TxAggie

I recently ordered my 2008 VR coupe and I want to stock up some Zaino since everyone appears to love it. I was looking at the Zaino site and they have a whole bunch of products and I wasn't sure what all to buy and I was also curious about their tire gloss (z16). I actually like the "wet" tire look on a car and from the description it doesn't appear to do that? Any tire gloss suggestions?

So here we go...what process do you use to clean your vette? Did you clay the car for the first time? Do you start by washing with the z7 or do you first use something like Dawn soap and water then the z7?

Thanks for any tips/advice.

steve8

Using plenty of lube, clay your car lightly in a back and forth direction, not circular.
I'd wash again with Z7.
Hopefuly you will not have induced any swirl marks with the clay.
I'd do 2-3 Z5P w/ZFX, 2-3 Z2P w/ZFX if applying immediately, ZCS, and end with Z8.

gwayne

(Keep in mind I haven't tried ANY of the newer Zaino products ZAIO,CS, etc.)

My regimen:

Dawn wash
Clay bar with plenty o' lube
Wash with Z-7
Z-5 Pro w ZFX
Z-6 Wipe down
Z-2 Pro w ZFX
Z-6 Wipe down
Z-2 Pro w ZFX
Z-8 Grand Finale

This looks daunting, but I'm usually finished within 4-5 hours and 5-6 Bud Lights.

Regardless of what I do after these steps, the car never looks THAT much better.

steve8

Good point about the Z6 in between coats. I will do a very light Z6 to complete the drying after a wash, and a light wipe down in between coats of Z.

lexaudio

Well, you really only need to clay if the paint is contaminated.

There is no reason to clay otherwise. Do the sandwich bag thing.

After 1 year of Zanio treatment, I clayed the car. There was little of anything on the clay.

Get the Zaino Ultimate kit and Clear Seal. I have All in One as well.

Wash with dawn only when you get the car, not everytime.

Dawn Wash (1st time only)
Z7 wash
Dry
Z5 Pro with ZFX (1 ounce with 4 drops)
Remove with microfiber towel
Z6 (I apply differently. I use a microfiber sponge and towel. Spray the sponge, wipe on section of panel, wipe off with 1 side of towel, flip and wipe down again)
Z2 Pro with ZFX (1 ounce w 4 drops)
Remove
Clear Seal (let dry)
Z8 (same app as Z6)

I do the same to the rims.

LEX

bonesbr549

Go to the Zaino bro's website and give them a call. That's what I did and gave the specifics of my car and they told me exactly what to order and how to apply it. I got the full kit for the interior too. They will tell you everything you need to know about how to apply. Just remember a little dab will do. A dime size amount should do the whole hood. I did six coats of zaino with two oz of material. I'm a convert.

bugman

If you really want a super-shiny tire that lasts-

click on pic.

You are correct - Z16 gives a really classy, matte finish - dark black with a glow, but not a wet gloss. I think it's a better look , but it's all subjective.

0TH0001@properautocare.com

Is everything thread I click on going to have Lexaudio's Corvette in it

lexaudio

yes

0TH0001@properautocare.com

hahha

rydawg

I would make sure to get some CS also. It plays a big part in the added liquid gloss and the slickness hours later is excellent. The next day is when they all collide with each other and the look is beyond impressive.

TxAggie

What tire stuff do you use? The car looks amazing bro. I hope my VR looks that good. How well dooes this work on top of a clear bra like Xpel or 3M?

ZPirate

I follow roughly the same process except I wash the car before I clay it. I also started using CS at the end followed by Z-8

cadguymark

doubtful you need to use clay on a new Vette, but it's possible, only use abrasives when absolutely necessary
go to:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1720824
to see the process I used using Zaino triplets, the first few pics are of dailey driver
note that I did not use Z2,Z5, or gawd forbid, claybar

ZPirate

It is doubtful that you would have to use a clay bar on a brand new car. I didn't clay my Vette when I got it either. However, if the car is really dirty claying it won't hurt it if you do it correctly. I wash it first and then while it is wet clay it using a spray bottle of a mixture of Z-7 and water ahead of where I am working. I also wash the bar frequently and keep working the clay so that whatever it picks up comes out.

I try to clay my vehicles once a year. Claying them really cleans the surface. My 350Z is almost five years old and it just won best exterior at a Z show after I clayed it and applied two coats each of Z-5, Z-2 and CS to it. I had not clayed it in a year. I didn't use Zaino on the Z when I first got it and when I switched to Zaino I clayed it before applying Zaino. You should have seen all the stuff the clay pulled out of the paint.

Here is a picture of my Z after my recent Zaino applications.