Anyone still use Zaino car care products?

[mthiessen]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2025 Platinum to replace my 2005 SR5 V6 4Runner (only 170K miles). I used Zaino for the first decade and loved it, but life got in the way and I didn't keep going with it. Zaino was all the rage back then.

Is there something everyone is using that is less time consuming? It seems all the Zaino posts I read are over 5 years old. I've been off the 4Runner forums for years. So much great information here.

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[JayTech]

Wow I haven't heard anyone mention Zaino in years. Last I remember their products are still good but tend to be on the pricey side. Personally I have stopped doing a full detail on my own vehicles and have since had them professionally PPF'd and ceramic coated. Now I just use Americana Global for the upkeep and maintenance. I still detail peoples vehicles as a side job on weekends where I use Adams or DIY Detail products. Probably my 2 favorite brands for the quality and longevity of the finish.

 

[mthiessen]

Since I posted I have been catching up and it seems ceramics are the way to go. Lasts 3-5 years. Which ones do you like? Do you top coat regularly with anything? Is there any point to claybarring once you have the ceramic on?

 

[Tarekith]

Griots 3 in 1 Ceramic spray. Super easy to apply, lasts 6-8 months easily.

 

[JayTech]

Since I posted I have been catching up and it seems ceramics are the way to go. Lasts 3-5 years. Which ones do you like? Do you top coat regularly with anything? Is there any point to claybarring once you have the ceramic on?

You want to clay bar before you ceramic coat to get all the contaminants off. Once the coating is on, next time you clay bar would essentially be when you reapply the coating. Basically the process would go wash, rinse, iron remover(while wet), let it dwell and do its thing, rinse thoroughly, clay bar(I leave the vehicle wet and use a clay lube to keep lubricated), dry vehicle(I do a second contactless wash just foaming the car, letting it dwell and rinsing to make sure no left over residues then rinse and dry), depending on how bad scratches or swirls are, cut then polish(If very minor swirls or scratches just a good polish), then panel prep to get polish residue off and finally ceramic coat. Once the ceramic coat is on the maintenance washes are just a good foam contactless wash, rinse, then contact wash and dry. Then just a ceramic detailing spray and wipe it off with a microfiber towel as a top coat.

Depending on the ceramic coating kit, they can last anywhere from 6 months-around 18 months(for the really high end ones). They may technically last even longer but I find they lose their effectiveness so I usually recommend once a year applications for the best protection.

 

[JayTech]

I will add, professional/industrial grade ceramic coats are a much superior product and last a lot longer(can range from 5-10 years) with good maintenance. But I do not have access to buying any of those myself(even though I would love to).

 

[windjunkie]

I asked the dealer not to wash and prep and I closely inspected and didn’t have swirls on my paint (silver). Tons of good ceramic coats available. I have several cars that I coated that are holding up fine in the two year range. If you don’t want to go the ceramic coat route the ceramic detail sprays are the way to go. Super easy to apply. I actually apply every wash regardless if coated or not. In the last couple years I got back into detailing cars for fun and there are so many more tools and chemicals available. If there are shops around your area, recommend you find one that will give you good support.

 

[spyder40]

I used Zaino on my 2004 and loved the stuff. Easy to use and worked great. My 2021 and now 2025 I used ceramic Gtechniq CSL and Exo for top coat

 

[mthiessen]

You guys are the best!!! Thanks for updating me on the latest ceramics. I have more to research.

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