Z2 or Z3? As a Zaino customer myself, (bought some to evaluate) I bought both types. Sal's recommendation is Z2 for clearcoat, Z3 for non-clearcoat, I would take him at his word.
Blue Vs Erazer, I have evaluated both. Both do an excellent job, I believe Erazer will last longer because it's made of a firmer material.
Zaino VS Collinite, There are more fans of Zaino on this list than any other product, but in my own test and another person's testing, we have found no real noticable differences in short term testing. Several others see what they believe is a huge difference. I think it comes down to personal preference with (for me) Collinite taking fewer steps for identical results. If you have already spent a small fortune on other wax/polish products, you might as well try both of these!
In my opinion, after using Collinite and doing some testing of my own, Collinite does not stand above most other carnauba waxes I have tried. I found that Boyds UltraViolet wax had better durability than Collinite as far as standing up to Dawn washes and clay scrubs but neither even approached Zaino's performance in either test.. A Dawn wash doesn't appear to affect the water beading or appearance of Zaino in the least. Try a Dawn wash and see for yourself how the water bead test turns out. Identical results? Nope.
As I have said before, you can get an awesome shine using Meguiars #7 but there's no protection. The protection/durability characteristics of the carnauba products I have tried, including Collinite, don't even come close to what I have seen with Zaino. There is a difference!
If I were selling a carnauba product, the best sales tactic I could possibly imagine I'd use would be to ride the coat tails of Zaino and say that Zaino is good, but "XYZ" is good too. That wouldn't be brainlessly cutting Zaino and killing my credibility with people who like Zaino but I would promote my stuff. Make sense?
Personally, I don't care if everybody here used buggy wax bought from Joe Blow's Buggy Repair and applied it with 400 grit sand paper and removes it with polyester leisure suitcoats instead of cotton towels. That's your choice. I just feel that you should be able to decide to use buggy wax and sand paper based on the TRUTH.
I have no vested financial intersest in any product that has EVER been mentioned in this or any other forum I frequent. I just try to help people make an educated decision based on the honest and very repeatable real world results of my use and testing of the products involved. If that steps on toes, then so be it.
There is NO "Cadillac" or "Lexus" of Nissans, just as there is NO "Zaino" of carnaubas based on my experience and you don't get a Cadillac or a Lexus when you buy a Nissan. You don't get Zaino when you buy carnauba, PERIOD. What you buy is what you get. There is a difference!
that someone else sees what I see in Shoman. I was feeling a bit lonely there for a while. =(
Glad to hear that you tested the Collinite for yourself Chris...guess I won't waste the money to test it myself. I will just stay with my tried and true Zaino!
Something is wrong here. I tried the Zaino and I love it, true. But you guys are jumping all over shoman for absolutely no reason. So much so, in fact, that it is easy to question your motives. He has done nothing to push Collinite as far as I am concerned. Compared to what everyone on this board says about Zaino (esp. you two -- Chris & Rob), he hasn't done anything. You are both dead wrong to jump all over him. Yeah, Zaino is great stuff and I plan on using it for the forseeable future, but you two are doing a disservice to everyone on this board (and Zaino) by jumping all over shoman. So please, STOP IT! You are both making me want to puke. Dave
Chris: "There is NO "Cadillac" or "Lexus" of Nissans, just as there is NO "Zaino" of carnaubas based on my experience and you don't get a Cadillac or a Lexus when you buy a Nissan."
I get the point. We make our choice My friends have both Zaino and Collinite, and they are willing to let me use both. Since my new car haven't done any waxing. I am going to try both and decide myself. Thank you for all the insights
I have just accepted the position of moderator on another website (this makes three) and due to my expanding responsibilities on those sites I am having to re-evaluate my time spent on websites that are not included in my daily chores. I am spending WAY too much time on web forums that I could be using for more productive things like applying coat #19 or actually driving my Trans Am instead of pecking away at this keyboard until bed time every night. :-)
I have been mulling this over for about a week but I have decided that I will not be visiting the edmunds forum every day any more. I may drop in during the weekend occasionally and see what's going on if time permits. I have really enjoyed this forum but the days seem to get shorter and my list of things to do gets longer. I know some of you can relate to this. ;-)
If you have a question, product or problem you'd like my opinion or advice on just drop me an e-mail. I'll be glad to help. :-)
Thanks for all the hours and hours and hours and hours of fun! :-)
so that means that Shoman will be regarded as the resident "Expert" here? Uh, no thanks.
Chris....your gone, I'm gone. Please email me regarding the websites you host. They have to be better than this one!
