[boyce'06 330i]

I got my '06 330i sport/prem about a month ago, and ordered a Zaino kit the week after I bought the car thanks to the reviews here and, in particular, the advice from Picus.

I ordered the Total Protection Kit, since I didn't need the leather cleaner/conditioner and the tire dressing. I may order some ZPC, though, at a later date.

I was a little worried about the process because it seems very confusing, soooo, instead of experimenting my first time out with my car I decided to make my mistakes on my wife's car ... an '01 X5 4.4.

I've been using 3M Imperial Hand Glaze and Blitz Wax Carnuba and have been pretty happy with the results, but the effort to do 1 coat of the 3M kept me from doing it as often as I wanted so her paint has been neglected a little and had some light scratches and swirls.

First, I claybarred the hood, roof and front and rear bumpers (the rest was already pretty smooth). This was so much easier than I thought it would be. I didn't want to mess up my Zaino bars, so I used a Meguire's bar I bought at Autozone. The Meguire's QD included with the claybar was a very good lubricant. I'll probably claybar the entire car when I go to reapply in the spring.

Next I Z5'd. I couldn't believe how easy the Zaino was to apply and remove. I was very careful not to use too much... I did the entire car with 1 ounce of Z5. 1 coat all over and then additional coats where needed to fill in the really stubborn swirls... ended up doing the car about 1.5 times with one ounce! This stuff REALLY does go far!

Next I Z2'd. Again, couldn't believe how easy it was. The Z2 went even farther than the Z5... I got two full coats out of 1 ounce! I used a water dampened applicator that I misted with Z6 for each panel. I also Z6'd between all 3 1/2 coats (1 1/2 - Z5 and 2 - Z2). Both the Z2 and Z5 came off almost as easy as it went on.

It took me about 5 hours start to finish, but her car looks amazing! I saw details in the paint I've never seen before. It has a 3 dimensional quality that is hard to explain, and the color looks like it should (it's a very dark green, but the 3M and Blitz made it look even darker), the Zaino let's the true color come through.

I couldn't be more pleased with the results... now, I just hope it lasts 6 months like it's supposed to, because after 3 Advil I still feel like my arms could fall off! Can't wait to do my car this week, though I should have asked for a Porter Cable for Christmas! :rocks:

[BK]

Congrats, and let me be the first to say:

[pander5]

Very well done! It is very difficult to get used to how thin this stuff should go on and 1 ounce for 1.5 layers on an X5 sounds perfect. Congrats and it feels good after you're done, doesn't it? (despite the need for the Advil - been there brother). Sounds like you've given the mrs. and you a nice holiday gift.

Now, try the PC and the ZPC after the clay and before the Z5/Z2 polish and you'll be amazed even more. The additional benefit is your body won't ache for two days afterward.

[boyce'06 330i]

Thanks, guys! I'll try to take some pics today!

[Ninjaneer]

Congrats! Dunno if you get much rain where you're at, but while I hate it when it rains (well actually just hate it cos the car needs a wash sooner than expected) I absolutely LOVE how the water beads up on the entire car after I zaino'd it. I wish a creative / skilled photographer could set up the car in nice lighting and get a cool shot of it... that's how good it is when I see it

[pander5]

Yo Ninj, you should have had Nikki get some shots when she was up? just wet the car and let her do her magic! Maybe we can do that if we go down there. I know what you mean about the Z beading and unfortunatley we've had our share of opportunities lately in west central FL!!!

[Ninjaneer]

Maybe next time

[boyce'06 330i]

Originally Posted by Ninjaneer

Congrats! Dunno if you get much rain where you're at, but while I hate it when it rains (well actually just hate it cos the car needs a wash sooner than expected) I absolutely LOVE how the water beads up on the entire car after I zaino'd it. I wish a creative / skilled photographer could set up the car in nice lighting and get a cool shot of it... that's how good it is when I see it

They're calling for rain here tomorrow (it's actually sprinkling right now) so we're taking MY car (it's filthy anyway) to mom and dad's tomorrow for Christmas! Hopefully, the rain will pass and the roads will dry before we have to get the X5 out again on Wednesday! I'm sure the water beading is beautiful, but the pain in my shoulders hopes the X5 stays clean and dry for at least a week!!!

To quote Chevy Chase... "Merry Christmas, where's the Tylenol?"

[BlueLion]

Originally Posted by pander5

Yo Ninj, you should have had Nikki get some shots when she was up? just wet the car and let her do her magic! Maybe we can do that if we go down there. I know what you mean about the Z beading and unfortunatley we've had our share of opportunities lately in west central FL!!!

dont worry.....when i get my car....i wash it most weekends....and it WILL rain

[neuronpetkowski]

Congrats boyce'06 330i.
The personal effort is always rewarding, so feel the burn. No pain, no gain...

And yes, Zaino is simply kick ass stuff.

Skip the Advil.

7 out of 10 e90 owners recommend alcohol intoxication over the leading pain medication to relieve the aches and pains associated with car detailing.

[boyce'06 330i]

I hope these pics load... never done this before.

Here are three pics I took this morning... Keep in mind this paint is almost 6 years old!

[Ninjaneer]

Originally Posted by boyce'06 330i

I hope these pics load... never done this before.

Here are three pics I took this morning... Keep in mind this paint is almost 6 years old!

Nope, no pics!

[boyce'06 330i]

Originally Posted by Ninjaneer

Nope, no pics!

Bummer. I'll try again tonight.

[boyce'06 330i]

K, hopefully this will work!





I got a pressure washer for Christmas, so I may be doing my car tonight or tomorrow night!

[boyce'06 330i]

One more!

[txusa03]

Cannot believe you use your wife's car as a test mule (you big chicken ). Looks good. So good, I can see there is 1 ding in the x5 on the driver door.

[Ninjaneer]

Good job Nice and shiny!

[boyce'06 330i]

Originally Posted by txusa03

Cannot believe you use your wife's car as a test mule (you big chicken ). Looks good. So good, I can see there is 1 ding in the x5 on the driver door.

Ha ha, I figured I couldn't really screw up on her paint... it hasn't really been properly protected in 6 years! (I didn't realize the carnuba I was using had such a short lifespan...4 - 6 weeks... Blitz Wax looks great, though).

Thanks for the compliments! The pain in my shoulders is gone, but my quads still burn a little... especially after a flight of stairs!

[boyce'06 330i]

Originally Posted by Ninjaneer

Good job Nice and shiny!

Thanks, as a 1st timer, I'm very happy with the Zaino products!

[BK]

Beautiful job!

[cm3rc]

looks amazing.

[ducati955]

i did three cars in 3 days//// a tacoma, mazda 6, and a maxima... sucked, came out amazing, made me real tired