Da Guy's Zaino Process

Classic Method: Products & Materials

Check out Bert's Place Auto Detailing page for pointers to descriptions of the pros and cons on wax vs. polish, as well as all the things Da Guy uses to maintain his rides and where he get's them from. Zaino "Z" products are available on their web site.

HINT: In general, all Zaino products go a long way ...so a "little dab will do ya" and "thin is in". Using too much product will just add time to the process and consume more of your hard-earned cash, if not create negative results. Be stingy!

Required

• The normal buckets with a grit guard in the bottom, hose, water, and your favorite boar's hair brush or microfiber wash mitts to hand-wash that ride of yours
• Dawn.  Yes, Dawn, as in the dish washing detergent from your local supermarket. Get whatever scent turns you on the most! Your choice!
• Z2 PRO Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Finishes
• Z6 Ultra Clean "Gloss Enhancer" Spray
• Z7 Show Car Wash. You'll use this exclusively after application of Z2 & Z5.
• ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator Additive for Z2 & Z5. By using this, you can avoid a 1-time use of Z-AIO and lay down 3 layers of Z2 and/or Z5 in a single 24-hour period if that tickles your fancy. This is the way to go. If you can afford to get into the Zaino thing and plan to go all-the-way, you should use this product and skip the original need for applying a single layer of Z-AIO to start things off.
• Towels -- Da Guy prefers microfiber products with pure cotton or silk bindings
  • For drying, Da Guy likes his Big Blue or waffle-weave towels
  • Keep a separate set of microfiber hand-sized towels exclusively for polish removal. Cross-contamination is an issue as washing does not always get out all the gunk!
    • HINT: You'll need less towels to remove the polish if you apply minimal product. When you're good at it, 1 or 2 smaller wash-cloth size towels will handle polish removal for each layer you apply
  • For window cleaning, microfiber is the only way to go
    • PakShak has some terrific microfiber towels that work ...better than any disposable lint-free or cotton towels, or even newspaper
  • You'll also want to keep on hand a few 100% cotton rags (T-shirt or "cotton undie" like material, again with the right binding) for application of Z6 or Z8
  • HINT: 100% cotton towels (like hand towels) with 100% cotton stitching on the edges can be used as an alternative to microfiber. From Da Guy's experience, it will just take you more physical towels and a bit more energy to accomplish the same thing.
• 2 Polish Applicators to apply your Z2 or Z5 by hand
  • Da Guy prefers Blue Perl Microfiber Applicator pads from Autopia Car Care, but 100% cotton cloth (including the binding!) over foam pads work OK, such as the ones available from Zaino

Optional

• Z5 PRO Polish for Swirl Marks & Fine Scratches does a fabulous job on dark colors! Go ahead and substitute it back and forth as Da Guy does where ever you see a reference to Z2 PRO below. ...but just remember to finish with at least one layer of Z2 PRO on top of any Z5 you may have applied. (Z2 has better optical properties according to Sal, and who's to question the father of Zaino?)
• Z8 Grand Finale Spray Seal -- the OPTIONAL fancier version of Z6 when that spit and polish last minute touch-up is the thing! There is no need to use this more expensive product during the polish application process below. Da Guy uses it "between polishes" with a pure cotton cloth when he wants an even better touch-up than Z6 will do. (There is a noticeable difference both in what you see, but also in what you pay for Z8 over Z6. Hence, why Da Guy uses the less expensive Z6 for the clay process and polish application.)
• Z18 Clay Bar -- Optional, but necessary to remove those little contaminants that won't disappear with only a washing. Use a light shot of Z6 or watered-down Z7 in a spray bottle (Da Guy's choice), to ease the clay on it's way.
• Z-CS Clear Seal -- Optional "apply and dry" final product to be used on top of your Z2 and Z5 layers to lengthen the staying power of all your effort. Ooohhh, wee.
• ZPC Fusion - Dual Action Paint Cleaner Swirl Remover -- when layers of Z2 and Z5 just won't remove whatever it is, give this a try before any other more severe methods. Follow the instructions from Zaino and then apply Z2 and Z5 again over the top.

Classic & Shortcut Methods: Preparation

Done only once to prepare your vehicle for the Zaino system

1. Thoroughly wash your car with Dawn.  This will REMOVE all waxes or former polishes. You don't want to make this a habit, but it works perfectly for this purpose.
2. Rinse (of course!)
3. "Clay" your vehicle as needed (use Z18 or equivalent) with a light mist of Z6 or watered-down Z7 in a spray bottle (Da Guy's preference) for lubricant. Work in 3'x3' sections. Keep it moving and if you drop it, toss it!
4. Wash your car with Z7
5. Rinse (of course!)
6. Dry your vehicle using microfiber or 100% cotton towels
7. Double check the lower sections of your vehicle (beneath running boards, lower bumpers, behind rear wheels, etc.) that will receive polish to ensure they are perfectly clean and clear of any contaminants.  Use a white cotton towel to rub in those areas after physically feeling them with your hands. Just be careful for any sharp edges. If the towel comes off clean, you're ready to go.
8. Put the Dawn back in the kitchen. You won't need it again on this ride. You'll use Z7 from here on out.
9. If you plan to do any other paint correction, such as removing more severe scratches or swirls, this is where you'd want to do that work. All paint correction methods will remove any existing polish, so you'll need to reapply when complete. (The exact process is not described here, but Da Guy uses a Porter Cable 7424 Variable Speed Random Orbital and other products identified on his Detailing page on the Favorite Products tab.)

