ok i got 3 days off and i plan to go zaino crazy!

I got questions.

zaino says you can wax the car in the sun or shade, it also says hotter and dryer it is, faster it drys. Should i polish my car in the sun to let it dry faster?

Gonna use z7 + claybar, then use liquid dawn, dry it in the shade.

Gonna use ZFX+z2 and i am not going to use z5 i have Pikes Peak i have no swirls or scratches the dealer aparently is wise to not swirling when cleaning hehe.

will use zfx+z2 and do the entire car in 2 feet squares as i go along, then wait a hour and try to remove it, wether i do it in the sun or not im not sure.

Will use z6 directly after i remove zfx+z2 wait about 5 hours use z6 again then use zfx+z2.

This will make 2 coats for the day.

Day 2 will wash with z7 then use z6 then use zfx+z2 and do a repeat of what i did yesterday getting 2 coats of zfx+z2.

So 4 coats in 2 days then probably will stick to a monthly waxing and cleaning in between.

I dont plan to use zaino on my windshield, windows, mirror, wheels, chrome parts. Gonna use meguires all metal polish for chrome things and meguiars next glass cleaner on glass.

Im also not sure if i should zaino my headlights, im wondering if to many layers on the lights might cause them to haze and not be as clear at night.

 

You certainly can. It doesn't really matter, it just hazes/dries faster. I usually do it in the shade because it's cooler.

You should probably reverse your order there. Dawn wash, claybar with a z7+water lube, wash with z7, then apply.

You shouldn't have to wait an hour before removing the z2. That's why you use the zfx, so it sets faster. In my experience, even when it's humid and about 80 in the shade, it's ready to come off in about 20-30 minutes. Assuming you apply it thin.

I'm not sure why you'd use z6 right after removing the z2, then wait 5 hours, then apply it again prior to the next coat. You certainly can do that, but you can just z6 it, and immediately apply the next coat of z2. Supposedly the z2+zfx mixture needs to be used within 6 hours (IIRC?).

I wouldn't apply the z2 to the glass, but z6 is pretty wicked to put on it. It makes any rain just roll off even at low speeds. Reminds me of rainx.

It doesn't cause hazing at all.

 

Well just trying to follow the zaino instructions.

I thought useing dawn then claybar then washing with z7 was better, but was going by zaino instructions that came with the zaino kit.

I will use dawn fist, to me this makes more sence, dawn gets rid of all of the heavy crap then claybar+z7 lube picks up left overs. Im also gonna try to avoid gettign dawn any where near plastic parts, gonna be watching with the hose and try to make sure it doesnt sit on any rubber/plastic to long.

I just now read that useing zfx the wait time is different, i was reading non zfx parts and confuseing my self.

And the instructions say use z6 to remove any residue between buffings and it also helps applying the next layer and ehances the brightness between waxing.

Intructions say if i let the ZFX sit in the bottle for 12 hours i ruin the bottle and must toss it, i cant remember seeing i have 6 hours to do it.

Will just make a 2 ounce solution and see how many coats i can get with it.

 

You'll find it, as a newbie, MUCH easier to apply thin and even on a cool surface. Get it applied, then pullit into the sun to dry, then back into the shade to remove, Z-6 and add the next layer on, then back into the sun to dry, back into the shade to remove again.

Moistening the applicator pad will aslo help to make it easier to spread thin and even.

Only mix up as much ZFX as you have time to apply, the ZFX breaks down over time once it is mixed, thus the 12 hour recommended limit. You can always mix up more. Most every newbie I've watched, whether they start with 1 oz. or 2 oz. end up using it all. With practice you should be able to get down to 1/4 oz. per application. If you use more than 1/2 oz. you are using too much.

 

2 ounces is way too much for 4 coats. you should only need 1 ounce for four coats. and i'd recommend that if you are going to do 2 coats one day and 2 the next, only mix half an ounce each day, rather than mixing the full ounce the first day to use both days. the trick to using zaino is applying it thin! most newbs that compain how hard it is too take off are applying it too thick. once it's set it should come off very easily. no buffing necessary - just wipe and it comes off.

you have some good mf towels i'll assume? you don't want to cause swirls by using crappy towels!

 

Time once again for the now famous Dr Bonz Zaino recipe!


Bare minimum Zaino products:

Z-6 (two bottles)
Z-2 (one bottle)
Z-5 (one bottle)
ZFX (one bottle)

You can use any mild carwash but the Zaino Z-7 is best. It is pH balanced and cleans very nicely without removing any of your Zaino polish.

Also, nice to have (but not essential) are the Zaino Tire Dressing (Z-16) and the Claybar (Z-18). Zaino makes a nice leather seat product, a plastic cleaner, a window cleaner and several other non-essential products.

