Zaino Products

[LT22]

Has anyone heard or tried Zaino products? I read there website and the producst are VERY expensive for very little product and they are suppose to be better than meguiars according to GURU magazine. Their website is at www.zainobros.com. My friend wants to try them out. Im trying to sway him to meguiars instead, because I think Zaino is a hoax. any thoughts?

[gbackus]

Different strokes for different folks. IMO Zaino is far too complicated of a process so I'll be sticking with Meg's. I've used many many different brands of products and with exception to a few items Meguiars doesn't make, I'm slowly but surely changing my inventory back to Meguiars products. They produce very predictable results, are easy to obtain, and are backed by the best customer service I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with. But like Mike P's signature says, Find something you like and use it often.

[imacarnut]

Originally posted by gbackus
They produce very predictable results, are easy to obtain, and are backed by the best customer service I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with

to me, the customer service is just as important as the product themselves.

[SpoiledMan]

Zaino provides results and isn't at all hard to use. It does require a step or two additional as it doesn't "hide" anything on the surface such as swirls or imperfections. You have the option of using ZFX (quick cure) additive or not. Sal provides excellent customer service as well.

I use a wide variety of products and at this point seem to have a balance of easy to use products that provide excellent results with great durability. I have more Meguiar's products than any other brand and in some cases I am done with the exploration and in others, I'm still exploring. If you're interested in learning more about Zaino either contact Sal himself or do a search on Autopia.org for more info.

[the other pc]

Zaino has a very dedicated following. It’s expensive and unless you live near one of the very few distributors you have to order everything.

I have not tried it myself and have not met anybody who could show me a Zaino’ed car in person so I can’t comment on how it works.

If your friend is really hot to try it you probably won’t be able to convince him not to. If he spends all the time and money on it and you get better results with Meguiar’s for a fraction of the cost he’ll get the idea.


PC.

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by the other pc
Zaino has a very dedicated following. It’s expensive and unless you live near one of the very few distributors you have to order everything.

This was key for me. I am just getting into this and have made a hobby of it. Being able to run out on a moments notice and grab something I am running low on is mighty handy. I even have the local AutoZone Manager working with me as he sees me buying alot of Meg's Products from him and also sending customers his way.

I have not tried it myself and have not met anybody who could show me a Zaino’ed car in person so I can’t comment on how it works.

I have not tried it either. I have seen a few cars that have it applied and yes, it appears to be a fine product, and the cars did look sharp. For me, I like to experiment with trying different things. Zaino appears to be rather permanent with not alot of versatility. I like something a little more sacrificial. I like something I am gonna be able to re-work easily if the need arises. Zaino might be OK for some but I work with Ungaraged Daily Drivers and being able to spot correct an issue easily is important to me. Zaino does not appear easy to spot correct.

[SpoiledMan]

Originally posted by j333_76484
Zaino might be OK for some but I work with Ungaraged Daily Drivers and being able to spot correct an issue easily is important to me. Zaino does not appear easy to spot correct.

Polish, Z1 and then Z5 or Z2. It's not different than polish, glaze and wax.

I'm not tooting the Z horn or anything but it does seem as though it's unfairly treated as being a product that's not user friendly.

[Don]

I've used it, but my insatiable lust for experimenting with new products interferred with getting a second order. That, and like the other pc mentioned, 99% of the time it has to be ordered by mail or internet, which for me is just too inconvenient.

Unfortunately I can say the same about a few Meg's products such as the #80 and the new #21 (which I really want to try). No one carries them locally, and mail-order just doesn't appeal to me. **I have driven 20 or so miles one way to pick up a product though (Collinite 845), which was available a short run down the highway away.

[Mosca]

It's an excellent product. It is not a hoax.

Obviously in situations where there is more than one choice, there are going to be people who choose different things. In the end, the car either shines or it doesn't, and everything else is posturing. There are plenty of great looking cars sporting Meguiar's, and plenty with Zaino. Pick the one that pleases you. I prefer Meguiar's.

I'm not a moderator, but I hope no one minds if I make a request that is prompted by seeing it happen waaaaaay too often:

If anyone is thinking of revisiting the wax wars, remember that "choice of car wax" is a really stupid reason to start an argument or dislike another person.