I just can't believe that more people here can't see what is really going on here with Shoman. And how quickly people forget. Go back and read some of the old posts people. Your new resident "expert" recommends that you use Dishwashing soap to wash your cars, and claims it doesn't remove any wax!!! He recommends using a REFRIGERATOR BRUSH to clean your wheels, and it won't scratch!! He makes claims here like "Collinite will last 3 months or more even in severe midwestern weather" but on his own website says he has never seen ANY wax last much more than a month!! He GUARANTEED everyone here that he applied Zaino EXACTLY as Sal Zaino had instructed...then we find out that he DID NOT! Then he says that John from Erazer confirmed Shomans comments that a Clay bar WILL NOT REMOVE WAX from a car!!! JOHN HIMSELF came on to Edmunds and made a post that COMPLETELY CONTRADICTED WHAT SHOMAN SAID JOHN SAID!!! There was NO room for a "misunderstanding" here. John said in no uncertain terms that Clay would EASILY remove wax from a car!
After all the above, (and there is alot more that I have not mentioned) people here still seem to think that Shoman knows what he is talking about!!
Somebody was talking about feeling like puking. Well, I feel like screaming and pulling all the hair out of my head. I simply DO NOT UNDERSTAND how people here still think Shoman gives good advice or credible information.
Good luck with your new "expert". He may have 30 years of experience, but unfortunately his techniques and advice are 30 years old as well!
try to understand, this "thing" I have with Shoman has NOTHING to do with Zaino! Heck, according to Shoman and others, he has never said anything negative about Zaino! Right?
It is Shomans ADVICE and CREDIBILITY that I HIGHLY question. Read my post above, as well as the prior posts here from about mid January on. I think it will be clear to you then.
#368 In prior takes or posts, it is clear to even the casual observer that Shoman has real problems admitting when he is wrong, especially when he has asserted something that is untrue.(This in independent and not related to whether or not Zaino or Collinite is better or worse.)
The best that he has done with this, is to modify his position and say well,... yes after extensive angst and testing... yada yada yada.(Actually meaning: better not press this bold face untruth too far, and just drop it and cover my tracks.And folks will forget, especially if I am nice.)
In my opinion it is far easier to say; hey I was wrong and then move on.
At the very least folks will respect the fact that one can recognize reality.
While it is prudent to take what is said with a grain of salt, I take no offense when Rob360 needs a 10# bag. One never wants to be around a 10# problem with only a 5# bag.
I would like to thank everyone for their comments I will be taking delivery of a black m roadster in the next two weeks. I went to the Zaino page and - I am sure it fixes all ills, snake bites, and will cure impotence. :-) Question: How soon do you apply this stuff to a new car? Does it protect the finish - not just polish it - is there any data out there that would say what is the most used product? Any negatives of applying it? Thanks everyone again. tim.
It certainly is amazing. I have found in life that it is often very easy to completely misinterpret something someone has said based upon your emotional state at the time. It appears that Rob (and others) have misinterpreted what you have said over and over again. Even if they hadn't, who really cares? This is car wax, for god's sake! OK, now my car is shiny and protected with Zaino. Before this, it was shiny and protected with Zymol. Maybe next time it will be shiny and protected with Collinite! So what? And who gives a damn where I buy it from? Which reminds me, shoman. Since you won't be using the rest of your Zaino (cause you like Collinite better), can I buy the remainder from you? If that question is subsequently answered in the affirmative by shoman, will he be accused of being a Zaino shill since he sold some? There is alot of good advice here given by alot of different folks -- I personally don't care what they sell, what their web site says or anything else. I am fully capable of evaluating information I obtain and making informed judgements based upon that. The responsibility for the consequences of any actions I take based on my judgement rests solely with me. So, you see Rob, it doesn't matter what shoman says or sells, or what you or Chris say or sell, an adult with free will and half a brain will make their own decision. I like Zaino alot, but personally am VERY glad that shoman is here presenting an alternative viewpoint. It gets awfully boring otherwise. I suggest to you Rob, that it is a good thing that you are leaving this forum to go hang around wherever Chris is -- you seem way to personally involved in this, to the point of being obsessive. Dave
tmeyers: you can wax/polish as soon as you drive the car from the dealer to your driveway. Yes, Zaino protects the finish as well as make it shine.
