Here's a few quick pics I took today...

Washed with Zaino system, car looks new. Under the hood, she's gone through a total restoration - no expense spared!



http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1843/img33003qu0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/1699/img330323ty7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/4952/img330923li9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/7769/img33113go7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/6197/img3313fr7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/2913/img33163xy5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/644/img33173ry8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1497/img33192jc7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3386/img3320qf0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/2736/img33223xv5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/8681/img3324mn3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6273/img33323px2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/1051/img33333qi1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1360/img3335pp8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/1463/img3336xu0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/1655/img333723kd9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/2101/img33382bl3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3740/img3343yw8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/7913/img33443tn7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nice, really nice

very clean man...so what's your cleaning process?

wash, shampoo, polish, claybar, and wax on top?

Just interested to know how you got er so nice looking.

Agreed.........really NICE black car..........hard to keep em clean though......

Looooooooks Good! Zaino products?

IMO would look better minus the V8 badge in the grille...but either way beautiful car :drool:

The car is stunning. I would loose the V8 badge thou.

I agree, loose all the badges except the bmw ones, thats the way my car is

gorgeous car!! well done

I agree about v8 badges, better without.

I might remove the V8 badges. I've been thinking about it for a while now.

Yeah. Do it!!!

I might remove the V8 badges. I've been thinking about it for a while now.The one on the trunk looks cool to me, The grill looks a little? Did you know you've got Brembo Calipers up front? Put some Brembo Decals on them! http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=brembo+decal&category0= (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-1751-2978-71/1?AID=5463217&PID=2518995&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%2Fsearch%2Fsearch .dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm37%26satitle%3Dbrem bo%2Bdecal%26category0%3D)=

I removed the V8 emblem from the front yesterday. Looks better perhaps.

Hey 8eights, hell yeah! I appreciate the decal link, I'm gonna go for it!

Just installed new brakes/rotors, too bad the Rotex Golds are a little squeaky after burn in. A few 100 miles and the sound will go away. But in the meantime :(

I have stock Euro pads, A little more dust but they never squeal and are rotor friendly!

I like stock pads since they are quiet but the dust is a little annoying.

I slapped in Rotex Golds on my old 750, and the dust vanished. The squeal did too after a few 100 miles.

The squeal that I get now is very slight every now and then. Not bad, but not like OEM at this point. I've got less than 50 miles on these Rotex pads.

an ///M grill badge would look nice however (had to look at your pics again as I'm considering the lip spoiler)

Koizumi,
Awesome Bro... absolutely spotless. Great big smile for you ...
YO,
Rod

*BEEP* Please leave a message, Koizumi is currently at the window with a pellet gun hunting birds attamting to fly near his car.

Press one to leave a mess....... lol


Nice job

Very,VERY nice. I would remove all badges. Super clean- you put a grin on several here! Congrats

very nice and clean.... will be nice with a csi kit

I printed the pics of your car and put them around my stall in the garage where project ditch diver is to keep me motivated. Way to go, Koizumi!!

Lookin' good!!!! Or should I say GREAT!!!,AWESOME!!!...It's like lookin' in mirror...:D

Thanks for all the compliments :beer :beer :beer

This thread is actually an old thread brought back from the dead (necro-posting :D) so here are some more recent pics:

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1922/img33853vi9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/2676/img34622bd2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/1787/img4612jn2.jpg

Koizumi,

These pics of your ride look fantastic. Tell me about the Zaino products. Where to get and the process you used to make your car gleam like that? What other products did you use and how much time did you spend on it?

Yo Bro,
Rod

Koizumi,

These pics of your ride look fantastic. Tell me about the Zaino products. Where to get and the process you used to make your car gleam like that? What other products did you use and how much time did you spend on it?


The Zaino system works wonders. http://www.zainostore.com/

My car had swirls in the black paint when I got it. So, something needed to be done...

