Andy, I can't believe that after all that, the car didn't look awesome. I did mine this past weekend with 3 coats of Z2 and, as always, the car looks fantastic. The paint looks better than if it was wet. Depth of shine is amazing with Zaino. I also did 2 coats on my Smoke Armada and it looked amazing as well. I've been a Zaino-holic for a couple years now, and it has never let me down.

 

Well, maybe I don't have the right touch or maybe I expect too much after all the Zaino talk. It looked good, but I have not used other wax or shine on it so I don't have a comparison. I took some pictures after the first set and maybe when I figure out how, I'll post them. Today it is covered in nice yellow pollen! Maybe that will rinse off.

Which reminds me, after washing and rinsing with the hose, I poured distilled water over the car to wash off the local, quite heavy with minerals, tap water. I used two gallons after the wash. Then I toweled it dry. Then I clayed it (only before the first coats). I don't think much got on the clay for all the effort I put into that. And what is the "rail dust" I theoretically removed? Then began the Zaino polish and spray with the gloss enhancer.

Any other thoughts?

 

"Rail dust" is actually metal dust that collects on the cars while they are sitting at the port. It isn't necessarily from trains, but there are alot of things the cars are exposed to while waiting on shipment. The clay bar also removes brake dust which, believe it or not, can embed itself into the paint. Clay bars are also helpful in removing bug stains. Here is how I did my car:

1: Washed entire car with the blue (no bleach!) Dawn dishwashing soap. Did NOT dry.
2: Using a little Zaino wash in a bucket with some water I clayed the areas that did not feel smooth to the touch. THis was mainly the front bumper cover, and the area behind the tires and below the side mouldings. My car was new so the paint was in excellent shape.
3: After the clay, I washed the entire car with Zaino wash.
4: Applied Zaino Z2 mixed with ZFX and let dry. Removed Z2 and sprayed car down with Z6 gloss enhancer.
5: Repeated step 4 two more times.

If you didn't wash you car after the clay treatment, maybe a bit of clay residue caused the Zaino shine to be kind of dull. Not too sure on that one. But I can say that, after using all the other waxes out there, Zaino is by far the best for overall gloss and depth of shine.

 

Thanks. I did exactly as you did, except for drying before the clay (I thought it said to dry it and I wanted to get the minerals off after the Dawn wash since the instructions said the polish won't remove water spots, which I had after a rinse a few weeks before). I did the clay over the entire car and used some Zaino wash as the lubricant, as they suggested. Then I did wash the car (with the Zaino wash that time) and began the Z-2 with ZFX process and Z6 gloss enhancer.

We'll see.

To get the Zaino, I had to order it from their distributor in PA who was helpful and fast-the box arrived the day after I ordered it. He is H. Carl Voellm www.hcvind.com

 

I love Zaino.
C.

 

Anyone ever used Buffalo Milke wax products?

 

Andy, thanks for that site. I order my Zaino directly from Zaino Bros. I may try that place in PA to see if I get it faster. I'm ready to try the new Z8 and Z2Pro. I just put another coat of Z2 on tonight.

 

I had called Zaino to order, but they have a few areas where they assigned a franchise (or something like that) and ironically, that includes their home of NJ (and the franchisee is in PA-where you are). I don't know if he sells to PA or not, but he probably does.

When are you coming over to give mine another coat .

 

LOL...give yours another coat. That's funny. I usually Z2 the car after every wash with at least 1 coat, 3 if it's a weekend. This keeps the car super shiny. I also do our Armada. A wash and one coat of Z2 usually takes me an hour and a half, unless the car is really dirty(not often). IMO, DG really looks great with Zaino.