Zaino

Forum for Infiniti M35 and M45, and Nissan Fuga owners.
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Boon
Posts: 287
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:41 am
Car: 03 M45 Black on Black Crime

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So I have heard this mentioned a bit and so I checked out the site. It looks like they offer a ton of different products. What is everyone using? Are you getting an assortment and using them in conjunction with each other, or are you guys just buying the wax and applying it?

If anyone has any tips for a routine they use or a method I would love to hear it. My baby needs a of a make over and this stuff seems like the way I'm gonna go. Thanks in advance guys....................... Boon


stroked347
Posts: 53
Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:55 am
Car: 2003 Infiniti M45

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I actually used it this past weekend for the first time. I bought the full show car package w/ leather cleaner and all.

It comes w/ about 10 different bottles of stuff and a page on how to apply it all. I followed the exact instructions which boil down to the following:

1. wash car w/ dawn dish soap (removes pretty much everything except the clear coat)

2. clay bar the car using the z-7 (zaino car wash) - this step really gets the surface super smooth and removes tar etc. like it's nothing

3. wash car w/ zaino z-7 (remove clay bar residue)

here's where stuff can differ slightly..i got the zaino quick drying activator - can't remember the exact name of it. you don't have to use the activator (it just speeds up the curing process)

4. mix up activator w/ car sealant (either z-2 or z-5) about 1 ounce should be enough for 1 coat.

5. apply to car sparingly and let dry for 30 mins, then buff off.

6. spray and buff out the finish w/ cotton towel using z-6 gloss spray

repeat steps 5 and 6 til you get desired gloss.

I only did 2 coats after which it was very glossy. it wipes on and off w/ ease...just takes an afternoon to do because of all the steps.

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szh
Posts: 15932
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 12:54 pm
Car: 2018 Tesla Model 3.

Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO!
Location: San Jose, CA

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Good info ... The quick drying activator makes it possible to finish in one day. Otherwise, the drying time is extended and it takes a weekend (not continuously, but you just have to get back to it again). I'd rather use the activator and get it done sooner.

BTW, the clay bar is an most important part of the steps. Keep the surface thoroughly wet during this process so that the bar does not stick too much!!

Also remember: if you drop the clay bar on the ground, do NOT use it any more ... it will have picked up stuff and will scratch your car surface. (I think the Zaino box comes with two bars for a good reason! )

One way to reduce the concern/problem is to cut the clay bar in half and use each half separately ... this way, even if you do drop one, at least you have another piece to continue (and be more careful with !)

Z

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Boon
Posts: 287
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:41 am
Car: 03 M45 Black on Black Crime

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Rough estimate how long did it take you from start to finish?

ftwklg
Posts: 34
Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:41 pm
Car: 2004 m45 black/black

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I'll have to look in to this stuff, I took my car to a really good detail shop. I had to ask around for a while because there are people who think they do a good job on black and then there is the real thing. It cost about $200 total, but it was so worth it, no swirl marks anywhere on the car, looked brand frigging new. they did such a good job, even took the wheels off and cleaned the wheel wells to the point I would eat off them.

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DELUNASC
Posts: 122
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:34 am
Car: 03 M45

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I would easily pay $200 for my 03 black M to look perfect. I have tried local detailers, as well as spent tons of money and time trying different products including the Zaino line. Nothing seems to completely remove all of the swirls you see in the black paint.

Please share any secrets or tips on making a black car look perfect again!

CD

stroked347
Posts: 53
Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:55 am
Car: 2003 Infiniti M45

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Boon wrote:Rough estimate how long did it take you from start to finish?
About 4 1/2 hours...I was doing other things while waiting for it to dry so it could be prolly be accomplished more quickly. That was w/ 2 coats. I'd estimate about 45 mins per each additional coat. Most of the time is spent getting the car perfectly clean.

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mahmudb
Posts: 83
Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:03 pm
Car: 97' BMW 740il, 03' Infiniti M45

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I have heard great things about Glosshaus products. I heard about him on the BMW board that I am on. They say it is very easy to use and takes swirl marks out. I was thinking of buying it this summer.http://www.glosshaus.com/start.php

THT
Posts: 215
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:14 pm
Car: 96 Legacy L AWD 5spd wagon, 04 M45
Contact:

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Boon wrote:So I have heard this mentioned a bit and so I checked out the site. It looks like they offer a ton of different products. What is everyone using? Are you getting an assortment and using them in conjunction with each other, or are you guys just buying the wax and applying it?

If anyone has any tips for a routine they use or a method I would love to hear it. My baby needs a of a make over and this stuff seems like the way I'm gonna go. Thanks in advance guys....................... Boon
I used to be a Zaino fanatic. Don't get me wrong, it's good stuff but it's not the end-all-be-all of detailing products. I still use Z5 Pro mixed with Grand Finale and ZFX as an intermediate polish. Good blend of protection and clarity.

If you choose to use Zaino, use thin coats. Mixing a spritz or two of Grand Finale in with Z2/Z5/ZFX will make it go on super thin.

Bag302
Posts: 142
Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:52 am

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Several times I've been close to pulling the trigger on some Zaino, but I never pull the trigger because I don't know what to get. Always heard god things.

I've been using Mothers Clay Bar for a few years but recently found something better. I stumbled upon this stuff http://www.autobarn.net/ch200.htmlone day when I was trying to remove a small scratch. It removed the main scratch and surrounding fine scratches so well, I decided to use it on the whole car.

The result looked like factory fresh paint!!

Try it on an inconspicuous area and you'll see.

Apply to a microfiber cloth, a couple of swipes later - swirl free!! I accumulated alot of fine scratches from a local 'soft touch' car wash. This stuff removed them all.

This product does contain ammonia so use it in a well ventilated area.

User avatar
szh
Posts: 15932
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 12:54 pm
Car: 2018 Tesla Model 3.

Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO!
Location: San Jose, CA

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stroked347 wrote:About 4 1/2 hours...I was doing other things while waiting for it to dry so it could be prolly be accomplished more quickly. That was w/ 2 coats. I'd estimate about 45 mins per each additional coat. Most of the time is spent getting the car perfectly clean.
I think you are in a lot better shape than me, or a lot younger!

As I vaguely recall, it took me about 6 or 7 hours to do each car - split over a weekend, because I did not use the Activator that time and had to wait multiple hours between coats. But, I could do both cars one after the other each time though!

Z

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mahmudb
Posts: 83
Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:03 pm
Car: 97' BMW 740il, 03' Infiniti M45

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Bag302 wrote:I've been using Mothers Clay Bar for a few years but recently found something better. I stumbled upon this stuff http://www.autobarn.net/ch200.htmlone day when I was trying to remove a small scratch. It removed the main scratch and surrounding fine scratches so well, I decided to use it on the whole car.

The result looked like factory fresh paint!!

Try it on an inconspicuous area and you'll see.

This product does contain ammonia so use it in a well ventilated area.
Just wondering does Frank Lucas sell that???

THT
Posts: 215
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:14 pm
Car: 96 Legacy L AWD 5spd wagon, 04 M45
Contact:

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Lately, my standard detail has been (after a claybar) Poorboy's Professional Polish followed by Z5 Pro mixed with ZFX and a spritz of Grand Finale. If the car needs it, I use Sonus Swirlbuster prior to the Zaino. I then follow the second polish with a layer of Opti-Seal. Finally, a coat of Collinite 476. Paint looks fantastic and because I only use synthetic-based products, the protection is very durable and lasts for months.


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