zaino or other wax?

[whitey]

So my birthday is one week away and im looking to purchase a nice wax for my black 03. I have about $100 to spend. I was really looking into a zaino starter kit and some z-pc to remove some of the light scratches and swirl marks. I dont have a polisher, just my hands, although i will eventually end up getting a griots garage polisher. Would you guys stay with the zaino or are there better products to get in my price range? So far the only things ive used are black box, after clay barring, eagle one " wax as you dry", and optimum opti-seal. Opti-seal is awesome and i will continue to use this but i need a better wax/ Polish to get rid of minor imperfections. Thanks

[SC Cheesehead]

Zanio makes great products, but they're a lot of work, IMO.

I was a Zaino guy for years until being introduced to Croftgate, now that's all I use.

http://www.croftgateusa.com/

[whitey]

ive heard good things about croftgate, but i cant see using no-rinse products on my car.....i mean, its a daily driver, im in the construction trade and my car gets a little dirtier than the average joes. mud, clay, a lot of dust, and enough salt to fill my kitchens salt shaker. also, im pretty anal when it comes to washing my car, and i can just see using a whole bottle of croftgates products in 2 washes just because of a smear here and there. and finally, i just watched a few videos of croftgates off their website, and that guy seems like a shiester...., but hes probably good people with a kick ass product, thanks for the input.

[Shaijack]

Whitey a use the no rince on by Blue and found that as long as you use clean towels there is no problem. Wipe, fold, wipe fold. Always use a clean surface.

[SC Cheesehead]

ive heard good things about croftgate, but i cant see using no-rinse products on my car.....i mean, its a daily driver, im in the construction trade and my car gets a little dirtier than the average joes. mud, clay, a lot of dust, and enough salt to fill my kitchens salt shaker. thanks for the input.

Same thing I thought.

My suggestion: find somebody that uses it and reserve judgement until trying it out, it works on anything I've tried it on, no problems.

[whitey]

anybody use both and find that they still like zaino better?

[sailsmen]

Carnuba melts in August on a black car where I live .
Once a year I perform a detail and the rest of the year maintain it by rubbing it on after a wash, much like a detail spray. Zaino a layerable polymer with excellent results.
The steps were acid bath, clay bar, polish w/ buffer, Dawn wash, clay bar, Zaino swirl remover, CS clear, Z5 Polish 2 coats and 2 more coats CS clear. Used Z6 & Z8 between coats as a detailer and gloss enhancer. Cleaned the plastic with Blue Magic and treated the rubber w/ Vynlex.

[Gryphonzus]

I have used both Zaino and Croftgate. I also am like you I live off a dirt road and mine is dirty as soon as I leave my driveway. I still lean toward my Zaino because I am not going to wipe Georgia dirt across my paint. I will always rinse off my car first. I still like the Croftgate if the car is just a little grimy. The stuff works great on tires too. So I keep both on hand. Hope this helps.

[CWright]

I use Croftgate all the time. I bought the Wash N Wax concentrate and use it in a gallon of water. I wash my car just like I always have with a bucket of water and a water hose to rinse. I only use the waterless from them when I go Louisville for the regional meet. I was very hesitant the first time I used it because it was new to me. I've detailed cars for 25 years and I have to say Croftgate is the best stuff I've used. :beer:

[whitey]

Im really undecided with croftgate or zaino, but i think im going to get croftgate. Should i get the mega polish for the light swirls?

[SC Cheesehead]

Im really undecided with croftgate or zaino, but i think im going to get croftgate. Should i get the mega polish for the light swirls?

Gotta be honest with you, that's one of their products I haven't used yet.

PM 03mmmonroe, he's a Croftgate distributor and may be able to give you some more info on it.

[ctrlraven]

I would wait until you can get a polisher, will make the job SO MUCH EASIER.

