What Zaino Products Have You Used?

[Cooper]

I have been researching new wax products for the majority of the day. I am now leaning toward purchasing Zaino products. Just curious as to what products have been used. Is their products as easy to use as they say they are? Are they worth the cost?

Thinking about getting the 85 or so dollar kit they sell.

 

[Quattro Pete]

The first post ever created in this forum was about Zaino:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/great-car-polish.46412/

And there were a few more on this subject over the years, if I'm not mistaken.

Personally, I've used their Z1/Z2 routine in the past and always liked the results.

 

[buster]

I've used the Z5/Z6 and I think Z2??. They have a new "All in one" but if you are really going to do it, use the regular stuff. Very good product line. Some on autopia will say it's a bit over hyped, but overall I think it lives up to it.

 

[Colt]

No need for Z1 anymore.
ZFX drops added to Z2 or you can preclean the paint with Zaino AIO all in one cleaner and protectant.
Much longer durability and shine with a follow up use of Z2(if you go Zaino AIO) and/or just Z-CS which is a spray wipe on and walk away great product.

I use Z8 detailer and Z8 sealer at times.
I also love the Zaino leather conditioner.Nice matte finsih with UV protection and leather scent.
I've use Zaino products for the last 9 years of so and love most of the product line.

 

[bretfraz]

Got em all, use em all. I've tried and tested literally hundreds of car care products and the Zaino line is one of those rare few the exceed expectations. I agree it has got overhyped in the past; its not magic goo in a bottle. But when compared fairly and consistently, the products are without compare.

Zaino is a rare mfr where each of their products are best in class or very close to it. Their glass polish and plastic polish are perhaps the only one that are not overachievers, merely very good performers. Everything else is excellent.

Zaino products work best when used as a system. They don't respond well to experimentation; best performance comes when instructions are followed to the letter, at least for noobs. Get the basic process down pat and you can play around with the products a little, but they don't mix well with others unless you understand the system very well.

It's a very easy product line to use, in a physical sense. Always think the stuff cost you $1000 an ounce and you'll be fine. Slop it on like a $2.99 flea market car wax and you'll be disappointed. Zaino demands a different usage mentality that most folks get immediately but a few struggle with ( I was one so I understand the challenges). In the end the educational effort is worth it. Give it a try, be open minded, manage your expectations and enjoy perhaps the best all-around car care products available today.

 

[Buffman]

I just purchased Zaino from one of my friend's (who's a distributor). I ended up with the bigger of the two main kits they offer. the new ZFX is supposed to cut down on the time for coats to haze over, which would be good for me I'll have to take pics when I'm done. It's been waxless since I put it away last year from the body shop buffing it (had some work down in the rear), and the dust and dirt attracts like it crazy

 

[jarvk22]

Cooper if you are serious about detailing their are MUCH better products then Zaino. Check out P21S products and Poorboy's World.

 

[globey]

Originally Posted By: jarvk22
Cooper if you are serious about detailing their are MUCH better products then Zaino. Check out P21S products and Poorboy's World.


MUCH better? I'm not saying there aren't SOME better products, but like bretfraz says, Zaino's product line is consistently among the best in all categories.

I'll second bret's note about using Zaino sparingly. I learned that quickly when I first used it. The less I used, the better the results. I've used Z2, ZFX, ZAIO, Z8, ZCS and a few others and have not been disappointed. People consistently come up to me and ask me what do I use on my black car to make it pop.

 

[Colt]

Originally Posted By: globey
Originally Posted By: jarvk22
Cooper if you are serious about detailing their are MUCH better products then Zaino. Check out P21S products and Poorboy's World.


MUCH better? I'm not saying there aren't SOME better products, but like bretfraz says, Zaino's product line is consistently among the best in all categories.

I'll second bret's note about using Zaino sparingly. I learned that quickly when I first used it. The less I used, the better the results. I've used Z2, ZFX, ZAIO, Z8, ZCS and a few others and have not been disappointed. People consistently come up to me and ask me what do I use on my black car to make it pop.


Exactly!
The guy probably never tried Zaino.
Someone might find some product equal to or slightly better than Zaino but MUCH better?
No Way!
P21 and Poorboys he mentions aren't even close to Zaino's durability and Zaino's shine is better wash after wash.

 

[jarvk22]

Colt you are brainwashed by Zaino and yes I have tried most of their products I will take Mothers Reflections over Z5 any day. Have you ever tried anything else but Zaino?