The Zaino system works like this:


For the very first time you use the Zaino system, extra steps must be taken.

1.Wash the car with Dawn soap. Yup, Dawn. It removes all previous wax residue(s).

2. Zaino Clay Bar treatment. Takes time to do it right, approx. 30 minutes.

3. Wash with Z-7 Car Wash, 10 min.

4. Slap on Z-5 Swirl remover, 10 min.

5. Mix ZF-X Flash Cure Additive with Z-2 Pro Car Polish, 5 minutes.

6. Slap on multiple layers of Z-2 Pro Car Polish. I did 5 coats. In between each layer of Z-2, spray a fine mist of Z-6 Gloss Enhancer. 1 hour

Done!

You only have to do this all one time to set up your car paint and Zaino products. Basically, this whole procedure allows the car paint and Zaino to crosslink, creating a 3-D gloss like no tomorrow.

***To maintain the look, wash your car with Z-7 Car Wash and then spray a coat of Z-6 Gloss Enhancer. That's it. Car paint stays looking like new. Total time is a quick 30 minutes from start to finish.

Wheels are kept clean by rubbing on Wheel Wax once every 4 months. This stuff keeps all dirt from sticking to them. It also helps to use Rotex Gold Dustless Brake Pads.

Interior is cleaned with diluted Armor All every few weeks. Seats are oiled with the best stuff around, the Zaino Leather Conditioner. http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-10&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=15 It is not oily and is the only product I've found that smells like actual leather. I apply this lotion once a week.

I highly recommend Zaino. I've been using it with 100% success for years now (black cars, silver cars, white car, blue car). In my opinion, nothing works as well. There's no wax, it is a polymer-based 3D crosslinking system.

You can get a complete Zaino kit, that's the best way to go. Get everything you need to prime & then maintain your car paint:

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=ZKIT-1&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=21

Cheers

PS. You will be kicking yourself as to why you didn't buy & apply this system a long time ago.

+1
Excellent Post!

I hear you 8eights... Koizumi should get a cut from Zaino Products for the pics and the post... I'm ordering the big kit for my dear wifes black 7... but I'll test it out on my 8 first... of course.

Yo,
Rod

Thats one crisp car, respect for keeping it that way

I'm going to try this. Thanks for the post.

Just passing through from the e34 board. Beautiful car! Mind if I stop and drool for a minute?

Just passing through from the e34 board. Beautiful car! Mind if I stop and drool for a minute?
I see your E34 is parked in front of an E31... LOL

I see your E34 is parked in front of an E31... LOL

:lol



Thank you. Nice E34 BTW. I've always wanted a 540 in that color.


Zaino should kick down some $ :D

Anthracite? ... The E34. One of my favorite colors too, for most any car.

Just a quick question. Did you use a buffer or did you complete this job by hand.
Thanks

Just a quick question. Did you use a buffer or did you complete this job by hand.
Thanks


All by hand. No need to use a buffer since you do not have to rub any of the Zaino products. You just apply, wait 'til dry and then wipe off with a clean towel.

The first-time application process takes some effort due to all of the steps involved. But after that, you'll never need to go thru all those steps again.

Cheers

BEAUTIFUL!!!! :D

Man, I know it takes a lot of work to keep her that pretty. I've owned 18 cars in my life and 5 of those were black. It sucked because I'm anal about how clean my cars are. I'm a Zaino fan as well....although I've gotten some pretty good results with Meguiars products too. Got any engine pics and more of the interior?

you mentioned the car had a swirl issue to start--can you expand on what you did to get rid of them--it is an issue i havent been able to solve--but i havent used the brand you suggested. my thanks for the great post--and the amazing detail job you have done!! robert

wonderful finish--can you tell me why you used the clay-just wonder if that is only if you feel residue? also why dilute the armor all-just curious? both my cars have minor swirling on the hood-my red--actually slightly cloudy also--cant see in full sun--but inside its there--you think this procedure takes out the swirls and cloudyness?? appreciate you going over your porcedure--i will follow your lead

First off, in order to apply the Zaino system on your car, it must first be prepped or primed with a clay bar after washing with Dawn soap (which removes previous waxes). The clay bar treatment opens up the pores, if u will, of the paint to get it ready to absorb the synthetic polymer structure. It is a necessary first step in the first time application of this system. You never have to repeat this again.

