Which Wax to use on my Viper?
- Thread starter C O D Y
- Start date
BigsViper
Enthusiast
I'll let all my racing buddies give me grief for being a polisher, but yes Frank, I do use Zaino and as a customer (Not a shameless plug by a distributor
) I encourage you to just click on Cody's link and look no further, without waiting around for a lot of other posts!
treynor
Enthusiast
Seconded. Now that I've tried it, I don't use anything else.
Re: process, the Zaino will come with instructions.
Re: process, the Zaino will come with instructions.
NascarDave
Enthusiast
Jon,
As an alternative, check out www.formula113.com
I've had great luck with their products.
Regards,
Dave
As an alternative, check out www.formula113.com
I've had great luck with their products.
Regards,
Dave
jimandela
Enthusiast
Zaino!
click on my avatar, these results were with just 1 coat of Zaino.
you can see the clouds and the tree next to car in the hood refection. and it was an overcast day... awesome wax!!
click on my avatar, these results were with just 1 coat of Zaino.
you can see the clouds and the tree next to car in the hood refection. and it was an overcast day... awesome wax!!
SapphireGTS
Enthusiast
I HAVE PLENTY OF ZAINO I WILL SELL YOU AT COST. I LOVE THE STUFF SO MUCH I BOUGHT A GRAND WORTH OF IT SO I COULD SPREAD THE WORD TO OTHER CAR MANIACS. !!!!! ZAINO IS GREAT.
GRANTED IT IS A LONG PROCESS TO PUT THE STUFF ON, IT IS GREAT AND LASTS LONGER THAN ZYMOL
GRANTED IT IS A LONG PROCESS TO PUT THE STUFF ON, IT IS GREAT AND LASTS LONGER THAN ZYMOL
Steve 00RT/10
Enthusiast
I just used a product called Liquid Lustre which was recommended by a custom car builder in my area. He didn't say it was the best--just that he had used lots of show car products and was currently having good luck with this one. IMO the shine is as good as any I've seen including Zaino. Very easy to put on. Don't know how long it will last...but does that matter? The Zaino guys put on coat after coat continually. We have a six month season. That means 2 coats to me. The car doesn't see a lot of sun and is garaged most of the time...except for the 8000 miles I try to get on each summer. Nobody intentionally runs their car in salt or very inclement weather. The less time waxing, the more time driving.
Steve
Steve
SapphireGTS
Enthusiast
McGuires - Gold class is really good too. It has a nice shine and last a long time. New Finish lasts a long time as well but I feel like I am putting paint thinner on my car.
What's the status of the "new & Improved" Z-1?
Jeff Torrey
Enthusiast
I have been using Meguiar's Gold Class. Every 2 weeks.
OP
OP
C O D Y
Enthusiast
More info on the ZFX soon.......
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by xqzyil:
I'm planing to hand-wax (no machine) my Viper and was wondering which wax I should use. Jon <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
From one Jon to another: Z A I N O. Period.
ps. JON -
I see your parents were child abusers....they kicked the 'H' out of you when you were a baby! Mine too.
I'm planing to hand-wax (no machine) my Viper and was wondering which wax I should use. Jon <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
From one Jon to another: Z A I N O. Period.
ps. JON -
I see your parents were child abusers....they kicked the 'H' out of you when you were a baby! Mine too.
Vip-RT10
Enthusiast
Zaino, that is it so far.
Steve 00RT/10
Enthusiast
Jim
The 'coat after coat' comment was not meant to mean the car needed it, but that many guys using Zaino do put lots of it on. When we picked up our car at the factory in March of 2000, I asked our car build 'team leader' as we about to drive out of shipping what he recommended about waxing and how soon. Now I'm sure this could also spark some debate, but he told me he wouldn't wax the car at all until the end of the season. Vipers come with a mirror like deep finish right of the box. I took his advice and waxed it for the first time 7700 miles later. During the course of last summer(00)we were in the company of many Vipers who had used many different wax products--including Zaino.
