I want the very BEST !! Yep, the very best, long lasting, and most protective (gotta fight of this hot, Florida Sun) Sealant/Polish/Wax I can get for my brand new 2007 PRIUS !! I have been using, for the past four three years, a product made in Germany called KLASSE: It is actually two parts....... an "All-In-one Polish" and a "Sealant Glaze": http://www.superiorcarcare.net/klasse.html I have always heard ZAINO mentioned........ but I never tried it yet: http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/mercha...gory_Code=Zaino Has anyone tried BOTH and can give me a "comparison" or "good and bad" of each ???? THANKS..................
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FloridaWen @ May 20 2007, 03:28 PM) [snapback]446286[/snapback]</div> I am partial to the Klasse product. However, I anticipate there will be many fans of Zaino that will chime in shortly.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apriusfan @ May 20 2007, 10:13 PM) [snapback]446382[/snapback]</div> Like I wrote, I only used KLASSE............ the TWO PART process was a bit time consuming, but I will admit it lasted for close to SIX MONTHS in this brutal, hot, Florida sun !! I have a brand new Prius and I did NOT get "TOYOGUARD PLUS" SEALANT (I did NOT want it !!) ............. it's just clean, raw, paint. NO need to rub out or anything, just wash, dry and "wax" !! Is ZAINO a one part or two ?? Is it durable and long lasting ?? Is it easier to apply than Klasse ?? This is what I NEED to find out................ hey, I'm out of work right now, money tight, want the "best-bang-for-my-buck" if ya' know what I mean ??
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FloridaWen @ May 20 2007, 07:21 PM) [snapback]446385[/snapback]</div> The Z-AIO product appears to be a single part product. The following comment was copied from the referenced web site: Z-AIO can either be used by itself, or as an excellent foundation & bonding agent for the full line of advanced Zaino Show Car Polish Products. Although it is not required, you may follow up Z-AIO with application of any Zaino Show Car Polish protectant, including our new advanced Z-CS Clear Seal, or Z-2 PRO or Z-5 PRO products. If you want the high end ZAINO products (with the reputation), you are likely going to need to go with a two part process.
I've used both and still have some of both in my kit: Zaino lasts much longer than Klasse SG in all the ways that matter (slickness to touch, water sheeting, and shine). Klasse has a little better compatibility should you choose to top it with a product from a different mfgr. As far as your other questions, they've been answered thousands of times, and you could have easily found the answer by going to 1) the mfgr's web site, 2) any auto detaling web forum such as autopia.org, detailcity.org, and roadfly.org, or 3) even here.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ May 21 2007, 12:23 AM) [snapback]446428[/snapback]</div> THIS is the "answer" I was searching for............ THANKS !! <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ May 21 2007, 12:23 AM) [snapback]446428[/snapback]</div> I really DID visit many of these (and similar) sites and found it was like a 50 - 50 results.......... I was "on-the-edge" so the speak and needed some help, a "little push", from a first hand user of BOTH products..... then YOU came along and gave me the "comparison" and honest opinion I was looking for...... Thanks again !! <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apriusfan @ May 21 2007, 12:15 AM) [snapback]446422[/snapback]</div> I guess you may have a valid point here....... no "easy" way around it if I want durability AND great looks !! :blink: SO......... First WASH with Z7 Then apply (to a brand new vehicle ??) Z-AIO Then polish (seal) with what.......... "Clear Seal", Z-2 PRO or Z-5 PRO ??????????????
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FloridaWen @ May 21 2007, 07:52 AM) [snapback]446547[/snapback]</div> I just called ZAINO Tech Support and I think it was Sal (owner) I spoke with ?? Anyway this is what THEY said to use................ Z7 WASH Z-AIO Z-2 PRO and if I wanted use Clear Seal over it all......................
Zaino. Get the AIO and some spray and you're good to go, which is much simpler than what it used to be.
