[wdlfbio]

We picked up the wife's car at the end of the year and I bought a bunch of Zaino products but only used the Z7 so far. So, tomorrow I'm planning on doing a full detail. I just want to make sure what I'm planning is right. These are teh prodcuts I have, Z2, Z5, Z6, Z7, ZFX, and Z18.

So, here's the plan -

1) dawn
2) clay bar, using Z7 in a spray bottle as lubricant
3) wash with either dawn again or Z7
4) Z2 with ZFX
5) Z6
6) Z5 with ZFX
7) Z6
8) Z2 with ZFX
9) Z6

My understanding is the ZFX combined with the Z2 or Z5 will allow me to get everything done in a day.

It's space grey, so does it matter if I go with Z2 or Z5? Zaino recommends ending with the Z2.

Thanks folks.

[Gripster]

Originally Posted by wdlfbio

We picked up the wife's car at the end of the year and I bought a bunch of Zaino products but only used the Z7 so far. So, tomorrow I'm planning on doing a full detail. I just want to make sure what I'm planning is right. These are teh prodcuts I have, Z2, Z5, Z6, Z7, ZFX, and Z18.

So, here's the plan -

1) dawn
2) clay bar, using Z7 in a spray bottle as lubricant
3) wash with either dawn again or Z7
4) Z2 with ZFX
5) Z6
6) Z5 with ZFX
7) Z6
8) Z2 with ZFX
9) Z6

My understanding is the ZFX combined with the Z2 or Z5 will allow me to get everything done in a day.

It's space grey, so does it matter if I go with Z2 or Z5? Zaino recommends ending with the Z2.

Thanks folks.

Z2 or Z5 will be fine. Just do it!!

This site has the simplest explanation I've seen so far.

http://lazaino.com/application.html

[pikkashoe]

You have the workflow right.


Couple tips:

1. Instead of using z7 while claying, I use Z6, I find it easier to work with and it makes the surface alot slicker. Its all about personal preferance, try them both out and pick which one you prefer. Also with z6, I dont have to rewash the car, just make sure you wipe it all off and do small sections, 2 by 2 foot sections. Generally you will find the only areas that require clay are the hood, trunk, roof and the tops of both bumpers, basically all horizontal surfaces. The rear bumper in particular gets abused, our brakes really pump out alot of brake dust.

2. If the car is brand new and you dont have any swirls, I would skip using z5 and just put a couple coats of z2. 3 coats in one day is what they recommend. z6 in between each coat, in my case i use Z8 grand finale spray!!! Remember with z2, apply front to back on the hood, roof and trunk, on the sides of the car, up and down. When removing, if you notice its a bit tough to remove the product, spray the towel you are using with z6. Avoid this by not putting too much z2 on.

3. I usually will put one coat of z2 a month afterwards.

4. Put z2 on the wheels, helps when cleaning and removing brake dust.

Have fun and post pics of your detail job!!

[DPritchett]

Pikkashoe has good, solid advice.... I just want to add a few comments:

In your step 3, just go with the Z7 -- no need to wash with Dawn again.

Z7 mixed in a spray bottle is my person choice for a lubricant when claying, but Z6 would certainly be a good choice. Hang on to the clay bar ... if you drop it on the ground, its toasted.

I find it helpful to spritz my applicator pad with Z6 while applying. Also, you can squirt some Z6 or Z8 into your Z5/2 ZFX mix bottle. Both make the product apply easier, thinner, etc.

[pikkashoe]

Good points dprichett.

Im going to try the spritz of z6 on the applicator pad tommorow.

[bmw0perat0r]

you got it down pat. 2-3 times a year and you're good to go.

[wdlfbio]

Thanks folks. I appreciate the extra tips.

I cut the clay bar into pieces as suggeted in the sticky up top. Those damn things are hard to keep ahold of. I think we've tossed as many pieces as we've used. Taking a short brake after the clay and will rewash with Z7.

It is amazing what all comes up and how much smoother the paint is after the clay.

[pikkashoe]

Clay is great! Leaves the paint feeling smooth as silk. This also makes it a lot easier to apply and remove the zaino after!

[ColinM3]

For my wife's E92 320i, I just went with Zaino AIO and Z6...

Great shine in the minimum of time...

[pikkashoe]

Hey guys, now I need some pointers. I just started using ZFX, since my Z1 ran out and they dont offer that anymore. How much are you guys mixing in the little containers. On the LAZAINO site, the guy says 2 ounces gets him 3 coats. I mixed half a container and it only got me one coat. And it barely even looks like the product is on the car. Let me know!