As far as data on what is the "most used product," well, I'd wonder about the utility about such a stat (I'm assuming you mean most used brand). The least common denominator is rarely the best item. Budweiser is (I believe) the most widely sold beer in the US, but it's basically on a par with urine (no beer wars, please, it's just an analogy).
tmeyers, From what I recall when talking to Sal Zaino, you don't have to wait. You can put zaino on immediately. BTW, thanks for leaving Rob. I have two children to care for and only a limited time to read these postings. Relax ...... it's wax we are discussing not life threatening issues like cancer , heart disease, AIDS, diabetes etc... I bought Zaino and am waiting for my new Odyssey to arrive to try it out and I am sure I will love it like everyone else in this forum. We can disagree but should act civil. Sorry to see you go Chris. I will be glad to follow you where ever you post comments- just e-mail me if you have the time to tell me your new location.
stillwater - thanks for the analogy - I guess I didn't mean most used brand to the general public - maybe for folks who show their cars in competitions etc... I guess it really doesn't matter that much. Just wondering if any of you gals and guys out there who actually do take a car to a show have talked around a bit to your fellow car jocks who are also showing their car. And yes - sorry for the repetitiveness - I had to read back about 200 messages or so - and found my question answered - but thanks for the input.
While reading I also saw the back n' forth postings of Don and Rob. Both of these guys are pretty intense about this topic - which I think is cool. So go ahead guys - it's better than going postal!! excuse the pun... tim
dsomers, I may want to sell the Zaino in the future, but not now, I am not done with my own evaluation. Waiting for better weather to have a "session" with a couple of cars and see how it goes.
I have used Prestone InstaTrack on my wheels this winter. It helped me on icy roads. However when I first sprayed it on the tires, it leaked onto the clearcoat rims. I was supposed to wipe it off, but it was cold and the stuff froze to the rims. Then it dried and turned into brown ,tar-like goo.
I finally took it off with help of WD-40 and Clay Magic. It took a lot of rubbing. While all the tar-like stuff is gone, there are yellowish spots on the clearcoat aluminum surface of my wheels, where the InstaTrack goo used to be. You have to look hard to see them but they are there.
Any idea if there is any way to get these spots out?
Wow, I think I wandered into WWIII here. I have no idea what's going on with those two guys. I am new to this topic, and I have two simple (I hope) questions. What is a Dawn wash? What is claying a vehicle? I know this must be pretty simple stuff to most, but like I said, I'm new and I would like to learn. Thanks.
"...an adult with free will and half a brain will make their own decision."
I think that sums it up nicely, thank you, dsomers. I suggest to the various participants in WWIII that they agree to disagree and move on. There are more than a few Town Hall users here who are tired of reading the back-and-forth.
I'm going to freeze this topic for several days so that we may all get our minds re-focused on waxy issues, and forget or come to peace with (hopefully) who is shilling what for whom, and why that's wrong or right. If you have a problem with someone, email them and patch it up, or let it go.
This topic is open again. Please keep conversation on-topic. If you disagree with something somebody says, please keep your disagreement civil and to the point. Remember, this topic is about Waxes and Polishes.
Many people find the discussion in this topic valuable and enlightening. Spirited discussion is encouraged, but let's not ruin the topic with put-downs and personal attacks.
Ok, I just bought a new Honda van - I want to keep it in good shape. But, with a new family I cant spend all weekend washing and waxing the van. I have used Nufinish, Zipwash, finish2000, and other armour all products on my other cars without any problems (waiting for the onslaught of hecklers). So here are my questions
- Do I really need to clay this new van - If I use Zaino products - what do I really need to buy - How long will it take to apply Zaino - What other products 2nd, 3rd choice would people recommend besides Zaino. - Can someone point me to a previous post that details the instructions for Washing, Claying, and Waxing.
wagner4, some vehicles need "claying" more than others. Even brand new ones can have harmful particles embedded in the paint. Since the process is benign except for taking out harmful particles, there is no reason NOT to clay your van. You can go to previous posts in this topic and find lots of choices for other products. Some sites to visit that can give you info on the topic include www.meguiars.com and www.zainobros.com You can get clay tips from www.erazer.com Don
I Z'd my van for the first time last weekend (like yours, it is a Honda Odyssey).
I spent around 30 minutes washing really good with Dawn, and used a towel to wipe it off to prevent spotting. I used my ladder to reach the roof (I've never owned a vehicle this big before, so that was new to me).
I used my clay to clean the front and lower sides. I did NOT do the entire van for one reason: it has hail damage that will be fixed in the near future, so I am going to go "all out" and clay the whole thing after everything is fixed. I did want to get rid of some road tar and stuff that had already accumulated, instead of putting Z over it. Claying took around 15 minutes, including the time to wash off again afterward. I just used Z7 and water as my lubricant, it seemed to work fine.
