Hey everyone !! I jsut got my rx8 about a month ago. And let me tell, i am loving every second im driving it. Now i plan n detailing it within the next couple weeks or so. I wanna go all out on it. I wanna try to get my car in perfect condition. Although the paint is in good condition, there are scratches (some very noticeable, others not so much) and swirl marks on it. Now my question is, does the ultimate protection show car kit have EVERYTHING I would need to get my car back into "perfect" shape as if it was new. Does it have everything i would need to get rid of the more severe scratches ?

One more thing, is there a difference between waxing and rust proof or paint protection. Isnt wax technically a "paint protection" ? If i were to rust proof, when would i do it? Before waxig or after?

SOrry for the long post, i searched but nothing like this cameup.

thanks !

Zaino Z5 will hide some swirls, but its ability to do so is VERY limited. In other words, don't try to hide swirls, you've got to remove them. For this you'll need an abrasive polish and a good random orbit polisher (Porter Cable is popular). The meguiars one is good too. Actual scratches are probably there to stay, unfortunatly. PREP PREP PREP. The paint surface really has to be free of defects, or Zaino won't do you much good.

So, what I would do to attack is:

1) wash
2) clay bar
3) polish with abrasive. depending on severity of swirls, Zaino PC with a polishing pad with polisher might get them out. If they are medium and worse, you'll need something a little more aggresive polish wise. I would go with Meguiars Ultimate Compound (Liquid). Its easy to use, makes quick work. Follow that up with Z-pc as it is finer and finishes the paint down much better. Buy at least 4 polishing pads to do this (meguiars and lake country make good polishing pads).
4) Zaino AIO - This stuff ROCKS. You won't need Z-fx if you use this.
5) Depending on color, i'd pick Z5 or Z2. Z2 is blingy and more reflective, Z5 brings out more depth and is easier to use. Both have great durability. All you need is one coat on top of the Z-pc. Let cure for 24hrs after removal before you add another.
6) Z8 to finish it up.

Absolutely key to zaino success is using Z6 between layers. I can't stress that enough.

Autopia.org for everything you need to know.

FYI: If you have hard water, you *might* trouble with hard water spots and Z2 when you wash. I used Zaino for a long time until i moved into a hard water area, and it was killing me. A capful a vinegar into a cheap spray detail will help remove those spots, but may sacrafice durability of the Zaino you just put down.

I now use a base layer of Z-aio, then Z5, then top that with a carnuba-hybrid wax called Collinite 845. Its a liquid wax, easy to use, and bullet proof. Makes the paint look deep and liquid, and most important to me, easy to remove hard water spots with a regular quick detail spray. Its water beading ability is well documented, but it really is insane in person.

did someone say Zaino??? :D:

what color is your car? I ask because while you can't get rid of swirls with those zaino products, they are easier to mask on certain colors and Z5 works best on dark colored paint.
you should look into using the Z-pc http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-PC&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=18


as for the Ultimate Protection Kit, YES, it pretty much has everything you need to keep your car looking amazing and to give it an awesome shine.
Make sure you check out zaino's website for some tips & tricks but it's pretty straight forward. One thing I cannot emphasize enough is that LESS is MORE with Zaino. The last time I used it on my car, I put two coats of Z2 on and used less then 1oz of Zaino. (that's less then half of the little bottle it comes in)

Jedi knows Zaino.

the car is brilliant black... hardest colour to keep clean... whenever i wash it... dust shows up on it the VERY next freakingg day.

did someone say Zaino??? :D:

what color is your car? I ask because while you can't get rid of swirls with those zaino products, they are easier to mask on certain colors and Z5 works best on dark colored paint.
you should look into using the Z-pc http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-PC&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=18


as for the Ultimate Protection Kit, YES, it pretty much has everything you need to keep your car looking amazing and to give it an awesome shine.
Make sure you check out zaino's website for some tips & tricks but it's pretty straight forward. One thing I cannot emphasize enough is that LESS is MORE with Zaino. The last time I used it on my car, I put two coats of Z2 on and used less then 1oz of Zaino. (that's less then half of the little bottle it comes in)


Umm because i plan on buying the kit. And it comes with the Z5 (which is for swirls and scratches). Would buying the Z FC really help ? Dont they both do the same thing ? I dont wanna buy it if i already have the z5.

no, they don't do the same thing.
someone didn't read the link. ;)

Z5 is non abrasive
Z-PC IS abrasive.

how did i know you would make your way here..^^
:lol:

no, they don't do the same thing.
someone didn't read the link. ;)

Z5 is non abrasive
Z-PC IS abrasive.

yea i didnt read it yet lol. ill make sure to before i order. thanks for the info.

one more thing, is a wash with dawn soao required as a first step ? not sure if the previous owner waxed the car ?