Classic Method: The Basic Zaino Process

1. Optional, but recommended especially if you are using a machine to apply products: Using blue painters tape, mask off the black bumpers or adjoining gaskets of your vehicle that may inadvertently get polish applied into it's dimples. This will save you a lot of time later on.
2. Put 1 oz of Z2 in a clean bottle, along with about 4 drops of ZFX, and shake for 90 seconds. Wait for 5 minutes, then shake some more and proceed...
• HINT: Da Guy almost doubles this if he knows he's going to put on two layers in a row; Keep using the same bottle if you're then doing another layer or two in the same day, but trash the bottle afterwards (it never seems to come out clean as hard as you may try, but some reports of isopropyl alcohol have been read that may do the trick).
• ALTERNATIVE: If you're not going to use ZFX, apply Z-AIO as a one-time initial layer so proper bonding will happen with future Z2 and/or Z5 layers. Use of Z-AIO or ZFX replaces the original Z1 product no longer needed, and now discontinued in the Zaino product line.
3. On a clean applicator, apply Z2 lightly to your vehicle. Very lightly dampen the applicator with Z6 one time, then add 2-3 SMALL dabs of Z2 on the pad.  This should be a LIGHT application, i.e. you should use less than 1/8 of the bottle for the whole car. 
   • HINT: Apply using overlapping circular movements a little larger than your applicator, doing one section at a time. For the best effect, apply lengthwise on the top (hood, top, trunk) of the vehicle and vertically on the sides and bumpers. Before the Zaino begins to dry, do final full length swipes with the same applicator over the area just applied, e.g. top of hood near the windshield all the way down to the nose, and top of door under the window all the way down to the bottom rocker panel. If you do this, it will not only optically look best when you're through, you'll avoid holograms over areas you may otherwise overlap on your application, especially on the sides or rear bumper area, where more pointed convex areas in the metal exist.
   • HINT: Apply to shiny smooth metal (chrome look) as well. Da Guy does not recommend applying polish to most plastic areas other than head and tail light lenses, as if the plastic has any texture at all, it's challenging to get it back off. (Use Wax Blaster to remove it, should you have a little boo-boo.)
4. Allow Z2 to dry.  With ZFX on warmer days when it's not humid, you may be ready-to-go within 5 minutes. It will take longer if it's humid or cold outside, and much longer if you applied too much product.  Test a small concealed area with your finger to see if it is dry. It will come right off and you'll see your smiley reflection on the paint if you're ready to proceed.
5. Remove Z2 with a microfiber (or 100% cotton) towel.  Keep changing the area of the towel you use, or the Z2 will not come off properly. You'll know it's time to flip the towel when you're working too hard or you don't see the shine you should already be seeing.
6. Apply a very light mist of Z6 to small areas of the vehicle where you just applied the Z2.  NEVER allow Z6 to dry.  Immediately wipe off the Z6 with a clean 100% cotton towel.  If you do it right, this will be a quick job and will leave your vehicle "slick" to the touch.  If you mess up and Z6 dries by accident, spray a little more over the problem area, and it comes right back off with a microfiber towel.
7. If you're going to apply another layer of Z2 (or Z5) now, go ahead and repeat at step 2 or 3 again.
   • If you wait a while (over night perhaps), be sure to apply another mist of Z6 as in step #6 above to ensure you have all dust/containments removed just before your next layer of polish is applied
   • If you're not applying another layer of polish, be sure you've ended with a layer of Z2 for the best reflective properties
8. Inspect your vehicle for any polish residue left where it shouldn't be. A a microfiber towel or very fine and soft detailing brush will do the trick.
9. Optionally, once your top layer of Z2 (or Z5) has cured, on a clean applicator apply Z-CS lightly to your vehicle, and you're done. Read the instructions. Don't buff it off.
10. If you applied any blue painters tape from the optional Step 1 above, now is the time to pull it off.
11. Open all the doors, hood, trunk, gas tank filler cover, and make sure you've cleaned up any polish that went where you didn't expect it to.
12. Take care of your windows
13. Step back and admire your work!

Shortcut Method: Products & Basic Process

If you want a simplified approach that takes a fraction of the time compared with the process Da Guy uses, that has most of the Zaino benefits and effect, only without the more extreme depth achieved with the multi-layer Z2/Z5 approach Da Guy explains around here, try using Zaino's newest Z-AIO All-in-One. You still prep the car with Dawn, Clay, and Z7 like Da Guy does in his "classic prep", but then apply a single layer of Z-AIO just like you would Z2 or Z5. With Z-AIO, you'll get a bit of cleaning properties at the same time the polish is applied. Wait for it to haze and wipe it off. Do a quick Z6 spray-down and wipe-off, and top it with a layer of Z-CS Clear Seal. The whole process will take less time than a good hand-wax job and Da Guy bets you'll be happier with the result for a longer period of time.

