Looking for assistance for options to replace Zaino's

Speaking specifically about your Audi's brilliant black paint... I had the same on my A4. Most people will tell you that Audi clear coat is very hard, but generally the brilliant black cars have a softer clear coat. You won't have to work it as much as you think.

I never used Zaino, but all the photos I've seen of it show an extremely high mirror-like shine. If you want a deeper wet look, a carnauba wax is the way to go. I don't think you can do any better on black than Pinnacle Souveran paste wax. It goes on like melted butter and wipes off incredibly easy. Put two layers of that on your black vehicles (a few days between layers) and you'll be amazed how it will make your car glow. It's not going to be the highly reflective look that Zaino has, but IMO it's going to look a lot better.
 
Rsurfer said:
Was it cotton towels, like Zaino recommends?
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Ha ha, you'd think, right? No, they were MICROFIBER!!! The horror!! They did have a long explanation about it, there was a YouTube video, about how microfiber towels were all junk until Sal "made" his own.

Oh wait, now that you mention it, I think I got into a little disagreement on here about them (Zaino Borderless Blond), I think the Junkman insisted that they were cotton, that he had been told that by Sal. My recollection was different, that they were simply traditional synthetic MF's that were made to Zaino specs and individually inspected by Oompa Loompa's or something.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Ha ha, you'd think, right? No, they were MICROFIBER!!! The horror!! They did have a long explanation about it, there was a YouTube video, about how microfiber towels were all junk until Sal "made" his own.

Oh wait, now that you mention it, I think I got into a little disagreement on here about them (Zaino Borderless Blond), I think the Junkman insisted that they were cotton, that he had been told that by Sal. My recollection was different, that they were simply traditional synthetic MF's that were made to Zaino specs and individually inspected by Oompa Loompa's or something.
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Does the Junkman support Zaino? Don't see him on DW anymore.
 
Rsurfer said:
Does the Junkman support Zaino? Don't see him on DW anymore.
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I don't know, IIRC there was a thread here 6-8 mos ago (I think it was Frank Pozz, Prozz...Frank, from Pittsburgh) who was asking about the Zaino Blondes and Junkman joined in to say they were cotton...again, not how I remember it, and I think I looked at the time at the Z website and it was ambiguous.

We certainly had a long discussion about it on the other site with all the Z-heads when the towels came out in...2010? Maybe I can find it.

EDIT: Autopia.org Forums - Auto Detailing & Car Care Discussion Forum

I only read up to page 6 and there wasn't any discussion about the material, other than the initial surprise that Sal suddenly changed his tune on microfiber towels. I think we all assumed it was synthetic, and I don't see/remember anything to contradict that. IIRC the video it didn't say anything to indicate it was cotton, either. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Up-fk49u7M

Hope I don't get in trouble for that.
 
I use to use Zaino pretty religiously myself. The only products I still enjoy from Zaino are the towels and the tire protectant. The towels are very high quality.

I now use a combination of BlackFire, CarPro and Collinite products. Menzerna polishes too.
 
Rsurfer said:
I hope Sal reads this post. When was the last time Zaino came out with a new or improved product?
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Setec Astronomy said:
February 7, 2007 according to their website. Although the towels did come out after that.
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You know I was watching that YouTube on the Zaino towels (because of that other towel thread going on) and I realized why Sal hasn't come out with any new products lately. The video says that all of the Zaino towels are laundered before being individually inspected to ensure the utmost quality...Sal must have been down in his basement since 2009 washing and inspecting towels...
 
I'm not so sure the "blonde" towels are laundered. They initially shed some fibers, unless laundered first.
 
MikeC78 said:
I'm not so sure the "blonde" towels are laundered.
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Hey, I'm just telling you what they said in the video, and I believe it because where has Sal been? I mean he wasn't even in the video he was so busy at the washing machine.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
You know I was watching that YouTube on the Zaino towels (because of that other towel thread going on) and I realized why Sal hasn't come out with any new products lately. The video says that all of the Zaino towels are laundered before being individually inspected to ensure the utmost quality...Sal must have been down in his basement since 2009 washing and inspecting towels...
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Setec Astronomy said:
Hey, I'm just telling you what they said in the video, and I believe it because where has Sal been? I mean he wasn't even in the video he was so busy at the washing machine.
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Maybe Sal and Junkman are busy washing and folding towels as a side business.
 
Well anyway, as some have commented, some say yes, and some say no to a quite similar substitute such as Duragloss #111 for a product like Zaino Z2.

I find them comparable, as I have used both. They almost look the same, smell the same, work the same, pretty much both give that hard sterile glossy wet shine, and cannot comment about the comparison of longevity, but one would probably be cutting hairs with any differences.

Many say the DG products such as this pure Sealant are quite good in the regard of lasting well. Some have even rumored that Duragloss is the parent manufacturer of Zaino. Not sure whether that's true, but I suppose quite possible?

Similar perhaps to like Menzerna USA most likely being the parent manufacturer of Wolfgang Products for PBMG.

Although I haven't tested DG #111 under every imaginable weather condition, removal seems easier in my experiences versus Zaino Z2, which IMO works you harder on removal if Humidity Levels are relatively high, and does not require any type of uber expensive "Accelerator" to speed drying times, etc. (I remember those little vials of the Zaino accelerator, thought it was a ridiculous and expensive unneeded ritual myself)

But one can combine Duragloss's Pre Bonding Agent (PBA) if they also choose. Not absolutely required, but most say it creates a better bond of their Sealants.