I would definitely do a dawn wash to remove any polish or wax that could be on there. helps remove contaminents also and leaves the paint ready for clay.

wash with dawn soap
dry
clay
wash with normal soap
dry
then begin polishing.
either with Z5 or Z-PC.
I would try the Z5 first unless the swirl marks are really bad.

remember: always start with Z5 if you're layering the zaino, you always want to end with Z2 as it has better shine characteristics.
remember the Z6 between coats.

thanks jedi !!! hopefully i can get my car as shiny as yours

My car has recently been getting a lot of rock chips on my front bumper. They are little white dots with paint missing. Will the zaino I'm buying help with that ? Or what else can I do to fix that ? Paint touch up ? If so do I paint touch up before I zaino the car or after ?

Sorry for so many questions but the rock chips are pissing the shit out of me. Excuse my language
Thanks

Umm i was just about to order. When i was checking out it says they do not ship outside of the US. Im in toronto. And i was wondering if maybe someone from canada has ordered zaino ? Maybe this is in the wrong section but ill give it a shot.

Zaino Z5 will hide some swirls, but its ability to do so is VERY limited. In other words, don't try to hide swirls, you've got to remove them. For this you'll need an abrasive polish and a good random orbit polisher (Porter Cable is popular). The meguiars one is good too. Actual scratches are probably there to stay, unfortunatly. PREP PREP PREP. The paint surface really has to be free of defects, or Zaino won't do you much good.

So, what I would do to attack is:

1) wash
2) clay bar
3) polish with abrasive. depending on severity of swirls, Zaino PC with a polishing pad with polisher might get them out. If they are medium and worse, you'll need something a little more aggresive polish wise. I would go with Meguiars Ultimate Compound (Liquid). Its easy to use, makes quick work. Follow that up with Z-pc as it is finer and finishes the paint down much better. Buy at least 4 polishing pads to do this (meguiars and lake country make good polishing pads).
4) Zaino AIO - This stuff ROCKS. You won't need Z-fx if you use this.
5) Depending on color, i'd pick Z5 or Z2. Z2 is blingy and more reflective, Z5 brings out more depth and is easier to use. Both have great durability. All you need is one coat on top of the Z-pc. Let cure for 24hrs after removal before you add another.
6) Z8 to finish it up.

Absolutely key to zaino success is using Z6 between layers. I can't stress that enough.

Autopia.org for everything you need to know.

FYI: If you have hard water, you *might* trouble with hard water spots and Z2 when you wash. I used Zaino for a long time until i moved into a hard water area, and it was killing me. A capful a vinegar into a cheap spray detail will help remove those spots, but may sacrafice durability of the Zaino you just put down.

I now use a base layer of Z-aio, then Z5, then top that with a carnuba-hybrid wax called Collinite 845. Its a liquid wax, easy to use, and bullet proof. Makes the paint look deep and liquid, and most important to me, easy to remove hard water spots with a regular quick detail spray. Its water beading ability is well documented, but it really is insane in person.

Was my microphone off or something? :p:

I just received my zaino today !! I cant wait to start using it.

I have a question though, i want to use the oem mazda paint touch up pen. Cause i have some chips here and there. SHould i do this before i start the whole process or do i do it after i finish with the Z8 ??? Wouldnt the wax get into the holes if i use the touch up after ?

I just received my zaino today !! I cant wait to start using it.

I have a question though, i want to use the oem mazda paint touch up pen. Cause i have some chips here and there. SHould i do this before i start the whole process or do i do it after i finish with the Z8 ??? Wouldnt the wax get into the holes if i use the touch up after ?