Porter Cable 7424 XP
http://www.autogeek.net/po.html

I just recently picked this combo up to use on my black Taurus and Kelly's new black Fusion.
http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-porter-cable-swirl-remover.html

[whitey]

hey chris, i heard you have a polisher you could let me borrow? :) j/k, i will get a da orbital soon enough, but it going to take some time. i think when i get it i will eventually try zaino, but i think croftgate will be my new love. i love washing my car, but the water spots and drying it is what i hate. if i could get rid of the water all together, there cant be any water spots. even though my gut instinct is to be hesitatant on a waterless wash, i trust you guys wouldnt steer me wrong.

[MM2004]

hey chris, i heard you have a polisher you could let me borrow? :) j/k, i will get a da orbital soon enough, but it going to take some time. i think when i get it i will eventually try zaino, but i think croftgate will be my new love. i love washing my car, but the water spots and drying it is what i hate. if i could get rid of the water all together, there cant be any water spots. even though my gut instinct is to be hesitatant on a waterless wash, i trust you guys wouldnt steer me wrong.

I have not turned a hose on my car in over a year, since I switched to Crofgate.

A few cap fulls of their Wash-n-Wax in a gallon or 2 of water and good-to-go.

Micro-fiber towels on hand for applying/drying and voila!

Now, mine is not a daily driver, so I see where you're coming from for sure.

I fell into the Zaino years ago, and I do not have that kind of time, nor the patience for their products any longer. They are good, but....

My Croftgate is full of win, start to finish.

;)

Mike.

[SC Cheesehead]

I have not turned a hose on my car in over a year, since I switched to Crofgate.

A few cap fulls of their Wash-n-Wax in a gallon or 2 of water and good-to-go.

Micro-fiber towels on hand for applying/drying and voila!

Now, mine is not a daily driver, so I see where you're coming from for sure.

I fell into the Zaino years ago, and I do not have that kind of time, nor the patience for their products any longer. They are good, but....

My Croftgate is full of win, start to finish.

;)

Mike.

Yup, and if it can make a DTR look good, you KNOW it's gotta be good stuff...

;) -----------> :D

[sailsmen]

Zaino has a product called Clear Seal. You apply it the same as Meguiars Quick Detail, just spray & wipe.
Provides more protection than a wax.

[Shaijack]

I use the same wax that I use on my pet turtle. Yes, Turtle Wax.

[whitey]

Im definitely looking for more of a 'pop', opti-seal is like zaino's clear seal, a paint sealant, in which it works fantastic. My cars paint is by no means in rough shape, a lot of people cant believe its 140k+ miles, but i just want to treat Belinda with my birthday money with some top notch wax. I want to do zaino, but thats a lot of time. If i can get exceptional results in half the time, im all for it.

[J-MAN]

Im definitely looking for more of a 'pop', opti-seal is like zaino's clear seal, a paint sealant, in which it works fantastic. My cars paint is by no means in rough shape, a lot of people cant believe its 140k+ miles, but i just want to treat Belinda with my birthday money with some top notch wax. I want to do zaino, but thats a lot of time. If i can get exceptional results in half the time, im all for it.

Top notch wax you say? Try Race Glaze Black Label, you may catch it on sale. Going on mine if the weather ever breaks.

Sorry, missed the $100.00 budget.

[whitey]

Hows about the zymol stuff that runs thousands of dollars? Lol, thanks though, ill look into it

[slickster]

This stuff looks good http://www.chemicalguys.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode =HOL_201

[J-MAN]

Hows about the zymol stuff that runs thousands of dollars? Lol, thanks though, ill look into it

You crazy? :loco:

[J-MAN]

Your too focused on your LSP (Last Step Product) be it a sealant or a wax. What makes paint pop is the work that is done beforehand. Take your budget, add some to it, and get that polisher and some pads now along with some quality microfiber and polish. Trying to do polishing work by hand only results in a second rate finish no matter how much effort you put into it. Just my opinion.

[whitey]

Your right jman, i just need to save up some more money. Thanks for the advice.

