you will go through the clear coat and then it's all over. I can't see any reason why you would have any problem with the clearbra either.

[RonnieMartin]

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 nowand 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 helpsRonnie

for more info and verification go to http://www.zainostore.com/

[inteller]

Zaino is not a wax, it is a polymer based polish. Wax is like the junk you get in a green bottle with a turtle on it.

Zaino is safe. Just make sure any scratches are healed and the surface is very clean.

[cjre1]

I use this stuff and they are both the same, why pay a lot of money for a 3-5 step process.

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