I honestly couldn't see a big difference. Even ours with no wax was pretty darn shiny and deep. I have no doubt that Zaino is a good product, but at this point I have no intention of getting into a long multi step process(including Dawn detergent) on my car when I can get a comparable(OK...somewhat comparable IYO)shine in an hour. BTW I use Thermosilk hair shampoo to wash our car--works great! To each his own.
Steve
The 'coat after coat' comment was not meant to mean the car needed it, but that many guys using Zaino do put lots of it on. When we picked up our car at the factory in March of 2000, I asked our car build 'team leader' as we about to drive out of shipping what he recommended about waxing and how soon. Now I'm sure this could also spark some debate, but he told me he wouldn't wax the car at all until the end of the season. Vipers come with a mirror like deep finish right of the box. I took his advice and waxed it for the first time 7700 miles later. During the course of last summer(00)we were in the company of many Vipers who had used many different wax products--including Zaino.
I honestly couldn't see a big difference. Even ours with no wax was pretty darn shiny and deep. I have no doubt that Zaino is a good product, but at this point I have no intention of getting into a long multi step process(including Dawn detergent) on my car when I can get a comparable(OK...somewhat comparable IYO)shine in an hour. BTW I use Thermosilk hair shampoo to wash our car--works great! To each his own.
Steve
OP
OP
C O D Y
Enthusiast
Steve 00RT/10, would you go out in the sun on a hot day without any sunsceen on? You might be fine all day, however the next day you can be burnt pretty bad.
The car might look good now, but time will tell. You need something to protect the car from UV rays! Please use something, anything is better than nothing.
The car might look good now, but time will tell. You need something to protect the car from UV rays! Please use something, anything is better than nothing.
Steve 00RT/10
Enthusiast
Cody,
Assuming your analogy is true, I guess 'Team Viper' at the plant gave me some bad advice. My body guy concurs that I could have waxed it almost immediately. It was my understanding that one of the reasons for clear coats on newer cars was for this very reason. To diminish sun damage and protect the paint. Considering where I live--cold/snow anytime 'before the Fourth of July or after',(that's a little stretch) I don't think I did much sun damage. It was also never left in the sun for more than a few hours and always garaged between runs. You're right--time will tell. It is well waxed now. You would be hard pressed to distinguish any degradation of the mirror like finish attributable to the sun. It shines as well, and is as deep as any I've seen. I'll probably wax it 1 or 2 times/yr. for the six month season we have. We have 16,000 miles on the car. My initial premise remains--I don't care to spend my time on a multi step process. For those that do--go for it.
Steve
Assuming your analogy is true, I guess 'Team Viper' at the plant gave me some bad advice. My body guy concurs that I could have waxed it almost immediately. It was my understanding that one of the reasons for clear coats on newer cars was for this very reason. To diminish sun damage and protect the paint. Considering where I live--cold/snow anytime 'before the Fourth of July or after',(that's a little stretch) I don't think I did much sun damage. It was also never left in the sun for more than a few hours and always garaged between runs. You're right--time will tell. It is well waxed now. You would be hard pressed to distinguish any degradation of the mirror like finish attributable to the sun. It shines as well, and is as deep as any I've seen. I'll probably wax it 1 or 2 times/yr. for the six month season we have. We have 16,000 miles on the car. My initial premise remains--I don't care to spend my time on a multi step process. For those that do--go for it.
Steve
Don Hiltz
Enthusiast
Well, I feel compelled to add my opinion to the ongoing dialogue concerning which wax/polish is superior. For the record, I've used Zymol in the past and am presently using Meguiar's Gold Class. Parenthetically, the reason I stopped using Zymol was that its smell appealed to my dog so much that he couldn't stop licking the car!!
