Just checking if anyone has been able to source any Zaino products in Australia? Our US friends are all raving about this product and its got me itching to try it out.

I currently use Meguiars range of products and these work quite well, but I'm keen to explore other products, especially if they're as good as the "Show and Shine" forum indicates.

Originally posted by Pappy
Just checking if anyone has been able to source any Zaino products in Australia? Our US friends are all raving about this product and its got me itching to try it out.

I currently use Meguiars range of products and these work quite well, but I'm keen to explore other products, especially if they're as good as the "Show and Shine" forum indicates.

Which of the Meguiars finishes are you using at the moment and please let me know what you think of them.

I just purchased the classic gold stuff, but I haven't applied it yet ... just going to let the new paint cure for another week.

I used to be a Meguires fan (and still am to a certain extent).

I have started using the Swissol range of products. I am very impressed with the wax. It is about time I put another coat on. You can build it up to get a deeper and deeper finish. Something like 30 - 40% carnuaba wax. I got the "Samuari" wax, as it is specially formulated for Jap paints (whatever that means...) One of the recommended application methods is using the palms of you hands. So Smoooooth :)

The local Swissol Agent used to be into Zymol, but has changed to favour Swissol.

It puts Meguires in the "cheap" category. Previously I used Meguirs cleaner wax, and every 2nd wash (or more frequently) I used a nice smelling "Wax as you dry" (Eagle One).

http://www.swissol.com This is a premium, top shelf (and top dollar) product.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Hmmm...

Thanks Hymee,

Looks like the mazda 6 could be wearing the meguiars and the 8 could go swissol.

Do you buy it over the web or through a retailer?

Bloody hell, not kidding it's top dollar stuff... Kev, look at this online ordering page on their website for AUS.

http://www.swissol.com/E/AUS/KontaktAUBestform.htm

wow... sure is primo wax...

Onyx standard wax for all colours, ca. 200 ml AU$105.--
Saphir premium wax for all paint systems, ca. 200 ml AU$169.--
Shield with PTFE incl. Paint Rubber set, ca. 200 ml AU$250.--
Concorso concours wax for all colours, ca. 200 ml AU$290.--
Scuderia premium wax for Italian paints, ca. 200 ml AU$189.--
911 premium wax suitable for Porsche cars, ca. 200 ml AU$179.--
356 premium wax suitable for older Porsche cars, ca. 200 ml AU$179.--
Mystery concours glaze, ca. 200 ml AU$699.--
Divine personal glaze (incl. development) ca. 200 ml AU$3,250.--

The personal glaze is custom mixed for your particular car...

I'll never complain any more when my daughter wants makeup, that would be a touch of the old double standards wouldn't it :D

You going to take the plunge Pepe?

Originally posted by Kev
Hmmm...

Thanks Hymee,

Looks like the mazda 6 could be wearing the meguiars and the 8 could go swissol.

Do you buy it over the web or through a retailer?

The local (Australian??) distributor is KT Classic Car Accesories. Keith is the guys name, and he is a really nice bloke. Demo'ed me the product and all.

Even though the tub of wax is only 200ml, you don't need to use much at all. It is best described as a almost dry/solid paste, and you use very little. So I reckon in the long run it is cheaper than a tub of Meguires at $30 or $40 a throw.

I got a starter kit that included the Samuari Wax, a bottle of cleaner/prep stuff, a bottle of special car wash that helps maintain the wax, a bottle of tyre shine, and a couple of applicator pads and "dense fibre" towels, all in a nice case. I also bought a microfibre cloth of him as well. Total cost was $306 after he applied a "car club discount" which I didn't even ask for.

Despite the price, he said you would be amazed at the amount of it that gets purchased. I decided that in the long run it was probably a good investment in maintaining the look of this unique vehicle. Pity I wasn't so choosy when it came to re-fueling yesterday :( Suspected water in the fuel / dirty fuel :mad:

Cheers,
Hymee.

PS - Don't forget to mention to him "the RX-8 owner" who put you on to it!

I'll post the number when I find his card - I think I left it at work.

Originally posted by Kev
I'll never complain any more when my daughter wants makeup, that would be a touch of the old double standards wouldn't it :D

You going to take the plunge Pepe?

Tempted... but just put a coat of Meguires gold class wax on this past weekend, so might hold off on that decision for a little bit... maybe a good chrissy present though if people come asking me what I want :)

I also just put on a coat of the Meguires gold class wax a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was pretty good. This swissol stuff must be magical. Let us know how you get on with it.

Please do pass on the guy's contact details.

Donald

PS. Was the guy in Sydney?

Originally posted by donaldc


PS. Was the guy in Sydney?

I think they're up Brissie way.

Originally posted by Kev
Which of the Meguiars finishes are you using at the moment and please let me know what you think of them.

I just purchased the classic gold stuff, but I haven't applied it yet ... just going to let the new paint cure for another week.

