I swore I would never buy a black car again after my 740il. I bought a black Crossfire last week & love it, but what is the secret to eliminate the swirls in direct sun.

 

Check out this thread!

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ht=black+zaino

There are also several others on this topic. Search for wax or black. I'll say the guys eventually convinced me to try the zaino... and I'm hooked.

 

my experience has been great with Zaino. Tried mequiar's tech wax first and it was ok. then for some reason got a bug and bought the zaino kit. 3 coats of the small scratch/swirl mark filler polish and one coat of the final polish later, it looks great. It is alot of work, but in the end worth it to me.

 

I've used Meguiar's Tech Wax on my Black Crossfire and it looks pretty good. I waxed it a week after I bought the car, so there wasn't many fine scratches to begin with. I'll probably wax it again soon and see if that helps fill in scratch marks any more. I'll probably do the Zaino in the fall, when I work up the desire to wax my car for 5 hours.

 

Mothers Caranuba Wax is very nice! I just waxed my Graphite Xfire today and DAMN it looks mighty fine! Not sure about swirls in black paint though. I'm upset that the white Xfire doesn't doesn't have a metallic paint.

 

I use Zymoll carbon wax. This wax is ONLY for the black paint.
Here is how it looks on my car:

 

Zaino is the best and if you call Sal Zaino at zainobros.com. He will tell you the secret is thin layers and multiple layers. The thinner each layer the better. I'm hooked on it. Down the road in the rain and the rain and dirt just roll off. The paint looks like it has a 3 ft inward reflection.

Zaino is awesome

Mustangdriver

 

i use zymol "concours" wax.

 

I'm simply amazed at how so many people love putting hours of work in to their cars using Zaino products. Sal Zaino is a good sales guy, let's just put it that way. If the products are so superior why do you have to put 26 coats on it to make it look so good? I'm not saying Zaino is a bad product, but the company has created a cult of people that multi-layer their products. Doesn't that get a bit expensive, not to mention time consuming? you're making that guy rich. Ther is no difference in depth of shine beyond a few coats, ask any professional detailer....

I challenge someone here to compare one coat of Crystalguard vs. Zaino (not 14 applications) and see which one lasts longer. I guarantee the CG will look more reflective and out last Zaino one through 29, or however many steps it takes... Apply the three step CG Pro kit and maintain it with the maintenance chemicals. you won't waste your weekend that way...unless you don't value your time....I'm a bit biased, of course, but let see some tests...Is Zaino even a polymer? wax? Polish? I can't figure it out...

 

I recently used the Zaino products on my black Crossfire. I have a before and after picture of the swirl marks that were on the drivers side rear column.
http://www.baddass.net/autos/index.htm
Check the first two pictures. I had some horrendus swirl marks that really showed up once I washed all the previous wax off (they also looked pretty bad previous to me washing the wax off). The hood was probably the worst looking part of the car. I applied 2 coats of Z-5 (supposedly made for filling in swirl marks and fine scratches). There is a significant decrease of visible swirl marks. I can only see them in direct sunlight. Sometime soon I'll probably do another coat of Z-5 and finish off with Z-2. I'm pretty happy with it, so far. Hopefully it won't wear off too soon, because it is a pain in the rear to apply multiple coats.
I have no doubt that Crystal Guard works very well, with minimal maintenance being an added bonus. My issue was that the car had swirl marks from the moment I got it, though they were minimal. I'd rather spend my time waxing it, now that I've seen the results of the Z-5, than get a detail shop to use a buffing compound to remove them. Such is the plight of the black car owner. We have to sacrifice time and work to get our cars looking their best, but when they do, they look awesome.

 

mjanowich...after viewing the pictures in your link...i would be pissed at the dealer prep tech who installed / drilled the holes for your rear license plate in to your rear bumper "crooked".


http://www.baddass.net/autos/images/xfire6oclock.jpg

 

I was very pissed. I figured it would be easier for me to fix it than to haul it back to the dealership to have them fix it. They only used 2 screws, so it wasn't that hard to fix after I bought 2 more. The picture at the bottom of my page is what the plate looks like now, which is fairly straight looking to me.

 

Two words - Griot's Garage!

 

Black is very special and should be treated as such, here's my suggestions for the brand new car and its first applications:

- thoroughly wash the car real good.

- clay bar, gotta do it as they sit on the lots for some time, especially our cars.

- Klasse All in One, one coat to clean/polish below the clearcoat.

- Klasse Sealant Glaze, followed by ONE more about 8 hrs later.

- Pinnacle "Souveran" after the second coat of SG.