Applied Z1 using a cloth diaper: 20 minutes. By the time I was done going around the van, it was ready for the Z2 step at the part where I started. Another 20 minutes to put Z2 on.
I waited an hour or an hour or so for it to dry. I used this time to have an absolute blast with my baby in the backyard on his new little tikes jungle jim thingy.
I wiped with a clean big white fluffy towel, then used another towel while I sprayed on / wiped off Z6; buffing it a little bit.
All told, I started on the van around 9:30 or 10 in the morning and was done in time to drive it to lunch. I spend that much time mowing the lawn (which reminds me of what I need to do ~this~ weekend). My wife thinks I'm nuts ("it's clean, already, do you HAVE to put another coat of stuff on?") but I'm having a blast.
My hope is this stuff will last a while, so I don't have to go through this ritual every weekend. I think washing / drying with a towel makes the car look just AWESOME, and having Z on there helps keep the shine, too.
Your results may vary. If it were colder out, for instance, it would have been a little harder to work with the clay and it might have taken a little longer for the Zaino to dry. Remember to apply a VERY THIN COAT. You can always do another coat, and it is kindof like paint: it dries much faster if it is thin.
I will be receiving the new Odyssey in a few weeks and would like to protect the finish from environmental fallout (i.e. acid rain and bird droppings, etc.) as best as possible. I just started hearing about Zaino and their multiple products and how shiny the cars treated with them are, but how long does the Z-2 product last and does it protect the vehicle from environmental garbage?
I have a '92 Accord that has been protected with a Teflon type product (Armor All and the like) since I bought it new and I have really been please with the manner with which the paint has retained the original shine and look. I am accustomed to appling the protectant twice a year (spring and fall) and don't have the luxury of waxing more than that. The car has never been garaged (neither will the van) and I want to be sure that Zaino will protect and will last at least 6 months.
Can anyone comment and assure me that forking over $50 for Zaino products (Z-1, Z-2, Z-5, Z-7) that it will be worth it?
I've heard that you shouldn't use cotton towels from places like Target or similar stores. The potential problem is that, even though they say 100% cotton, US made, they may have polyester backings that can scratch the paint. Any experiences?
I don't think it matters where you buy your towels as long as they are made in the USA. Canon and Fieldcrest are the preferred brand. I bought mine at Sam's Club, six bath size for $17.00. I cut one up into halves but have found that the cut edges fray really bad when I wash them so I won't cut any edges anymore. Just be careful to fold the trimmed edges inward when you use them and you should be okay. Also, only use white towel because the dye in colored towels can cause smearing.
I have no idea about the acid rain protection, but my gut feeling is that nothing will protect you from it for too long. That said, I have had Zaino on my car for about 3 weeks so far and the shine is awesome. It seems to attract less dust than I had with other wax type products. No idea if it will protect for very long. There are, of course, use testimonials and also Sal Zaino who swear it protects alot longer than anything else. Try it for yourself and see. It does a very good job, but without impartial scientific proof (anyone have any data they want to post?), it is impossible to say for sure. Dave
I have a black Eclipse, it's an ABSOLUT Pain to keep clean. (I am aware I spelled Absolute wrong btw), and I Zaino'd my car because a friend encouraged me to. I tell you I only have two or so coats on it but it does SHINE, more so then the maguire's I put on as well as most of the other's I've tried on previous cars. The zaino protected mine against dust better than most if not the best as well as the fact then when it does attain dust (As any black car owner knows) it comes off with a simple spray of the hose, nothing else. Everything slides off the car, and if it doesn't, Z-6 removes it with the tiniest of squirts... I live in Jersey and I've had no problem with acid rain killing the finish on my minivan and that's 4 years old... I don't know about Zaino protecting, I know you can check at http://wwww.zainobros.com and ask Sal yourself, he should be able to answer any questions about Zaino you might have... -The Darkness
I intend to try Zaino after reading these posts, on my new Sable. I have experienced paint damage on my 1994 Dodge Intrepid by acid rain, rail dust or who knows what. I am now aware of the need to do a better job of protecting the paint on my cars and of the products available to do so. My Intrepid has pits through the clear coat and into the paint. I have examined them with a high power microscope and the damage looks like a hole in the top coat and a crazing of the paint below. This occurs only on the horizontal surfaces. The sides are fine. I would like to know if claying and any Zaino products can seal off these flaws in the paint. The car looks good from a short distance away and I can live with just being able to halt further deterioration. My new car is a different story, I will not let this happe again. In all probability, it sounds like the Dodge may have experienced paint failure due to rail dust. The color is a metalic green. Your opinions are appreciated.
