[TopMomm]

Several of you sound like you really know what you'e doing when it comes to car detailing, so maybe you can answer these questions for my husband and me:

1) We usually take our cars to one of those brushless car washes, where your car goes thru on a conveyor belt and you watch it thru a little window. I noticed today that the place had a little leaflet saying why it was bad to "wash your car yourself." Said that wiping your car with a sponge would scratch the finish. Is there anything to that? How do you wash your car if you don't use a sponge?

2) And if we did use Zaino, how long might it take to complete a Honda Pilot? My husband thinks I'm nuts to even consider this option; he thinks the car will look worse and cost more than if I leave the job to a professional.

3) For those who've Zainoed, how many coats or applications does one bottle do? I figure I need ZFX drops, Z2 and Z6, as well as towels, Dawn, and a couple of polish applicators.

Thanks!!!

 

[Tirespin]

First of all congrats on the new PILOT! Funny you should ask about washing etc............just experienced washing mine for the first time today. It is a different experience than washing my other cars........

first of all, the car wash is going to tell you that about the sponge/scratching issue because they want you back spending your money. I ring out my sponges every time I wash my car and I use a chamoise to dry. Never really had a problem with scratches.

Being that the PILOT is so big, I was wondering to myself what the heck am I going to do when it comes time to wax this thing.......Am I going to pay to have it done or do it myself...............I just don't know. Knowing me, I will wax it myself using Zymol. I have not thought about Ziano..........might look into it. Either way, I am going to set a side the whole morning in order to wax!!!

Carl

 

[PrG]

The scratching supposedly comes from not using the sponge but the particles of dust and dirt caught in the sponge as you are sponging around. I don't see an issue as long as you do a good washdown prior to sponging ...

PrG

 

[TheWorm]

If hubby knows a detailer who can do better than this, I'd love to hear about it

PrG is right on the sponges...there's no nap, so they can trap dirt/abrasives and scratch. Safer to use a 100% USA cotton hand towel (Royal Velvet or Charisma) or washmit (Viking brand is supposedly good). I get irregulars supercheap here.

The first application of Zaino is the most time-consuming. I can Zaino my X in 10 minutes on, 20-30 minutes waiting around for it to dry, and 10-15 minutes off/buff. It's very easy.

Most people get 1.5-2 coats per ounce of Zaino. I'm getting slightly more than 3 coats/oz. Can't remember if the bottles are 8 or 16ozs off the top of my head.

Don't forget the z7 wash -- it let's you go longer between full-zainoing if you're so inclined. I'd get two z6's and three z7's for each bottle of polish (e.g. z2) you buy. That's about the ratio I go through. BTW, if your Pilot's a darker color I'd get z5 instead of z2; I think it looks better than z2 on the darker colors...YMMV.

 

[TopMomm]

Thanks, Worm, for the info and tips. I know my husband would trust YOU to detail our car; it's me that he's concerned about

Do you think the ZFX drops are worthwhile? I don't really understand how they work, just that they accelerate the process somehow. They're pretty expensive ($20) so could I just omit them?

So I could clean off the car with handtowels (100% white cotton) wrung out, rather than a sponge? Or the washmitt...? I gather that's how I get the Dawn on the car? (Keep in mind that it's been long time since I washed a car myself... those free gas station car washes used to suit my Toyota Corolla just fine)

If I get good at this, I'm tacking the hubbie's black BMW...bet Z5 would make it look really nice?

 

[TopMomm]

Worm, the irregular Canon towel site is wonderful! Now which brand is the cheapest? And which sizes do you use to achieve that fantastic look?

Bear with me here...I'm obviously very green.

 

[dbursch]

I had my Zaino initiation yesterday! It took me the best part of a day going through the Dawn, Clay, Z7 wash, Z2 with ZFX times 2 plus Z6 follwup after each coat. Not something I would want to go through on a regular basis but the finish is strikingly polished and slippery. My family thought I was nuts until they saw the end result.

My 50 yo body is complaining somewhat today (but it didn't help feeling on a roll so I also hand rubbed Armor-all LeatherCare into all the leather upholstsery later the same evening!).

TopMomm: go for it! You know you don't want to be the less shiny SS EX-L in Nashville! Use the ZFX _ I only waited 30 minutes or less to buff coats, use only an ounce though because that is all you need. I ended up throwing a half ounce away.

I will probably put 2 more coats on in a few weeks or so -should be alot quicker as the Worm says.

db :2: :2:

 

[banningjr]

What is Zaino?

I have read sooo many Zaino posts and everyone really seems to like it. So what is it? Reading these posts it sounds more like a wash at times and a wax/ polish at others. I realize it seems to be a step type system but what is the difference between that and say Meguiars Gold Class wash and wax?

