After reading all of the positive reviews for Zaino and seeing the pictures that have been posted, I am looking to buy some of the products to try when my car arrives. What products should I get? Should I get one of the kits that are offered or just buy the basics ala carte? What towels does everyone use?

You will probably need to tell us what color vehicle you have
in order to get the best advice.

For instance, I have a crystal red CTS. The Z5 formulation was
most recommended for my color.

With that you should get the AIO formula which gets put on as a base.

I also bought the Z7 Car Wash and the Z6 Gloss Enhancer spray.

Listen to the advice of others as well. I am just getting into this
slowly and it was mind-numbing trying to figure out what to buy.

I'll give you some great advice, though. Call Carl at 215-938-0991.
He is a very friendly dealer who you can call, tell him a bit about
your vehicle and needs, and get some great advice.

Look here for some solid advice, based on your needs:

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=Z&Category_Code=YOUCHOOSE

Here's what I do for dark colors most often:
* Dawn Wash
* Clay bar
* ZP-C (if you have marring & light to moderate swirls)
* ZAIO if you have very light defects, but your finish is in pretty good shape.
* Z5P (zfx'd) x 2 (Use =Z6 QD spray to wipe down the exterior between coats).

On lighter colors, I do the same, but use Z2P instead of Z5P.

You can apply ZAIO, Z5P, and Z2P on glass, painted trim, paint, lighting, bumpers, and wheels.

The combinations above will give you 4-6 months of solid protection, and keep your vehicle looking great.

The key for obtaining the best possible looking finish is your prep (clay, polish/defect removal). If you don't know how to level out swirls & scratches and want you finish looking like a mirror, you'll need a machine for best results. A porter cable 7424 is easy to use (novice), and rotary work is for the pro's. If you don't want to do this yourself, look for a quality detailer in your area.

For upkeep I use:
* Z7 Car Wash (which has a little polymer in it to keep you car looking freshly detailed)
* Z6 QD to wipe down the car after a wash.

You will use Z6 and Z7 most often. I typically buy the M-Pack (4 Z7's and 2 Z6's). Transfer your Z6 to a small micro sprayer, and it will last a long time.

Many people also use Z8 once or twice a month to keep the 'bling' at it's highest levels.

I also use Z16 tire dressing. It's not greasy and doesn't sling down the side of your car. 1 trigger on a foam applicator for each tire is all that is needed.
If you want tips on application, use, etc.... check out www.detailersclub.com and search on zaino. Lots of good information here.

p.s. Call Carl at 215-938-0991 <-- Carl only serves the NJ market. If you live outside NJ, you need to call the number listed on the zaino web site (www.zainostore.com)

Good luck--I'm confident you'll be very happy with the results and people will be asking you 'what wax are you using on your car'


Here are a few shots of my CTS after a Zaino detail:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/mgm121499/2008%20CTS/CTS-APR2.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/mgm121499/2008%20CTS/CTS-APR-1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/mgm121499/2008%20CTS/CTS-APR-3.jpg

OTOH, I just clayed my car and used only Z2 (with a few drops of ZFX) for 5 coats.

I put on one coat of All In One with a orbital polisher, then one coat of Z2. I should say that I always wash with Dawn first, and clay if it needs it. I've had a couple of vehicles that just a single coat of Z2 has lasted as long as two years.

I'm a fan of the triplets pack....ZAOI, Z-CS, and Z8 detailing spray. Simple with great results.

I put on one coat of All In One with a orbital polisher, then one coat of Z2. I should say that I always wash with Dawn first, and clay if it needs it. I've had a couple of vehicles that just a single coat of Z2 has lasted as long as two years.


Just as a side note...

The reason for a dawn wash is because you want to strip your paint of all silicone oils, commonly found in wax. A dawn wash will get into door jams & crevices, and help ensure you get maximum bonding from Zaino. Dawn will not harm your finish--although I would not recommend using it as your weekly car washing solution. Before a detail a few times a year is fine.

You will probably need to tell us what color vehicle you have
in order to get the best advice.


I have Thunder Gray on order right now. Thanks for the advice.

Just as a side note...

The reason for a dawn wash is because you want to strip your paint of all silicone oils, commonly found in wax. A dawn wash will get into door jams & crevices, and help ensure you get maximum bonding from Zaino. Dawn will not harm your finish--although I would not recommend using it as your weekly car washing solution. Before a detail a few times a year is fine.

I agree completely. I only use detergent (of any kind) before waxing. Another tip - when I clay my car, I simply do it with the suds while doing the Dawn wash..

After reading all of the positive reviews for Zaino and seeing the pictures that have been posted, I am looking to buy some of the products to try when my car arrives. What products should I get? Should I get one of the kits that are offered or just buy the basics ala carte? What towels does everyone use?

I would buy the Zaino Total Protection Show Car Kit which sells for 84.70.
It includes the Z07 Car Wash, Z18 Clay Bar, Both the Z2 and Z5 polish and the ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator. It also includes two Polish Applicators. This price would cost 90.20 if purchased seperately. In addition to the kit you might also want to buy the leather cleaner and the leather conditioner. This would bring the cost to 104.60. If you order from the Zainostore you will also have to pay 8.95 shipping.

Since I am a fellow CTS owner and the Utah dealer for Zaino, I will save you the shipping cost if you would like to order from me. You can call me 801 628-5777 to place an order or send an email to ronprice@xmission.com. If you prefer to buy from the Zainostore online that is fine with me. Either way you will be using the great Zaino products. You'll love your new CTS and Zaino will keep it looking great for years to come!

I don't sell the towels but use either 100% cotton towels (made in America) or Microfiber cloths. I buy my Microfiber cloths from the local Sams Club and have been happy with them. Good Luck!

Concerning Dawn Wash...

Is it Dawn brand specifically or will any of the dishwashing
detergents fare just as well?

I bought the Zaino Car Wash (Z7 I think). Will that be equally
as effective as a Dawn wash or is that to be used only between
Zaino waxes?

Dawn is the best at cutting grease among all the DW soaps. Of course all of them are "pretty good" at cutting grease. Wax products are just grease. Y

Z7 is formulated to be very mild. Good for in between washes once you have the car detailed, but NG for the initial cleaning.

okay, so i bought zaino and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival.. i plan on claybar'in the car and then applying a few coats of zaino, but i have two questions.. (1) should i just use regular car wash before/after claybar'in the car and (2) can zaino be used on wheels?

One thing, when you use claybar, watch out the gap (there is really narrow line gap in the body part near rear door to wheel). The claybar can be stuck into the gap.

(1) should i just use regular car wash before
-> Try to do better than regular car wash...
after claybar'in the car
-> do regular car wash

(2) can zaino be used on wheels
-> Yes

OK, here is my stupid question of the week. Can someone please explain what exactly a clay bar is and what it does. I've seen it referenced in many wax/detail explanations but don't know what it is.

It will remove(attrack and hold) the rough contaminants from the surface.
If you touch and compare the surface before and after(smooth like glass)...
It works pretty well.

OK, here is my stupid question of the week. Can someone please explain what exactly a clay bar is and what it does. I've seen it referenced in many wax/detail explanations but don't know what it is.

Clay Bar, looks like a piece of putty.

Clay Bar, looks like a piece of putty.

OK, so it looks like a piece of putty, then what? I've got a 69 Vette which was just restored with stock Riverside Gold paint and clear coat, my plans are for a CTS coupe with, most likely, black cherry. I'm fascinated by this Zaino product but haven't read enough about why it's so much better than, say, Mothers. Same with Clay Bar.