[pander5]

I am using about 1/3 of an ounce to get one full layer on my E92 coupe. I mix 1 ounce in a 2 ounce bottle and drop 4 drops of ZFX and shake the hell out of it. Let it sit for a minute, gather my towels and lay them around the car on the glass, shake the bottle again, spritz a black LC finishing pad with Z6 and then apply an "X" pattern on the pad in 2 lines about the size of thin spaghetti. The next section gets the same X pattern on a different part of the pad and a little thinner on the strips. By the time I finish the whole car I have almost completely covered my black LC pad with always rotating X's and the pad is moist with polish. I then take the pad and wipe my wheels with the residual amount on the pad. There's plenty to coat my wheels. I'm going to use a fresh, clean pad to do the next layer anyway so the first pad goes into the "dirty" pad bin for cleaning when I finish my 4 wheels. I've used maybe 1/3 to 1/2 an ounce on the entire car and wheels and used the PC to apply - maybe 10-15 mins. application time. I really have to look to find the haze of the polish and sometimes bend over at weird light angles to see it. THAT'S THE IDEA WITH ZAINO - VERY THIN APPLICATION and that is by far the most difficult thing to get used to with this stuff.

As my gauge I say 1 ounce of Z polish gets me at least 2 layers and that 1 ounce got 4 drops of ZFX.

[pikkashoe]

Ok, so barely seeing the zaino is ok. I did another run, and I used 3 lines on every panel, could see a bit more product haze up. I also read after my first application that after mixing the drops with the zaino, you have to let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to let it active, I didnt do that the first time. Well second time around came out better.

Now the big question, HOW THE HELL DO YOU CLEAN THE LITTLE BOTTLE.

And I am guessing after every coat you have to use a new applicator, can't reuse the same one?

Also, anyone use Z8 Grand Finale yet, im not too impressed, I think I bought into the gimmick, I like the z6 better at this point, no considerable improvement to warrant the price in my case. Anyone else?

[pander5]

Yeah, I end up letting the ZFX/polish mixture sit for about 4-5 minutes before shaking again and then using. I mix it up, set my towels out and then kill a little time cleaning up some of the things used during the detail. I also shake it quite a few times during application around the car.

Because I have a bunch of LC black pads I use a clean one for every layer but you don't have to. Because I finish with the wheels the applicators are bound to get dirty and I don't use them again on paint until I wash them. You could use 2 different applicators - one for paint and one for wheels - and reuse those 2 apps for 2-3 layers in the same session I would guess without any problems. Just make sure the paint applicator looks clean before you use it again on paint. You'd hate to introduce some new swirls and then seal them in because your applicator picked up a tiny piece of crap somewhere on the last layer.

I use Isopropyl alcohol to clean out the bottles. I keep a bottle of iso in the garage and when I'm finished with the polish bottle I fill it about 1/2 way with alcohol and then shake the heck out of it to work it around. Let it sit while I clean up some other things then shake it around again. I then rinse it out with water and dry it out. I'm not real anal about cleaning it out to original condition so I always have a thin film in my bottles the next time i go to use it but have had no problems.

[DCJAX]

Originally Posted by pander5

Because I have a bunch of LC black pads I use a clean one for every layer but you don't have to. Because I finish with the wheels the applicators are bound to get dirty and I don't use them again on paint until I wash them. You could use 2 different applicators - one for paint and one for wheels - and reuse those 2 apps for 2-3 layers in the same session I would guess without any problems. Just make sure the paint applicator looks clean before you use it again on paint. You'd hate to introduce some new swirls and then seal them in because your applicator picked up a tiny piece of crap somewhere on the last layer.

Personally I never trust my washing machine to get all of the brake dust and other nasty stuff off of the items I use on the wheels. My rule is once a towel/applicator etc. touches a wheel it never goes back to the paint.

Originally Posted by pikkashoe

Hey guys, now I need some pointers. I just started using ZFX, since my Z1 ran out and they dont offer that anymore. How much are you guys mixing in the little containers. On the LAZAINO site, the guy says 2 ounces gets him 3 coats. I mixed half a container and it only got me one coat. And it barely even looks like the product is on the car. Let me know!

With zaino, less is usually more. Keep in mind that your applicator is sucking up a lot of the fluid, that could definitely decrease your number of coats.

[pikkashoe]

Yeah I didnt use the applicator for the wheels, I used an old microfiber towel.

