[Laplacian]

After all of the great info and feedback here I decided to take the plunge and try a Zaino detail on my 1 week old E90. I used a coat of Z-2Pro/ZFX, buff off after 30 minutes, then a coat of Z-6. Repeated. So I have 2 coats of Z-2 and Z-6 on there. First, some observations:

(0) DavidN's recommendation (forgive me if someone else posted it before he did) of taking off the nozzle and letting the water pour onto the car from the hose was great! The water ran off leaving much less for me to dry! (Actually, I left the nozzle on, just turned it to the "shower" setting which lets water flow out with virtually no pressure.)

(1) After reading DavidN's sticky and the instructions, I decided to fill the 2 ounce bottle about 1/3 of the way with Z-2, so that I'd have just enough for 2 coats.

Knowing that this stuff is super concentrated, I spread it on very thin. So thin that couldn't really see it on my Titanium Silver car. I only saw the occational streak of the stuff--mostly looked like I was applying nothing. Is this right? (Sorry, no "during" pictures--thought of that later.)

(2) After letting it haze for about 30 minutes it was very easy to buff off.

(3) Used a very light spritz of Z-6, spritzing often as I went around the car. Again, very easy to apply to apply and remove immediately.

(4) I started off being stingy about how much Z-2 I was applying, and realized at the end that I even had quite a bit extra! I put the second coat on thicker, but still very thin (couldn't see it except for the occasional streak).

I was at my parents house this weekend (much eaier to detail in their driveway than mine) and my mom did her Titanium Silver E65 with Meguires Gold Class at the same time I did mine. I noticed very little difference in the look of the two cars after the detail was over. This made me wonder if I put enough selant on the car. Is this because of the color (e.g. if we both had black, mine would be shinier with Zaino)? Or is the main advantage of Zaino that it lasts much longer? This is one of the reasons that I question whether or not I did it right.

I found that the water sheets off my car pretty well, doesn't really bead that much. Maybe it's because the hood slopes down too much. You be the judge. The last picture shows the best beading that I could get.

[Hunter399]

Your car looks great

Zaino is amazing stuff!

[bimmernotbeamer]

You did a great job!! You followed the instructions to the 'T'. Good stuff. As for the gold class on your Mom's car looking the same, its too be expected, especially on silver. You'll notive a different 6 weeks from now when your car is beading like a champ and hers is pooling water.

[vladinecko]

9/10

nice!!

[vladinecko]

by the way, my car would probably get -10/10 right now f-ing winter! :mad:

[Laplacian]

Okay, thanks for the compliments guys. I was worried that I wasn't applying enough to the car because I couldn't see anything haze except for the occasional streak. But if I've got your compliments, then I guess I did it right!

vlad, would Z-8 have earned me a 10/10? (I'll definately take 9/10 as a compliment since this is my first Zaino.)

[shimshimnada]

shiny. nice.

[vladinecko]

Originally Posted by Laplacian

vlad, would Z-8 have earned me a 10/10? (I'll definately take 9/10 as a compliment since this is my first Zaino.)

ha ha, i think seeing your car in person would have earned you 10/10...

[vladinecko]

by the way, what's that other car i the garage? the headlight looks like from a 7 series.

[Laplacian]

Ha, okay, next time you'll have to see it in person.

You are correct, that other car is my mom's E65 (745i, also TiAg) that I mentioned in the first post. I like washing my car at my parents' house because they have more space than I do in my driveway.

[Hunter399]

You really need a black car to really see what Zaino can do...

[Lucid4000]

Looks good... try some Z5 next time also. The Z5 adds debth to the paint and Z2 finishes it off for ya. I only know because I have show preped cars for SEMA and HIN with Zaino. I love it. Actually if you look on there web site a car I did is on there the red G35.

But over all the car looks great...

[Marven]

You did a great job!!

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by Lucid4000

Looks good... try some Z5 next time also. The Z5 adds debth to the paint and Z2 finishes it off for ya. I only know because I have show preped cars for SEMA and HIN with Zaino. I love it. Actually if you look on there web site a car I did is on there the red G35.

But over all the car looks great...

With old Z2 I would have agreed with you when compared to Z5. But Z2 Pro IMO looks better than Z5, especially when topped with Z8.

[Laplacian]

Thanks, guys. (By the way, I wasn't fishing for compliments--I really did want crticisms of my technique.)

I'll try the Z-5 next time. I didn't think it was necessary to put it on a brand new car with no swirl marks or anything. But I'll try it next time. I wouldn't mind more of a mirror finish on my car.

[Lucid4000]

Originally Posted by DavidN

With old Z2 I would have agreed with you when compared to Z5. But Z2 Pro IMO looks better than Z5, especially when topped with Z8.

Really, I def have to try the new Z2 pro. And the new Z8. I am still finishing up my supply of Z2 and Z5. Had tons!! But the Z5 is still good for swirls and hide minor imperfections. But if you have bad swirls you need a rotary buffer and some meguires compound.

[ksfrogman]

The lack of significant beading may be due to effective runoff of water as you surmised. Reminds me of Rain-X on the windshields. The glaze must be very hydrophobic.

The strange thing is that with the Klasse AOI and 2 coats of Sealant Glaze, I do get beading on the hood. We need to look our cars clean side-by-side. I plan on meeting up with Hooman tomorrow evening, Laplacian. You're welcome to join us.

[ABR]

You should do it again in a week.

[magmd]

Hey looks freaking awesome!!!

Man...I will tell you what...I have a black car.

Let's get together...you can help me do my car...so it can look as freaking nice and shiny as yours!!

[Laplacian]

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

We need to look our cars clean side-by-side. I plan on meeting up with Hooman tomorrow evening, Laplacian. You're welcome to join us.

Maybe. I have a couple of errands to run after work today, but if I finish early enough then I might be able to meet you. Not sure, it might be late. Where are you guys going? Out for a brew at a local place or something?

[Laplacian]

Originally Posted by magmd

Hey looks freaking awesome!!!

Man...I will tell you what...I have a black car.

Let's get together...you can help me do my car...so it can look as freaking nice and shiny as yours!!

Ha ha, thank you. It really wasn't hard at all if you follow DavidN's sticky at the top. Assuming I used the right amount, Z2 wiped on and off fairly easily. Not at all like other waxes and polishes that I've used in the past.

[cosmosblau]

Originally Posted by Laplacian

Thanks, guys. (By the way, I wasn't fishing for compliments--I really did want crticisms of my technique.)

I'll try the Z-5 next time. I didn't think it was necessary to put it on a brand new car with no swirl marks or anything. But I'll try it next time. I wouldn't mind more of a mirror finish on my car.

I woud definitely not bother with Z-5 on the New Silver car.
Try Z-8 after each wash. It's the Cat's Ass!