Zaino vs UPGP review - my plan...

[BookemDano]

So Dan, when does the experiment start?

I guess I need to leave Zaino on, applying it to the entire car and once done, then and only then remove it and apply another coat afterwards. Its so easy to remove anyways, so its not like trying to remove Klasse sealant glaze when its left on, that's VERY hard to remove when left on, crazy!

Looking forward to seeing the results and input along the way, i.e. beading, ease of washing, shine, etc:xyxthumbs:

The order with UPGP should arrive late this week, so probably next weekend.

The target of this test is my 2011 Audi bought last summer. Except for washing and a little Z8 on the hood, top, and trunk lid, it's never been washed (too busy with the house remodel). It replaced a 2002 Audi because it had a scratch on the driver side door (a rather large scratch). Pics of old and new are below. Image gallery: Accident - DanClark's Photos

Regards,

Dan.

Old:

New:

 

[BookemDano]

Typo in the post above

In the post above, it says, "...it's never been washed...". It should say, "...it's never been detailed...".

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Klasse Act]

Did you try and buff out that "scratch", LOL just kidding, hope everyone was alright!

With your car being darker I would just stick with Z-5 pro since its geared more towards darker cars anyways. I'm subscribed and really interested in the results for sure. BTW, nice Auto Union you've got there, how do you like it?

 

[BookemDano]

Did you try and buff out that "scratch", LOL just kidding, hope everyone was alright!

With your car being darker I would just stick with Z-5 pro since its geared more towards darker cars anyways. I'm subscribed and really interested in the results for sure. BTW, nice Auto Union you've got there, how do you like it?

All is well. I had a couple of tiny scratches and a sore shoulder. Not bad for being T-boned by a pickup doing 30 MPH. Audis are built pretty well.

The new Audi is a mixed bag. It's a bit faster and handles a bit better than the old one. But the fit and finish is not as good. I don't like the torque curve, but it gets 31mpg on the road. I like it, but I would have bought a BMW X3 if they had one with the options I wanted. Oh well, maybe next time.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Klasse Act]

Has the experiment started yet?

 

[BookemDano]

Klasse,

I haven't had enough free time and my back is giving me problems. I'm going to try to get the prep done this weekend.

The only fly in the ointment is that I just ordered 3" and 4" pads and they won't be here until next week. I may try to complete just the hood and apply the LSPs. We'll see.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Klasse Act]

Sorry to hear about your back Dan, hope whatever it goes away soon, that can really hinder everything! I don't know alot about the Ultima but you surely don't need the pads for the Zaino though, that's for sure!

I'm still subscribed, so whenever you get around to it we'll see how it goes and once again, heal up soon!

 

[BookemDano]

Sorry to hear about your back Dan, hope whatever it goes away soon, that can really hinder everything! I don't know alot about the Ultima but you surely don't need the pads for the Zaino though, that's for sure!

I'm still subscribed, so whenever you get around to it we'll see how it goes and once again, heal up soon!

Klasse Act,

Hi. Thanks for the support.

Regarding the pads, those are for the Menzerna polishes. The Zaino and UPGP will be applied by hand.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[BookemDano]

Re: Zaino vs UPGP review - Update...

A quick update...

My back is better, so last weekend I finally got the car washed and clayed, polished out the hood with SIP (SI1500) and SF4000 using two white LC hybrid pads with my Flex 3401 and Festool RO90 (in force rotation mode). Then I divided the hood down the middle, and with Zaino Z5Pro (x2) on the passengers side and UPGP on the drivers side. All products were applied with separate applicators and separate MFs were use to buff. And the winner is...

None of the above! While both sides were nice, I may have screwed up somewhere in the process.

First, the 2011 A4 paint is very hard. The SIP + SF4000 did a nice job of cleaning up all defects except a few tiny RIDs. OTOH, I'm not sure if it's as clear as it should be. My LED headlight shows no hazing but the garage lights show something that may be hazing. I bought a new halogen work light last night to see if it provided better evidence. I have pics, but I don't think you'll see much. So I'll take more pics using the halogen light and post the pics later today.

