Zaino

Zaino Brothers - Zaino Triplets (Z-AIO/Z-CS/Z-8/314)

[9/2/2009] Reviewed by: John Benton - JLBenton@wpi.edu

Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99-'05 '06+ 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

Z-AIO All-in-one / Z-CS Clear Seal / Z-8 Grand Finale Spray / 314 Microfiber Applicator Pad

I recently heard about the Zaino from a friend at work with a Corvette. After looking at the excellent paint on his car, I decided to look them up online. He used the Z-2 and Z-5 but I was not interested in spending a weekend layering waxes. I saw that they had an easier solution, the Z-AIO. It was suggested as the best option for a daily driver car. Also, while searching the website I found the Z-CS, which creates a clear shell over the wax to increase durability and shine. I don't like to wax my car frequently so I decided to pick up a bottle. I saw that they came in a package together with the Z-8 Grand Finale Spray called the Zaino Triplets for $72.95. Shipping costs were reasonable and came within 4 days. I have a 97M edition that has seen far too many washes in a mechanical car wash from the previous owner and has fine scratches down both sides. Preparation included washing the car twice, once with car wash and once with dishwasher soap. Then, I dried the car down! with a cotton towel. I then proceeded with clay baring the car with a Meguiars Clay Kit. The paint felt very smooth and clean after this. Now I was ready to apply the Z-AIO. Using one of the 314 Microfiber applicators I worked the wax into the paint by hand using a circular motion. To my surprise, the applicator pad had a fair amount of fine dirt on it. The cleaner wax/abrasive works well here and if your car is new enough you could probably skip the clay bar step. To do the entire car took me about 30-45 minutes. I noticed that it can be applied easily even when the paint is hot after being in the sun. Also, I got a little bit on the black trim pieces and it came off easily even after drying completely. Zaino states that a car can be done in about 1/2 an ounce, however, I ended up using a little more than that due to inexperience. After letting it dry for about 10 minutes, I buffed it off. It left a nice shine and covered up the swirly marks and fine scratches. The meta! llic particles sparkle really well now. Next, I got another 31! 4 applic ator pad and applied the Z-CS. This works by spraying a small amount on a panel and smearing all over the panel. I did not buff it into the paint. It took about 10 minutes to apply to the car. It left a bad looking haze that slowly disappeared after 15 minutes. The clear seal further enhanced what the Z-AIO did to the paint. It gave it a nice gloss and depth that I have never gotten from carnuba waxes. To top it off I applied the Z-8 with a microfiber cloth towel. The whole application took 5-10 minutes. The Z-8 is one of the best smelling car care products I have ever used. It further boosts the gloss and depth of the paint. I have to say that after applying all three products, my paint looks near perfect. The flat surfaces are like mirrors and I get so many more looks on the highway than I ever did. Now I can maintain the paint by using a quick detailer and a microfiber cloth. I would recommend the triplets to anyone looking to have a great wet look for their paint. Th! e upfront cost might seem expensive, but I still have enough wax to do the car 15 more times. I thought that applying this kind of premium wax would be a huge pain and take forever. However, I found that it is no harder than applying a spray carnuba wax on a car. I would definitely purchase this again. Updates to this review might come after I try the Z-CS on my wheels and how well it holds up.

My Car: 1997 M-Edition, 68k miles, Never Seen Winter, Some Light Scratches and Swirls

Not an installed item

Zaino Brothers Z-PC Z-5 Z-2 Z-6 ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator Additive

[6/6/2008] Reviewed by: William Hal McGee - wmcgee@triad.rr.com

Applicable to:

Zaino Z-PC is a deep scratch remover that can be used with a machine polisher like a Porter Cable (PC). The Flash Cure Accelerator Additive allows the user to apply three coats of Zaino in one afternoon instead of waiting a day between coats.