Now, for some serious advice....... Those of us who are veterans remember (probably too well) the "spit shine" technique. I have always utilized this method, regardless of what polish/wax I've used, because I remember the lesson(s) the U.S. Army taught me on how to shine shoes and boots.
It's really quite simple and I'm convinced the method of application is a most significant factor in the final level of shine.
For those who didn't have the military experience, here's how it works: Use a wet applicator (preferably an old, extremely soft small piece of turkish towel), and continually moisten the surface with spray from a water bottle. It can't be too wet. Don't allow the wax/polish to dry. Begin to remove it almost immediately with an equally old and soft, slightly moist turkish towel. With each successive application, the shine appears to become deeper.
I wash mine approximately every 10-14 days and add another coat of wax. It's really simple because I use only a small amount of wax. It polishes very easily and takes less that an hour to complete.
I know I'm going to get a lot of grief from purists who feel the product is the answer. All I'm saying is that the technique can be equally important.
Now I'm ready to hear from all the naysayers......
Now, for some serious advice....... Those of us who are veterans remember (probably too well) the "spit shine" technique. I have always utilized this method, regardless of what polish/wax I've used, because I remember the lesson(s) the U.S. Army taught me on how to shine shoes and boots.
It's really quite simple and I'm convinced the method of application is a most significant factor in the final level of shine.
For those who didn't have the military experience, here's how it works: Use a wet applicator (preferably an old, extremely soft small piece of turkish towel), and continually moisten the surface with spray from a water bottle. It can't be too wet. Don't allow the wax/polish to dry. Begin to remove it almost immediately with an equally old and soft, slightly moist turkish towel. With each successive application, the shine appears to become deeper.
I wash mine approximately every 10-14 days and add another coat of wax. It's really simple because I use only a small amount of wax. It polishes very easily and takes less that an hour to complete.
I know I'm going to get a lot of grief from purists who feel the product is the answer. All I'm saying is that the technique can be equally important.
Now I'm ready to hear from all the naysayers......
Gerald
Enthusiast
Man...
I have tried EVERYTHING under the sun.....
Don't know how many other "wax" users can say... Maybe all, maybe none..
I've tried McGuires, Zymol, Turtle Wax, Liquid Gold, Wet Look, and ZAINO.
McGuires looks nice, it's just oils, looks good for a few days, then must reapply, no reflection shine, just darkens paint..
Zymol darkens paint the most, wears off a couple of drives, but sure does make that paint look dark. I even triey some WD-40 on the paint, almost same effect.
Turtle Wax, Liquid Goold, Wet Look were a joke.
I said ***, and tried Zaino, holy crap.. I can see details in the clouds on a clear day when I'm done and then some. Some people don't really give it a chance..
Hours to put on? I can Claybar car in 15 mins, polish lock in 10 mins, Zaino in another 15 mins. So easy. I don't understand when ppl say, I can get to apply correctly. Works perfect every time and comes off in 5 minutes. Once the intial is done, a Zaino coat takes 15 minutes ( I guess I do a horrible job or I have quick hands(set myself up for that one)).. On and Off... Only thing that takes long is the 1 hour I might let it dry in the Florida baking heat in the garage..
Gerald
I have tried EVERYTHING under the sun.....
Don't know how many other "wax" users can say... Maybe all, maybe none..
I've tried McGuires, Zymol, Turtle Wax, Liquid Gold, Wet Look, and ZAINO.
McGuires looks nice, it's just oils, looks good for a few days, then must reapply, no reflection shine, just darkens paint..
Zymol darkens paint the most, wears off a couple of drives, but sure does make that paint look dark. I even triey some WD-40 on the paint, almost same effect.
Turtle Wax, Liquid Goold, Wet Look were a joke.
I said ***, and tried Zaino, holy crap.. I can see details in the clouds on a clear day when I'm done and then some. Some people don't really give it a chance..
