Zaino Winter Prep / 6 month application - Leon FR

[n_d_fox]

Completed this detail on my own car at the end of October. New to this forum so thought i'd share the process with all

Its been 6 months since the last Zaino session on the car so it was about time for a strip down and top up.

Apart from a monthly or so wipe down with Z8 and maybe 1 or 2 layers of Z-CS the car hasnt had anything on it since having 2 layers or ZFX'd Z2 and a layer of Z-CS 6 months ago.

Couple of before pics, hadnt been washed for a week


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So out with the Karcher and a rinse down. Still some beading going on


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Few welded on bugs around the front bumper, bonnet and front edge of the roof so out with a new (to me) product to try


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Sprayed all over the front end, bonnet and roof


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Then gave the wheels a good clean with Megs Wheel Brightener using various brushes and an MF mitt before covering the whole car with a Z7 and Starngloss red foam mix


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This was then rinsed before another new product for me to try


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Sprayed this all over the car and wheels and left to do its thing. Was quite surprised at the level of bleeding on the rear of the car, the bumper being covered in contamination


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Front wheels were pretty bad too


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Bit on the mirror caps


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Bonnet too


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Then just for completeness the rear wheels (actually not that bad)...


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Whole car was the foamed again with ValetPro PH Neutral and a good slug of Megs APC


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Left this to dwell for about 5-10 minutes while i filled the buckets then rinsed. Was surprised to see what looked like a bit of sheeting going on


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Had a quick look round the car to make sure all the Decon Gel was washed away be washing the car (2BM) with Z7 and a DoDo SN sponge. This was then rinsed.


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While the car was still wet it was time for the final stage of decontamination, i've been a fan of DoDo SN clay for a while but after recently running out doing the A6 Avant i decided to try something new...


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Started with the bonnet using Megs Last Touch as lube. To be fair, not a lot coming off with the clay, this was after doing the whole bonnet


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This was after the drivers front wing and door which was the worst area


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Car was then given another wash with Z7 and a DoDo SN sponge before being rinsed and dried.

Before i went any further on the paint i wanted to seal the wheels and leave this to cure for a few hours.


DSCF1038 by n_d_fox, on Flickr

This was applied with a Megs foam applicator and then left to cure.

I also took the opportunity to give the exterior glass a good clean with Z12


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This was applied with a DoDo Blue Roo applicator and left to cure.

Time for the first part of the paint prep... I'd had a good look at the condition of the paint during the decontamination process and was happy that the protection over the last 6 months had been enough to prevent any real damage to the paint, there were a couple of small RDS but no swirling, holograming or marring so as i wanted to get the protection in place i decided not to chase the RDS' this time as they wouldnt affect the overall finish of the car.

First up then, Z-AIO via the DA with a Lake County Polishing pad.


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This was spread at speed 1 and then worked until clear at speed 4 before moving back down to speed 1 for a sweep over to finish. I worked my way around the whole car leaving the applied layer to cure before buffing.

At this point i buffed the glass and the wheels before adding the first layer of Z16


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Front wing and door reflection after buffing the Z-AIO


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Time was getting on now, i wanted to get 3 layers of ZFX'd Z2 on the car so didnt take any pics during this process other than this one - New 2oz bottle and Zaino applicator


DSCF1041 by n_d_fox, on Flickr

Each layer was applied over the whole car and left to cure for around 10 minutes before being buffed. The car was then wiped down with Z6 before the next layer was added.

During the application of the 3rd layer it started to rain. The product had been on long enough to cure but the rain was getting heavy and i was having to dry each panel with a chunky MF before buffing it off. Fingers crossed that layer had chance to take properly !?

Few pics from before the rain came so around the 2nd layer after Z6 wipe down.


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Added new Zaino sticker (thanks Johnny)  :thumb:


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The next morning i popped out to see how things has settled and found some quality beading


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So that was it, a good days work and 3 fresh layers of Z2 applied. Thing was, i wanted to see what difference a couple of extra layers would make so a few days later i got started again.

Car was rinsed down with the hose and sprayer (no pressure washer needed), washed 2BM with Z7 and the SN sponge then dried before having a wipe down with Z6.

I then mixed up another 2oz bottle of ZFX'd Z2 and got another 3 layers on (with Z6 wipe downs in between). I also gave the wheels and door shuts a layer of Z-CS before applying another layer of Z16 to the tyres.

Few finished shots outside the back of the house


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Overall i am over the moon with the results, the first 3 layers of Z2 gave a lovely sharp finish and the flake in the paint really pops when the sun hits it. The additional 3 layers have added another edge though, given the finish a much glossier look and i'm glad i spent the extra time on Friday adding them.

I decided to take a few shots at a different location to see how the reflections came out.


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Ok, so i got carried away with the after pics on the common but i was loving the colours on the trees and the way they were reflecting in the paint (although my photography skills dont show that very well !)...

Only thing left to do now is a couple of layers of Z8 after the next 2 washes :D

Thanks for taking the time to look through these... comments welcome ;)

Nige  :thumb:

[Daffy]

Cracking results there the second dose of Zaino has really added some sharpness to the finish. Z8 is my favourite product  leaves a great finish and smells fantastic, also dead easy to use. All the Zaino range of products are great and I rarely use anything else these days its just not necessary.

[n_d_fox]

Thanks for the comments matey... i know what you mean though, really are superb products... i keep thinking about waxes etc  but then remember how much i love the finish on my car from just the Zaino products i have