I've used Zaino since 2001. If I remember correctly, even if your vehicle is new you should claybar 1st then Z7, Z2....etc...etc? Reason being, that with all new cars, the surface becomes contaminated with rail dust from trains that won't come off with regular washing, only claybar. Plus contaminants that collect from sitting at the dealers lot.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bshef @ May 21 2007, 08:07 AM) [snapback]446655[/snapback]</div> You claybar when the finish needs it, period. And there is a well-known, oft-mentioned test to tell when your finish need claying (the baggie test).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ May 21 2007, 03:01 PM) [snapback]446812[/snapback]</div> I'm quite leary about using a claybar on a brand new (made 4/07) vehicle that I have only had for four days. I was very interested in finding out more about the "baggie test" and found some good answers and tips here: http://www.web-cars.com/detail/clay.php
My brand new Mitsu had rail dust all over it. My brand new Prius has none. I think some mfg's are covering their cars with that white plastice during shipment to prevent rail dust contamination. Only clay bar if it needs it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Winston @ May 22 2007, 02:48 PM) [snapback]447589[/snapback]</div> And other manufacturers ship their cars in covered transport. I echo your last sentence (Only clay bar if it needs it). My opinion is that if a brand new car needs claybaring, something is wrong with the way the car was either transported, stored or prepped. (Or all three combined.)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apriusfan @ May 22 2007, 06:02 PM) [snapback]447703[/snapback]</div> A couple years ago no Prius sat on the lot long enough to get paint contamination. Towards the end of last year I could see how some might sit around long enough to pick up some industrial fallout. Given how some dealerships around here have inventory in remote lots in industrial areas, I can see how they might get paint overspray too.
Our new 2007 Prius came into Port (Jacksonville, Florida) and since we "caught-it-in-time-before-port" it had NO ToyoGuard Plus Paint Sealant and was just quickly port to the dealer (Tampa). At my request the Toyota Dealer just WASHED it and NO WAX, polish, sealant....... NOTHING, just raw (washed) but clean.... actally "squeaky clean" (dry, unwaxed paint). Although I had some Klasse left over from using it on my '04 CR-V, I decided to order ZAINO and start with Zaino products and stick with them on the new Prius. Perhaps I'll use the rest of my Klasse on the Honda CR-V ?? Ordered All-In-One, Z2 Polish and Z7 Wash !! Washed the new Prius very, very well (squeaky clean), NO "claybar" needed", applied Zaino All-In-One and then after that applied Z2 (light colored Prius - Silver Pine Mica - didn't need Z5). Compared to the Klasse I have been so used to using on my Honda and (ex)MDX (traded-in), the Zaino A-I-O was NOT as "abrasive" as the Klasse A-I-O, excellent for this BRAND NEW Prius, maybe not so good if I use it on the three+ year old CR-V ?? The Z2 polish was also very easy to apply and a Hell of a lot easier to GET OFF as compared to the Klasse "paint sealant" !! I am very pleased with Zaino products ease of application and the shine looks great. Zaino "feels" like it just might last as long or longer (??) than the Klasse. I just "detailed" the new Prius with Zaino this morning (Memorial Day) and since it's the Wife's vehicle, she will be giving me first hand "reports" and "reviews" . I mentioned previously in the PriusChat Forum the problem Florida (and other Gulf states) have with the very acidic (will eat down to the metal) "Love Bugs" which "splatter" themselves all over the front end and windshield of vehicles. These annoying creatures come out twice a year, now and in fall, and last about 5-6 weeks. They are destructive to vehicles and have NO natural enemies, they just keep populating.......... EVERY night my Wife comes home from work I have to wait for the Prius to cool down and then "blast" these splattered, bug-juice, acid carcessses off the front end with clear, (non-chlorinated) filtered, water !! I sometimes also use Meguiar's Quick Detailer (spray) to assist in cutting through the baked-on bug juice BEFORE it eats it's way to primer, then to bare metal............. ANYWAY............. so far ZAINO is a good product and worked well for me........ TIME will tell !!
I just took the *gulp* plunge and ordered a C-note's worth of Zaino stuff for my new Super White Prius. I've been so worried about making the right decision on the finish, that I've not even washed it yet! (18 days old now)