I've been checking out the Zaino's site and have a question.

I do not see a Zaino's wax. Are you suppose to use another brand of wax or is all you need the Z-2 Pro and ZFX? I don't think I need the Z-5 for swirls and scratches, but maybe the Z-8 for the added gloss/wet look?

Maybe I'm really not understanding, but I thought the order ...in very simplistic terms was:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Polish
4. Wax

Someone please help me out. I'm really trying to understand the whole car care thing and I'd like to start off right with Kermie so I can keep him looking his best:)

Zaino is polish. You don't use a wax because if you do Zaino, you're using polish instead.

1. Wash with detergent
2. Clay bar
3. Wash
4. Apply Zaino following their recommendations.
5. Admire the shine and wipe the drool from your hood. :)

If you order from them, be sure to tell them that you learned about their stuff from the Honda Element forum. :)

Thanks!

Thanks T Mac. I just placed my order with Zaino's. Can't wait to get my goodies and give them a try on Kermie:D

I just need to find a regular clay bar...everywhere around me sells them in an entire kit for like $20...

I bought the Mequire's kit at O'Reilly's on sale for $8.99...clay and spray.

I just need to find a regular clay bar...everywhere around me sells them in an entire kit for like $20...Yea for the most part they will almost always come as a kit because to use the bar you need a lube, such as a detailing spray.

However, I dont know what stores you are going to that only have it for $20. You should be able to find kits for 10-15. :)

What is a clay bar?

What is a clay bar?

I think this has been mentioned in a few posts, but someone actually discovered that a clay bar (used with the proper lubricant) will pull harmful contaminants out of your paint! :D

Check out the Clay Magic website (just do a google search) for the full story.

All I got to say is Zaino is insano.......... this is the best thing you can put on your E I have been using it since I got mine 3 years ago and its shine is better than the new ones on the lots

We just took a long trip to OK and I have to say kudos to Zaino's!!!! I didn't realize my husband had shared with his dad about my obsession with Kermie. Anyways, once we made it to their house...an 11 hour drive....he was very impressed that I hardly had any bugs on the front of Kermie. He's buying him some Zaino's for his truck now that he has seen how well it works.

But be warned.....once you polish your E with Zaino's you'll constantly be wanting to touch and feel the smooth finish:cool:

Which kit did you buy or did you buy individual items? Thanks

I bought the following items:
ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator Additive
Z-2 PRO Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Car Finishes
Z-8 Grand Finale Spray Seal
Z-7 Show Car Wash

I already had a clay kit and I love Stoner's Invisible Glass so that is why I didn't buy any of the kits. Also, since my E is new, I didn't see the need to buy the Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner Swirl Remover.

Zaino's is a great product. I was a bit reluctant at first to spend this much on my car, but now I'm sold:D

I really want to buy, but, I am not ready to drop that recipt on my wifes desk so she can record my $70+ purchase.

So, how long has the product it lasted for you before you had to re-order?

And, did you use it on your other cars??? I have 2 that really need it and an E that "needs it." Did you use different clay bars on different color cars?

thanks, chris

I really want to buy, but, I am not ready to drop that recipt on my wifes desk so she can record my $70+ purchase.

So, how long has the product it lasted for you before you had to re-order?

And, did you use it on your other cars??? I have 2 that really need it and an E that "needs it." Did you use different clay bars on different color cars?

thanks, chris

I just purchased a Zainos kit after reading the rave reviews and got curious. My NBP E has a lot of swirl marks and I've been careful w/washing and drying, and have tried just about everything short of investing in a polisher. My goodies should arrive tomorrow and I'm anxious to give Zainos a try! :D

From what I've read, you actually use a very small amount of the product per application as Z2 or Z5 has to be mixed w/a few drops of Flash Cure. Zainos supposedly can be layered to bring out a deeper shine (but you still don't use all that much) and maybe Kermie can bear that out, but it seems that once you have the basic products, it's going to last a while. Might be $70 well spent if it's going to protect the paint and preserve your resale or trade in value down the road.

I don't think specific clay bars were made for different colors of paint, but I've read there are different grades of clay (medium and fine). With clay, just be sure you use a QD product or clay bar spray as a lube. I've clayed and you'd be surprised at all the crap and junk a clay bar will pull out of the paint! :shock: Also, knead your clay frequently to expose "fresh" surfaces to keep pulling that crap off!

Zaino is best layered very, very thin. 5 layers is about maximum depth. At 3 layers, it really starts to pop. I do 3 layers each Zaino session.

One bottle of Z-2 lasts me a couple years with the E (unpainted fenders).

Claybars are not specific to paint color. A friend with a black Mercedes uses the same Zaino Z-18 claybar as I do on my green E and which I used on a light blue Miata.