 

[TheWorm]

TopMomm. I'd probably opt for the ZFX. You need either Z1 or ZFX, and the ZFX at least serves a useful purpose (quicker dry times, multiple coats-in-a-day) whereas the Z1 is only used every 6 months or so.

I've alternated between the Royal Velvet and Charisma towels. Always white. The Charismas are a bit softer/plusher, but are also more expensive. They also tend to last a bit longer IMO. Either is good! I usually buy TheWife a couple of good Charismas with each order -- that way I don't get in trouble for using better towels on the car than in the bathroom The bath sheet size is good for drying (you'd need 2 or 3) and for removing the Z (1 is adequate). Hand towels for washing and Z6 (2 total).

FYI, ya shouldn't wring out the towels before washing...suds and water are GOOD things The black Bimmer will look awesome w/Z. Keep in mind that the biggest impact (wow factor, mirror shine) has been somewhere around the 4th or 5th coat).

banningjr - www.zainobros.com explains it. Yea, it's a "system", really a series of cleaning stuff and polishes in the same spirit as the Megs system. Key difference is that Megs is a WAX whereas Zaino is a polymer. Polymers last longer than wax and Z doesn't stain black trim (plastic) either

dbursch - trust me, after the first workout, it's E.A.S.Y - wipe on, wipe off!

 

[renov8r]

Re: What is Zaino?

I have read sooo many Zaino posts and everyone really seems to like it. So what is it? Reading these posts it sounds more like a wash at times and a wax/ polish at others. I realize it seems to be a step type system but what is the difference between that and say Meguiars Gold Class wash and wax?

Zaino is a 'brand'. The company makes a full line of deatiling "potions", including wash, polish, wax, protectorants. Longevity of the finish is very very good, plus it is has been formulated in such a way to promote mulitple coats. This is different than conventional waxes, whihc tend not to work well when trying to "layer 'em up".

Somewhat more expensive than garden variety car care products, but hard to find ANYONE that is dissatisfied. I believe their popularity has grwon with the rise of "model specific" forum (like this one, and those for other owners of Corvetttes, NSXs,911s, BMWs, Miatas, MDXs et cetera) who tend to be pretty harsh on products that don't represent "value".

BTW the Meguiars line includes products aimed at "mass merchants" as well as those that target 'pro-sumers'. Generally the products with numbers in their name (like #26 HiTech Wax or #17 Clear Plastic Cleaner, #34 Final Inspection) were designed with detailers and hard core car lovers while the other products were designed to compete against "Nu-Finish" and other 'auto parts store' products.

A 'combo-product' (either wash&wax or polish&wax or 'wonder product) will not perform as well as a single purpose product. Either it won't last as long, it won't shine as well, or it well leave behave all kinds of residue. The Zaino products are 'no compromise' single purpose products.

 

[banningjr]

How are they coming off? I am thinking of the MG Gold Class, it leaves a fantastic shine but does take time to remove as it is a very sticky residue. But once it is off the shine is deep and great!

 

[Len]

I confess that I use our neighborhand car wash where you wash it yourself with a pressurized "wand." That's the only way I can get to wash the roof decently.

My model was already prepped with the PermaPlate, so I just need to "refresh" the shine once every 6 months with their finisher.

 

[rbetz]

Worm . . . .

what products, in what sequence, would you recommend to properly 'Zaino' my white Pilot? I have always used a brushless car wash on my other vehicles but this Zaino thread has me intrigued.

 

[TheWorm]

Some tips are here on the MDX board...

 

[dbursch]

Zaino, of course

Worm: do you zaino your glass? Have not tried their plastic polish, yet -is it good? I assume for interior since the Z2 works on the exterior shiny plastic.

Bittersweet Zaino reward: I now notice the leakage from my winshield jets because the droplets just want to stand tall and dance on top of that new finish!


db

 

[Cheesehead]

I've always use the brushless do it yourself drive in pressure washers and been satisfied with the results. Be forewarned to never use the brushes that some do it yourself bays have. They are full of stones and dirt. I can't believe how many people drive in and start washing with this dirty brush. It's just like hearing the dentists drill

 

[TheWorm]

Re: Zaino, of course

Worm: do you zaino your glass? Have not tried their plastic polish, yet -is it good? I assume for interior since the Z2 works on the exterior shiny plastic.


db

I don't Zaino the glass, but others do and have reported reasonable results. I do have the glass polish but haven't tried it yet.

The plastic polish, as I recall, is abrasive -- so you'd use it to remove scratches on a convertible's rear window (plastic) or from the instrument cluster. I don't use it, nor have I researched it, so I'm not certain. Most folks use Vinylex or 303 Aerospace Protectant on the interior hard plastics. I use Vinylex and have been happy w/it.