Convert here from Zaino to Wolf's. While Wolf's is glossier than Zaino, I'm wondering if the Zaino Z5 might be a better choice for my Obsidian in the long run because of its ability to hide swirls and fine scratches? Will see as time passes.

 

I've never really been impressed by Z5's ability to hide swirls...

 

Been using Zaino as well for 10 years. Also experimenting with Z5 on my obsidian and not very impressed so far. It's probably best for mainenance as they have other products that are more abrasive.

I don't think anything will really work until the whole car is professionally detailed first so I might do that before I have paint protection film applied over the whole front end.

 

Z5 isn't an abrasive at all, its supposed to mute the appearance of Swirls, but it doesn't remove swirls.

 

True.
Z5 is said to fill in swirls temporarily.
ZAIO all in one cleaner has fine abrasives and ZPC Fusion is more abrasive with the so called world's first true self-dissolving, fused tri-particulate, diminishing abrasive system.

Z5 is said to look better on dark colors.I don't buy dark colored vehicles so I use Z2 and ZCS and love the products.

 

I used Zaino a long time ago, maybe close to 10 years. I found it was difficult to remove. I've also used Klasse All-In-One, which is a cleaner/sealant, which I found easy to remove. Most recently, I've applied Wolfgang sealant to my vehicles, and it seems to work pretty well.

 

I'm just not so convinced that the newer coatings are not more prone to scratching? My 05 TL has many coats of Zaino and is still in showroom condition. Still willing to give Hardbody a good run, but I know what I've gotten from Zaino in the past. Also waiting for Syd's long term review on 22PLE.

 

None of these coatings are going to protect you from scratching really. They are certainly not more prone to scratching than a carnuaba wax, which definitely offers no scratch protection. Zaino doesn't offer you any scratch protection either.

 

Nothing will prevent swirls. That's what paint protection film (PPF) is for.

This stuff might only hide the small ones.

 

Proper wash technique will prevent swirls...and a well polished and waxed surface will help because it reduces friction on the paint when washing and drying.