For sure, tough beating the cost of DG products, I think all will at least agree on that point.
 
I was also a "Zealot" for many years. Sal never offered anything for paint correction before applying his sealants. I tried ZPC Fusion when it first came out and found it rather impotent in my application. I then researched, practiced and refined true paint correction skills but still used either Z-2 Pro or Z-5 Pro with occasional dabblings in ZCS. I did like the results of Z-8 after my weekly washes. Again...did that for years on end.

The only product from that whole experience i still like (but don't use much anymore) is ZAIO. I always used my PC and a white LC pad to clean the paint. I still have the last remnants of some in a bottle i still use to spot clean stubborn paint imperfections...above surface stuff or paint transfer scuffs here and there. I still think it is one of the best chemical cleaners.

I have long dismissed my practices with Zaino (sorry, Sal) and have found so much of equal or better experiences with so many other brands/products. To this day i cannot slam any product offered by Sal and fully understand how many many others continue to use it. The largest part of my reason for jumping off the wagon is the extremely progressive nature of this wonderful hobby/addiction. There are just soooo many new and exciting products and advancements in this business to remain open minded about. And half the fun is experimenting and playing with them to find what works for me. Plus all of you fine people to keep me up to date!
 
Puckman said:
The only product from that whole experience i still like (but don't use much anymore) is ZAIO. I always used my PC and a white LC pad to clean the paint. I still have the last remnants of some in a bottle i still use to spot clean stubborn paint imperfections...above surface stuff or paint transfer scuffs here and there. I still think it is one of the best chemical cleaners.
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Yeah, for some reason ZAIO and especially Z-PC seem to work really well on paint transfers.
 
Again thanks for the advice. I saw a post about Wolgang Uber All in One which is interesting as it appears to remove a step in the process. My question / concern is how abrasive it is and can you use this every 6 months for a few years without removing too much clearcoat?

I think I would still apply a LSP after to have a deeper and longer lasting shine.

It is not shown on the swirl remove and compound chart

Autogeekonline Auto Detailing Forum - Charts

Des this chart get updated often?
 
Stark99 said:
My question / concern is how abrasive it is and can you use this every 6 months for a few years without removing too much clearcoat?
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I haven't used this product, but generally for this class of product the answer is yes, sure. Many members routinely use a fine polish twice a year (spring/fall).

Stark99 said:
Does this chart get updated often?
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No.
 
Me, I would say no, that Wolfgang Uber Compound is not a product I would choose to use on a bi-yearly basis.

I will try to explain further, what this product is, how it works, and the results you can expect from it (IMO)

WG Uber, is the type of product, that after using a product like WG TSR, and still seeing a minor sleek or two, and minor RIDS, this would be the next logical product to reach for.

These were my exact expriences on my own Tahoe, seeing just a few sleeks-RIDS on the hood, and a couple on the passenger side door. Uber eradicated them lickety split!

That the Uber did what the WG TSR coudn't do.

Thus, in simple layman's terms, the WG Uber is more aggressive, has a better ability to remove slightly deeper damage to the paint than just very minor swirling.

Such would be caused by dragging some nasty tiny rock within a towel when washing-drying, a idiot salesman placing his "Gib-Me" clipboard on the hood, or roof, etc.
 
MarkD51 said:
Me, I would say no, that Wolfgang Uber Compound is not a product I would choose to use on a bi-yearly basis.
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He was asking about the Uber All-In-One, they really should have named it something else, too confusing.
 
This is a great forum, thanks for everyone’s help. I have been reading the posts and asking a few questions about AIO products.

Based on the input people have provided to this post and in reading others my “order to be” looks like:

1) Mike Phillips’ The Complete Guide to a Show Car Shine (e-book)
2) Meguiars MT300 Dual Action Polisher
3) Lake Country Dual-Action Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Plate 5"
4) Lake Country 5 1/2 Inch Flat Pads 6 Pack (4 white, 2 Black)
5) WG Uber all In One for Lexus which needs more correction
6) WG Finishing Glaze 3.0 or Menzerna SF4000 for Porsche and Audi
7) Collinite Marque D’Elegance Carnauba Paste Wax #915

I already have Clay, Trix and will follow the steps to wash, trix, clay, polish (or in the case of the Lexus - AIO) and then wax as laid out in the various “how-to” articles and Mike’s book.

Is there any real difference between WG Finishing Glaze and Menzerna SF4000? Or is it personal preference? Seems the Menzerna is less expensive.

Does this seem reasonable set of products or am I missing something?
 
That looks like a pretty good list of products to me. My only question would be if you have anything slightly more aggressive if needed for say the Audi and maybe the Porsche. My experience has seen Audi paints pretty hard however you'll be doing a test spot and will see for yourself.

Sorry, i can't offer any opinion on the Wolfgang vs. Menzerna products but the Wolfgang on AG's website reads very similar to SF4000.

I like your mix of pads - 4 white and 2 blacks but knowing what i know now i would probably get 6 more, all orange.
 
Thanks for the tip on more pads. I will do that.

If I need more 'cut' then the SF4500, I was thinking that the WG AIO would provide that in one step. From a post from Mike Phillips - the WG AIO is rated as a Category #3 - Medium Cleaning.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...use-one-step-cleaner-wax-mike-phillips-2.html

Likely still a few weeks away from good weather but will post pics of the cars once I am done. I appreciate all the support and advice.
 
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