This may have been discussed. I keep meaning to read all of these posts, but, here's a related question:
How do you clean glass? I've got a brand new car. I use armor all glass cleaner and a chamois. But, just at certain times of the day, when you look through the glass - you can see all sorts of water spots. I'd love to completely get rid of those.
bondeson, You could try paint clay (Erazer/Clay Magic etc) on it to help get out those spots. I also make up my own glass cleaner from a touch of ammonia, about 10% alcohol, the rest of distilled water. DO NOT use this on windows with add-on plastic tint (most of those products do NOT like Ammonia based products). But it's OK for factory dark tinted windows. I have also had success occasionally with light use of BonAmi cleaner (use just a little and lots of water, go easy and try a few spots to see how it goes.) To dry windows, you can use paper towels to get most of the moisture off, and then finish by polishing with wadded up newsprint. I find the newsprint leaves fewer or no streaks, and if you keep it fresh, it won't leave lint.
Anyone hear of Fire Glaze? I was told it was a commercial sealant used by several body shops. I found a web page for it but have never seen it mentioned anywhere.
I have a 1999 Honda Odyssey that was in an accident. The front panels (fenders, hood, bumper) were replaced. The body-shop said not to wax them for 90 days so the paint can cure. Does anyone have any experience with how soon to apply wax? I know you can wax a new vehicle right away due to the paint being baked on but how about new paint that is not from the factory? Thanks.
I've heard that there's a polishing compound you can use after applying touch-up paint to a car, to lower any roundness to the level of the rest of the paint. Anyone know about this product (name/usage)?
My bodyshop told me the same thing, don't wax the paint for 90 days so it can cure. He said the silicones in most waxes prevent the paint from curing properly because it can't breathe. I told him that I used Zaino polish and that it had no silicones or abrasives in it. He then told me that it would probably be okay to polish it in a couple weeks. So far I've only used the Z-6 on it but when the weather warms up here in MI I will make sure to get protection on it. Good luck.
I would take the painters advice. Especially if there is any type of warranty involved. Also be gentle if you wash the car in those first few weeks. Try to hand wash only with a soft wash mitt. While Zaino doesn't contain silicones, it still provides a pretty effective seal of the surface (like most waxes, coatings), and will not be good on uncured paint.
About paint chips, Almost any compound with abrasives will work to take some of the surface down. The problem is that with chips (assuming you were talking about touching up paint chips, not large areas), it's almost impossible to lower just the level of the paint you put in the chip without also touching (and thus wearing away) the surrounding paint. The best way is to use a small piece of flat wood as a sanding block with very fine sandpaper on it. Your finger or a polishing cloth will never be able to get just the paint in the chip. If you very carefully sand just the surface of the paint in the chip, you can do what you want. Then use a fine glaze polish and polish the entire area. You could try a "sanding block" with an abrasive polish or compound, but I think you will have more luck with 2000 grit sandpaper (try the finest, smallest grit, you can get). Again, be very careful, it's easy to sand more than you want, and it only takes a few strokes to wear down touch up paint. Be sure to let that paint dry for a couple of days at least before trying this. You will probably have to lay paint into the chip several times before it will dry to be above the surface of the surrounding paint. If you are good, you can match the surface level, use a mild glaze compound and not have to mess with more aggressive stuff.
A while back, someone here asked about Collinite 476. That's the wax I use. My dad started using it after someone recommended it. I saw how great it made his (black) truck look so I asked him to get me a can. He was told that it's the wax used on planes & vehicles at the Air Force Base. I don't know if that's true but it is a very good wax for auto finishes. Makes my car shine!
I noticed at the GM dealer parts dept.the other day that he had clay magic? This is not a real large town either. I drove to a pep boys 70 miles away to get it and it was here all along? Wouldn't hurt to check with your dealer?
Comments
BTW, both of are superior compare to other brands--#1 or #2 , is that true?? Just wondering
As a Zaino customer myself, (bought some to evaluate) I bought both types. Sal's recommendation is Z2 for clearcoat, Z3 for non-clearcoat, I would take him at his word.
Blue Vs Erazer,
I have evaluated both. Both do an excellent job, I believe Erazer will last longer because it's made of a firmer material.
Zaino VS Collinite,
There are more fans of Zaino on this list than any other product, but in my own test and another person's testing, we have found no real noticable differences in short term testing. Several others see what they believe is a huge difference. I think it comes down to personal preference with (for me) Collinite taking fewer steps for identical results. If you have already spent a small fortune on other wax/polish products, you might as well try both of these!