[sailsmen]

Lets also be careful. I have seen many a black car with buffer swirl. A detailer even put buffer swirls on my Black MM at no extra costs.:(
I got them out by polishing by hand.

[J-MAN]

Lets also be careful. I have seen many a black car with buffer swirl. A detailer even put buffer swirls on my Black MM at no extra costs.:(
I got them out by polishing by hand.

Sorry that a hack tried to detail your car. Most buffer swirls come from a rotary polisher in inexperienced hands. Reality is though that proper use of a DA polisher produces results superior to that of hand application.

[Gryphonzus]

I purchased a Porteer cable polisher a few years ago and have had excellant results with it. I was very inexperienced with polishers but it made it pretty easy. Very good investment I think. It beats polishing by hand any day. I have even used it to polish my windows! Buying a kit is usually cheaper too. Good luck!

[J-MAN]

i purchased a porteer cable polisher a few years ago and have had excellant results with it. I was very inexperienced with polishers but it made it pretty easy. Very good investment i think. It beats polishing by hand any day. I have even used it to polish my windows! Buying a kit is usually cheaper too. Good luck!

bingo!!!!!

[03MERCMARAUDER]

I have always used adams polishes and always had great results. For you guys using a porter cable you should step up to a flex what a difference and far better machine hands down

Joe

[boatmangc]

Zaino ftmfw
There is a reason I take best paint basically every show I do. Zaino is a big part of that.
I have used just about every boutique wax/sealant etc.
I still go back to Zaino, sure it's a lot of work but by the time you reach 18-21 coats it is stupid shiny. Even on crappy paint.
I recently sent an email to Sal Zaino thanking him for consistent products and a shine to beat all.
I have used several rinseless washes and although I have seen the Croftgate products in action I choose different methods.

Zaino has a sealant for the DD. it os called ZCS. I use it on my work trucks, once a year, no garage, no shade, maybe 4-5 washes a year. Beads all year long in the Florida Keys sun. Trust me, that is saying a lot.

By the way, I use all of my high dollar microfiber towels for cleaning my sunglasses now, as delicate as the paint on my 03 is, the only things that touch it is 100% cotton or lambs wool. As soft as our paint is once you reach the level of slickness I have, all microfibers I have tried leave micro marring.

[lilmarauder]

I've been using griots garage products. Very happy with them. They have just about anything you can think of for a wax, polish, sealant, cleaner, and awesome microfibers specific for each product.

[cat in the hat]

Zaino ftmfw
There is a reason I take best paint basically every show I do. Zaino is a big part of that.
I have used just about every boutique wax/sealant etc.
I still go back to Zaino, sure it's a lot of work but by the time you reach 18-21 coats it is stupid shiny. Even on crappy paint.
I recently sent an email to Sal Zaino thanking him for consistent products and a shine to beat all.
I have used several rinseless washes and although I have seen the Croftgate products in action I choose different methods.

Zaino has a sealant for the DD. it os called ZCS. I use it on my work trucks, once a year, no garage, no shade, maybe 4-5 washes a year. Beads all year long in the Florida Keys sun. Trust me, that is saying a lot.

By the way, I use all of my high dollar microfiber towels for cleaning my sunglasses now, as delicate as the paint on my 03 is, the only things that touch it is 100% cotton or lambs wool. As soft as our paint is once you reach the level of slickness I have, all microfibers I have tried leave micro marring.

Also, there's a "brushless" place on Rt 1 that does a nice job.

[Dave2]

Your too focused on your LSP (Last Step Product) be it a sealant or a wax. What makes paint pop is the work that is done beforehand. Take your budget, add some to it, and get that polisher and some pads now along with some quality microfiber and polish. Trying to do polishing work by hand only results in a second rate finish no matter how much effort you put into it. Just my opinion.

Excellent advice......^

After a machine polish to get the paint right, any sealant or wax will look great...

I prefer sealants because of the durability and Zaino is still my favorite. In Texas the heat will melt carnanuba in a week and I'm out for longer protection for daily drivers....