 

[bretfraz]

Originally Posted By: jarvk22
Colt you are brainwashed by Zaino and yes I have tried most of their products I will take Mothers Reflections over Z5 any day. Have you ever tried anything else but Zaino?


One thing about Colt, he consistently shows that he knows what he's talking about.

I have all the Mothers Reflections and FX products on hand right now, along with a number of their retail competitors. For a store bought product sold at a reasonable price, Mothers is terrific. But even Forrest will tell you that Reflections is not made to compete with Z5Pro. It's made to compete with other $10-15 retail products like Meguiars NXT and Eagle One Nanowax.

Comparing Reflections to Zaino Z5 is like comparing a Chevy Malibu to a Z06 Corvette; not fair to either car. Compare them with their natural market competitors instead.

 

[ThirdeYe]

I've used their blue car wash, grand finale spray, all-in-one, and clear seal. It looks great when I use it!

 

[globey]

Can't argue with Zaino's results:

and here:

 

[DragRace]

I've always wanted to try their stuff,but get confused on what the heck a guy needs,I mean they have so many products,which ones does a guy really need

 

[Colt]

Originally Posted By: DragRace
I've always wanted to try their stuff,but get confused on what the heck a guy needs,I mean they have so many products,which ones does a guy really need

Zaino AIO,Z2 and Z6 is a great start.

 

[Colt]

Originally Posted By: jarvk22
Colt you are brainwashed by Zaino and yes I have tried most of their products I will take Mothers Reflections over Z5 any day. Have you ever tried anything else but Zaino?


I've tried many products over the years.
My top three at this point would be
1.Zaino
2.Rejex
Liquid Glass a distant 3rd.


BTW
Zaino Z5 is for filling in swirls and light scratches.It does provide shine but Z2 is used to create the best shine and durability.Adding Z-CS wipe on and walk away just makes the shine and durability even better.
I can see you don't know what you're talking about when it comes to Zaino products.
Yet,you knock the products.
Try a bottle of Rejex if you hate Zaino.

 

[jarvk22]

Colt after using Z2 and Z5 I wouldn't waste my money on their other products . Have you tried P21S paste wax, this is the best I ever used on a properly prepped surface and the easiest. Give some other products a try their are some really goods ones available. Bretfraz: when it comes down to gloss and pop I think Mothers Reflections provides more then Z2 orZ5. I dont hate Zaino I just know their are better choices out there. I enjoy reading posts on detailing by you and Colt.

 

[buster]

Good review bretfraz! Well said.

 

[bretfraz]

Originally Posted By: DragRace
I've always wanted to try their stuff,but get confused on what the heck a guy needs,I mean they have so many products,which ones does a guy really need

It's actually a pretty easy product lineup once you get the letters and numbers down. I mean, Zaino only has 16 products not incl accessories and packages. By comparison Meguiars offers about 300 products.

Let's stick with the basics - -

You need a car wash shampoo. Zaino's is called Z7.

You need a light polish/cleaner wax type product. With Zaino it is All In One (AIO). This replaces NuFinish or Turtle Wax or whatever you're using now as a one step cleaner wax.

You need a final step sealant that has no cleaning or polishing ability. This is Zaino's strength and they offer three products. Z2 and Z5 are about the same except that Z5 fills in very light swirls. I think Z2 looks better on light colors and Z5 looks better on dark ones. So pick one or the other.
Alternatively, you can use Clear Seal (CS). This is a unique product in that you apply it to your paint and walk away. You do not need to wipe it off when it dries. If this concept appeals to you, buy it instead of Z2 or Z5.

That's it. With the three products above your car is washed, lightly polished and protected.

What else do you need?

You need a tire dressing/protectant? Zaino's is Z16. Great stuff. Will not sling and is not oily or greasy.

You need leather care products? Zaino's leather cleaner is Z9. The leather conditioner is Z10. Use them as a pair.

You need a quick detail spray to remove dust, fingerprints, bird doo, etc? Get some Z6. Works like other detail sprays you are used to but enhances the Zaino shine you have on the car.

You like to use a spray wax? Zaino Z8 Grand Finale is what you want. Lasts longer and shines better than the Z6 detail spray. Its the perfect maintenance product. Apply after you've washed and dried your car.

They have other products and you can check them out on their website. Their product line isn't huge but they do make something for most needs. Glass cleaners, wheel cleaners, engine degreasers, etc you will have to get from someone else. Stick with the basics for starters, then buy more as you want or need them. Easy!