Tom

[Aurora40]

Re: Zaino Products

Originally posted by LT22
Has anyone heard or tried Zaino products? I read there website and the producst are VERY expensive for very little product and they are suppose to be better than meguiars according to GURU magazine. Their website is at www.zainobros.com. My friend wants to try them out. Im trying to sway him to meguiars instead, because I think Zaino is a hoax. any thoughts?

It's definitely not a hoax. It's a quality product. Some of the marketing copy might be over-the-top, but that's true of any detailing product.

The cost is marginally offset by the fact that the products spread very well. However, yeah they are kind of pricey.

Much of what will determine your friend's satisfaction with it will be what he hopes to achieve by using it. There is no magic to Zaino any more than there is to any other product out there. Using the correct tool to address the correct problem is key no matter who's product you use.

If he does end up buying Zaino, perhaps you two can trade some samples so you'll both have a better idea of what the two companies have to offer.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Wow... looks like several misconceptions in this thread; though just as many level heads.

First off, I'm going to come right out and say that Zaino is a fine product, and one that I don't see my personal collection of supplies without. There are several circumstances wherein Zaino is a beneficial product. I have not been able to obtain the kind of durability during a harsh Michigan winter with any Meguiar's product that I can with Zaino. Z beats the Meguiar's (usually #20) consistently for said purpose.

I also find that Zaino (for my personal preferences... and mainly since the introduction of Z2Pro) has a nicer look on pristinely prepared show-vehicle paint. For a garage queen, it is a great choice since there are rarely any problems which need correcting.

I will certainly say that I use Meg's products much, much more often than Z, but it is definitely a valid product, depending on the circumstances under which it is used. In fact, just yesterday I went through my personal vehicle and polished with ZPC, and applied 3x Z2Pro/ZFX and 1x Z8 was added this morning before I left for work. The results are absolutely awesome... it's been quite a while since the paint looked THIS clear.

[roushstage2]

Have seen Zaino on other cars and it looks awesome, but I got just as good of results with Meguiars, but saved about $100 for the Meguiars Equivalents of those products.

[Jbirk]

There is also Zymol Products.

To me, Zanio and Zymol are small cults.
Take for instance Zymol where people will spend $40 to $160 for carnuba wax. Does having a more potent wax help a lot? Maybe it does, but $160 for wax is well cult like.

That being said, Meguiar's has a cult following and is used by many normal people too.

The Meguiar's Cult is a group of people that do the whole 5-Step process, and they clean inside/out with all Meguiar's Products. They hang out at this forum...

Next on the list is the Mother's following, which probably is quite small in comparison. These people want simplicity and a better than average product. A 3 Step process is all they are going to do.

The rest fit into a standard group: Cheap/Generic/don't have a preference.

These people will never buy cleaners, polish, or clay. They never spend more than $5 or $6 on any particular bottle of wax or soap. They are satisfied with the cheap generic stuff.. Many of these same people look confused at the store. They often buy Turtle Wax and Kit products. They will never spend $16 for a bottle of wax or even consider $7 for a can of tire dressing. To them, you can put on and remove product with a dish towel or old T-Shirt. Many of these peple DO NOT was their cars or even clean their windows. Their Wiper blades are often 3 years old... you know the type.

The only car wash this gorup gets is from the Dealer, and they think it is a good job. When non at the dealer, they may consider a gas station wash if it is cheap enough. Oh, and spray on machine applied wax is just fine. They don't see swirls because they are hidden by the dirt, and if the dirt is cleaned off, they think their car is in like-new condition.

[Aurora40]

Jbirk, your stereotyping of people is a bit inappropriate. I have two tins of Souveran (no Zymol), Zaino, Meguiars, and the wiper blades on my 3 1/2 year old Aurora are the originals. What cult do I belong in?

[Mike Phillips]

Lets keep this informative, interactive and interesting, but not inflamatory...


I think there are general categories of people when it comes to car care products but I for one don't want to put anyone in a box. I tend to use the term, Joe Consumer to mean a person that really isn't into detailing, but does wash and wax their car to maintain their investment.

Just about everyone else can be placed into the Joe Enthusiast category, at least at some level.

So lets keep this discussion on-topic please...

Thank you!