[April1]

I bought my X3 last year in July 2011 and have been thinking to repolish and seal it. I had absolutely no experience in doing it so was scared of taking up this project by myself. I read through several articles on internet and finally decided to use Zaino system. I bought all the stuff needed and did it, it came out so well, better than the original looks

I would like to comment following:

1. Decide on one sytem of polishing / waxing. I decided Zaino.
2. Go through YouTube sessions on how people did it.
3. Get all the material well before you start doing it.
4. In my case, main time/ effrots were needed in washing the car to a spotless surface. Polishing and sealing didnt take much time/ efforts.

[lbjgh]

Wow!

The car looks great. How much d'ya charge to detail a fellow xbimmers' car?

[April1]

Originally Posted by lbjgh

Wow!

The car looks great. How much d'ya charge to detail a fellow xbimmers' car?

My wife wasn't allowing me to plunge into this kinda task , saying why do you need to touch new car. She was working this Saturday and I got a chance. She came back later in the evening and said wow, you washed it realy neat, better than before

[509trooper]

Zaino is wonderful stuff!

[n55x3]

Looks great!! You do it by hand or use a buffer?

[vojak]

Good job. Like the colour too.

[April1]

Originally Posted by n55x3

Looks great!! You do it by hand or use a buffer?

I did all by hands. You don't need much buffing with Zaino.

[Alligator69]

Great job!

What do you guys use to maintain the black plastic parts?

[terrytnt]

I too am a Zaino fan. Just picked up my 2012 X3 35i in February and the very first action I took was to wash with Dawn (to remove dealer wax), wash with Z-7, briefly Clay, Seal with Z-AIO, Apply Z-5 Pro Show and then Spray and buff with Z-6 (Zaino owner recommended this approach for Carbon Metallic Black.) The results speak for themself:

[FX3OK]

Originally Posted by terrytnt

I too am a Zaino fan. Just picked up my 2012 X3 35i in February and the very first action I took was to wash with Dawn (to remove dealer wax), wash with Z-7, briefly Clay, Seal with Z-AIO, Apply Z-5 Pro Show and then Spray and buff with Z-6 (Zaino owner recommended this approach for Carbon Metallic Black.) The results speak for themself:

Wow! Very nice! Where did you the products? Did you use a buffer and how much time did you spend on it?

[April1]

Originally Posted by terrytnt

I too am a Zaino fan. Just picked up my 2012 X3 35i in February and the very first action I took was to wash with Dawn (to remove dealer wax), wash with Z-7, briefly Clay, Seal with Z-AIO, Apply Z-5 Pro Show and then Spray and buff with Z-6 (Zaino owner recommended this approach for Carbon Metallic Black.) The results speak for themself:

Z-AIO will not seal the paint, it is used as a foundation for other polishes like Z-5. You should use Z-CS for sealing.

[April1]

Originally Posted by FX3OK

Wow! Very nice! Where did you the products? Did you use a buffer and how much time did you spend on it?

These products are available online.

Most of the time goes into washing with Dawn, rinsing, claying, washing with car soap (not dawn) and drying. This took nearly 3 hrours for me as I am not that fast. Rest of the processes does not take much time, each step takes just 15 minutes though there could be drying/ curing time depending upon what you use.

In short, one can finish all in one day.

[terrytnt]

First time (just after purchase) it took me roughly 8 hours... but Zaino products are quite easy to apply and remove.

Now, I just wash with Z-7 once a week and lightly spritz/ buff with Z-6 - total time is 1 hour per week.

And the car is amazing... at least untill it rains but heck, we need the rain!

[April1]

Originally Posted by terrytnt

First time (just after purchase) it took me roughly 8 hours... but Zaino products are quite easy to apply and remove.

Now, I just wash with Z-7 once a week and lightly spritz/ buff with Z-6 - total time is 1 hour per week.

And the car is amazing... at least untill it rains but heck, we need the rain!

Agree. I also switched to Zaino as they are so easy to apply and no chance of making mistakes. Beginner might spend more quantity and an expert will manage with thin coats but the results will be the same. So no risk at all.

