Zaino users step inside please
Thread Starter
All Aboard!!!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
From: St Louis Mo Mo
Zaino users step inside please
Ok so i finally got some Zaino....Seems like most people on here love it so i thought i would give it a try. Today i washed my vert really good with some Dawn like the directions said and proceeded to Zaino my baby up. Im sorry but i dont see a differance, is it really that great or am i doing something wrong???? Do i need to put several coats on to get that WOW factor? It didnt seem like i was putting enough on but the directions said that a little will go a long way. I guess after reading post about how great it is for the last year i was expecting a miracle or something, now with that said my car is very clean at all times and always is waxed and looking good so maybe i just am not noticing a differance. I did buy the detailer also and used it over the weekend at a car show and it was great!! and the wax did go on and off real easy. Maybe i was just expecting to much.......Any thoughts????? should i put 3 or 4 coats on and see what happens?????
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
zaino is a polish not a wax. right now you have a clean protected car. if you want the mirror reflection you need to apply several coats. i use 1 - 2 oz ( whole bottle) every time i wax the car. it will need to be super clean before you apply the multi coats of zaino. buy some car washing towels and use a clean applicator pad every bottle. within 6 to 10 coats it will look like a mirror.
i put on three coats a day. i wash in the morning and put it in the garage and apply a coat of Z2. wait for it to dry and towel it off. repeat two more times and then wipe down with the detailer and i am done.
ps. did you clay it?
that really helps.
i put on three coats a day. i wash in the morning and put it in the garage and apply a coat of Z2. wait for it to dry and towel it off. repeat two more times and then wipe down with the detailer and i am done.
ps. did you clay it?
that really helps.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Train, READ this thread.
Follow the directions from Zaino to the letter.
CLAY BAR is a requirement else you'll never get the smoothness to reflect the light. You need to use the clay bar.
Nuff said.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2103562
Jim
Follow the directions from Zaino to the letter.
CLAY BAR is a requirement else you'll never get the smoothness to reflect the light. You need to use the clay bar.
Nuff said.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2103562
Jim
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,371
Likes: 5,250
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Acct Suspended by request 25 MAY 2026
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,570
Likes: 0
From: Goodyear, AZ
Cruise-In II Veteran
It would help to know what product(s) you applied.
You won't reach maximum shine until between 3 and 6 coats depending on color, age & condition of your paint. (3 coats maximum within a 24 hours period with the Z-2P/ZFX combination).
I can apply a single coat on my entire C5 with 1/4 of an ounce of Z-2P/Z-5P. Remember to treat it like it cost $1,000 an ounce. Neophytes will usually apply their first few coats thicker. Once you get the hang of it you will use much less product.
You won't reach maximum shine until between 3 and 6 coats depending on color, age & condition of your paint. (3 coats maximum within a 24 hours period with the Z-2P/ZFX combination).
I can apply a single coat on my entire C5 with 1/4 of an ounce of Z-2P/Z-5P. Remember to treat it like it cost $1,000 an ounce. Neophytes will usually apply their first few coats thicker. Once you get the hang of it you will use much less product.
Thread Starter
All Aboard!!!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
From: St Louis Mo Mo
Thanks for all the great advice, it sounds like i need to clay bar it or add several coats before im going to notice a big differance. I would consider my car's paint to be in excellant condition there are no swirl marks or scratches to cover up. I would say 99% of the times it is driven it is washed and detailed within 24 hours of the drive, most of the time as soon as i get home. I used Z2 (one coat). Here is a pic of my car with no zaino to give you an idea how good it is already.
Thanks for all the advice.
Thanks for all the advice.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,070
Likes: 1,293
From: Central Ma
You have an extremely forgiving color, and from that one pic it does look to be in good shape, and I am sure it is.
Having said that though, I can guarantee you that you would benefit greatly from a thorough polishing first.
A PC/polishing, then Z would really help.
Good luck.
Having said that though, I can guarantee you that you would benefit greatly from a thorough polishing first.
A PC/polishing, then Z would really help.
Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,479
Likes: 13
From: Dallas/Grand Prairie Texas
Even that color can really shine and pop but you'll never know it cause you're not preping the car correctly.
First off to just wash and wax it is not enough for any wax or sealant and the only Zaino product that is even mildly abrasive is ZPC, Z5 and Z2 are simply sealants not polishes.
You need to redo it and clay it this time and I would even give it a good polishing with an abrasive polish seeing how old your vette is, that should really help clean up oxidation and any fading due to swirls.
With the proper prep work your color can look like this with only 1 coat of Zaino Z5.
First off to just wash and wax it is not enough for any wax or sealant and the only Zaino product that is even mildly abrasive is ZPC, Z5 and Z2 are simply sealants not polishes.
You need to redo it and clay it this time and I would even give it a good polishing with an abrasive polish seeing how old your vette is, that should really help clean up oxidation and any fading due to swirls.
With the proper prep work your color can look like this with only 1 coat of Zaino Z5.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
If your paint is not in close to perfect condition to begin with, then you may like the visual results you get from wax better as it will fill in some flaws for a while. As others have said, the first key to getting the Zaino look is to make your base paint as close to perfect as possible prior to layering.
I have a black 2001 DD and took it to the Dealership today to get some parts. I parked between two new black C6's (one a Z06) for sale out front in the sunlight and all the salesman asked what I had done to make the paint look that much better than the C6's!!! I should have taken a photo - the difference was staggering!
I have a black 2001 DD and took it to the Dealership today to get some parts. I parked between two new black C6's (one a Z06) for sale out front in the sunlight and all the salesman asked what I had done to make the paint look that much better than the C6's!!! I should have taken a photo - the difference was staggering!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 909
Likes: 2
From: Orange County, CA State of Confusion
Train, READ this thread.
Follow the directions from Zaino to the letter.
CLAY BAR is a requirement else you'll never get the smoothness to reflect the light. You need to use the clay bar.
Nuff said.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2103562
Jim
Follow the directions from Zaino to the letter.
CLAY BAR is a requirement else you'll never get the smoothness to reflect the light. You need to use the clay bar.
Nuff said.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2103562
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,022
Likes: 1
From: TEXAS
A very good shine:
1. Wash car with Dawn.
2. Claybar.
3. Wash car again.
4. Apply Z-AIO, let it dry, buff.
5. Apply Z-CS.
6. Apply Z-8.
A very VERY good shine:
1. Wash car with Dawn.
2. Claybar.
3. Wash car again.
4. Apply Z-AIO, let it dry, buff.
5. Apply Z-6.
6. Apply Z-2Pro, let it dry, buff.
7. Apply Z-6.
8. Apply Z-CS.
9. Apply Z-8.
1. Wash car with Dawn.
2. Claybar.
3. Wash car again.
4. Apply Z-AIO, let it dry, buff.
5. Apply Z-CS.
6. Apply Z-8.
A very VERY good shine:
1. Wash car with Dawn.
2. Claybar.
3. Wash car again.
4. Apply Z-AIO, let it dry, buff.
5. Apply Z-6.
6. Apply Z-2Pro, let it dry, buff.
7. Apply Z-6.
8. Apply Z-CS.
9. Apply Z-8.