Try it, you'll love it. Once you get the hang of it, Zaino is easy and low maintenance (paint so smooth an occasional strong thunderstorm keeps the E clean for me).

Over 50 mph if it's raining, the water seems to peel back off the finish.

:)

Try it, you'll love it. Once you get the hang of it, Zaino is easy and low maintenance (paint so smooth an occasional strong thunderstorm keeps the E clean for me).

Over 50 mph if it's raining, the water seems to peel back off the finish.

:)
Yup. I will admit though a nice polisher (like my Porter Cable) makes layering a much quicker job :)

I was also hesitant to buy the Zaino kit because of the price when I first looked into the product. I finally broke down and bought a kit because my Element hadnt' been waxed in two years and SOMETHING had to be done.

Since then, my basic Zaino kit has been used to clay bar and wax my Element TWICE with three solid layers each time (paint looks like new or better). I have also used the same kit to wax and clay bar my other car TWICE.

I have thus waxed and clay barred 4 times with this kit and I have used approximately half of the product. You really don't use much on the car and its a fair estimate to say that the applicator pad absorbs at least as much as is used during a wax. The Zaino kit is totally worth the money.

Yup. I will admit though a nice polisher (like my Porter Cable) makes layering a much quicker job :)


How well does that work when Zaino recommends application of the polish with a back and forth motion as opposed to circular? I'm guessing it really doesn't matter eh?

How well does that work when Zaino recommends application of the polish with a back and forth motion as opposed to circular? I'm guessing it really doesn't matter eh?I dont think it really does either. I have used it both ways and find the time saved and less ache later is worth it.

All I got to say is Zaino is insano.......... this is the best thing you can put on your E I have been using it since I got mine 3 years ago and its shine is better than the new ones on the lots

All I have to say is I agree! :D My Zaino's kit arrived on Friday and got to work over the weekend. If anyone is contemplating switching over to the "Z" system, just a word to the wise... Use SPARINGLY!!

Truth be told, 1/2 a vial of Zaino w/4-5 drops of flash cure is plenty to layer on two coats. Rather than wait 24 hours between layers, I has so much leftover that I applied one coat, waited overnight and layered another the next morning. Per instructions, FC-activated Zaino has a "shelf life" of only 12hours.

Here are a few pic's of my E on Zaino

Sorry, just wanted to add that of course our fellow E'sters w/painted panels will need use more, but not much more! Better to mix too little than too much; you can always make more!

Truth be told, 1/2 a vial of Zaino w/4-5 drops of flash cure is plenty to layer on two coats. Rather than wait 24 hours between layers, I has so much leftover that I applied one coat, waited overnight and layered another the next morning. Per instructions, FC-activated Zaino has a "shelf life" of only 12hours.If you are using the ZFX (flash cure) you do not have to wait that long if I remember correctly.

Hey LWC,
You're right, I stand corrected. With ZFX (flash cure), you can start layering right away, but the mix has to be used up within 6 hours for best results.

Shoulda paid more attention to the instructions re: w/ZFX vs. without ZFX, could've saved me some time! :oops: Fellow E owners, if you're considering Zaino's, don't be turned off by having to mix in vials, etc. This system is easy to use (really!), application and removal is a snap, and the results are impressive!!!

Okay, I'll be the doofus with the really stupid questions. I want Ellie May to look her very best; I had been thinking about taking her to a professional detailer. Now I read about the clay bar/polish thing, this Zaino's, and I wonder:

1) We live in an apartment complex. My lovely E sits in a covered carport, not a garage. It's AWFULLY hot here in the Valley Of The Sun (Phoenix area), as well as dusty. Does the clay bar/polish combo work best for me, or would I be better served with a professional wax job?

2) How often does one need to spend the hours doing this? I don't mind - I'm retired - but how many times a month/quarter/year are you all having to renew this process?

3) After applying clay, wash and polish and then getting, say, rained on, can it be cleaned up doing the hose spritz & chamois shuffle? Or one of those car brushes, maybe?

4) Am I going to be sabotaged in this several "layers" process by the fact that my car lives outside?

I really don't mind the investment of time or money in the looks (and, it sounds like, integrity of paint job) of my E. I just want to be reasonably sure before I plunk down bucks either way.

Thanks in advance for any help or further illumination on this.

---- Mark

1) I've always read that polish is more durable than wax. And that dust is more likely to stick to wax than a polymer such as Zaino (which requires isopropyl alcohol to remove, as I recall). I'd rather Zaino my car myself than let any so-called "professional" do it. It's not that hard or time-consuming and the results are so excellent I enjoy the process. The $$$ savings is bonus.