Hours to put on? I can Claybar car in 15 mins, polish lock in 10 mins, Zaino in another 15 mins. So easy. I don't understand when ppl say, I can get to apply correctly. Works perfect every time and comes off in 5 minutes. Once the intial is done, a Zaino coat takes 15 minutes ( I guess I do a horrible job or I have quick hands(set myself up for that one)).. On and Off... Only thing that takes long is the 1 hour I might let it dry in the Florida baking heat in the garage..
Gerald
jimandela
Enthusiast
Steve 00RT/10,
thanks for the info. i got lucky!!!
took delivery in feb 2001 it was built in Nov 2000 and didnt wax it april 2001 (5 months) so close hopefully long enough for the factory paint to be perfect.
Also the only reason i dont have 10+ coats of wax on her is lack of time!!
in the spring 1 more coat for sure.. that will make 2
thanks
JIM
thanks for the info. i got lucky!!!
took delivery in feb 2001 it was built in Nov 2000 and didnt wax it april 2001 (5 months) so close hopefully long enough for the factory paint to be perfect.
Also the only reason i dont have 10+ coats of wax on her is lack of time!!
in the spring 1 more coat for sure.. that will make 2
thanks
JIM
gerald wd-40? ha! how about K-y Jelly? I think I will need to try that Zanio stuff...some guy at the New Carshow was bad mouthing it...I found myself sticking up for it and nevered used it. This guy sprayed paint on his hood and wiped it right off. Kind of cool. He says the wax he uses is the one that is endorsed by the Corvette club. Any idea's what it is?
Gerald
Enthusiast
Adam,
could it be your toe jam?
could it be your toe jam?
Y2K5SRT
Enthusiast
Gee, I feel kinda bad. I used Zaino within a week of delivery (was already stocked up a month before the car arrived). Looked fantastic. Used the California duster and a quick spritz of Z6 to keep it clean (not easy with black). Went 12,000 miles without another coat of Zaino. Probably worn off by then, the car still looked awesome. Threw another coat on (one) this summer. Then drove another 8,000 miles.
When I recently took my car in for a repair estimate, the adjuster was at the local Chevy dealership. The car was swarmed within seconds by employees. The sales manager came out and looked over the car like he was ready to buy it.
<FONT COLOR="blue">"So, you are one of those guys that never drives it, eh?", he says.</FONT c>
<FONT COLOR="green">"Are you nuts? I LOVE to drive this car in any venue possible!", I reply.</FONT c>
<FONT COLOR="blue">"Yeah right. You can't have even 1,000 miles on it."</FONT c>
<FONT COLOR="green">"Try 20,000."</FONT c>
He was amazed because the car just looked SO good. I attribute it FIRST to a great job by the factory in doing show quality+ paint work. I then credit Zaino for helping protect that look, even though it was probably worn off at some point.
I spend very little time detailing this car, even though it is black. I am lazy and the car looks great with little effort. California Duster, a quick spray with the Zaino Z6 using a cotton towel, and I am on my way. Who said black is hard to take care of?
Chris
When I recently took my car in for a repair estimate, the adjuster was at the local Chevy dealership. The car was swarmed within seconds by employees. The sales manager came out and looked over the car like he was ready to buy it.
<FONT COLOR="blue">"So, you are one of those guys that never drives it, eh?", he says.</FONT c>
<FONT COLOR="green">"Are you nuts? I LOVE to drive this car in any venue possible!", I reply.</FONT c>
<FONT COLOR="blue">"Yeah right. You can't have even 1,000 miles on it."</FONT c>
<FONT COLOR="green">"Try 20,000."</FONT c>
He was amazed because the car just looked SO good. I attribute it FIRST to a great job by the factory in doing show quality+ paint work. I then credit Zaino for helping protect that look, even though it was probably worn off at some point.
I spend very little time detailing this car, even though it is black. I am lazy and the car looks great with little effort. California Duster, a quick spray with the Zaino Z6 using a cotton towel, and I am on my way. Who said black is hard to take care of?
Chris
Similar threads
