Application Tips

THREE SIMPLE STEPS TO OBTAIN A TRUE ZAINO CAR FINISH

Step 1 - Strip The Old Wax

  • Wash the car, going top to bottom, with Dawn Ultra liquid detergent.
  • Thoroughly rinse the car with a pressurized hose and spray nozzle. Make sure all detergent soap is gone.  Leave Dawn in the kitchen since you'll never use it again on your car.
  • Dry completely using only clean, soft, absorbent towels.

Step 2 - Remove Contaminants & Prepare The Surface

  • Feel all paint surfaces. They should be glassy smooth. Contaminated rough areas are quickly minimized using Zaino Z-18 Claybar™ and a soap and water lubricant. Re-wash and dry the treated areas.
  • Look for hazy paint, swirl marks or fine scratches. Imperfections are reduced using Zaino's Z-PC Fusion™ paint cleaner and swirl remover.
  • Add a light coat of Z-AIO™ to all paint as the foundation and bonding agent. Remove with clean, soft towels.

Step 3 - Apply & Remove Zaino Polish*

Choose The Right Zaino Polish For Your Vehicles Paint
Z-2 PRO™ Show Car Polish is for paint with a clear coat finish—virtually all modern cars.
Z-3™ Show Car Polish is for paint without a clear coat—vintage cars, special aftermarket paint, etc.
Z-5 PRO™ Show Car Polish is just like Z-2, but helps hide swirls and micro scratches in dark color paint.
  • Spray a little Z-6 Gloss Enhancer™ on your Zaino Polish Applicator. Apply Zaino polish to the paint. Use up/down motions on vertical surfaces, and front/rear (front to back of car) motions on horizontal.
  • Allow the polish to dry and chemically bond on the entire car for at least fifteen minutes. To test for dry, wipe an area with a finger. Dry polish is slightly powdery and comes off with one stroke, revealing clear dry paint underneath. Low temperature or high humidity can increase drying time up to two to three hours. Remove the dried polish using high quality towels.
  • When all polish is removed, spray a light coat of Z-6 Gloss Enhancer. Immediately buff dry.

*Important: Shake all products well before using. Use VERY sparingly—a little polish goes a long way. Keep applicator damp with Z-6 Gloss Enhancer.

Zaino ZFX Accellerated Show Car Finish In A Day! (For multi-coat applications)

Zaino Show Car Polish is designed to allow a layered application for those that choose to add layer upon layer of Zaino polishes. With each layer you apply, your car's paint looks better and feels smoother.  Depth, gloss and clarity all increase with each coat.

Like all other polymer based polish and protection systems, Zaino Show Car Polish must cure before applying subsequent coats.  The curing process allows the polymer chains to cross-link, building strength and durability.  If the polymer strands have not cross-linked (cured), applying a fresh coat of polish will not achieve the optimum layered result.  Consequently, creating a show car finish can be a long process of applying a layer, waiting, and applying another layer. 

The Wait is Over!

Zaino ZFX™ Show Car Polish accelerator solves the wait problem.  We worked for several years to engineer a molecular reaction that causes the polymers in Zaino Show Car Polish to set rapidly.  Using ZFX™ with your choice of Z-2 PRO, Z-3 or Z-5 Show Car Polish, it is now possible to apply two or three coats of polish in a single day to create beautiful show car special effects.  The result is nothing less than stunning. 

ZFX™ saves you time and effort.  It's no longer necessary to keep your car in the garage for a whole weekend just so you can apply two or three coats of polish.  Using ZFX™, you'll apply multiple coats in just a few hours.

Prior to using ZFX™ Enabled Show Car Polish

Before applying ZFX™ enabled Show Car Polish, wash, dry and inspect your car’s finish.  It should be very smooth.  If the paint has a rough, bumpy feel, you have surface contamination which must be removed using our Z-18 ClayBar.

Prior to using Zaino Show Car Polish for the first time, we recommend using Dawn dishwashing liquid to wash your car.  Dawn will dissolve wax and other sealants, and easily removes grease, tar and bug remains.  Be sure to rinse your car very well after using Dawn.  After your first application of Zaino Show Car Polish, use Z-7 Show Car Wash for regular washing.

Mixing ZFX™ with Show Car Polish

Each ZFX™ kit comes with a 2ml vial of accelerator mix and several 2 ounce mixing bottles.  A single ZFX™ kit provides enough mix to accommodate up to 32 ounces of Zaino Show Car Polish.

Pour one to two ounces of Show Car Polish into a 2 ounce mixing bottle.  For each ounce of polish, add 4 to 5 drops of ZFX™ (no more than 10 drops for two full ounces), screw the cap back on, and shake vigorously for 60 to 90 seconds.

While you get your towels and applicators ready, allow the ZFX™ enabled Zaino Show Car Polish to sit for five minutes so the ZFX™ can begin activating the polish.  Give the applicator bottle a final shake for 10 seconds before using. 

Applying ZFX™ Enabled Show Car Polish

Follow these easy steps:
  • Apply Zaino Show Car Polish enabled with ZFX™ with a 100%, made in the USA, cotton applicator.  Use the polish sparingly.  A small amount goes a long way, and you will be applying multiple coats.
  • Squirt a dime size dab of polish on your applicator and rub it into your paint using circular hand motions.  Then, go over the same area using a straight back and forth motion on top panels and an up and down motion on side panels.  Allow the polish to haze over (20 minutes is sufficient).
  • Buff off the Show Car Polish residue with a high quality, 100%, made in the USA, cotton detailing towel.
  • After buffing, spray the car with a light mist of Z-6 Ultra Clean™ detailing spray.  Z-6 will help buff away any remaining residue and enhances the brightness of the finish.  Using Z-6, the next coat of Zaino Show Car Polish will apply even easier.

You're now ready to apply your next coat of Zaino Show Car Polish enabled with ZFX™.  There's no need to wait.  Simply follow steps 1-4 above one more time.  Use a fresh cotton buffing towel to remove each coat of ZFX™  enabled Show Car Polish.

Note: Apply no more than three coats of Zaino Show Car Polish enabled with ZFX™ in a 24 hour period. For optimum results, use your ZFX™ enabled polish within 6 hours of mixing.   Use a fresh cotton buffing towel for removal of each coat.

Note: When you are finished polishing, wash the mixing bottle inside and out with a heavy concentration of liquid dishwashing detergent and thoroughly rinse. The ZFX™ mixing bottles cannot be reused if the polish remains in the bottle for more than 12 hours. After 12 hours, it is not possible to completely clean the mixing bottle. Throw the mixing bottle and any unused polish contents away after 12 hours.