Tried the Zaino system on my 2004 996.

I thought it might be of interest to some folks how the Zaino system worked for me. I bought the Zaino ultimate kit. Last week I tried it on my son's car as a trial run. It took me about 7 hours because I kept coming back to the computer to read about each product and how to use it. Started with a wash with Dawn and then a clay bar. Although the clay bars are supposed to be good for 2-4 cars, I decided to just replace both after one use. In the case of my son's car, it had not had any waxing or serious cleaning in the 9 years that he has owned it. The one I used on my Porsche was probably OK, until I pushed up of the ground from a kneeling position and grabbed the bar with my wet hand that was full of sand. Luckily, I was done claying the car, but that bar is history too. Rewash the cars with Z7 Show Car Wash. Then the work began..... 2 applications of Z5 for my son's car and 3 for the Porsche. I used Z6 between each waxing. One coat of Z2 for my son's car and 2 for the Porsche. Z16 Tire Gloss for the black trim on both cars. It took about 7 hours for my son's car and about 8 hours for the Porsche. Results? I really noticed how much nicer my son's car was. Not as big a difference for the Porsche. Most of that is due to the fact I have only owned it 6 weeks and it still looked good from the dealers lot. I would not want to do this once a month, although it should last at least 6 months according to Zaino. I did not try the leather products that came in the kit yet. The Z16 works pretty good and really brightened up some of the black trim that had turned a little gray. I put everything on by hand and did not find it hard, just a bit time consuming. I probably left each coat of wax on for longer than I should have before buffing it off, about a half hour, but it was still easy to remove. I kept the car in the shade for all applications. I tried to get a picture of the Porsche, but it had clouded over so not much shine shows up. In fact, the car looks downright dull even after 5 coats of Z5 plus Z2 (in the picture - it looks good in person). One raindrop hit my forehead and the Porsche became an instant garage queen! I did not see a big difference in the shine of the car after I put the first coat of Z5 on until the last coat. I am not sure what I expected, maybe the need to wear sunglasses to look at the car?! I think the 5 coats of Zaino do not look any better than the two coats of Zymol I put on my old Porsche. I do expect the Zaino to be much more durable. The Zymol still looked good after a couple of months, but both Porsches spend most of the week in the garage. Until I can get this car out in the sun, I am not sure that the swirls are better. I noticed them in the garage even after 5 coats, but I think they are significantly diminished. Anyway, that is about it. The biggest positive is that it got me out of a bunch of housework this weekend! Here is a picture of the car. I really needed a little sun. You can see a hint of the shine on the backend of the car. Mike

great story and pics.... the trick to the swirls is the prep work and I think there is a more aggressive polish that can be used as a first step (which I also dont have) - Mine has held up good... I am not sure what I will use this coming time as I have a ton of Griots and the Zaino system.... nice car BTW

I am a HUGE zaino fan. Sal Zaino even answered a question of mine via email... on a Sunday. I just did my car again about 2 months ago -- and due to circumstances was not able to even wash it until last week. ONE wash and the car almost looked like it was freshly done. Amazing stuff. Your Guards is looking sweet!!!

The amazing thing I have found is I have much less work on subsequent washes and applications. Mine is black and yet I have only had to wash it twice this summer...Zaino has excellent durability.

Have to agree the best part of Zaino is how easy it is to maintain after you go through all of that. I did what you did a year ago to my Shelby and have not touched it since. It still beads up when I wash it like I did it yesterday. It shines great as well. You can now add a coat every other month or so and it will only get better. Z2 gives better shine than Z5, I love Zaino especially on White Paint.

I first started using Zaino 4 years ago on my '05 Viper and have had nothing but great results. As you now know, the key - like house painting - is all in the prep for the initial applications. Once the car is really clean (clay, prep-sol, etc.) the Z5 or Z2 goes on and comes off easily. If you haven't yet, use their ZFX polish accelerator and you can remove the polish on the first part of the car as soon as you finish applying it to the last: no waiting to dry. Once a good base of Z2 is on, then all it takes is a wash and a quick coat of Z2 to bring the shine right back. I'm new to the Porsche world just having acquired an '05 black/black GT3. Took me about 2 hours to get it clean and then another 2 1/2 hours for 1 coat of Z5 followed by 3 coats of Z2.

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Thanks for your experience. I am getting ready to cut/polish using the System One and Zaino but was trying to decide which one to buy for my black car and it was a pain and reading more seemed to screw me up more. I ended up with Z5 and Z8 after trading in Z2 thinking this was wrong for a black car which I still am not sure. Longevity is what I am after in a finish and I also am not getting any younger.

Z2 Pro is best for black...I've tried them all....

My understanding is that Z5 helps hide the finish imperfections etc, however after a buff job I should not have to many HA! Is there that much difference in the finishes of the Z2/Z5?

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What is the reason you changed to Z5/Z2 combination VS just Z2?