Due to the numerous requests for a Zaino FAQ I have decided to publish a list of the most common questions that I hear from new and sometimes not so new Zaino users and my answers based on my experience with Zaino products. This list is by no means the answer to all questions or problems since all situations are different. However, it should serve as a basic set of guidelines that will help you get the best possible results when using Zaino products for the first time. I don't deal with technical or chemistry related questions, only mechanical or better put, "how to use it" type questions. I'm not a chemist or engineer, I'm just a detailer. :-)
If your question is not covered or if the answer and advice pertaining to a certain question doesn't satisfy you please feel free to E-mail me for help that is more specific to your question.
Q: I have never used Zaino. Which products should I order?
A: First of all, you'll need to know if your vehicle's finish has a clear coat or not. To find out, just put a little mild abrasive polish on a cotton cloth and rub a small spot on the finish. If you see residue on the rag that is the color of your vehicle's finish, you do not have a clear coat.
For clear coated vehicles, I'd suggest ordering one each of Zaino Z1 Polish Lok, Z2 Show Car Polish for clear coats, Z5 Swirl Remover, Z6 Gloss Enhancer and Z7 Car Wash Soap.
For non-clear coated vehicles, just substitute Z3 Show Car Polish for single stage paints in place of the Z2 Show Car Polish.
Q:Where do I get Zaino? Is it in stores?
A: Zaino products are available directly from Zaino Bros or from an authorized Zaino distributor. To find out if there's a distributor in your area call Zaino Bros at (732)785-2951 or e-mail Sal Zaino. To order direct, simply go to www.zainobros.com, print and fill out the order form, and mail it, along with a check or money order to the address shown on the order form. Or, call Zaino Bros at (732)785-2951 and you can get your order shipped C.O.D. .
Q:Ok, I just recieved my Zaino products. What should I do to my paint before applying my Zaino?
A:The first thing you should do is wash your vehicle thoroughly with Dawn (or comparable) dish soap to remove any wax, grease, and oil from your paint. Then, my recommendation is to use detailers' clay to remove any bonded surface contaminants such as rail dust, tree sap, bug marks, or hard water deposits from the paint before applying any of your Zaino products.Using clay is optional, but it really does make a difference!!
Q:I know I apply Z1 Polish Lok first, but how long do I need to let it haze? The Z1 is hard to see. How do I know it's hazed?
A:Z1 Polish Lok hazes very quickly. If you are applying Z1 to the entire vehicle, by the time you have apllied it all the way around, the Z1 has had plenty of time to haze. Z1 is hard to see on some colors, but if it has been on the paint for a minute or so, it should be ready for polish.
Q:Do I remove Z1 Polish Lok before applying Zaino polish?
A: No. You apply Zaino Show Car Polish, or Zaino Z5 Swirl Remover right on top of the hazed Z1. A good analogy for this is to think of Z1 as base coat, and Show Car Polish as clear coat.
Q:How long do I let the Z1 and Polish, or Swirl Remover dry before removing it? How do I know it's dry?
A:I recommend waiting a minimum of an hour, since there are actually two coats of material trying to dry on the paint. Also keep in mind that cool temperatures and high humidity can slow the drying process. I have access to a garage, so I always let Zaino polish dry overnight before removing the residue. This insures that it is completely dry when I remove the residue, and I never get streaking.
The way to tell whether or not the polish is ready to remove is to take your finger and rub a spot. If the polish smears, it isn't dry. If it wipes away cleanly, it's ready to be removed. If you start removing the residue and it is streaking, just stop and wait another half hour and try again. When Zaino polish is dry, it wipes off almost effortlessly.
Q:How long should I wait before applying the next coat?
A:You should wait twenty four hours before applying the next coat of polish. Be sure to wipe the paint down with Zaino Z6 Gloss Enhancer just before applying each coat after the first application for best results.
Q:Everybody says I should wait 24 hours between coats. If I apply a coat of polish and wait over night, or longer before removing Zaino polish, do I wait another 24 hours from the time I remove the residue before applying another coat?
A:Yes. According to Sal Zaino, after removing a coat of polish you can apply the next coat after 6 hours if the temperature is above 80 f. If it is below 80 f you should wait the full 24 hours after removing the previous coat for optimal results.
Q:I wiped my paint down with Z6, but I have streaks. Why?
A:Chances are, you used too much Z6. According to Sal Zaino, Z6 is SUPER CONCENTRATED and you should be able to wipe down an average size car with less than one ounce!! Apply Z6 sparingly, and work in small sections, rubbing the Z6 until it dries and gets slick.Also, turn your towel often to be sure that you are not using a section of it that may be wet with Z6.
Q: Z2,Z3, or Z5 is taking hours to dry. What's wrong?
A:Sounds like you applied it too heavily. A neat trick that helps you get even coats without having to load the polish up on the paint is to dampen your applicator pad with water, spray a couple mists of Z6 on it, then put a few thin stripes of polish on it and spread the polish evenly across the face of the pad with your fingers. The object of applying the polish to your car is to get on thin, even coats. Putting it on heavy only wastes polish, and slows the dry time.
Also, keep in mind that cool temperatures or high humidity can lengthen the dry time of Zaino polishes.
Q:What is the best way to remove the polish residue?
A:The safest way to remove the residue from your paint is with white, made in USA, 100% cotton name brand bath towels, such as Cannon or Field Crest. Get them in the bath section at any major department store. The towels that you find in auto parts stores, or the auto sections of the department stores are usually not made in the USA, and even though they may say they are 100% cotton, they usually are not. Anything other than 100% pure white cotton may scratch your paint finish.You should use white towels because the dyes in colored towels can leave a chemical residue on the piant, and cause streaking. Also, it's important to either remove the stitched borders from your towels, or keep the towels folded in a way that keeps the borders away from the paint. The borders(edges or designs) can scratch your paint, as they may not be 100% cotton.
Wash your towels in hot water, and with a liquid detergent, like liquid Tide, or ALL.Avoid using detergents that contain bleach, and also avoid using fabric softeners as both of these products will leave a chemical residue on your towels that will cause streaking
Q:Can I use an orbital polisher to apply/remove Zaino polish?
A:Yes, you can use an orbital to apply Zaino Z2, Z3, or Z5. I don't recommend it because you waste too much polish that way. The pad on an eleven inch polisher can absorb almost enough polish to coat your entire vehicle. Each time you use an orbital to apply Zaino polish, you are probably wasting as much polish, if not more than you actually applied to the car.
Zaino polish applies easily by hand, especially if you dampen the aplicator pad with water and spritz it with Z6 before applying it.
If you use an orbital to remove the residue, you should place a white, 100% cotton towel between the pad and the paint, and keep it turned and refolded often so that you are removing the residue with a clean section of towel all the time.
Note: A single orbital pad WILL NOT remove the polish residue from an entire vehicle. You will have streaks if you don't use a towel and turn and refold it frequently.
Please, feel free to e-mail me if you need more specific help or your question was not covered here. For technical questions please call Zaino Bros at (732)785-2951.