 

[Colt]

Originally Posted By: jarvk22
Colt after using Z2 and Z5 I wouldn't waste my money on their other products . Have you tried P21S paste wax, this is the best I ever used on a properly prepped surface and the easiest. Give some other products a try their are some really goods ones available. Bretfraz: when it comes down to gloss and pop I think Mothers Reflections provides more then Z2 orZ5. I dont hate Zaino I just know their are better choices out their. I enjoy reading posts on detailing by you and Colt.


jarvk22,I've used P21s and it's very good like all carnauba's but doesn't last.A couple of washes and the shine fades.Zymol paste has a great shine too.However the shine last as long as it takes to put on.
S100 wax is the same as P21S at half the cost.Some say in '04 they changed the product but many feel both have the same shine and durability to this day.
In my carnauba days I prefered One Grand's Blitz wax and for paint prep,Pinnacle paint cleaner.
I like Zaino products but not all of the 16 available.I'm a fan of about 7-8 Zaino products.
Here's some info on Carnauba wax vs polymers.


1) Natural Carnaubas

Extracted from the Brazilian tree Copernica Cerifera, carnauba is as hard as a brick in it’s natural form. Waxes that tell you they are “100% Carnauba” are really saying that the wax in the product is 100% carnauba, but in fact there are a few other things in the product besides wax, such as silicone oils and volatile solvents (petroleum distillates) that soften the wax so it can be spread, and haze in most cases. There really is no such thing as a “pure” wax product. They are all combinations of natural and synthetic ingredients.

The two best grades of #1 carnauba are white and #1 yellow carnauba. The more expensive carnauba products contain between 25% to 35% pure carnauba, while the lesser, cheaper products billed as carnaubas may only contain 5 % ! The rest of the ingredients are anyone’s guess.
Most agree that the depth of carnauba is perhaps the best you can get. There are tradeoffs as in everything; most last anywhere from 2 weeks to 7-10 weeks generally with the best ones on the latter end. Variables on this are how the car is used and subjected to the elements.

If the wax has no abrasives, it can be layered for extra protection and shine/depth. The other thing to consider is the melting ( fracture ) point of carnauba. The four grades of carnauba will melt at 165 degrees. This should be taken into account if you have a dark colored car that basks in the sun for periods of time, because the wax will simply melt away, given that surface temps on a vehicle can easily exceed 200 degrees on a sunny summer day. If you’ve ever felt a black car in the sun during the summer, and noted a stickiness, that is what you are feeling.

2) Hybrids-polymer/wax blends.

These comprise the majority of the products on the shelves of your local automart. Most contain cleaners (mild abrasives) such as clays etc. and solvents that remove minor oxidation and “bring up” the paints shine a bit, (hence the term “polish” is used to market some of them) and add polymers to give better durability (in theory) over pure wax.. Their objective is to give a 1 step “shine and protect” product. Most will not give the depth of shine a carnauba does, but will arguably outlast all but the best of them under harsh conditions .Most cannot be “layered” , one coat upon the other, due to the abrasives and/or solvents in them. The abrasives just remove the previous coat. Remember this when using them and wanting to “add another coat” one week later. All you will be doing is putting a single coat back on. Another problem associated with some of these "cleaner wax" products or those that have polishing agents, is that they will leave a white residue on all your rubber and plastic trim. This is time consuming to remove if you get sloppy. Best to tape off the parts you don't want the wax to go on rather than try and clean it up afterwards.

3) Polymers (paint sealants)

Klasse , Zaino, Finish First, AstroShield, NuFinish, Blackfire, Liquid Glass, are all polymer sealants. ”Sealant” is the operative word, as polymers, referred to above, are also present in products that are called “waxes” They are typically either acrylic or Amino functional polymers . Polymers are formed by the bonding of small molecules of varying types into a long chain. Plastics are polymers. As a matter of fact, an Elephant tusk is a polymer, as is wood, vegetables etc.

These generally outlast all of the above products, but not all produce the same degree of shine or protection. Some argue that they have great reflection, but lack the “depth” of carnaubas, others disagree. A favorite trick of some is to apply a carnauba over a sealant, giving great durability and added depth and warmth. The downside to this is that the carnauba must be removed when the sealant needs to be reapplied, or it will not bond to the top layered carnauba. Some of these products contain abrasives (NuFinish for example) and cannot be layered. Klasse and Zaino are products that can be layered, which is part of their appeal, creating added durability and great shine/reflection. Perhaps their best virtue is their high melting point, above 392 degrees. Your existing wax MUST be stripped off the car before you use a polymer sealant, or it WILL NOT bond. Kind of like applying a band-aid to a finger that has moisturizer on it or is wet.