Meguiars vs Zaino
 

Which one do you think has better products and why? Is one proven to be better or is just a matter of personal preference?

They both seem very good, and are being tested at this site:
http://www.thewaxtest.com./

You are asking a good question, but i have a variation to it that most people will enjoy. in brief terms: BOTH!

first, you need the entire zaino system, z1, z2, z5, z6, etc. dont be cheap and skip out on some of the products, or your results will show.

2nd, you need meguiars deep paint cleaner and swirl remover

*both systems have there advantage: *

1) meguiars is good for removing heavy oxidatizion, swirl marks, light-medium scratches and other defects. BUT lack the reflection, clarity, and long lasting

2) Zaino is good in long lasting, clarity, reflection, etc. BUT its terrible in removing heavy oxidization, heavy to deep swirls, etc.

So depending on how your current finish is, you might need both. 2 times a year i will do this to my cars:

1) wash with dawn, then claybar

2) wash with dawn again. then use meguiars paint cleaner, then use swirl remover. use a orbital buffer, it makes a difference!

3) wash car with dawn again to remove any residue, water marks, etc. then use z1, z2, z5, z2, etc. etc.

follow the zaino system to the letter! it will take me a long time to type it out, but use z6 between coats, wait 24 hrs for it to cure before the next coat, etc. etc. etc.

*NOTE, if you do this, your car will look very very good. bling bling! but if your lazy or do not want to spend a lot of $ on products, then this method is not for you.

Once you get your car up and running, periodically apply a coat of z5 and z2. If you maintain your finish oxidization and swirls will not be as much of a problem so you can omit the meguiars part of the detailing.

You can also substitute meguiars with griots garage polishes. the machine polish 2 and 3 is good for removing oxidization, scratches, swirls, etc.

feedback anyone?

I'm sorry; I appreciate the fact that Meguiar's sponsors this site, but for the second time, I've done the whole clay, #9, #7, #26, and Final Inspection routine, and within a week of completion, parking under oak trees (big trees, full shade, no heat on car body) when it's happened to rain has resulted in stains in my white paint from, for lack of a better description, "tree dirt" or "leave dirt". I'm not using Meguiar's again--as far as I'm concerned, it's a waste of time. Sure, it looks nice, but, in my experience, offers no protection.

Even before this last go around, I had been considering trying Zaino. It certainly wouldn't be any more work. I have two questions for Zaino users: (a) how well does it protect against the elements and (b) does using it complicate body work should, God forbid, my car ever needs to be touched up? I have understood that some of the products (Liquid Glass, Nu-whatever it's called in the orange bottle, etc., ????) make repainting extraordinarily difficult.

Thanks for your input on this.

Dfndr:

You might check through the wax test site above. If it is protection you want, P21S seemed to be about the top performer. Zaino and Mequiars are being re-tested with several others on a side-by-side basis, and the long term results on the re-tests aren't in. Based on the first go round, I will probably prep with Mequiars, but use P21S wax.

The body shop I have been using for a lot of years is not real keen on Zaino, Der Stuff, and a few others as they claim it makes repainting a pain and doesn't offer a lot of long term protection. I want to see the Wax Test results before I judge. However, I don't think that much out there does a real good job protecting from certain tree saps, bird mess, or reclaimed irrigation water! (I used Der Stuff for many years, then had the car machine polished to remove the long term oxidation!) Detailing shops I have used in the past say to avoid trees and sprinkler systems like the plague!

I think its all matter of personal preference and conviction ...

I think these are 2 different products based on your expectations and application.
Meguiars
Probably the best conventional wax out there. Nice shine, easy to apply and like all waxes, doesn't last long. I use this on my wife's minivan and it's fine. Next, we have Zaino, only use this product if you;
a) Enjoy a rich deep shine to your paint
b) Find spending time with your car enjoyable and almost therapeutic
c) Improving the way your paint looks deeper and deeper with every application.
d) Want a finish that stands up to bird crap, rock salt and tree sap
e) Don't mind spending a few bucks, because your car is worth it

I have been using Zaino for 3 years now and in my humble opinion blows away all the top brands out there.

Zaino vs. Meguirs:
I'm a long-time fan of Meguir's 3-step process but also park my car 100% out doors. (older "character" homes don't come with 3-car attached garages.)
'Appreciating ECLASS's excellent first-hand opinions, it can't help but we wondered if most of you pamper your Benz indoors at night???

Mine's in at night but out during the day--and that's the problem I've found with Meguiars: it doesn't seem to protect one whit. With Meguiar's my car looks shiney and new (it's a '92), but I'm not getting any protection, which is why I'm exploring the Zaino alternative.

Again, given what you have to do with Meguiar's--which is really a four- (Final Inspection) or five-step (clay) process--it doesn't seem to me that Zaino would be any more work. It sounds like it goes on and off a heck of a lot easier than Meguiar's #s 9&7 do.

Thanks to all those who've provided input on this subject.

I have used:

Zymol Auto Bathe: nice but Mequirs Gold Class is comparable.

Zymol HD Cleanse: works great, easy to apply and take off. Does not do much on swirl marks.

Zymol Carbon: nice product but it is excercise to apply, no chalky residue...pricey....does not last too long.

3M: swirl remover (dark cars), gloss enhancer, imperial paste glaze-all the 3M products contain mineral oil and this makes it wierd. The wax and gloss enhancer take alot of polishing. The swirl remover did not do much. Does not last long.

Meguiars; cleaner wax, show car glaze, final inspection,-ok, easy to apply but leaves chalky residue and does not last long.

I want to try next:

P21S Cleaner wax
P21S Multi Cleaner
P21S Concourse Carnuba

Zaino Brothers (do I need the Z-2 or Z-3?)

James, for Zaino you need Z1, Z2 and I recommend Z6 detail spray. Save yourself the money and make Zaino your next purchase