Don
As I have said before, you can get an awesome shine using Meguiars #7 but there's no protection. The protection/durability characteristics of the carnauba products I have tried, including Collinite, don't even come close to what I have seen with Zaino. There is a difference!
If I were selling a carnauba product, the best sales tactic I could possibly imagine I'd use would be to ride the coat tails of Zaino and say that Zaino is good, but "XYZ" is good too. That wouldn't be brainlessly cutting Zaino and killing my credibility with people who like Zaino but I would promote my stuff. Make sense?
Personally, I don't care if everybody here used buggy wax bought from Joe Blow's Buggy Repair and applied it with 400 grit sand paper and removes it with polyester leisure suitcoats instead of cotton towels. That's your choice. I just feel that you should be able to decide to use buggy wax and sand paper based on the TRUTH.
I have no vested financial intersest in any product that has EVER been mentioned in this or any other forum I frequent. I just try to help people make an educated decision based on the honest and very repeatable real world results of my use and testing of the products involved. If that steps on toes, then so be it.
There is NO "Cadillac" or "Lexus" of Nissans, just as there is NO "Zaino" of carnaubas based on my experience and you don't get a Cadillac or a Lexus when you buy a Nissan. You don't get Zaino when you buy carnauba, PERIOD. What you buy is what you get. There is a difference!
Chris Parrish
nd4speed@bellsouth.net
Glad to hear that you tested the Collinite for yourself Chris...guess I won't waste the money to test it myself. I will just stay with my tried and true Zaino!
Dave
"There is NO "Cadillac" or "Lexus" of Nissans,
just as there is NO "Zaino" of carnaubas based on
my experience and you don't get a Cadillac or a
Lexus when you buy a Nissan."
Er, how about Infiniti????
I have just accepted the position of moderator on another website (this makes three) and due to my expanding responsibilities on those sites I am having to re-evaluate my time spent on websites that are not included in my daily chores. I am spending WAY too much time on web forums that I could be using for more productive things like applying coat #19 or actually driving my Trans Am instead of pecking away at this keyboard until bed time every night. :-)
I have been mulling this over for about a week but I have decided that I will not be visiting the edmunds forum every day any more. I may drop in during the weekend occasionally and see what's going on if time permits. I have really enjoyed this forum but the days seem to get shorter and my list of things to do gets longer. I know some of you can relate to this. ;-)
If you have a question, product or problem you'd like my opinion or advice on just drop me an e-mail. I'll be glad to help. :-)
Thanks for all the hours and hours and hours and hours of fun! :-)
Take care,
Chris Parrish
nd4speed@bellsouth.net
Chris....your gone, I'm gone. Please email me regarding the websites you host. They have to be better than this one!
I just can't believe that more people here can't see what is really going on here with Shoman. And how quickly people forget. Go back and read some of the old posts people. Your new resident "expert" recommends that you use Dishwashing soap to wash your cars, and claims it doesn't remove any wax!!! He recommends using a REFRIGERATOR BRUSH to clean your wheels, and it won't scratch!! He makes claims here like "Collinite will last 3 months or more even in severe midwestern weather" but on his own website says he has never seen ANY wax last much more than a month!! He GUARANTEED everyone here that he applied Zaino EXACTLY as Sal Zaino had instructed...then we find out that he DID NOT! Then he says that John from Erazer confirmed Shomans comments that a Clay bar WILL NOT REMOVE WAX from a car!!! JOHN HIMSELF came on to Edmunds and made a post that COMPLETELY CONTRADICTED WHAT SHOMAN SAID JOHN SAID!!! There was NO room for a "misunderstanding" here. John said in no uncertain terms that Clay would EASILY remove wax from a car!
After all the above, (and there is alot more that I have not mentioned) people here still seem to think that Shoman knows what he is talking about!!
Somebody was talking about feeling like puking. Well, I feel like screaming and pulling all the hair out of my head. I simply DO NOT UNDERSTAND how people here still think Shoman gives good advice or credible information.
Good luck with your new "expert". He may have 30 years of experience, but unfortunately his techniques and advice are 30 years old as well!
Rob
It is Shomans ADVICE and CREDIBILITY that I HIGHLY question. Read my post above, as well as the prior posts here from about mid January on. I think it will be clear to you then.
Rob
Now, it might be nice to get back to the topic.
Don
In prior takes or posts, it is clear to even the casual observer that Shoman has real problems admitting when he is wrong, especially when he has asserted something that is untrue.(This in independent and not related to whether or not Zaino or Collinite is better or worse.)
The best that he has done with this, is to modify his position and say well,... yes after extensive angst and testing... yada yada yada.(Actually meaning: better not press this bold face untruth too far, and just drop it and cover my tracks.And folks will forget, especially if I am nice.)