I would touch up the paint before any Zaino. Let the touchup paint sit 24 hours then work your magic.

Sounds great thanks !!! I plan on doing 1 coat of Z PC, 2 coats of z5, 2 coats of z2, then finish it off with z8. WIth z6 in between each coat of course. THanks guys ill update with pics when shes done !

Sounds great thanks !!! I plan on doing 1 coat of Z PC, 2 coats of z5, 2 coats of z2, then finish it off with z8. WIth z6 in between each coat of course. THanks guys ill update with pics when shes done !

Sounds good. Z-PC needs lots of working time...and it finishes down so nice. Very easy to work with. What machine/pads are you going to try with it?

No machines. Just my hands. I bought 4 extra pad applicators and it already comes with 2. Ill be using one for each polish. One more thing, i know it says to use 100% cotton towels to buff off. But can you use a microfiber towel as well ? ONe that you use to dry the car.

I would definitely do a dawn wash to remove any polish or wax that could be on there. helps remove contaminents also and leaves the paint ready for clay.

wash with dawn soap
dry
clay
wash with normal soap
dry
then begin polishing.
either with Z5 or Z-PC.
I would try the Z5 first unless the swirl marks are really bad.

remember: always start with Z5 if you're layering the zaino, you always want to end with Z2 as it has better shine characteristics.
remember the Z6 between coats.

:shocking: I thought you only trusted me with the secret recipe :sadwavey:

No machines. Just my hands. I bought 4 extra pad applicators and it already comes with 2. Ill be using one for each polish. One more thing, i know it says to use 100% cotton towels to buff off. But can you use a microfiber towel as well ? One that you use to dry the car.

I've never tried Z-pc by hand. It may not do what you need.

By hand this is what I would do:
1) Clay bar
2) Meguiars Ultimate Compound
3) Dawn wash (remove all polishing oils so Zaino will bond well)
4) Proceed with Zaino

Note that you aren't actually 'coating' with Z-pc...its an abrasive polish (so is Meg's Ultimate Compound) so it needs to be worked into the paint over and over, then wiped off.

Check out the how-to videos on autopia.org for polishing. Some great info there.

If Z PC needs to be used with a machine then i guess ill use one. I do have access to an electric buffer.

If Z PC needs to be used with a machine then i guess ill use one. I do have access to an electric buffer.

Believe me, you'll be glad you did...lol. A good quality random orbit (porter cable, udm, or meguiars) and some lake country or meguiars pads and you're well on your way to no swirls. Make sure its random orbit.

I can usually take normal hacked up auto car wash paint and get it 95% swirl free within a couple hours with a random orbit. Meguairs Ultimate Compound works quickly on swirls, then I follow that with Zpc to bring out the gloss.

Just take your time and learn how to polish. It really is a skill that takes some finess. Good news is with a random orbit, you really have to do something wrong to mess up the paint.

Just check out those how-to's on autopia.org and you're good to go.

Question, it says not to use ZFX more than 3 times in 24 hours. But like i said i wanna do :

1 coat of PC
z6
1 coat of z5 (with zfx)
z6
1 coat of z5 (with zfx)
z6
1 coat of z2 (with zfx)
z6
1 coat of z2 (with zfx)

So basically ill be using 4 coats of zfx. Is this okay? Or should i take of coat of z5 out ?

You can use Z-pc as much as you want. No limit to that one since nothing is actually being put on the paint.

The absolute key to getting a good finish is the defect removal. No amount of any Z5 or Z2 will make those defects go away. The polishing stage might take all day, it just depends on your paint's condition with swirls and light scratches.

Zpc is a VERY fine polish, and I've had decent luck with defect removal with it. But, most likely you'll need something with more power to remove defects faster.

Prep is 99% of the finish...the Z2 or Z5 will be the last 1%. I can't stress prep enough.

Here is a list of the products I use for detailing my own car or for my customers. I've found that this process with these products is pretty much bang on for 99% of the cars I see.