Here are the initial steps of the Zaino process (at least how I do them)

-Wash with Dawn dishwashing liquid. Use a non-scratching wash mit. I use a microfiber mit. Make sure it is completely free of dirt and debris. Make sure your bucket is completely clean too.

-Rinse

-Clay the car with a solution of Z-7 and water. A quart of water and a cap full of Z-7 should do it. I use a clean spray bottle to spray it on the car. Do small sections at a time. Make sure the clay glides over the paint easily and doesn't stick. If it does, spray on more lube solution! Continue to knead the clay to keep a clean fresh surface against the paint. DON'T drop the clay! If you do, toss that bar and get another one.

-Wash with Zaino Z-7 carwash. Do the tires/wheels first and then use a separate bucket of suds to do the rest of the car.

-Rinse. After you are done rinsing with your spray nozzle, remove the nozzle and rinse the car with the stream of water from the hose only (no nozzle, no thumb over the hose). Use the stream of water to "push" off the beads of water. This is a neat trick that will decrease your drying time significantly!

-Dry the car with a microfiber towel. I prefer the waffle weave microfiber towels. I like to use a shop vac to suck out drops of water in tight areas that you can't get with the towels. Make sure you don't touch the car with the vacuum hose.

-Do a Z-6 misting. It's just like using Windex on windows. Just spray on a light mist of Z-6 detailing spray and wipe it off (in). You don't let it dry, just take it right off. I use the Z-6 on all the glass as well. It cleans well and rain zips right off of it.

-Apply your first layer of Z-5 polish. You can add 2-4 drops of ZFX "flash cure" accelerator to ONE OUNCE of polish. If you do this your drying time with be decreased to one hour or less depending on the temperature and humidity. I use 2 if it is very hot and dry and 4 when it is colder and humid. I recommend applying Zaino polish in the shade but it will work fine in the sun as well. It will just dry a lot faster. Take note that the small mixing bottles you get from Zaino with your order are TWO OUNCE bottles so you only fill them half way up (one ounce). One ounce will do the entire car easily. In fact, if you apply the polish thin enough (and thin is the best way to apply it) you can get two layers on the car with one ounce. Zaino shouldn't look like wax on a car. In other words it shouldn't look hazy and white. It should look like the color of your car only a little blurry. If it looks the least bit white, you applied too much.

The other way to go at this point it to not use the ZFX flash cure and just apply the polish to the car. This is fine only it will take a good 6-8 hours to cure on the car and this will limit the number of layers you can get done in a day (or weekend). I often do two layers with the ZFX, and the third one without it. I apply the last one at night and let the car sit in the garage all night and remove it the next day. You can tell if it is ready to remove when you smudge it lightly with your finger and it ALL comes off and leaves a very shiney surface behind. If it is the least bit blurry it isn't ready yet.

The polish goes on with the applicator Zaino sends you. I like to slightly dampen it first with water. It helps to apply it a little smoother and evenly this way. I recommend side to side straight line applications on the horizontal surfaces of the car (hood, roof) and up and down straight lines on the vertical surfaces (doors, quarter panels). Do not use circular motion (swirls) to lessen the chance of scratches and swirl marks.

-Buff off the polish with a microfiber towel.

-Another Z-6 misting

-Repeat another layer of Z-5 (with or without ZFX)

-Buff off

-Z-6 misting

-Final layer using Z-2 this time (with or without ZFX)

-Buff off

-Final Z-6 misting.

This is my method. You don't HAVE to do all three layers nor do you HAVE to do all the prep work (the Dawn and the claybar) but you will get a MUCH better result if you do them. Many feel that the Zaino process is too complicated and involved and want to use "easier" products. It is important to realize that the prep process is NOT exclusive to Zaino. It should be done with ANY product for best results. Also, you don't need to do three layers or even two for that matter. If you want to do just one, go for it!

For maintenance all you need to do is wash with the Z-7 and do a quick Z-6 misting after you dry. This is enough to keep your ride looking great between your BIG detailing sessions.

Good Luck!

The Doc

 

No need to do two foot squares to apply your Z-2. Just put it on in straight lines front to back on the hood and roof and up and down on the doors. The two foot squares are more for claying. You can do a small area and then rinse off as you go. I don't recommend claying in the sun as the clay tends to break up and smear. It then dries on the paint and is hard to get off. If you are in the sun don't let it dry too long with the ZFX. It'll tend to streak and it is a little harder to remove. If it does, just hit it with some Z-6 and buff. With your PPW you shouldn't even see them though.

Good luck.

 

alright all advice has been soaked up and now i shall go out side and clean my baby up and make it sparkle.

im scared becuase i never have done this stuff haha. i had a car port installed for my car so it will not be in direct sun so im all good. i just want it to be hot enuff that it drys faster. 2-3 coats today is my goal, then 2-3 tomorrow and i should be happy with a good shine.