In my opinion it is far easier to say; hey I was wrong and then move on.
At the very least folks will respect the fact that one can recognize reality.
While it is prudent to take what is said with a grain of salt, I take no offense when Rob360 needs a 10# bag. One never wants to be around a 10# problem with only a 5# bag.
I will be taking delivery of a black m roadster in the next two weeks. I went to the Zaino page and - I am sure it fixes all ills, snake bites, and will cure impotence. :-) Question: How soon do you apply this stuff to a new car? Does it protect the finish - not just polish it - is there any data out there that would say what is the most used product? Any negatives of applying it? Thanks everyone again. tim.
Dave
you can wax/polish as soon as you drive the car from the dealer to your driveway. Yes, Zaino protects the finish as well as make it shine.
As far as data on what is the "most used product," well, I'd wonder about the utility about such a stat (I'm assuming you mean most used brand). The least common denominator is rarely the best item. Budweiser is (I believe) the most widely sold beer in the US, but it's basically on a par with urine (no beer wars, please, it's just an analogy).
From what I recall when talking to Sal Zaino, you don't have to wait. You can put zaino on immediately.
BTW, thanks for leaving Rob. I have two children to care for and only a limited time to read these postings. Relax ...... it's wax we are discussing not life threatening issues like cancer , heart disease, AIDS, diabetes etc...
I bought Zaino and am waiting for my new Odyssey to arrive to try it out and I am sure I will love it like everyone else in this forum. We can disagree but should act civil.
Sorry to see you go Chris. I will be glad to follow you where ever you post comments- just e-mail me if you have the time to tell me your new location.
thanks for the analogy - I guess I didn't mean most used brand to the general public - maybe for folks who show their cars in competitions etc...
I guess it really doesn't matter that much. Just wondering if any of you gals and guys out there who actually do take a car to a show have talked around a bit to your fellow car jocks who are also showing their car. And yes - sorry for the repetitiveness - I had to read back about 200 messages or so - and found my question answered - but thanks for the input.
While reading I also saw the back n' forth postings of Don and Rob. Both of these guys are pretty intense about this topic - which I think is cool. So go ahead guys - it's better than going postal!! excuse the pun... tim
I may want to sell the Zaino in the future, but not now, I am not done with my own evaluation. Waiting for better weather to have a "session" with a couple of cars and see how it goes.
Don
I finally took it off with help of WD-40 and Clay Magic. It took a lot of rubbing. While all the tar-like stuff is gone, there are yellowish spots on the clearcoat aluminum surface of my wheels, where the InstaTrack goo used to be. You have to look hard to see them but they are there.
Any idea if there is any way to get these spots out?
What is a Dawn wash?
What is claying a vehicle?
I know this must be pretty simple stuff to most, but like I said, I'm new and I would like to learn. Thanks.
Dawn dishwashing leaves the car as clean as it can be. Wax afterwards for protection.
I think that sums it up nicely, thank you, dsomers. I suggest to the various participants in WWIII that they agree to disagree and move on. There are more than a few Town Hall users here who are tired of reading the back-and-forth.
I'm going to freeze this topic for several days so that we may all get our minds re-focused on waxy issues, and forget or come to peace with (hopefully) who is shilling what for whom, and why that's wrong or right. If you have a problem with someone, email them and patch it up, or let it go.
Gus,
Maintenance Conference Host
Many people find the discussion in this topic valuable and enlightening. Spirited discussion is encouraged, but let's not ruin the topic with put-downs and personal attacks.
Thanks,
Gus
Conference Host
- Do I really need to clay this new van
- If I use Zaino products - what do I really need to buy
- How long will it take to apply Zaino
- What other products 2nd, 3rd choice would people recommend besides Zaino.
- Can someone point me to a previous post that details the instructions for Washing, Claying, and Waxing.
Thanks for all your help
some vehicles need "claying" more than others. Even brand new ones can have harmful particles embedded in the paint. Since the process is benign except for taking out harmful particles, there is no reason NOT to clay your van.
You can go to previous posts in this topic and find lots of choices for other products. Some sites to visit that can give you info on the topic include www.meguiars.com and www.zainobros.com You can get clay tips from www.erazer.com
Don
Just to share first hand experience:
I Z'd my van for the first time last weekend (like yours, it is a Honda Odyssey).
I spent around 30 minutes washing really good with Dawn, and used a towel to wipe it off to prevent spotting. I used my ladder to reach the roof (I've never owned a vehicle this big before, so that was new to me).
