[richy577]

Just put this post on Detailing World so thought I would add it here as it was the first time I've used Zaino so thought I would share my experiences.

I have recently purchased a new White X3, which is my first car for 8 years and most expensive one as well.

The main reason I purchased Zaino was that I wanted a car polish and seal to really protect the paint over the next few years.

I spent a lot of hours looking through the various detailing and car websites until I settled on Zaino as my main choice. One of the reasons was that it seemed relatively easy to use and especially to use the Z2 polish. I have tried waxing in the past and can remember it was seriously hard work (although this was probably 10 years ago).

A couple of weeks ago just before the car came I ordered the Zaino Ultimate Kit and the Triple Kit as well, which contains Z-AIO, Z-CS (Clear Seal) and Z-8 Grand Finale. Yes I know it’s a lot of money but I’m not keen on taking it to the various cheap cash washes, as had a few experiences in the past.

The weather in the UK as we all know has been terrible the last couple of weeks and the car has been covered in mud on several occasions, but due to the rain there hasn't been a good time to polish the car. I have spent the last week just getting up to date on exactly what to use and when.

Finally started on the car today, there were a couple of long vertical watermarks on the car that didn't wash out and I posted a thread a couple of weeks ago, which the Zaino guys answered on how to resolve this.

Followed the usual process recommended, washed the car with fairy liquid to get rid of the detergents, then hosed down and dried it fully.

Next I used a clay bar on the car, I know it’s relatively new however it did get rid of a few marks. I did find the clay bar the most difficult part (they make it look easy on the videos). After a while however I got used to it (one thing I realised is to make sure you use plenty of lubricant as this definitely helps, I used the Z-7 with some water) as advised.

The Clay reduced some of the Vertical marks but they were still visible (more later).

Washed again this time with Z-7 and fully dried the car including inside the doors, boot etc.

I then added a coat of Z-AIO with the white side of the tri-applicator (as recommended by the Zaino Guys) as well as putting a bond on the car this finally removed the vertical marks in full (which I was very pleased with).

I then followed the process of putting Z2 and ZFX on the car, managed to put 2 coats on (I think I almost certainly put on too much it was very difficult to tell if an area was coated, the car is white and sometimes in the light it was virtually impossible to tell so just used my instinct (as all of the Videos and tips say it goes a long way). Covered the alloys with this as well.

Used the Z6 Gloss enhancer and buffed down.

Used the ZCS (Clear Seal) that was fun, I just guessed the amount to use and didn’t use that much (this stuff is super slippery especially when the car is clean). Just left this to dry.

Waited a good 40 mins whilst I washed out buckets and cleaned towels, applicators etc. Then I cleaned all of the Glass with the Zaino Glass Cleaner and put some tyre gloss on as well.

Finally I put on some Grand Finale. Now I know I’m never going to get the wet look with a White Car, but just thought I would go for it today and do the lot.
The whole lot took about 5-6 hours, mainly because I just took my time and wanted to make sure I did it correctly. I’m sure I could do it a lot quicker than this but wasn’t in any rush.

On the whole I quite enjoyed the process, I didn’t really come across any major issues (just make sure you take your time).

I managed to get rid of the marks, which I was really chuffed with.

The car itself looks great although my Wife’s comment at the end was “its only a car”, but I didn’t really expect anything different! However she came in about an hour ago and said it felt super smooth which I have to admit it feels far smoother than when I picked it up and actually looks better as well.

A couple of accessories I bought extra elsewhere where some buckets on eBay for about £15 and a couple of scratch guards for about £6.50 each as well.

I used Microfibre clothes, the yellow ones from Costco and was pleased with them and I wore Nitrile Gloves when putting on the various polishes and seals. I’m sure the Chemicals are fine but tend to get dry skin sometimes so sure it wouldn’t have helped with bare hands.