Zaino applicators

smog · 09-14-2007, 02:19 PM

just placed my order online for the Ultimate Protection Kit and a bottle of Z-8. and now im wondering if maybe i should've bought a couple more of these applicators since the kit only includes 2 pads according to the site plus one freebie i think.

my question is, will 2 pads be enough to put a few coats of z2/z5 over the course of 2-3 days? (assuming i dont drop them on my driveway

) also what alternative applicators is everyone using with zaino? sorry for the zaino n00b question. thanks.

G-son · 09-14-2007, 02:30 PM

I use a soft foam pad

phantom330 · 09-14-2007, 03:31 PM

just buy pads at the local auto parts store, the zaino ones aren't anything special. I actually don't even like them.

BK · 09-14-2007, 04:31 PM

A lot of people don't like the Zaino pads. I like them well enough. Provided you don't drop it, one side of one pad is enough for all 3 coats in the day. You can use the other side for 3 more coats next time you Zaino in 6 months. If you do it that way, the two pads could last you two years(!).

FWIW, I find it easier to apply Zaino once some has soaked into the pad a bit, so it's better to keep using the same pad during the day, rather than a fresh one each layer. Start out by spritz-ing the pad with Z-6 to wet it and it will go on easier, too.

EDIT - if you're doing it over the course of 2-3 days, you may want to use a new pad "face" each day. I would, but you can judge for yourself whether it is necessary. Also, every time I order something from Zaino, they seem to throw in a few pads, so I doubt you'll ever run low on them, and if you do, just get a regular soft terry pad from Pep Boys or something.

OC Guy · 09-14-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantom330

just buy pads at the local auto parts store, the zaino ones aren't anything special. I actually don't even like them.

Regular foam applicators at your local store are fine. I'm picky about Microfiber towels but I think the foam applicators are fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

FWIW, I find it easier to apply Zaino once some has soaked into the pad a bit, so it's better to keep using the same pad during the day, rather than a fresh one each layer. Start out by spritz-ing the pad with Z-6 to wet it and it will go on easier, too.

You could spray some QD on your applicator pad.

UncleWede · 09-14-2007, 05:04 PM

I normally only use about 1 inch on the long side of the pad for each application. Then I use some Dawn to clean out the little mixign bottle, and pour that onto the pad to wash it down. Z6 before and during makes it a LOT easier to spread Z2/5 to proper thickness

smog · 09-14-2007, 06:55 PM

thanks everyone.

and regarding the foam pads.. i do have a couple of the meguiars' yellow lying around. Dont remember whether i read it here or over at autopia, but someone mentioned that zaino dont really like 'foam', and really only works with cotton pads/towel?.. just want to make sure i do it right the first time, since i'll be doing it by hand and not with a pc/udm, so my arms will really hate me afterwards if i screw up

ejazbmw · 09-14-2007, 10:38 PM

I have a lot of respect for guys to who do zaino by its hand its a bitch to do with a pc i could only imagine doing it by hand...anyway i used foam pads for my pc its totally safe.

normtrum · 09-14-2007, 10:47 PM

I'm sorry but am I the only one who cleans their pads after use? I mean I toss them after awhile, but if cleaned properly they work fine.

ejazbmw · 09-14-2007, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by normtrum

I'm sorry but am I the only one who cleans their pads after use? I mean I toss them after awhile, but if cleaned properly they work fine.

I wash mine a day after i used them since I'm to tired to do it the same day

most people just use water i guess but i use snappy clean from detailedimage

normtrum · 09-14-2007, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejazbmw

I wash mine a day after i used them since I'm to tired to do it the same day

most people just use water i guess but i use snappy clean from detailedimage

I've actually done that a few times as well, for the same reason....I'm spent. I stick mine in a zip lock baggy so it doesn't dry up, then wash with soapy water the next day. I'll try the snappy from DI....I get most of my stuff from them anyways.

UncleWede · 09-17-2007, 12:28 PM

Come on, it's not THAT difficult to apply Z2/5 by hand with a pad. It shouldn't require any "pressure" to apply. Put it on. If that's you last/only coat for the day, go wash it out while you wait the 5-10 minutes for it to dry. Then come wipe it off.

