On Black paint, with some swirl marks that meguiars Scratch X left behing. They guy who used to have it got it washed at gas stations all the time...ouch. And do those 2 (BF or Z) cost relatively the same?
I have been using Meguiar's 3 step with meguiars car wash thats supposedto help w/ swirls too, but I still have swirls...so whenever I run out, or in May, whichever comes first, new stuff time.

 

Zaino, definitely. I had been using blackfire and S100 on my wife's black G, and recently switched to Zaino. Its the first wax/sealant product that I can actually see a visible difference in. I was skeptical for a long time, but tried it anyway, now I'm converted.

 

Definately Zaino! Go to zainostore.com and get the "Kit"! Go through the complete process: Dawn, Clay, Z7 Wash, Z6, applications of Z5 with ZFX until you are satisfied (2-3). Use Z6 after removing/buffing Z5 before moving onto the next coat. Finally Z2 with ZFX and as with Z5, after removing/buffing apply Z6.

It is going to be a long day or weekend. ZFX will speed the process. Read the instructions and/or visit the Zaino site for "Tips". If three applications of Z5 are required, so be it, but that is the maximum applications in one day. Your final application should be Z2. You can however go back and add additional coats of Z5. I usually make every 4th application Z5.

Enjoy!

 

One thing else, go to dftowel.com and order some towels. They also have a "new" applicator which I like. Also, get some drying towel "Waffle" from autopia-carcare.com or pakshak.com

 

fyi, its about 55 degrees and low humidity in my garage in atlanta today. I've been detailing my truck, (clay, buff/polish, strip and zaino) and have so far done 2 coats of Z5 and one Z2, without using the ZFX, and its drying within 30 minutes of application. I do put very thin coats on though, and your results may vary depending on weather conditions.

 

if you really want to get rid of those swirls, goto www.properautocare.com and order the porter cable 7424 polisher kit and menzerna intensive and final polish. I just did my black truck and just about all the small scratches are gone. Next stop Z and G

 

I'd add one more choice to your list of products to consider. It's called Four Star Ultimate Paint Protection (formerly called Platinum Ultimate Paint Protection). I'm switching to it from Blackfire on the 350Z after having great results using it on my daily drivers. The link below is a post from a Zaino user describing his impressions of UPP on a black car.

http://www.detailcity.com/forums/sho...&highlight=upp

 

hmm...I must try that. Hey 2003Z, do You drive an SVT lightning? Looks like one. The weather here is always hot and humid. yaay florida, are any of these best in the armpit florida weather?

 

No, its an S-10 ZQ-8, which is an XTREME without the bodykit.

 

i guess one vote for BF anyways... i only recommend BF on black or red cars. makes it look really deep, and underwater looking. the protection lasts months and months too.. runs for $50 + shipping with everything you need (towels, applicators, car wash ect.) for the New Car Kit

 

I wasn't too impressed with zaino on black car. It is very reflective and glossy but i feel that it lacks depth. and zaino is a dust magnet. It attracts dust on my black car more than anything else i've used. You can top zaino with a carnuba like s100 to add some depth and lessen its dust attraction. I haven't tried blackfire so i can comment on the product. How about trying NXT tech wax? Its available locally and gives a really nice deep and wet looking finish. It also has filling properties to fill in light swirls.

 

I use Blackfire on my Chrome Silver. While the finish is not as "deep" as on darker colors, the wax lasts much longer then my old Carnauba Wax. one application lasts at least 2 month (that is with weekly car washes)

 

i haven't put a coat of blackfire since about august of 2003. still beads like a champ and still has its shine. I wash about every other week and quick detail once a week. only till about 2 weeks ago i started seeing that my car wasn't beading as much and didn't feel "slick" as before. Longest wax... er... i mean polymer... i've ever used

 

Tom.... as discussed, from one major Blackfire user to another... I am really looking forward to the results of your test using Four Star UPP on the Z.

thanks

Bill

 

Bill, I'm expecting to do the Z in April and will post the results. One of the daily drivers I use UPP on is a bright silver Subaru Legacy sedan. The UPP makes the metal flake effect really stand-out. Having scanned a number of detailing message boards over the last six months, I think I've concluded that the color of the car is one factor in how well a particular product performs in terms of appearance. In other words, my results on Daytona Blue may not translate directly to what you might experience on Silverstone. Not sure how close my Subaru's shade of silver is to your car. Just some additional food for thought.
Tom