[Carlito12]

Originally Posted by wdlfbio

We picked up the wife's car at the end of the year and I bought a bunch of Zaino products but only used the Z7 so far. So, tomorrow I'm planning on doing a full detail. I just want to make sure what I'm planning is right. These are teh prodcuts I have, Z2, Z5, Z6, Z7, ZFX, and Z18.

So, here's the plan -

1) dawn
2) clay bar, using Z7 in a spray bottle as lubricant
3) wash with either dawn again or Z7
4) Z2 with ZFX
5) Z6
6) Z5 with ZFX
7) Z6
8) Z2 with ZFX
9) Z6

My understanding is the ZFX combined with the Z2 or Z5 will allow me to get everything done in a day.

It's space grey, so does it matter if I go with Z2 or Z5? Zaino recommends ending with the Z2.

Thanks folks.

I am sorry. But is it me or is there a step missing?

I always do Zaino ZPC before doing Z2.

This seems to bring out the brilliant shine..

I use PC Orbital and polish 2x2 area at a time with ZPC until it turns to dust.

then I use Z2 and ZFX to seal.

my 2 cents

[pikkashoe]

Hmm, I dont have swirls so no need for ZPC.

With my PC orbital I use Menzerna Final Polish.

[wdlfbio]

It took me a bit of going before I realized I was using too much. I ended up doing 2 coats of Z5 and only used one ounce. I finished with a coat of Z2 and used much less than one ounce. I put 4 drops of ZPC per ounce. All the application and removal was by hand (probably should buy a PC orbital). We went for a tour with our local BMW CCA (from western WA to eastern WA) and got LOTS of dust and bugs on the car. Next time I'll now to bring some window cleaner Anyway, gave the rig a washinging tonight and the dirt ran off like a scared 3rd grader. There was one black E46 //M3 that was definitely shiny than ours when we met up (30 cars total).:rocks: So, I'm very pleased with the 7-8 hours I spent yesterday Plus, the War Department was pretty happy too

[Carlito12]

Originally Posted by pikkashoe

Hmm, I dont have swirls so no need for ZPC.

With my PC orbital I use Menzerna Final Polish.

to each their own.

i followed DavidN's advice.

I use ZPC only twice a year. ( it is abrasive, after all)

But it really brings out a high gloss (even on my 4mo old 335i)

FROM DAVIDN's sticky:

"How to: Using Zaino instead of Klasse in a full detail


So far we all know the basics (see the FAQ above if you don't).

Steps
1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Remove swirls with a medium Polish like Menzerna IP (only if necessary)
4. Mild polish with Zaino ZPC Fusion to clean the paint and bring out the gloss
5. Protect the rejuvenated finish with a quality synthetic sealant and/or natural carnuba wax.

For Zaino, steps 1 to 4 will not change. Step 5 will change, and new steps (6, 7, and 8) will need to be added."

STEP 5 would bethe Z2 with ZFX

also from his post:

"Q: What is the purpose of polishing?
A: The purpose of Polishing is to remove swirl marks from your paint (using a heavier cut polish), and to bring out the full gloss of your paint (using a milder pre wax/sealant polish)."

I use Menzerna IP for any swirl marks - which I havent had in years...

good luck!

[pikkashoe]

I only use Menzerna IP on friends cars, I never get swirls on my own cars, its all about the way you wash the car.

Hmm, I am going to order ZPC next time I order zaino, and I am going to get ZCS, I want to try that on my wheels. They are a pain on this car to keep clean.

[pikkashoe]

Man I just got back from driving to the Florida Keys. Zaino is the best, I love just wiping off all the bugs on the front bumper. Literally took 1 minute to clean up my front end. Time for a 3rd and 4th coat of Z2.

[pander5]

Originally Posted by DCJAX

Personally I never trust my washing machine to get all of the brake dust and other nasty stuff off of the items I use on the wheels. My rule is once a towel/applicator etc. touches a wheel it never goes back to the paint.

That is my rule when I do customer cars but I spend WAY too much time on my own with true anal retentive approaches applied to every nook and cranny. My 335i sport wheels allow me to get every inch clean inside and out so I feel confident they are absolutely clean before I take my buffer pad off and by hand coat the spokes and outside of the wheel. Recently I cleaned my wheels with ZAIO and a faint yellow MF towel and didn't see any dirt come off and on the towel.

You are correct DCJAX in that you've got a good concept going i.e. wheel stuff stays seperate from the paint. Can't argue against that as it is the safest approach.