I use the Soft Wash Gel and Wetlook Polymer Sealant - although this was on my previous car and it provided a pretty good finish. Since the RX8 is only a month old, I've yet to polish it.

I'll probably go for the Gold Class Wax or possibly the Swissol mentioned by Hymee - thanks for the details. If it's that much better than Meguiars, I'd be happy to try it at least once!
:)

Hymee - how easy/difficult is the Swissol stuff to apply?

Originally posted by Pappy

Just checking if anyone has been able to source any Zaino products in Australia?

Pappy
I haven't used them but here is a URL for a company that distributes in Australia

http://www.aurora-one.com.au/

Hey, thanks for the URL ZRX8! Much appreciated and the pricing isn't too bad either.

I didn't get into the office yesterday as promised - trying to sort out my fuel problems, but I will post the Swissol distributors details ASAP.

As for ease of application - it was a joy. Just wipe it on, and wipe it off. No heavy rubbing required - it is not a polish.

As for polishing your "new" paint... The Swissol is NOT a polish! It is a wax that is intended to protect the paint, and enhance the "shine". I would have preffered to have it done before delivery, but only got the product when the car was about 3 weeks old.

I'm sure Keith will provide testimonials etc. He also sells a range of other products, so he isn't tied to the one brand.

You get what you pay for I suppose. I spent 60 large on a car. I didn't have a problem buying a $120 tub of wax that will last a few years. (Or whatever the wax costs - I bought a whole kit)

Cheers,
Hymee.

I am using Meguiar's gold class wax at the moment and very happy with it.
I am thinking of upgrading it to swissol, so Hymee please post the number.:D :D
I am not sure about Zaino though, but Swissol is very very good and reputable brand. I want one...:mad: :mad:

The Swissol man...

Classic Car Waxes and Accessories

Keith Tapsall

Mobile: 0418 226 060
Ph/Fax: 07 3264 7744

Cheers,
Hymee.

Originally posted by Hymee
The Swissol man...

Classic Car Waxes and Accessories

Keith Tapsall

Mobile: 0418 226 060
Ph/Fax: 07 3264 7744

Cheers,
Hymee.

Thanks!!:D :D
Can we call him to order some?
Did you get your wax from this guy?
Do we get some discount if we do mention "the RX-8 owner" to him?

Yes.
Yes.
Yes - well he gave me a "car club" discount so I hope he does.

Cheers,
Hymee.

(BTW he doesn't know me as Hymee, but it was the first RX8 he had seen/touched.)

Thanks Hymee

Regards,
Winning
:) :)

Given that Zaino Products appear to be in the same price range as the Swissol polishes. Which one would be better? I read that the Americans seem to think the Zaino polishes work well. Would I notice a difference between Swissol and Zaino and the Meguiars World Class Wax that I'm using at the moment.

It seems quite confusing.

Donald

I can only give my own testimonial!

From my understanding, the big draw card with Zaino is that you can build up a depth of the Zaino coating by applying multiple coats and increase the depth of lustre. Other products mix and/or dissolve and therefore will interact with the previous layer applied, reducing or negating the effect of applying multiple coats.

(I'm waiting on the Swizol book, but if I'm happy with Zaino I'll stick with it)

I've ordered a pro kit from Keng at the Zaino distributor www.aurora-one.com.au . I want to try Zaino first because of all of the very positive US comments.

The clay bar paint prep seems to be common to all very serious wax (or similar) approaches. This must be a real car intimacy foreplay to polishing kinda thing!

This will drive my wife batty :D

Kev - How many cold hard one's did you give up for this? PM me if you don't want the missus to know ;)

Hymee thanks for the Swissol contact details.

Kev - let us know the results of your Zaino experience when you do your RX8.

One other question - how soon is it safe to polish a new car?

When I had my BMW repaired (full respray and most panels replaced) after the Sydney hail storm a few years ago, the paint shop recommended that I don't polish the car for at least 6 months to allow the paint to cure (or something to that effect).

Is this just bs or does it have some merit?

Kev - the Swissol idea is the same - build up layers to increase the depth with each coating. A seperate product is used to remove all the wax.

Pappy - We are not talking about polishes. If I had a new acrylic paint job, I would wait 2 weeks at least to let it go nice and hard before polishing it - that is necessary as acrylic is not glossy "off the gun". But modern 2-pack finishes are glossy off the gun.

What we are talking about here with Swissol, and I presume Zaino, is applying a wax to seal the surface and enhance the shine. No abrasives or anything like "polish". Just a protective coating.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Hymee - no problem, I guess was I was using the term polish incorrectly. Thanks for the clarification - now I'll have to decide between Swissol and Zaino. Since my car is always exposed to the elements I'm keen to get some protection on as soon as possible.:)

Originally posted by sco
Kev - How many cold hard one's did you give up for this? PM me if you don't want the missus to know ;)

Damn SCO, I wouldn't have figured you the one for black mail!

Actually, I think the trick will be to buy her a set of her own car care bits ( I got her a 6 with everything that opens and shuts, so that she wouldn't complain about the 8).