There are 2 kinds of Zaino swirl removers available. One is an abrasive solution that should only be applied to serious swirls. This is called Z-PC. The other, which is the one that I used, is not an abrasive. It's called Z-5. I applied 3 coats of Z-5 (wipe on, let dry, wipe off--repeat). Please note that after using either of these 2 swirl removers, you will need to apply Z-2 Polish. The rule is: first the swirl remover, then the Z-2 polish.

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-PC&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=6

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-5&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=10

You should give this stuff a try. My E31 is black and as such, it is a swirl magnet. It's also a girl magnet :D

Cheers

Koizumi...thanks for the info about the swirl removal...was going to ask too. Going to give the Z-5 a try. Does it remove it or just covers it and need to keep reapplying this every time need to polish? I was planning to get a professional remove it...but might just give this a try. Thanks!

she looks great keep it up

Koizumi...thanks for the info about the swirl removal...was going to ask too. Going to give the Z-5 a try. Does it remove it or just covers it and need to keep reapplying this every time need to polish? I was planning to get a professional remove it...but might just give this a try. Thanks!

Good news, neither of the two Zaino swirl removers are "covers" that are colored.


she looks great keep it up

:D

sorry for all the questions-but so impressed with your car--can you tell me the size and make of the tires and rims--and on the interior--anything special you do besides the diluted armor all--i assume on all non-leather--and the zaino leather product?? thanks for your help--been looking for these answers for years--finally found a car done like i dream. by the way i ordered the entire zaino package you suggested-plan to follow your exact plan-thanks again robert

You will be very pleased with the Zaino. The first time application process is somewhat long--but worth it. You only have to go thru all of those steps once. Make sure that you do at least 3 coats of the Z-5 first, then 5 coats of the Z-2. The more you layer the Z-2, the more the shine will be insane on your ride.

The wheels are BMW M-Parallel (aka Style 37) staggered sizes 18x8 and 18x9.5 Tires are Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S 245/40 front & 275/35 rear. I recommend using dustless pads such as Rotex Gold (they are semi-metallic but don't eat away at your rotors). I also use Wheel Wax once every 4 months on the wheels. Dust doesn't stick to the wheels. Very nice.

Nothing else special with the interior. I dilute the Armor All with a little water so that it's not too oily. Leather is maintained once a week with the Zaino leather stuff.

Cheers :beer

Just a follow up-my thanks Koizumi for all the info. i bought the zaino package-and followed your plan--My 1989 porche 930 has had some bad details which created swirl, small scratches, and cloudyness on the hood. yesterday i got 4 coats of z5 done with z6 between each coat. without question the cloudyness is gone, and swirls and scratches almost gone. Not sure if you have a suggestion for the lingering scratches? But today i go to the Z2 coats-i think i will do 5 like you did-and hopefull it will hide more of the scratches. overall with only the dawn wash, zaino wash, clay procedure, and 4 z5--the finish looks the best ever--cant wait to see what 5 Z2 coats will do. thanks again-i will post pictures when i finish--if it only comes close to your result i will be thrilled!!

Walter,

Are the multiple coats per instructions, or did you feel that your finish warranted them?

Yo,
Rod

zaino suggests 1-3 coats of Z5 based on the level of swirls or scratches. unfortunately so far with 4 coats it has a lot gone-but i still see quite a bit. of course i was hoping, perhaps unrealistically they would all disappear. i have my 5th coat of Z5 on the hood and couple other spots which are still showing some small scratches--but i guess i will move on to Z2 next. The finish right now looks wonderful and does feel like glass-and Zaino states Z2 will take it up to another level-with higher sheen and mirror than Z5---should be interesting.

