| Zaino Test, Side by Side
- Click HERE for Original Thread
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| Dale MDX |
I've been seeing posts with shiny cars just waxed/polished with Zaino for several years, on this forum and others. I purchased a selection of Zaino products over a year ago and have used it on several different cars. My thoughts have run this way:
Any newish car with decent paint has reflections in the surface, even without wax. How do photos of individual cars, just waxed, prove that Zaino is far superior to other products, as people say? My theory was that any just-waxed car, with paint in new condition, is going to look great with almost any decent product.
So I decided to run my own test. My '04 TL was new in early November, 2003. I waxed it with Rejex (you should find some posts on it by searching) within a week of buying the car. I haven't waxed it since. Yesterday, I masked off one door, so I could wash and wax ONLY that door (not even the rocker panel was included).
The steps I took: The car started off the process clean. With a damp sponge with quite a bit of Dawn detergent on it, I wiped down the door, being careful not to wipe adjoining body parts. Using a cotton towel and a water sprayer, I cleaned off the detergent. That should have created a wax-free surface. Next, I used Zaino Z-1, on a cotton applicator, per the instructions. I then applied Z-2 over that, with a different applicator. After drying for 1/2 hour, I buffed with a cotton towel. Then I put on a second coat of Z-2, waited, and buffed. After a few hours, I sprayed a little bit of Z-6 over that, and cleaned it off. During this process, I was careful not to get any Zaino product on the other door or other parts.
So here's the result. Which door did I do in Zaino? Remember, there is 4 month old wax on the other door. (The purpose of this post is NOT to promote Rejex. It seems to be a good product, and in other comparisons I've found it's easier to clean bugs off the surface with Rejex than Zaino, for a couple of weeks. (Not much difference after that). I experiment with different products, and currently have some Meguiars NXT wax that I haven't used yet. |
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| wludwig |
Interesting...
I can't tell which is which. |
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| DaleB |
I see slight more detail in the front door reflection. It's a light color, making it more of a challenge to see.
I used 'First Finish' before Zaino in the beginning. It was more shiny with FF compared to stock paint, and even better when I switched to Zaino, so not sure I share your experience on 'new car paint'.
Your method is sound though. I find you need a minimum of 2 coats of Z2 for Zaino to make a difference.
Now of course you will say that door is Rejex....:cool: |
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| Dale MDX |
| A couple more photos, in a different location, outdoors, from the opposite angle. Rather than an endless guessing game, I'll say now that the back door is Zaino (yes, two coats). |
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| Dale MDX |
| Next photo. I guess it would be interesting to try my NXT wax at some point for another comparison. (I predict a minimal difference, if any, between any of these products. Maybe a darker color would show more difference?) |
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| Dale MDX |
| Here's the pre-wax tape job, just for info. |
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| DaleB |
The front door definitely has more shine. I just read an article about Rejex. How long does it last on the finish?
Yes, of course a darker color shows more reflection, deeper.
The finish on the TL seems to have less orange-peel than the X. |
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| Dale MDX |
| I don't have enough experience with Rejex yet to say how long it lasts. I tend to wax again before the beading stops anyway. What's on the car is 4 months old and still feels slick. (I have used a Griots Garage Z-6 competitor on the TL a few times, and I'm sure that helps preserve the slickness). HOWEVER, the car has been garaged, and stayed in the garage during snowy, sloppy weather this winter. (Only 2,000 miles in 4 months). That's no doubt helped preserve the wax. Really, though, I'm not saying that people should run out and buy Rejex. I guess my point is that there are lots of good products out there, and I haven't found any that just blow the others away. I'm satisfied with Zaino, Rejex, and assorted Meguiars products I've used. I use products that claim to have no abrasives and don't leave "dust" (which is a hint of abrasives). |
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| DaleB |
I agree, there are many fine products out there. I like just one product and easy-on hand application. In the old days, that meant waxes that might last a week (remember soft Rally?)
Thanks to 'better living through chemistry' that is no longer the case. |
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| DaleB |
| Here's a quick garage shot. I will take a couple of more outdoors when heading out for dinner, and post tonight. |
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| TranMDX |
I just finished 5 coats of Zaino on the MDX. This is the first time I used the product.
DaleB is right about new paint jobs and the color of the car. Darker cars give off a better reflection when it is waxed.
Here is MDX after Zaino. I'm impressived but it do not work well on my wife's car. Her car is pretty old and was not taken care of when we were living in Germany. |
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| TranMDX |
| Darn it! The picture did not get posted! I've been trying for the past 10 min. Hope this works... |
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| TranMDX |
| Finally! The picture quality did not look that great. |
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| DaleB |
| it really takes the right light to make a difference |
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| DaleB |
| afternoon glare...it changes from 'granite' to 'silver'... |
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| hammermdx |
| Great pics, although I have to admit seeing green grass is just as sweet for those of us in the Northeast! |
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| jswift2000 |
quote:
Originally posted by hammermdx
Great pics, although I have to admit seeing green grass is just as sweet for those of us in the Northeast!
I was thinking the same thing. I'm itching for spring so I can start my landscaping.
Nice pics of the car. Zaino rules and the shine will last a long time. |
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| Dale MDX |
Before I stared this tread, I naturally wondered where it would lead. I thought the most likely would be something like "How can anyone possibly think Zaino isn't the absolute best? Just look at those pictures of those reflections in the paint of those cars that have been posted here! That proves it's the best."
Doesn't anyone else see a logic flaw there? Pictures of a single car don't prove anything about superiority of a wax. (I'm using "wax" as a general term). Just like listening to one audio system and being impressed doesn't prove it's the best one out there. Real comparisons are needed to show one product is better. That's why I spent the time to do the only real comparison I've seen. Anyone else want to try? How about masking off half the hood, or doing the "door test" like I did, and try a competing product? To tell the truth, I'd LOVE to see Zaino come out a clear winner. It would be nice to actually have a product out there that really stands out. |
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| DaleB |
Well, there was the independent test done on the 'guru' website where Zaino was the winner. But there have been so many new products since then, it would be interesting to see another test.
Personally, I would favor seeing a one solution product like Rejex win. Just my lazy nature I guess....even if it didn't last as long as Zaino, if it only required an easy reapply every 3 or 4 months, that would not be bad at all if it has great gloss and protection during that time span.
Of course, once you get Zaino to the 'reapply Z2 only' stage, it is much the same thing. I think there are a several rival products now. Zaino seems to have set a standard, and it will take a quite a leap in technology to exceed what is possible with only a handful of products today. |
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