Funny really, long cardboard boxes keep appearing in my office, then both my car and the boxes vanish for a couple of days ... then the 8 reappears with extra parts on it - and nothing's been said.

I'll put it to the panel - am I getting away with it or am I up for the most expensive christmas present known to man?

(I haven't been hearing the snippets of conversation about a beagle either!)

Kev - He he :D ... Wasn't intended to be blackmail... just thought the missus might get on the forum one day to see what you've _really_ been up to with your (correction) her hard earned ;)

Wish a rotary accent or two would magically appear in a box at my office in time for Santa (hint for my missus if she reads this - but ask me first so you don't pay too much ;) )

I offered to by my better half a new car and she's actually not interested. She's pretty happy with the "old" car and doesn't want to park anything new at her work seeing they're great bump parkers there. However, I'm going to spend a few dollars on it to bring the brakes up to scratch (machine the discs and softer pads) and get new shockies. I used to think it wasn't a bad drive until I got the '8.. now it feels like a Hyundai Excel with flat tires and no brakes.

BTW - you didn't answer my question :p

Originally posted by sco
BTW - you didn't answer my question :p [/B]

That's because I'm really thick and stupid and really didn't understand ... or thought you meant beers :(

What sort of car has your wife got?

I was trying to ask .. how much did your Zaino kit cost... but failed miserably at asking clearly.

The "old" car is a Ford Laser Lynx... basically a Mazda Astina with a Ford body kit, mags and ABS. Great car for driving around town... just weighs too much for it's little 1.8L engine and has far too much body roll.

The kit's going to cost abou $200 (it's a "pro" kit that has everything in it) - I really am thick :)

My wife's first car was a Mazda 323 that she had for 10 years. Unfortunately, I got her addicted to Audi's for a while, very expenise kiddie buses! But now she's very happy in her 6 ... mind you there was now way she was going to settle for anything less than the entire accessory catalogue :( (I still can't figure out why she wanted roof racks and a tow bar!)

That's not as much as I thought it would be... especially when I compare it to the $60 or so I spent on low end Meguires stuff... looking forward to hearing how you go with it.

Okay, as a wrapup on this.... anyone since ordered Zaino or Swissol and got any recommendations on the products/dealers?

I feel very downmarket reading this thread. Having only a slight insight into the formulation of polishes, etc. I can hazard a guess that none of the ingredients are so rare, highly refined or high-tech that they justify the enormous price. I suspect that the price charged has a lot to do with how they want to position themselves in the market. Do you want to be the Patek Phillipe, Rolex, Seiko or Swatch of the polish market? (And here's where I have to duck the incoming munitions), qualitatively I suspect that there is little difference between the very top and the nearly bottom of the market.

If you think about the way this stuff is marketed - you need our pre-clean followed by our deep clean followed by our sealer, followed by our polish followed by our post sealer, you see it is very similar to the way women's facial products are sold - exfoliaters, deep cleansers, base coats and finishers (ever tried to argue with your wife about leaving one out). I guess a lifetime in the trenches of science has made me a cynical old bugger.

So in my depths of peasantry, I have used Nu-Finish, which retails for ~$14 at SuperCheap. This goes on like a dream (even in the sun, although I do it in the shade), wipes off without a streak, and lasts and lasts. I just do a normal wash, let it dry thoroughly overnight, and Nu-Finish it the next day. They recommend putting on another coat within 30 days of the first for maximum durability. I suspect it is polymer-based, and may have some silane in it, because they say to slightly dampen the rag before applying.

I thought I'd go one better with baby. I put on a second coat in 7 days after the first, and I'm putting on the next coat next week. Already people comment that it looks like its glazed.

Labrat,

I do agree with both your points.

- They all choose a position in the market, and charge accordingly.

- I have used Nu-finish in the past, and it gives a great result.

I do feel the Swissol worked very well. It did not require 5 applications of various layers. Just a cleaner, and a wax. Then they recommend to wash with the "compatible" wash...

But yes, maybe my impression is tainted by wanting to feel good that I paid for an expensive product.

I am impressed though with the swissol product, and I get plenty of great comments on the paint finish of the '8.

BTW - What is silane? or was that a typo on silicone?

Cheers,
Hymee.

Silanes are compunds which are used to bond to various surfaces. They are molecules which have one end which will react with surfaces which have water attached to them (and just about every solid surface has water on it - at least at the molecular level), and another end which will dissolve in oily substances. Chemists call the water loving bit "hydrophilic" and the oil loving bit "hydrophobic". Anyway, if you want an oily/waxy polish to adhere to a surface, a compound like a silane is a great way to go. We had our brickwork waterproofed by a silicone formulation which also contained a silane. The silane latched onto the brickwork, and the silicone latched onto the silane - neat!

I use a wax-and-wash car wash because the small amount of wax in the shampoo will adhere to the polish and make it last a bit longer.