Second, I think I messed up the application of both Z5Pro and UPGP. The Z5Pro doesn't have the silky feeling that I'm used to. It's a bit grabby. When I mixed the Z5P with ZFX, I only mixed 1/2 Oz for the hood. I'm concerned that the mix was wrong.

OTOH, I misread the instructions and applied the first coat of UPGP with a sponge applicator which left it uneven. And then had to buff off the excess. I got my act straightend out for the second coat and used an MF applicator.

As far as looks go, I can virtually NO difference between the Z5P and UPGP side. And I tried hard. OTOH, the UPGP felt like what Z5P usually feels like - silky. Strange.

Going forward...

At this point, I'm trying to decide next steps. Probably later today:

- Polish out the trunk lid with SI1500, then SF4000 or SF4500.
- Mix 1 oz of Z5P and add another coat to the hood and two coats to 1/3 of trunk lid.
- Add another coat of UPGP to the hood and two coats to 1/3 of the trunk lid.
- Apply Four Start Ultimate Paint Protection ("4*UPP") Protection to 1/3 of the trunk lid.

That's it for now. I'd appreciate any comments, criticism, or advice.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Re: Zaino vs UPGP review - Update...

Second, I think I messed up the application of both Z5Pro and UPGP. The Z5Pro doesn't have the silky feeling that I'm used to. It's a bit grabby.

You mean after you're done? Or while applying? I find the "Pro" versions to be more difficult to apply than the previous versions...which went out in what, 2005?

 

[BookemDano]

Re: Zaino vs UPGP review - Update...

You mean after you're done? Or while applying? I find the "Pro" versions to be more difficult to apply than the previous versions...which went out in what, 2005?

Sorry for not being clear. I meant after it was done and had completely dried and chemically bonded.

Also, I followed the minimal directions on the Z5P container which haven't changed in years. OTOH the instructions on the web site say to spritz the applicator with Z6 (not the paint) before applying the Z5 to the paint. On the "third" hand, the Youtube promo video mentions nothing about applying Z6 to the pad (not the car), to put a thin line of Zaino to the applicator pad, and then spread it out. All of these appear to be the "official" version of the application instructions. I wish they'd get their act together and create a clear, consistent set of application instructions.

I'm going to polish and finish at least one application of three sealants to the trunk lid, evaluate the results, and then decide what to do with the hood. If the trunk lid is significantly different from the hood, it's probably a good idea to remove the sealants, maybe repolish, and then reapply.

I could use Dawn, but I think that OPC will work better to remove the sealants.

Regards,

Dan.

p.s. It should be clear that I'm a fan of some Zaino products, but not necessarily the company. They were in the lead for a long time and slacked off. They've let their competitors catch up and maybe pass them. The Zaino folks need to work harder.

p.p.s. I did a small test patch of the 4*UPP. It's a nice look and it's slickness is superior to UPGP and Z5P. And it's very easy to apply. However, I'm concerned about 4*UPP longevity.

 

[Buckskincolt]

Re: Zaino vs UPGP review - Update...

p.p.s. I did a small test patch of the 4*UPP. It's a nice look and it's slickness is superior to UPGP and Z5P. And it's very easy to apply. However, I'm concerned about 4*UPP longevity.

While not the longest lasting stuff it is very durable and is poly charged so it is pretty tough. Easy to use and an awesome look IMHO.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Re: Zaino vs UPGP review - Update...

p.s. It should be clear that I'm a fan of some Zaino products, but not necessarily the company. They were in the lead for a long time and slacked off. They've let their competitors catch up and maybe pass them. The Zaino folks need to work harder.

I remember you from Autopia, right? Seems like Sal is semi-retired...as I think I stated earlier in this thread, the "what's new" section of the website hasn't been updated in over 5 years. You could surmise that they don't need to "work harder", they can probably just live off of Corvette word of mouth. I haven't bought anything in ages except wash, because I only use it on one car.

p.p.s. I did a small test patch of the 4*UPP. It's a nice look and it's slickness is superior to UPGP and Z5P. And it's very easy to apply. However, I'm concerned about 4*UPP longevity.