I decided to wet sand some touch up paint I screwed up a year ago. I did this using 1500 grit and then 2000 grit sand paper. This did a good job of leveling the mess I made and scuffing the paint. I applied Z-PC using a PC and a heavy cut Lake Country pad. This completely removed the scuffs I created where I used proper technique sanding. I got a little too aggressive on a few spots and this still did an excellent job of cleaning up the mess I made with a few hazy spots. I used multiple coats of Z-PC and each coat reduced the hazing. Overall very satisfied with the Z-PC. The Flash Accelerator did a good job of reducing the drying time of the Z2 and Z5 polish. I did a coat of each before I ran out of time. I did a follow up coat the next day without and it took much longer to dry.

The Zaino polishes work very well. The process takes a little getting used to. I applied the Z2 and Z5 by hand as recommended. The process goes like this, thoroughly clean and clay car. Mix 1/2 ounce of Z5 with Accelerant. Clean with Z6. Apply extremely thin coat of Z5. Mix 1/2 ounce of Z2 with Accelerant. Allow to dry. Buff with cotton cloth. Clean with Z6. Apply extremely thin coat of Z2. Allow to dry, buff off with cotton cloth. Clean with Z6. Without the accelerant the product dries much more slowly. Of course in North Carolina the humidity slows the product down. The Zaino system is a good system especially if you don't want to buy a Porter Cable. I am at three layers and I may apply a few more to see how the depth of shine increases. Overall I blieve this is less work for a great shine than products that work best when machine applied.

Not an installed item

Zaino Bros Show Car Polish

[10/15/2005] Reviewed by: Matthew Bartol - Bartolm@cox.net

Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

A multistage/multilayer polish. Z5 base layer fills swirl marks and minor scratches. Z2 increases gloss. Z7 topcoat maximizes shine and protects the other layers. Z5 and Z2 are apply/dry/remove somewhat like normal waxes. Z7 is spray on/wipe off. No residue to remove.

Great product. I used 3 layers each of the Z5 and Z2 along with the Z7 topcoat. I have a black car with lots of swirl marks (previous owner took it to a "detail" shop to get it ready for sale). The Zaino made them much less noticeable, even in direct sunlight. Just like they claim, the finish really is "a mile deep". On my first club drive after putting it on, 8 people asked if I had the car repainted. Also, the Z7 topcoat makes it so slippery that bug remains just drop off when I go over them with a soapy rag. You don't get as much water beading as with conventional waxes. Instead the water simply falls off any surface that isn't almost totally horizontal. Makes drying much easier. Yes, it takes an entire weekend to put on all those coats, but it is well worth it. Only question in my mind is how long it lasts. I'll let you know in 6 months.

Be sure to carefully read and follow all of the application instructions AND the helpful tips on the website. Zaino doesn't go on quite the same as a normal wax. In many ways it is easier. Ex: The more you let the Z5/Z2 dry, the easier it comes off.

Not an installed item

[7/18/2001] Reviewed by: Michael Thomas - mtmx5@yahoo.com

Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

Polish system for any car that wants that "I'm right off the lot" feeling.

One word: phenomenal. The system worked extremely well bring my dull baby back to life.

I gotta warn you, this may take you all weekend to do, it took me and a friend seven hours to complete our two cars (my 96 M Edition, and his 2000 Civic Si). Our arms were quite sore after that day. Manufactures state that the more coats you put on and the more sun it gets while drying, the better it will look. This is absolutely true. Also the swirl reducer is awesome, no more pesky swirls in my wax. Feel free to email me if you have an questions, I will have photos of my baby on sometime soon in the Forum.

Not an installed item

[11/2/99] Reviewed by: Peter Allendorfer - peter@regionofdoom.com

Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

This is a 5 part Polish and cleaning system.

This is a very easy system to use. This is not a wax, but actually a Polish for paint. It does leave a protectant over the paint, and is a UV blocker though. This product can be applied in direct sunlight, and the longer you let it dry, the better it is when wiping it off. After the 4'th or 5'th coat, nothing else can match the shine.

I would recommend this product to anybody who actually drives their car. This polish lets you "dust off" bugs that get killed by the bumper. :) The car stays cleaner longer, as dust and road dirt do not stick to the surface. The other day my 2 and a half year old niece walked past the car and rubbed against it and actually sped up, it's so slick. :)

Not an installed item