2) Zaino lasts a long, long time. Quarterly applications of two or three layers, with more frequent washes in between, would keep your E very sharp, indeed.

3) Some like the "California Duster" for in between washes, but I would never run something over my finish without washing it. You mentioned your area is "dusty." Bad news if it's ground into the finish.

4) the fact that your E lives outside makes all the more necessary a good system to protection your finish. There are several good polishes and waxes. I'm most familiar with Zaino, love it and have not been persuaded to switch to anything after 6 years using it.

If your carport keeps your E out of the sun, that's the most important protection. Sun is brutal on car paint.

Good luck! :)

About 4 years ago I got some products from Zaino and absolutely love them. The paint has depth and a definite wet look. It's like the paint is always wet. Zaino also makes removing bug splats easier.
I bought the product for my Ducati but plan on using it for the new E.

I've only gone through about 1/2 of each bottle so, even though it was a rather expensive initial purchase, you use such a little amount that it pays for itself.

Here's what I bought:
Z1 show car polish lok
Z2 show car polish for clear coated finishes
Z6 ultra clean gloss enhancer

The Z6 is great for hand wiping off the motorcycle to remove dust in between washings. I'm not sure that would be so practical for cars though.

The only thing I wish I had bought was the Flash Cure Accelerator Additive. Without it, you have to let the car sit over night before moving on to the next step.

Okay, I'll back up my earlier Zaino's rave! Walked out to my E during my lunch break and happened to glance at the hood under direct noonday sun, and I was very suprised/impressed! :shock: :D

Couldn't see a LOT of the swirl marks that I had before, and the paint looked so wet, it gave the impression that it could've slid right off the hood! It was THAT good! I wish I had my digital; I would've liked to have taken some pic's...

Myspark, as anothe Valley of the Sun dweller, I have used Zaino for over 6 years with great results. If you put a three layers of Z-2 pn the Element, with z6 in between, you should be good for some time. A z-6 refresh every time you wash will keep the finish happy. You can apply a coat of Z-2 every few months to keep it strong.

It's almost getting to that good time of the year here in Phoneix to be able to polish your car without getting heatstroke.

IMO, there are two really bad things you can do to reduce the effectiveness of Zaino. 1- Park all the time in the sun....it will eat any polish up in short order, and 2- Use commercial car washes. If at all possible, hand wash your car using the Zaino car wash concentrate. It won't strip the polish like automated car washes will.

Good luck

THANK YOU, Wamba! Best and most direct answer to the questions I posed some time ago. I really appreciate the feedback; Zaino's should thank you, too, because you just ensured a rather large sale.

Guess I need: car wash detergent; clay bar and lubricant; polish; flash curative; and wheel treatment. Anything else? Would one of those polishing attachments - like for a hand drill, I saw that Mother's has one - be of any value here? Bear in mind that I am one-handed. I'll get the thing if it helps and won't mar my paint. Anyone?

Thanks again, man. Nice to hear from someone who knows what it's like out here.

---- Mark

Porter Cable 7424 :)

Sure the Zaino treatment calls for side to side motion. But when you are washing, claying, rinse, ZFX, Z6, Z2, Z6, Z2, Z6/Z8 hand motion will take a LONG time and kill you! So far circular motion works fine for me and the PC. You can see the results of its first use on my Accord:
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24420

Polisher works wonders and the PC7424 is one of the best, if not the best, on the market.

Porter Cable 7424 :)

Sure the Zaino treatment calls for side to side motion. But when you are washing, claying, rinse, ZFX, Z6, Z2, Z6, Z2, Z6/Z8 hand motion will take a LONG time and kill you! So far circular motion works fine for me and the PC. You can see the results of its first use on my Accord:
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24420

Polisher works wonders and the PC7424 is one of the best, if not the best, on the market.

Niiiice! :D I'm seriously going to have to finally give in and drop for a PC7424. BTW, what kind of pads are you using to apply the Zaino? Orange? White? Also, are you hand buffing off the residue, or using the PC w/a really soft pad or microfiber bonnet or something? Thanks!

Niiiice! :D I'm seriously going to have to finally give in and drop for a PC7424. BTW, what kind of pads are you using to apply the Zaino? Orange? White? Also, are you hand buffing off the residue, or using the PC w/a really soft pad or microfiber bonnet or something? Thanks!I actually just got a complete pad kit from Sanus (I think the U has the double dots above it)...from the Autopia website.

The orange if I remember is for more hard poliching and removing oxidation. I use the softer white to apply, then use the orange (hard) + the buffing mit on top for buffing.

PC makes it easy to pop on pad off and add another (since its got the yellow plate with velcro).

When I get home I will post the link to the kit I recently got.