jisoo26

So overall the weather around here's been pretty crappy until this past weekend where temperatures finally got to 60 degrees. Hence I finally got to really work on the 8 for the first time this past Saturday since buying it this past January.

Products used:

Wash & Wax -- Zaino Total Protection Show Car Kit (+ Dawn)
Windows -- Invisible Glass
Interior Plastics -- 303 Aerospace Cleaner
Interior Leather -- Black Magic Leather Care
Wheels -- Black Magic No Scrub Wheel Cleaner
Tires - Black Magic Tire Wet

Process:

1. Cleaned interior windows, dash, leather (in that order)
2. Washed car with Dawn dishsoap and water
3. Zaino claybar
4. Zaino Z-7 show car wash
5. Zaino Z-2 PRO car show polish (with ZFX additive)
6. Zaino Z-6 Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer spray

Time:
4 hours 45 minutes (and loved every second)

End Result:





Notes:

Of course I expect future washes/waxes to be faster since this was a first-time Zaino application. One thing to note, during the wheel cleaning using the BM No Scrub Wheel Cleaner the disc brakes turned orange (you can see it in the first image). I'm assuming this is brake dust somehow rusting out from the cleaner (?). The rust went away after driving around the block once and hitting the brakes a few times but it still wigged me out. In any case I'm extremely happy in the way everything turned out, Zaino definitely is the goods. That thing shines like a mirror (as evident in the images)! Those pics are in waning sunlight mind you as the sun was setting. I took a pic close up of the rear passenger corner to see the glass-like appearance, when I run my fingers along the surface it slides right off. I'm still grinning ear to ear and it's been 3 days already

Next up:

Clear corners and stainless steel strakes!

Raptor2k

Looks good

HolyCross05

I'm in the same boat as you jisoo. I had the chance to use a couple of layers of zaino last week and I loved every minute of it. I installed clear corners a couple of days ago, and the stainless steel strakes from England are on the way. The next mods will be painted calipers and the appearance package.

ndtechie09

try using Zaino's leather cleaner and conditioner, you'll love it! Also try applying Z5 after Z2. I normally go: Z2, Z6,Z5,Z2,Z6 and so on but always end with the Z2, Z6. that way you will get the ultimate shine. and it should feeeel reallllllly smooth too. looks good tho!

jisoo26

Yep I'm installing my clear corners tonight after I pull out those annoying little reflective mirrors on the inside of them. I got the stealth bulbs instead of regular amber ones. My stainless steel strakes are also on the way from jolly ol' England as well. My baby is slowly starting to take form I'm looking to do painted calipers as well although I'm not sure if I can do that in my own garage. Might have the dealership do it since we all get a free 1-time caliper paint job (if memory serves) under warranty.

jisoo26

Yeah I was thinking about the Zaino leather spray, unfortunately since I bought the Black Rain I'll have to wait until it runs out before buying it.

I wanted to put on another coat of wax but the light was going fast so I didn't have time. I'll probably put on another coat or two this weekend if the weather holds up! I love how it's so shiny even with just 1 coat

I'm thinking sometime next month or in May I'll get the 3M clear coat guard and the windows tinted as well.

Moostafa29

Its been such a long time since I've been able to wash my car. Its been practically raining for a month here.

HolyCross05

Free 1-time caliper paint job under warranty? I've never heard of this warranty, you think they will paint my calipers red? haha

captain mercury

the car looks sweet. its been raining on off ON off on off ON ON ON here in southern california, so ive been neglecting my rx-8's shine, but cant wait to get her proper clean again. your car looks just like mine (- strakes) so i can admire and drool over yours for now.

Raptor2k

OMFG - I spent an hour washing my car yesterday. I took note of the forecast of course, it said 10% chance of any rain. And what do you? It starts drizzling and there's dirt all over it. Just when I was about to take pics of my Zaino job, *(@#&$@(*&

Story of my life.

BunnyGirl

Saturday I got up and got out stuff to wash my car. I was just about to go out the door to go get my car and drive it up and it turned cloudy and started raining. Figures. So, it is my intention do wash it this Saturday, but I saw the five-day weather forcast and it shows it pouring pretty much all day Saturday except during the hours when it is dark. My poor car looks like it's been jumping in mud puddles.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

Great job Jisoo!

Zaino Rocks. BEST part about it is that it just keeps getting better and better with more layers.

jisoo26

Yeah I remember reading in some threads here waaaay back when I first started surfing RX8club.com....there were some complaints about rust on the calipers so Mazda authorized a 1-time paint job on them. Can't seem to find any of those threads though, they're from sometime back. Of course I'd imagine this would only apply to 2004 and 2005 models, the 2006 models already have their calipers pre-painted (or at least that's what it looked like to me when I saw them). Dunno about red lol maybe they'll do black or silver.

jisoo26

Strakes should be here in a week, once I get them on then you can really pretend it's yours and drool

jisoo26

Thanks Jedi! Going for another 2 coats this weekend, if it's not raining that is. Might do it in the garage.

Coop '04

You sure it wasn't the rotor that was getting painted? There were a bunch of those, but I don't remember anythng about calipers getting painted.

Alot of people had rusted rotors (you could see the center hub part through the wheel) and it looked bad so the dealers were doing it for them.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

I usually do the Zaino in the garage and if it's REALLY nice outside, I'll move it to the driveway to let the zaino 'dry' a little better.

As for Mazda painting the calipers:
If I remember correctly, Mazda offered to paint the rotor hubs since those do rust fairly easily. The calipers are a seperate issue and only a few dealerships have offered to do it for their customers.

I just went ahead and painted mine a few months ago. Not a hard thing to do, just a bit on the time consuming side.

jisoo26

A-ha, you're probably right it's the rotors and not the calipers. My memory's going in my old age

BunnyGirl

You're not THAT old.

jisoo26

Eh? Wha?? Hold on, let me turn up my hearing aid...

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

OK, now that you have yours done, come up North and do mine

jisoo26

Maybe I should start up an RX-8 detailing service rofl

HolyCross05

I'm getting my calipers painted by a performance store/garage because I don't have my own garage or the time to do it myself. They are charging me $50 with the paint included which I think is an awesome deal considering the g2 paint kit costs around $40.

jisoo26

Lucky bastard! If I could find a place that would do that here for $50 I'd totally go for it.

BunnyGirl

Mine came already painted.