HINT: Don't let the price of the products turn you off as it takes only a little bit of each when you do it right, and the application will last several months.

HINT: Using Z-AIO is a great alternative to the classic method if you're not into the overly fastidious ways some of us have with our rides. It's what Da Guy uses on his other friends and family rides when he's in a detailing mood. For his own rides though, it's only the classic method with layers upon layers of polish giving him that deeper and wetter look. Oh yeah!

More Hints, Tips, & Options

• Multiple layers of Z2 and Z5 actually build up to produce a deeper and wetter look, so the more you have, the better.  Results will vary based on your finish color, but you'll love the look after completing the prep and even one pass of the Basic Zaino Process.
• Have you ever gotten polish in the rough-surfaced black plastic trim found on bumpers or running boards these days? If so, you know you don't want to go there again. Next time, try masking those areas off with some painters blue tape before you apply your polish. It's what Da Guy does, and it saves a lot of head and back aches. If you still make an error, have some Wax Blaster available.
• Da Guy's Indigo Ink Pearl Lexus SC430 had it's initial Zaino application done like this
  • PREP was completed, including Dawn washing, contaminant removal, and application of Z1 (as Z-AIO and ZFX had not yet been introduced in 2002)
  • Z5 was applied/removed, followed by Z6 applied/removed (steps #2-6 above)
  • A second layer of Z5/Z6 was applied (steps #2-6)
  • A third layer of Z5/Z6 was applied (steps #2-6)
  • A layer of Z2 was applied (steps #2-6)
  • ...and oh, was it a sight to behold
• How long does this take?
  • Working by hand on Da Guy's SC430 here's the numbers. ... yes, the RX400h (SUV) takes about 50% longer -- it has more surface area and requires a step stool to get to the top!
    • Using the original method of prep, 3 layers of Z5 followed by Z2 took roughly 8 hours of labor and 3 elapsed days for drying time before ZFX was available.
    • Using ZFX as Da Guy now recommends, starting with prep, no paint correction, 2 layers of Z5 and one of Z2 he was done in 6 hours elapsed time.
    • A Z6 or Z8 application took 10-15 minutes.  It's really easy on a clean ride, and wow, it sparkles when you're done! Be sure to check and clean your windows when you're done, to remove any product you accidentally put in the wrong place.
  • For info on the complete initial detailing job and Zaino application to Da Guy's '09 BMW E93 335i, check out the Hints and Tips tab on the Detailing Page. Yes, the Bimmer takes longer than Da Guy's old SC430, due to the more abrupt curves in the body shape.
• Want to apply Zaino by machine? It can be done. Da Guy applied 3 layers of Z5/Z2 on his SC430 in about 3 hours. You'll use more product this way, but you'll be complete in about half the time and save a few hand cramps along the way. Da Guy applies his Zaino by hand nearly all the time these days -- it's easy enough -- save the machine for more aggressive polishing when needed. If you want to give machine application a try, use all the same steps and basic process as above with the following exceptions:
  • You need a Random Orbital polisher, such as the Porter Cable machine from Griot's
  • Da Guy recommends you use a Sonus SFX-3 Final Finish Pad when applying Zaino Z2 or Z5, and a Sonus SFX-2 Enhance Pad for Zaino ZPC application. The Sonus products are available from Autopia Car Care.
    • The trick is to lightly (1 shot) mist the pads with Z6 before application and then apply the Z2 or Z5 in a thin X across the pad.
    • Start at a 3 on the dial and never go faster than 4 or 5
    • Apply more Z2 or Z5 when you see the film disappearing. Keep it minimal.
  • All the little places that can't be reached with the machine are of course done by hand using the original methods
• Ongoing Zaino maintenance is simple.  Z7 for the suds and wash. A Grit Guard or two in the bottom of your bucket to help eliminate inadvertent scratches and swirls.  Drying is easy using a California Water Blade and microfiber big blue or a 100% cotton towel.  When you feel the need:
• A few shots of Z6 (a little goes a long way) whenever you want that "just polished" look before hitting the road. For more special occasions and those especially bright days, or just before a long road trip, Da Guy thinks Z8 does the trick even better for special occasions.
• A layer of Z2 gets added whenever he has the urge, and every few weeks a couple layers of Z5 with Z2 and Z-CS on top, brings Da Guy's ride back to first class condition
• Water restrictions?
  • Instead of using Z7 and a normal wash requiring a full-on rinse that may not be allowed in your community due to drought levels, Optimum No Rinse (ONR) works with a bucket and 2 gallons of water, a microfiber cloth to wash your ride down, and another to dry it with. A Grit Guard in the bottom of your bucket is an especially good idea. No rinsing. Dump the dirty ONR down an inside house drain and let this environmentally safe product be disposed of properly. Da Guy suggests you still go to a coin-op place if your ride is super dirty, but this can work for most of your other weekly washing rituals.
    • HINT: After using ONR, be sure after you dry, to wipe down with a normal application of Zaino Z6 or Z8 using a white cotton towel or rag to keep your Zaino look intact.

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