hokusbenz

easy question. can i fill up my washer fluid reservoir with the good old blue stuff or do i have to do this custom mix MB specifies in the manual?? what a pain for someting that simple! thanks guys

Lynn

When I took my car in for an early oil change, the dealer filled up the winshield washer fluid resevevoir with blue stuff.

The MB fluid works much, much better, but it strips my Zaino.

Nola

The warning message comes on when the washer fluid reservoir goes below 1/3 full. Mine came on last night, but I will wait until it runs out completely before I refill with blue stuff... don't want a weird mix lurking in there and I'll be able to evaluate the difference right away.

toki999

i like the new pinkish/purplish one....smells better =)

kiki

young

i replaced mine w/ the blue or pink stuff (forget which) b/c it kept eating away the zaino!

avlis

I emptied the tank (man there's a lot in there) last week and refilled with the cheap blue stuff. The MB fluid is like paint thinner and leaves a nasty residue where the wiper blade stops at the driverside A-pillar.

Someday I'll get around to the Zaino....

Lynn

I never use the washers because I don't want to strip the Zaino, but I still get that residue near the A pillar. I was thinking it was from the wiper blade.

dswildfire

what's zaino?

TimmyC230boy

Zaino is one of the best care car products lines on the market. do a search for Zainos.

awiner

Zaino Polish

mdp c230k

Having your Zaino (is that what the kids are calling it these days!) stripped sounds painful!

Lynn

I'm no kid. It is painful, cause I have to put it on again.

le848dave

I'm curious on this Zaino stuff...obviously you are recommending it...just a few ?s

How well does it last (besides the washer fluid stripping it) and how easy is it to apply/maintain? I've been using Maguiers (I never could spell it though, but I think that's right) on all the cars I've ever owned (granted I'm 24 so that means only five cars) because that's what my dad always used and why mess w/ tradition. Anyway, just wondering and would love some real world info before I switch.

BTW, I'm in MI so it's got to be something that'll stand up through winter since I can't really wash much in sub-freezing temps which seems like 90% of the year sometimes!

dave

Lynn

I put mine on in November and it still vead well and lloks great. Initial use can be a pain, but it is easy to maintain. First you need to was the car with dish detergent to remove the old wax, and road grime. If you have imbedded contaminants, you may need to clay the car. Zaino makes a good clay bar. I haven't used it since my car was new. If you clay Z-6 should be used as a lubricant. Z-6 smells like grape candy.

Z-1 Polish Lok is used to bond the Z-2 (or Z-5 if you have swirls to hide) to the paint. A little Z-1 goes a very, very long way. The Z-1 does not have to dry before applying Z-2 or Z-5. Use Z-2/Z-5 sparingly also. It goes on very easily, and can be applied in direct sun. After it dries, buff off with cotton or micrifiber towels. It comes of easily. In low temps the drying time can be many hours. Depending on temp wait 6 to 24 hours to apply another coat. Use Z-6 Gloss Enhancer between coats of Z-2/Z-5 for more depth. Z-6 is also a great quick detailer spray.

A new product called ZFX will greatly reduce the drying time of Z-2/Z-5.

http://www.zainobros.com/files/info.htm

The are FAQ's and Tips and Tricks on the site. They have very few retailers, so you will probably have to order by mail; checks and money orders only, no credit cards.

schwarz c230

I put some Zaino on my wifes car about 5 months ago, it last better than anything I have ever used, and it will out last wax, after you prep your car this stuff is very easy to apply and remove, on my new C230 I like to keep it really shiny, and the more coats of polish you apply the more depth you get, it only takes about one hour to apply and remove one coat, not including the half hour of wait time after applying, and the spray polish is great for removing water spots

le848dave

Ok, another question. (or two)

I'm sure our cars have a clear coat on them, but just want to verify w/ you guys that this is true. Secondly, in the tips and tricks it says to apply the show car polish to wheels, metal, chrome, painted parts and plastic lenses...is this true? That means to rub it onto everything but the glass on the car? That would be great sine I have a tendency to get all into the cracks and such, but this can't be true can it? Also, do you guys recommend their leather treatments or should I go somewhere else?

Basically, I'm going for it...got a new c230 so I figure I'll skip the clay bar, but what else besides Z1, Z2 and Z6 would you recommend? This is my first car w/ leather so I have no idea what to do there and would appreciate any tips.

BTW, thanks very much for the info so far...if it works half as well as you say I'll be completely satisfied.

dave

Lynn

I wash the car with Z-7 Show Car Wash. I bought Z-16 Tire Gloss bought I haven't used it yet. I also bought Z-14 Plastic-Magic Cleaner and Polish to remove swirls and scratchs from the hard plastic such as the exterior of the B pillars and the Lexan rear window. I haven't used it yet because I don't have any swirls in them. Z-12 Glass Polish works great to get the film off the inside of the windows, but is the only Zaino product that is damned hard work to use.

I have not heard good thing about the leather care products from Zaino. The Meguiars leather wipes are good as are Lexol products.

Buy Z-1, Z-2, Z-6 and Z-7. Maybe Z-16. Buy the other stuff if and when you need it.

You can use Z-2 on everything listed. Definitely use it on the wheels. The brake dust won't stick as badly and will be easier to clean.

schwarz c230

I would buy the ZFX you wont need the Z1, the ZFX is a huge time saver you add few drops to the Z2, or Z5 if you swirls. my advice is Z2 high gloss polish
Z5 swirl removal
Z6 gloss enhacer
Z7 wash
ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator half hour wait not of hours

le848dave

Thanks for the tips everyone....I think I'll try out that glass cleaner. It always drives me nuts w/ that haze on the glass...I can't imagine what it would look like if I were a smoker.

dave

viper

How is this possible ? The spray jets should be aiming at your windshield. If you have overspray on your paint adjust the jets so this does not happen.

young

although the main jets spray onto the glass, the angle of impact creates a fine mist (overspray) that goes all over panoramic glass roof. when i wipe it off, the zaino comes right off also.

i don't think sal knows that ammonia based cleaners strip the zaino.

Lynn

It is the alcohol in the MB washer fluid which strips Zaino. The winter washer fluid sold at Wal-mart etc will also strip Zaino.

TimmyC230boy

kinda off topic but i keep a "crash cart" if you will in the back of the Coupe. I keep a bottle of stoners glass cleaner, small bottle of simple green, and a small bottle of tire gloss. As well as a few towels to clean stuff off with. I have found that even if the car is dirty a nice clean set of rims and shiny tires will do wonders. lol
PS I clayed my car this weekend with ,others clay bar and its awesome. Then I followed up with 4 coats of polish, and 3 coats of wax. the cars looks wonderful, I also took the whels off and gave the insides a good scrubing and a heavy waxing.

WebGuyNJ

I use this one too, Its made by Rainex. Gee I love rainex!!!