1) Wash
2) Clay bar (This step is huge, don't skip it) You'll get tons of bonded junk off the paint with this step. Which then prepares the paint for....
3) Polish - 1 pass with Meguiars Ultimate Compound, 1-2 passes with ZPC.
For polishing I usually spread the Meguiars in a 2ftx2ft area at speed 3 on a porter cable dual action, then polish down at speed 5-6. Use a Meguiars W8006 polishing pad. Do the whole car this way. Then, I take the Zpc on a new W8006 pad and go over whole car with teh same process. Third step is the same, but I use a W9006 finishing pad. You can probably skip the 2nd polishing step depending on the paint.
4) Wipe down whole car with Z6. Lots of dust will be on it from polishing.
5) I use Zaino All-in-one next on a new W9006 pad. You can go straight to Z5 since you have ZFX though and skip the Z-AIO.
6) DO 2 coats of Z5. Its easy to use. Use ZFX both coats. Z6 in between.
7) 1 coat Z2. I've found multiple coats of Z2 doesnt add anything when you've done a good job of polishing and putting the Z5 down.
8) Wipe whole car down with Z2.

My pictures are from detailing my own car a couple weeks ago. Note that I don't use Z2 and use Collinite 845 in its place. I had the hard water spots problem with Z2 that lots of people have. I wish i had before pictures...it was all hacked up from winter.

If you can post a picture of your car now in direct sunlight, I can probably tell you what type of polishing you'll need, or at least get ya pointed in the right direction. Choosing a good first polish to remove the defects easily will make polishing go much faster!

So what youre saying is, it would be better to take out one coat of Z2 ? Instead of 1 coat of Z5 ?

Ill try to get some pics today. Im busy today but if i have time ill try to get some.

Yep, keep the 2 coats of Z5. Reasons are its easier to work with for someone new to Zaino and its ability to hide swirls is SLIGHTLY better (but it really has none anyways). Z5 tends to look a little darker and deeper, and Z2 tends to be more blingy reflective with less depth. Putting Z2 over a base of Z5 really gives the best of both worlds. Z2 tends to be slightly more durable...and that's saying a lot considering how strong Z5 is. Also, you can add another layer of Z5 or Z2 anytime you want. There isn't a limit to the amount of total layers, just limited to 3 in one day.

A good visual to this would be looking down the side of the car from the front or back. With just Z5, you can see nice crisp reflections, but you can easily tell the car is black. With just Z2, I've found that looking down the side like that, the car almost looks silver and bright with even crisper reflections.

Put the Z2 over Z5 and you kinda have a combination of the two.

Great !! Thanks for the info !!

Planning on doing some sanding on my car (touch up paint repair). Will this kit get rid of the haze ?? Ill be using 2000 grit.

Also while im at it, im ordering a porter cable 7424 soon. And im not sure which pads ill need ? any help please? Thanks

bump

Can you take some pictures of the areas you are working on with wet sanding? Should be able to give you some advice then. If its just chips and other very small areas, blending should be pretty easily done. You'll need some aggresive pads and polish (M105 and M205) to polish out wet sanding mark with a PC.

I haven't started the process yet cause I haven't ordered the pc with the pads. Hence why I wanna know what pads will be good enough to remove the marks (cause ur allowed 3 pads and they have like 10 different ones). Its on www.eshine.ca

I haven't started the process yet cause I haven't ordered the pc with the pads. Hence why I wanna know what pads will be good enough to remove the marks (cause ur allowed 3 pads and they have like 10 different ones). Its on www.eshine.ca

Gotcha. What do you mean by "hazing"? Depending on what you have, you might not need to wet sand. Wet sanding is something I try to avoid. If there are deep scratches, then yeah wet sanding is probably the best bet. If its just "hazing", that can be polished out.

Removal of wet sanding marks will take time with a Porter Cable, but it is much safer then going all out with a rotary.

What I would do if you really do need to wet sand:

1) Wet sand with the finest grit that will do the job, then follow that up with the finest grit you can find
2) M105 polish and a 4" cutting pad..may take lots of passes...do this till the sanding haze is gone
3) Follow that with M205 with a 6" polishing pad. That'll polish out the M105 which tends to leave slight hazing (its aggresive).
4) Polish out the rest of the car with M205 and polishing pads
5) Follow the Zaino process.