I meant to ask Koizumi--you didnt mention Z-8 the grand finale spray sealer--just wonder if thats just overkill or if you felt finishing with Z-2 did the job. your car is inspirational-so not suggesting it needs a thing--but wonder what you thought-

Great updates Walter! Keep'um coming, Thanks!

Hi Walter, the Z-8 is overkill for the most part. And it's hard to wipe off without leaving a little cloudiness/swirlies. What I do is spray Z-6 between each coat of Z-2 (recommended by Zaino). For maintenance, all's you need is a Car Duster and a quick spray of the Z-6. BTW, you will see a huge difference in shine/gloss once you start using the Z-2. It really really takes the car to a whole new level far beyond the Z-5 appearance.

If you still have swirls, you can try the Z-PC. It is a last resort since it is a mild abrasive (Z-5 is not an abrasive). I've used it on a '00 Jetta and also on a '91 750iL. Both cars were black with serious swirls. Pooof! The swirls were gone. Anyhow, it is wise to start with Z-5. If that did not do the trick after 5 applications, try the Z-PC.

Your initial efforts will pay off! Once you complete all of these steps, you won't have to repeat them.

Best regards and please post pics when you feel like you've achieved your goal :)

Ok thanks Koizumi--i likely should have used the Z-Pc up front instead of 5 coats of z-5. the testimonials on the zaino site really seem to indicate this z-pc works wonders which comfirm your comments. i hate to rip off all my work-but perhaps it makes sense to eliminate the scratches for good. I have one other question if you dont mind--what do you use for the non metal exterior parts--moldings-bumpers-anything special?. I started on the interior of the porche and you sure are right on the leather treatment--my seats never looked so good. thanks for all the help!!

For the door handles and moundlings (if they are black plastic), give Forever Black a shot. It's not a silicone-based treatment, it is permanent. My old faded dull door handles look brand new now. There's nothing better out there. You can get this stuff at Bavauto.com for less than $13.

Cheers :D

Koizumi,

When you did the Night Shade... did you do it on the car or remove the lenses?

Yo,
Rod

I removed the FTPs. For the side markers, I removed the rubber gasket and masked the area. They're easy to remove, but in my case, I chose not to.

Koizumi,

How hard is it to remove the FTP's?

Yo,
Rod

as hard as the http I guess :p

seriously though, what are the ftp's?

as hard as the http I guess :p

seriously though, what are the ftp's?


Flash To Pass (BMW calls them the "Illumination Panel" - I guess that would be the "IP" then....)

The FTPs are easy to take out. Just remove the "grill thing" right next to it first. You'll see what I mean when you make the attempt. Piece of cake.

Koizumi, back to swirl question and Z-PC. i talked to Mr Zaino today, and he mirrored your comments on my swirl issue. I wonder when you used it on your Jetta and 750--did you do it by hand or with a machine? Mr. Zaino suggested better result using a machine--but since i have never used an abrasive with a polish machine--a little scared i will tear it up. i went ahead today and ordered the Z-PC-and kind of what you say will dictate what worked well for you. i regret all the Z-5 coats i put on--but not most of the car doesnt have swirls-mostly the hood and bumpers. thanks for your help

I have no experience with using a machine; and, I'd be a little scared to get my 1st time practice with a mild abrasive. I used the Z-PC by hand on the Jetta & 750 with tremendous success (swirls were totally gone).

It's good you tried the 5 coats of Z-5 first before trying the Z-PC. No regrets, you took the appropriate safe route. My E31 still has a trace amount of swirls, but it is hardly noticeable and as such, it does not warrant the use of Z-PC at this time. In the future, I might do a Z-PC layer--but only because I'm a perfectionist.

Cheers