Okay...I know my OCD makes me a bit off...but when it comes to my vehicles, I guess it pays off.

Last Sunday, I Zaino'd both the Ex and Cobra. Yesterday, they both got washed and got a spritz of Z8.

 

you my friend must like to buff!! My buddies who are all crazy about having a clean car live by zaino but I couldn't imagine using such a soft wax on a truck so big. Big props to you! When I got my truck it came with one of those mystery crazy waxes thats suppose to last 6 years, and its been great so far. I'll be taking some pics when my tip comes in...

 

We have matching X's!!
What is this wax you use?? How long did it take??
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/100_1895.jpg








Edit: Picture changed to URL. The image was just too big.

 

Ooops sorry about the big pic!!!
Heres another smaller one the day we bought it!!

 

Thanks guys! I found out about Zaino in the late 90's from guys on the Viper club. They swore by it and I figured I'd give it a try. Now I use nothing else on my daily drivers or showcars. Heck, I even do my guitars with Z8! All my friends have converted too.

I have become a bit of a student on waxes and the like, and have learned alot.

turboale...lots of dealers sells "magic" waxes that are supposed to last for years, but it's more a warranty plan than a real product. Most folks would not recognize acid rain, so they rarely take advantage of the warranty for the special wax. But, if it's working for you...awesome.

XRIowa..I use a Porter Cable 7336 for all my waxing, polishing, etc. It really does not take very long to do the Excursion. In fact, two Sundays ago, I washed, clayed, and Zaino'd not only the Ex, but the Cobra and my g/f's Focus. The Cobra and the Ex got two coats each. The PC Machine lays down a very thin and even coat. I use Zaino's ZFX mixed in, and two ounces total did the Cobra and Excursion each twice.

In a nutshell...for those that are interested....most waxes are loaded with silicones to make shine. They don't last long and provide no protection.

Canauba waxes contain a very small percent of carnauba as it is very yellow and hard. It must be blended with oils and other waxes, like parrafin in order for it to spread and later be removed. Wax isn't shiney, so the oils do that part too. Plus, wax melts at a temperature lower than what you hood will see in the sun, so they have a very short life as well.

Cleaner-Waxes, cannot be layered well as their cleaning ability cuts the first coat off.

Much like synthetic oils have made strides over dino oil, a product like Zaino that is synthetic has real advantages over older school products. I have yet to find anything with the durability that Zaino has, and of course, it looks great too. With ZFX added, you can apply a few coats, as it speeds the curing time.

One final Zaino note...the new Z8 spray is super. I wash my vehicles with a CR Spotless system that allows the truck to air dry without spots. After they dry, I spritz Z8 on...brings the slickness back and puts an added shine and a booster of Zaino. I am hooked!

 

Cool great info thanks!!!

 

Matt, what are your feelings on Meguiars NXT product line?

I mainly use the wax and it seems like it does a great job, but am I missing something?

 

Toreador...there was much discussion on some of the detailing forums when NXT Tech Wax was released. It was originally touted as a non-cleaner wax, that would be a straight, silicone free sealant...if memory serves. (Sealant is the word often used for a final step "wax" that does not contain actual wax.)

Meg's sells this product with a good deal of hype to be sure. There was some discussion about this product, and it turned out that what it was supposed to be and how it was released are two different things. It contains a fair amount of silicone, as well as a mild abrasive. While it would probably take ALOT of use to cause a paint problem, I avoid abrasives.

I used the non-clearcoated painted side of my car trailer as a test. I applied NXT and got plenty of color on the cloth. So, whether it was a chemical or abrasive, or both...it was indeed a cleaner type wax.

I mentioned silicone. Silicones are used in lots of car products because they are cheap and shiny. They do nothing in regards to protection and wash off easily. They are used to help hide minor swirls and the like, but after a wash or rainstorm, your swirls come back. Silicones are used in glazes to hide defects as well. (Ever buy a used car that looked great until the first wash?) Plus, silicones can affect how well your final step wax adheres. Makes sense, no?

 

Now that's a clean shine there Matt
I might take the clay bar to the Excursion next week while the weather is cool here in Dallas


Bill

 

Thanks for the info and that is nice and shiny! the weather has been good around here, I reallllly need to get out and polish my X and clean the dog hair out

Howdy Bill!

 

Howdy Ryland great to see ya as always

 

Matt,

I have done some reading over the last couple weeks on the Zaino site, and plan to order soon - looks like the best to go is the kit to get the clay and everything else needed. I'm curious about a couple things since you've been using their stuff a while...
1) Their web-site specifies using only good quality terry towels, made in USA, etc. I've looked at a couple dept stores and even the "better" quality at Sears for instance is not made in US, it's all cotton, but made in China or elsewhere. What kind of wash towels are you using, and how long/how many washes before replacing?

2) The Porter Cable 7336 you mention, what kind of buffing pads - wooly or terry covered pads and where do you get them? Sounds like you are using this to apply rather than by hand, do you change pads during the process?

Thanks, Geoff.

 

2005X....everyone that I know now uses Zaino and is thrilled...I am sure you will be as well.

Towels can indeed be an issue. They can cause minor scratching that looks like spiderwebs in bright sun. As I understand it, towels from overseas marked 100% cotton are not...USA made towells are. I recently got USA made cotton towels at Wal-Mart that are working well. There were identical looking towels on the same spot on the shelf...some were USA..some weren't. I picked out the USA ones. For removing the polish, Microfibres are a newer thing that also work very well. Target's Vroom brand are less expensive and still good. I got some of my microfibers at the local auto body supply shop. In the end, if the towell feels nice and soft...you're pretty much good to go. I do prefer using cotton towels with a deep nap for removal of polish. For instant detail spray like Z8, I used an MF towel

Towels last a long time. In fact, my drying towels are retired home use towels. According to Sal Zaino, no fabric softener when they are washed..and use liquid detergent if possible.

The PC 7336 is a great machine and you will wonder how you ever got along without it. I set mine up with a 3M Hook-It 5" plate. (NOT Hook-It II). This screws onto your PC and has velcro to accept your pads. I like Meguiars' 6.5" pads. they come in three flavors, Cutting, Polishing, and Finishing. I use a finishing pad to apply Zaino. A spritz of Z6 on the pad first, and you're good to go. A very light coat is all that's needed,and you'll probably think you're not using enough. Remember, the surface will only retain so much each time..regardless of how heavy you apply it..so you are only wasting product. I buff off with a towel.

 

Thanks, I'll look for the USA towels at Wally world or Target. My wife will kill me if I spend more on "car wash" towels than our bath towels - but I don't ask questions about the makeup thing...

Where do you go to get the 3M hook-it and the 6.5" Meguiars pads? Is it an auto-parts store item (if so, I've overlooked before) or on-line ordering? Just trying to save some driving around time since you already have a system down!

 

2005X....my local auto body supply house stocked all those. Ya know, the folks that mix the paint and all.