I used my clay to clean the front and lower sides. I did NOT do the entire van for one reason: it has hail damage that will be fixed in the near future, so I am going to go "all out" and clay the whole thing after everything is fixed. I did want to get rid of some road tar and stuff that had already accumulated, instead of putting Z over it.
Claying took around 15 minutes, including the time to wash off again afterward. I just used Z7 and water as my lubricant, it seemed to work fine.
Applied Z1 using a cloth diaper: 20 minutes. By the time I was done going around the van, it was ready for the Z2 step at the part where I started. Another 20 minutes to put Z2 on.
I waited an hour or an hour or so for it to dry. I used this time to have an absolute blast with my baby in the backyard on his new little tikes jungle jim thingy.
I wiped with a clean big white fluffy towel, then used another towel while I sprayed on / wiped off Z6; buffing it a little bit.
All told, I started on the van around 9:30 or 10 in the morning and was done in time to drive it to lunch. I spend that much time mowing the lawn (which reminds me of what I need to do ~this~ weekend). My wife thinks I'm nuts ("it's clean, already, do you HAVE to put another coat of stuff on?") but I'm having a blast.
My hope is this stuff will last a while, so I don't have to go through this ritual every weekend. I think washing / drying with a towel makes the car look just AWESOME, and having Z on there helps keep the shine, too.
Your results may vary. If it were colder out, for instance, it would have been a little harder to work with the clay and it might have taken a little longer for the Zaino to dry. Remember to apply a VERY THIN COAT. You can always do another coat, and it is kindof like paint: it dries much faster if it is thin.
Bri
College Station, TX
I have a '92 Accord that has been protected with a Teflon type product (Armor All and the like) since I bought it new and I have really been please with the manner with which the paint has retained the original shine and look. I am accustomed to appling the protectant twice a year (spring and fall) and don't have the luxury of waxing more than that. The car has never been garaged (neither will the van) and I want to be sure that Zaino will protect and will last at least 6 months.
Can anyone comment and assure me that forking over $50 for Zaino products (Z-1, Z-2, Z-5, Z-7) that it will be worth it?
Thanks.
So far, birds are AFRAID to poop on my van, it is so shiny...
Bri
Any experiences?
Dave
-The Darkness
The color is a metalic green. Your opinions are appreciated.
How do you clean glass? I've got a brand new car. I use armor all glass cleaner and a chamois. But, just at certain times of the day, when you look through the glass - you can see all sorts of water spots. I'd love to completely get rid of those.
You could try paint clay (Erazer/Clay Magic etc) on it to help get out those spots.
I also make up my own glass cleaner from a touch of ammonia, about 10% alcohol, the rest of distilled water. DO NOT use this on windows with add-on plastic tint (most of those products do NOT like Ammonia based products). But it's OK for factory dark tinted windows.
I have also had success occasionally with light use of BonAmi cleaner (use just a little and lots of water, go easy and try a few spots to see how it goes.)
To dry windows, you can use paper towels to get most of the moisture off, and then finish by polishing with wadded up newsprint. I find the newsprint leaves fewer or no streaks, and if you keep it fresh, it won't leave lint.
Don
My bodyshop told me the same thing, don't wax the paint for 90 days so it can cure. He said the silicones in most waxes prevent the paint from curing properly because it can't breathe. I told him that I used Zaino polish and that it had no silicones or abrasives in it. He then told me that it would probably be okay to polish it in a couple weeks. So far I've only used the Z-6 on it but when the weather warms up here in MI I will make sure to get protection on it. Good luck.
About paint chips,
Almost any compound with abrasives will work to take some of the surface down. The problem is that with chips (assuming you were talking about touching up paint chips, not large areas), it's almost impossible to lower just the level of the paint you put in the chip without also touching (and thus wearing away) the surrounding paint. The best way is to use a small piece of flat wood as a sanding block with very fine sandpaper on it. Your finger or a polishing cloth will never be able to get just the paint in the chip. If you very carefully sand just the surface of the paint in the chip, you can do what you want. Then use a fine glaze polish and polish the entire area. You could try a "sanding block" with an abrasive polish or compound, but I think you will have more luck with 2000 grit sandpaper (try the finest, smallest grit, you can get).
Again, be very careful, it's easy to sand more than you want, and it only takes a few strokes to wear down touch up paint. Be sure to let that paint dry for a couple of days at least before trying this. You will probably have to lay paint into the chip several times before it will dry to be above the surface of the surrounding paint. If you are good, you can match the surface level, use a mild glaze compound and not have to mess with more aggressive stuff.
Don