UPP was always one of the slickest or the slickest LSP's out there. As noted above, it's polycharged now, so it's legendary short life is not as bad as it used to be (although I haven't used the polycharged version).

 

[BookemDano]

Re: Zaino vs UPGP review - Update...

I remember you from Autopia, right? Seems like Sal is semi-retired...as I think I stated earlier in this thread, the "what's new" section of the website hasn't been updated in over 5 years. You could surmise that they don't need to "work harder", they can probably just live off of Corvette word of mouth. I haven't bought anything in ages except wash, because I only use it on one car.



UPP was always one of the slickest or the slickest LSP's out there. As noted above, it's polycharged now, so it's legendary short life is not as bad as it used to be (although I haven't used the polycharged version).

Yep, I joined the other two detailing forums in 2004. It's been on and off since then, depending on work and house remodeling.

Regarding Sal, since most people have no interest in Corvettes (including me), I think it's foolish to depend on word of mouth from a single car forum. But that's just my opinion.

Regarding 4*UPP, if it gets good beading and protection for at least two months I might be inclined to switch. While my experience with it is in single-digit minutes, I'm impressed highly impressed. (And I'm a rather bad cynic.)

Application seems fast and dirt-simple. You have to remove the haze, but that is VERY fast and VERY easy - no hard buffing needed. I'm trying not to overstate my initial impressions, but it is extremely slick. While UPGP has a velvety feel and your fingers glide over it smoothly, 4*UPP has no feel. It's like moving your fingers across an oiled panel - NO feeling at all. It's rather bizarre. BUT...

This is my initial impression. Things could change going forward.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Re: Zaino vs UPGP review - Update...

Regarding Sal, since most people have no interest in Corvettes (including me), I think it's foolish to depend on word of mouth from a single car forum. But that's just my opinion.

I don't know, he hasn't introduced any new products since 2007 (except the MF towels, which seem to be more of a source of irritation rather than joy due to their sporadic availability). I don't know what the story is, whether he just makes so much money the way it is that he doesn't have to worry about it, that he's old and sick, that he takes the Dr. G approach and won't bring out a new product unless it's a significant improvement over the competition, etc.

Whatever it is, it's a mystery to me, just like why I can't order from their website because I live in NJ (that has been explained to me, but it doesn't really make any sense).

 

[BookemDano]

Re: Zaino vs UPGP review - Update...

I don't know, he hasn't introduced any new products since 2007 (except the MF towels, which seem to be more of a source of irritation rather than joy due to their sporadic availability). I don't know what the story is, whether he just makes so much money the way it is that he doesn't have to worry about it, that he's old and sick, that he takes the Dr. G approach and won't bring out a new product unless it's a significant improvement over the competition, etc.

Whatever it is, it's a mystery to me, just like why I can't order from their website because I live in NJ (that has been explained to me, but it doesn't really make any sense).

I agree on all of your points. It's pretty much of a mystery to me too.

That said, I'm going to push forward and find the best CURRENT balance for me regardless of what I've used in the past. If it's Zaino, that's fine. If other products, that's fine too. I don't want to be trapped by either my own history or the latest hype. To me, personal balance is where it's at.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Klasse Act]

^^^ Well said ^^^

I used to be trapped by using one brand for everything but since coming here, well, that's a thing of the past. Now, can't wait to see what the results end up being here!

 

[BookemDano]

^^^ Well said ^^^

I used to be trapped by using one brand for everything but since coming here, well, that's a thing of the past. Now, can't wait to see what the results end up being here!

Klasse,

Hi. Unfortunately, my back is giving me problems so detailing my Audi isn't proceeding as planned. That said...

Regards, I think my next steps will be to remove the LSP from the hood, polish it to remove some light marring I missed on the first go round, and then apply Zaino Z5, UPGP, and 4*UPP in test strips. I think I want to see them on a large panel side by side.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Barryb97]

So whatever happened to this thread?

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Looks like the OP was having back problems, according to his post just before yours.