Looking for some feedback.

I've been using the CrystalGuard Pro Kit + CG Quick on my '05 black Z. Even used the gravity gun to distribute the product evenly (as directed).

IMO, CG is an awesome product. Produces an awesome shine for the minimal effort that's required. Great for lazy Z owners (including myself). On the otherhand, owning a black Z and SUV, the only thing I feel that CG lacks is the added depth with products I've used in the past (Klasse, Pinnacle Souveran, Menzerna, etc.). My guess is that's where the trade off is with CG.

I'm now ready to give Zaino a try for the first time, but from what I've been reading Zaino seems like one of those 6-9 hour weekend details I've done in the past with other products.
What do you all think? Is Zaino really worth the switch from CG?

I'm open to any and all feedback from users of both CG and Zaino.

Also, while I'm at it, what is the best way (besides using the CG Primer) to get Crystal Guard off? I know that the Dawn wash doesn't work as CG is too hard for that.

 

A lot of people think Zaino is more complicated than it is because most people who know what they're talking about will recommend that you take some steps to prepare your paint before the first layer of Zaino; strip old wax, remove big scratches, claybar. I'd recommend the same before any new finish coating, including CG or plain old wax. We also recommend you start with at least two coats, to get the most shine to start.

I have a friend who bought Zaino on my recommendation, washed with Dawn, put on one coat of Z2, that's all. 6-8 months later, he was still happy with it.

After a good wash, I can put on and take off a coat of Zaino in 2 hours max, and that's taking my time. That's faster than I could do any other wipe on/wipe off product I've tried.

All that said, I think that most of the polymer coating products are going to give you the glass-like no-depth shine. For depth, it seems you need the more difficult, less durable waxes. I think all the products you mentioned you used before are waxes, which must be renewed much more frequently for protection. Personally, I like the reflective shine Zaino gives me, but it doesn't look deep, like liquid.

 

I feel kind of guilty as I type this since there is a HUGE CG advertisement banner at the top of this page!

I agree with what bhob says. If I want a QUICK result now all I have to do is wash, dry, and use the Z-6 detailing mist. All of that takes about 1 to 1.5 hours and the car looks great.

The only time Zaino will take "9+ hours" is maybe the very first time you use it and that of course includes the Dawn wash, the claying, the regular wash and the drying. ALL of which should be done with ANY product. If you want to get three layers on faster you can do it by adding the ZFX accellerator to the Z-5 or Z-2 and it is really fast.

Zaino is no harder to use than any other product and IMO, it is actually much easier.

 

I agree with bonz.
I just done my car a couple of weekends ago. It was somewhat a pain at first but all of the stages that you do the first time doesnt have to be done everytime.
I can tell you this, When it rains or I wet my car water wont even stay on the car.
Im more than sure that zanio provides very good protection for your cars paint.
I do much like bonz does now and that is I wash the car, dry it and z6 it and then hit the road.

 

Thanks for all the feedback.

Sounds good to me! Just ordered a full Zaino kit from a local distributor. Can't wait to see what it'll do on my Super Black Z.

 

Let us know what you think after you've applied the first coat or two.

 

Definitely. Just have to figure out how to get this Crystal Guard stuff off without using the primer.

I was thinking about doing half the car with the CG Pro Kit + CG Quick and the other half with Zaino. What do you all think? Could be an interesting experiment =)

 

That would be an interesting comparison; I doubt it has been done before. Let us know.

 

Well, if you're looking for depth i don't think you'll find that using zaino. I've used both zaino and crystal guard. Crystal guard looks better IMO. Zaino is also a good product and it's durability is outstanding but if you're looking for an added depth you won't find it on zaino. Why don't you just top you're crystal guard with a carnuba wax with no cleaners like p21s, pinnacle souveran, trade secret etc... that'll give you the crystal guard protection with the added depth of a high quality carnuba wax.

 

I tried several things before settling on Menzerna for the Superblack.



Click on the picture to get a really good closeup. I used a Porter Cable 7424 random orbiter polisher and a combination of polish, glaze, and some stuff called FMJ- Full Molecular Jacket.

Superblack is a PITA to keep this clean, and I found this combination worked best for me.

Good luck!

 

I've tried Menzerna and it's the only synthetic that I think makes black look really good without having to top with a carnauba wax. But, I want to give Zaino a try since I've heard such good reviews about it.

 

Prep work isn't a Zaino thing, it should be done regardless of the product you plan to use.

To me, Zaino is the easiest product to apply and remove I've ever used and I've used dozens of different products.