To paraphrase those Bowflex commercials: "I'm 41, and not really in the best of shape" but I can wipe an e90 by hand no problem.

09-14-2007, 02:19 PM	#1
smog Private First Class 3 Rep 120 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: santa clara iTrader: (0)	Zaino applicators just placed my order online for the Ultimate Protection Kit and a bottle of Z-8. and now im wondering if maybe i should've bought a couple more of these applicators since the kit only includes 2 pads according to the site plus one freebie i think. my question is, will 2 pads be enough to put a few coats of z2/z5 over the course of 2-3 days? (assuming i dont drop them on my driveway ) also what alternative applicators is everyone using with zaino? sorry for the zaino n00b question. thanks.
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09-14-2007, 02:30 PM	#2
G-son Private First Class 22 Rep 131 Posts Drives: 2019 F90 M5 Competition Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	I use a soft foam pad
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09-14-2007, 03:31 PM	#3
phantom330 Captain 18 Rep 892 Posts Drives: e93 335i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: OH iTrader: (0)	just buy pads at the local auto parts store, the zaino ones aren't anything special. I actually don't even like them.
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09-14-2007, 04:31 PM	#4
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	A lot of people don't like the Zaino pads. I like them well enough. Provided you don't drop it, one side of one pad is enough for all 3 coats in the day. You can use the other side for 3 more coats next time you Zaino in 6 months. If you do it that way, the two pads could last you two years(!). FWIW, I find it easier to apply Zaino once some has soaked into the pad a bit, so it's better to keep using the same pad during the day, rather than a fresh one each layer. Start out by spritz-ing the pad with Z-6 to wet it and it will go on easier, too. EDIT - if you're doing it over the course of 2-3 days, you may want to use a new pad "face" each day. I would, but you can judge for yourself whether it is necessary. Also, every time I order something from Zaino, they seem to throw in a few pads, so I doubt you'll ever run low on them, and if you do, just get a regular soft terry pad from Pep Boys or something. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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09-14-2007, 05:04 PM	#6
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 17998 Rep 9,378 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	I normally only use about 1 inch on the long side of the pad for each application. Then I use some Dawn to clean out the little mixign bottle, and pour that onto the pad to wash it down. Z6 before and during makes it a LOT easier to spread Z2/5 to proper thickness
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09-14-2007, 06:55 PM	#7
smog Private First Class 3 Rep 120 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: santa clara iTrader: (0)	thanks everyone. and regarding the foam pads.. i do have a couple of the meguiars' yellow lying around. Dont remember whether i read it here or over at autopia, but someone mentioned that zaino dont really like 'foam', and really only works with cotton pads/towel?.. just want to make sure i do it right the first time, since i'll be doing it by hand and not with a pc/udm, so my arms will really hate me afterwards if i screw up
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09-14-2007, 10:38 PM	#8
ejazbmw blahhh 302 Rep 6,355 Posts Drives: 2014 M235I Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NJ/NY iTrader: (7)	I have a lot of respect for guys to who do zaino by its hand its a bitch to do with a pc i could only imagine doing it by hand...anyway i used foam pads for my pc its totally safe.
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09-14-2007, 10:47 PM	#9
normtrum Colonel 52 Rep 2,225 Posts Drives: e90 335i, e46 330i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: PNW iTrader: (1)	I'm sorry but am I the only one who cleans their pads after use? I mean I toss them after awhile, but if cleaned properly they work fine. __________________ 07 335i sedan \| Steptronic \| Black saphire \| Terra \| ZPP \| ZSP \| Cold Weather \| CA \| PDC \| Nav \| OEM Alarm
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09-17-2007, 12:28 PM	#12
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 17998 Rep 9,378 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	Come on, it's not THAT difficult to apply Z2/5 by hand with a pad. It shouldn't require any "pressure" to apply. Put it on. If that's you last/only coat for the day, go wash it out while you wait the 5-10 minutes for it to dry. Then come wipe it off. To paraphrase those Bowflex commercials: "I'm 41, and not really in the best of shape" but I can wipe an e90 by hand no problem.
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