Now I don't want it to sound like "Z" with all the steps like Diamond Jim spoke about and BTW Diamond Jim, your my hero for saying that as I couldn't agree with your more, especially when you spoke about the "cult" following. I'll take it as far as to say this, "what in the hell is in the Kool-Aid that Sal is serving, geez!?" Now if you like "Z", good for you, but all those steps, inbetween steps, etc is a bit much. I layer my products on as well, but then again, I'm obsessive. Anyways, once your done with my program, just use a quality quick detailer between waxes and your all set. Keep the black car clean, at least once a week, using the quick detailer after every wash or whenever you feel like it. As far as how often you need to wax it, well, I say this, do a major detailing in the early spring, a good coat in the middle of summer and another major detailing in the fall, especially if you drive your car during the winter, most people here don't but put it away clean. If there's any questions, feel free to PM me, I'm willing to help out anyone, check out my sig.

 

Whilst I would second most of Aero Blue's advice, this is the point where it falls down.

Zaino is a decent wax. But...it's more cult than wax, I fear. Souveran is an even better wax. It will give one of best finishes you can get with a wax. (Notice I said 'one of the best'...not the best.) The problem with Souveran is that it is not very durable at all. It is a beauty wax. If you don't mind re-waxing every couple weeks, it's definitely one of the best ways to go. You can't help but be happy with the results you'll get.

Myself, I am at the age where I don't mind the time and effort spent on a weekly hand wash and spritz (done with the proper supplies, of course)...but re-waxing every fortnight has long since become a real drag. Myself, I have lately taken to staying with a strict Klasse AIO and SG finish. After the wash and blow-dry, it usually gets a spritz with either Sonus Glanz or Acrylic Spritz (both of which are specifically formulated for use with the Klasse pair.) About once a month, it instead gets a spritz with an emulsion made with KSG and distilled water mixed at 1:3. This gives and maintains a durable shine that is nearly bulletproof. At present, there is probably 10 layers of KSG on my XF. It reflects like wet glass.

This will let you go at least 6, if not 9 to 12 months between full details. This is in central NC, mind you. If you live in the rust belt....your mileage may vary of course.

If you are just dying for the depth of a wax shine, though, I would follow the advice up to, but short of the Souveran.

(...this is where I am going to utter that other nasty "Z" word...)

Rather than topping with Souveran...only to do it again in two or three weeks...top it with (oh no...he's really going to say it...) either Zymol Carbon, Concours, or Titanium. Carbon is indeed specifically formulated for black paint finishes and will come close to a Souveran finish.

Titanium is as durable a wax as any you'll find. It is a little scary the first time you use it as it must sit for several hours and cure and then be buffed all over again. It won't look at all right until this point...then it will knock your socks off. Concours not quite as durable ...but will out live Souveran several times over. Applied properly (and that is an important distinction), either will give you a finish at least equal to Souveran...if not better. They will take a bit more elbow grease to apply...but you get what you pay for.


...sT

 

Your post was very well presented, well, up to the point where you said something about depth, then you lost me. Its a well know fact, that for depth, you can't beat a quality carnauba for depth. I think people get depth and clarity confused. Clarity is another word for "pop" or "bling" and depth give you that look where you can't see the bottom. I'm a HUGE user of Klasse products, but every so often I add the carnauba to the mix to make my paint look deep. With a black car, this is the only way to go if thats what your lookin' for and Pinnacle products (signature series and Souveran) kick as*. Another good product is S100, same as P21S, but this doesn't last as long, but with its ease of use, who cars (ok, the guy who doesn't have the time, but hey man, make time)! I like your idea about mixing QD, KSG and water, can you drop me a PM with the exact mixture, I'd like to try that.

 

Ummm...errr...as you seem unclear as to the point of things...I'll try to be a bit more direct about it. Each of these Zymol formulations ARE carnauba wax. ALL Zymol preparations are carnauba wax.


Also:
Pinnacle is a respectable product...as I have already said. And, indeed...'it kicks a**'. But only for a matter of days (14 to 20, tops)...then it takes a runner.

The Zymol preparations I mentioned will equal or better a Souveran finish...and (proper application presumed, of course) will last many times longer than the Pinnacle product. But...I am repeating myself, as I've previously said as much.


...sT

 

One thing about these posts is this, when someone asks a question and they get all this info. It gives them many options, that's a good thing.

 

I must be getting old...
I still polish with 3m perfect it foam polishing pad glaze and wax with liquid glass.
the polish looks great if done right and the liquid glass protects it well.

 

From everything I've read, LG gives NO protection. Just using Klasse AIO and SG would be more than enough for any car, even black and since its so easy to use, that's a HUGE bonus!