However, depending on what you think you might need to wet sand, you may actually not need to at all. If you can skip the wet sanding, then skip it.

Take a picture before you order anything and hopefully one of us here can point you in the right direction.

If you need advice from more experts (and I highly recommend it), go post a picture on autopia.org and ask there. You'll have a ton of answers in a few hours.

Ill try to get a pic. The day before i PC my whole car ill be touching up some rock chips and also some fine scratches. I was told to wet sand the rock chips after i apply touch up paint to level the paint out. Im guessing same thing goes with the deep scratches. How should i know if i need to wet sand or dry sand ? Ill be using only one grit (2000).

Also as for the pads. Which 3 pads should i pick from the options given ??

http://www.eshine.ca/1porter_cable_7424xp_swirl_buster_kit_55_pads-3185.php

Very disappiointed with zaino right now. The Z-PC along with a porter cable 7424 did not remove my swirls. I Did 6 passes over each panel. Does anything know what polish or swirl remover itll take to remove my swirls ? Maybe someting more aggressive ? I dont wanna go tooo agggressive cause my oem paint is thin like 89 microns or something (got it tested today).

Very disappiointed with zaino right now. The Z-PC along with a porter cable 7424 did not remove my swirls. I Did 6 passes over each panel. Does anything know what polish or swirl remover itll take to remove my swirls ? Maybe someting more aggressive ? I dont wanna go tooo agggressive cause my oem paint is thin like 89 microns or something (got it tested today).



What pad, speed, etc? Use a polishing pad at speed 2 to spread then crank it to speed 6. Use a little pressure and move around 1inch/second in small areas. Z-pc will remove very minor swirling easy, but if its any worse than that, it wont do it quickly. You'll need something more aggresive than Z-PC. Go down to the auto parts store and grab some Meguiars Ultimate Compound. It works fast to bust swirls. Follow that with z-pc to finish the paint off nicely.

Take a picture in the direct sun showing the swirls and it'll give us all a much better idea.

TAKE PICTURES :)

zaino isn't designed to be a miracle worker, it cannot FIX swirl marks without using an abrasive compound.
Polishes simply do not work that way so to be disappointed in it is to have had unreasonable expectations going in.

I sent you a PM, hopefully that helps if not then listen to Miketyson as that is some good advice.
also, you did 6 passes?! In ONE day?

What pad, speed, etc? Use a polishing pad at speed 2 to spread then crank it to speed 6. Use a little pressure and move around 1inch/second in small areas. Z-pc will remove very minor swirling easy, but if its any worse than that, it wont do it quickly. You'll need something more aggresive than Z-PC. Go down to the auto parts store and grab some Meguiars Ultimate Compound. It works fast to bust swirls. Follow that with z-pc to finish the paint off nicely.

Take a picture in the direct sun showing the swirls and it'll give us all a much better idea.

TAKE PICTURES :)


I did exactly that. Speed 2 to spread then slowly do speed 6. I went horizontally overlapping every inch of so then vertically also overlapping.

Yup i did get myself some ultimate compound from meguiars. What happened was the previouss day i did some touch up work. So i did some wet sanding. And to my surprise the Z-PC didnt get rid of the scratches from the sanding. So i quickly went to my local store and got some. It works but swirls were still there the next morning and the scratches from wetsanding was still a bit there.

Checked out a detailer (Wesr some of you might know him, he did that black gt r). I asked him maybe the swirls WERE gone but when i buffed out the polosh/wax with my microfiber that i put them back in. BUt he said my microfiber im using should be fine.

So right now im considering Wes r. He said he would charge 500 :(. But i cant see my babty like this anymore. I like perfection :wallbash:

zaino isn't designed to be a miracle worker, it cannot FIX swirl marks without using an abrasive compound.
Polishes simply do not work that way so to be disappointed in it is to have had unreasonable expectations going in.

I sent you a PM, hopefully that helps if not then listen to Miketyson as that is some good advice.
also, you did 6 passes?! In ONE day?


thanks for the pm. The car is 4 years old (2006). I do use
microfibers to dry and buff out wax. I also use a sheep mitt to wash.

Yup 6 passes. Just for the Z-PC took me roughly 2 hours.