ruexp67

Well I just finished my second application of Zaino. Here was my procedure:

1. Wash the car with Dawn.
1a. I used Microfiber towels to wash with
1b. Hosed down the entire car with the hose.
1c. Washed the lower panels of the car.
1d. Be sure to keep refolding the towel to make sure nothing gets trapped underneath the towel
1e. After washing one area, I rinse that area and re-wet the entire car.
1f. Change to a new towel, and new bucket of Dawn/Water
1g. Wash the car from the top down. Wash an area, rinse the whole car.
1h. Wash the wheels last
1i. Dry the entire car

2. Claybar the entire car.
2a. I had to run out to the store and get a spray bottle
2b. Fill the spray bottle with 1/2 cap of Z7 Car Wash and 16oz of water
2c. Tear one piece of Claybar in half.
2d. Spray down a small area of the car about 14"x14" or so.
2e. Wipe the claybar across the area gently
2f. Wipe off the area with a clean MF towel.
2g. Stretch and fold over the claybar periodically to expose clean areas
2h. I did not do this, but I saw it suggested to claybar the wheels. Make sure to do this last.

3. Wash the entire car with Z7
3a. Washed from the top down, skipping the roof.
3b. I did not bother washing the lower panels first as the car was already clean.

4. Polish the car with Z2 w/ZFX
4a. Mix 3-4 drops of ZFX with 1 oz (1/2 of a bottle) of Z2
4b. Shake for 60 secs.
4c. Let sit for 5- 6 mins
4d. Shake for 10 more secs.
4e. Apply LIGHTLY to the entire car. You should not need more than the 1 1/2 oz.
4f. I used a sponge pad that I got from the MF towel manufacturer.
4f. Let dry for at least 20 mins.
4g. Buff the car out with a clean microfiber towel.
4h. Continue to refold the towel to keep from getting anything trapped underneath the towel.
4h. Take your time. Completely buff out the whole car. Check periodically with a strong light.

5. Apply gloss enhancer
5a. Spray Z6 Gloss Enhancer lightly in a small area (14" x 14")
5b. Wipe the area off with a clean MF towel

Repeat steps 4 and 5. Use clean towels each time.
I used a little over one ounce of Z2 for the first coat, and it was OK (including the wheels.) The second coat went on much easier, but I used a little too much and it was a PAIN taking it all off again. Use no more than one ounce for 2+ coats of Z2. (I only did the wheels once.)

Take pictures.

Things to know:
1. Get a creeper. This car is low. I couldn't reach the low panels while standing, and couldn't reach the upper panels while sitting on the ground. I spend two days getting up and down off the ground.
2. This is exhausting. Thank goodness it's a small car, becase it is really tiring. GET A CREEPER.
3. Make sure you have a spray bottle so you can lubricate for the claybar.
4. Don't set the parking break after washing the car. The rotors will corrode on the surface and the pads will seize. The next time you move the car, you will hear a loud sound of the pads breaking free of the rotors. (Make sure the car is on a level surface, and left in gear.)
5. Keep a big supply of MF towels on hand. If possible for you, get them in various colors to keep them separate for separate functions. This will help you reuse the dirtiest towels for the dirtiest jobs (like washing the wheels.)
6. When drying the car, be sure to open the hood, trunk and doors. Be sure to dry inside these areas too.
7. Be sure to where sunscreen or work in a WELL-LIT garage.
8. Wear all cotton clothes with no zippers or rivits or buttons. Sweats are a decent choice, jeans are bad.

Here are some pix:



That's my truck in the reflection. The truck was parked 50-60 feet away.

mntony

Saw your shorter version in another thread. I was going to ask there, well - how did it turn out? Found the answer here! Looks great.

ruexp67

Thanks, I spend a few weeks readind about it, trying to learn all the tecniques I could. In the end I was still missing some details. I was hoping that this would help someone else catch all the details. (No pun intended.) To that end, I thought this deserved it's own thread.

wanabe

good report...
btw, wouldnt be so exhausting with a porter cable-
i know some are against the pc cause it does use more product (the pads soak some of it up)
but the ease of app and removal more than make up for the product use imo-

PWRMKR

I recommend touch-up paint application after the dawn (oil/wax removal) wash.

Bass

looks great

ruexp67

Wanabe: The power buffer scares me in terms of getting contamination under the pad. Seems very risky to me. My lef shoulder is still a little stiff (two days later.) I like the idea in theory though. Also the buffing would not have been so difficult if I had not used too much Z2 on the second application.

PWRMKR: Your suggestion sounds good. I did not need any touchup myself, but if I did, it sounds like that would have been the best time to address it. Great suggestion.

Bass: Thanks.

mntony

I don't go as light as some do, but it's amazing how little it takes. I've found that the "dime-size" business doesn't work for me when I begin. Seems to take more to get a nice coat in the pad. But the farther on the car you go, the less you need to add to the pad each time.

I knew I was learning how to apply lightly when I mixed up an ounce, did a couple coats on the S2000, and had enough to polish my wife's van.

Tony

ruexp67

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mntony
[B]I knew I was learning how to apply lightly when I mixed up an ounce, did a couple coats on the S2000, and had enough to polish my wife's van.

Aoyama Tiger

Thanks ruexp67! Great step-by-step instructions.

I am completely new to Zaino and whatever is out there. After some research on and off this site, I concluded with the choice of Zymol or Zaino. This was the hard part.

Anyway this thread helped me decide to go for Zaino for the first time.
Now I have to find some distributor in Japan! Wish me luck.