[Nahoa]

Originally Posted by April1

Z-AIO will not seal the paint, it is used as a foundation for other polishes like Z-5. You should use Z-CS for sealing.

From my read of the Zaino info I think Z-AIO does seal -- it's All In One. I used it previously on its own on a utility vehicle and it lasted almost a year. For my BMWs I also do as you suggested following with Z-5 or Z-2. While Z-AIO is a good base (as it helps clean and make the first bond) it isn't only a base. I find it handy for parts that need a little protecting but not four layers -- the area around the gas cap, for instance.

[Nahoa]

Originally Posted by Alligator69

Great job!

What do you guys use to maintain the black plastic parts?

Use the same stuff. I use Z-AIO, Z-2, and Z-CS as well as Z-6 or Z-8 for finishing or post wash touch up. Check out the Zaino page. They have descriptions for each of their products to say what it can be used on and to warn you off things you shouldn't use it on.

For what it's worth, I like their leather products, too. Seem to work well and they have a pleasing, subtle scent.

[Alligator69]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Use the same stuff. I use Z-AIO, Z-2, and Z-CS as well as Z-6 or Z-8 for finishing or post wash touch up. Check out the Zaino page. They have descriptions for each of their products to say what it can be used on and to warn you off things you shouldn't use it on.

For what it's worth, I like their leather products, too. Seem to work well and they have a pleasing, subtle scent.

Thank you! (I need to see if there is an Italian importer). Here in Italy many people consider either Swissvax or Meguiar's as the best products.

[Exodyne]

Originally Posted by April1

I bought my X3 last year in July 2011 and have been thinking to repolish and seal it. I had absolutely no experience in doing it so was scared of taking up this project by myself. I read through several articles on internet and finally decided to use Zaino system. I bought all the stuff needed and did it, it came out so well, better than the original looks

Very nice !!

I did the same thing to my X3 with Swissvax products.
Much better looking now than the original factory look.
Easier to clean and a deep wetlook glow to the metallic paint.

[Rich4]

Originally Posted by April1

I bought my X3 last year in July 2011 and have been thinking to repolish and seal it. I had absolutely no experience in doing it so was scared of taking up this project by myself. I read through several articles on internet and finally decided to use Zaino system. I bought all the stuff needed and did it, it came out so well, better than the original looks

I would like to comment following:

1. Decide on one sytem of polishing / waxing. I decided Zaino.
2. Go through YouTube sessions on how people did it.
3. Get all the material well before you start doing it.
4. In my case, main time/ effrots were needed in washing the car to a spotless surface. Polishing and sealing didnt take much time/ efforts.

That's just beautiful. What do you use for protecting the alloy wheels? I mean in terms of 'protecting' their original finish rather than to stop brake pad dust adhering or making it easier to wash. Here, car wash places often use acid based cleaners which tend to corrode the rims after a while. I have seen ads for some wax compound but not sure of its effectiveness.

[April1]

Originally Posted by Exodyne

Very nice !!

I did the same thing to my X3 with Swissvax products.
Much better looking now than the original factory look.
Easier to clean and a deep wetlook glow to the metallic paint.

Excellent. Thanks we got another source of polishes.

Is this wax or a liquid synthetic chemical? Does it need rigorous buffing?

[April1]

Originally Posted by Rich4

That's just beautiful. What do you use for protecting the alloy wheels? I mean in terms of 'protecting' their original finish rather than to stop brake pad dust adhering or making it easier to wash. Here, car wash places often use acid based cleaners which tend to corrode the rims after a while. I have seen ads for some wax compound but not sure of its effectiveness.

I have been using Z-AIO with a coat of Z-CS on wheels and get good results. They are not acidic and thus protect the original finish.

[Exodyne]

Originally Posted by April1

Excellent. Thanks we got another source of polishes.

Is this wax or a liquid synthetic chemical? Does it need rigorous buffing?

This is a carnauba wax enriched with non-stick PTFE for a teflon-pan-effect.
Very easy to apply, and it does not need rigorous buffing.