Sorry for not responding sooner. Since restoration, my Pace Car Mustang has never been washed; it's never been dirty, just California dusted occasionally. In Mustang Club of America judging, there's four classes: daily driver, concourse driven, concourse trailered, and thoroughbred. I had it restored to concourse driven standards, which means I must drive it to shows. If the judges discover I've trailered it to the show, I can't compete in the driven concourse class. I only compete in local shows because it has 35-year-old bias ply tires (not new reproductions; genuine original tires). I drive it about 5-7 miles on nice days, about once every other week, to keep the seals from drying up. Despite the old technology with the tires, it drives nice and smooth.
My decision to never wash it comes from the unique opportunity to maintain it in original factory finish, so water spots in the engine area, in the area between the front fenders and the door, in the wheel wells, etc. would be too difficult to remove and restore to its like-new condition.
I have to thank everyone on this forum for guidance regarding some minor problems. I believe the clay procedure should take care of any overspray, but I have to be careful around the stripes and decals. I hope the clay doesn't lift the edges of any lettering or other decals. The paint is like new, but I've noticed some swirl marks that I want cleaned up.
sd--nice, nice car. I didn't understand that it was actually a show car. Sal is a show car enthusiast. You really should give him a call.
newwesdt--I've seen brand new Hondas that don't look as good.
Just put on a 4th coat (2 Z2 and 2 Z5)in 5 months on my car this weekend. Didn't need it, but still getting more depth with each successive coat. I'm finding that after a good wash, the z6 treatment really makes a great shine trully outstanding.
newwestd: Absolutely GREAT picture! My '98 Accord Coupe EX V6 has the slightly darker Emerald Green, so I know what your car looks like sans Zaino. You've done a great job.
sdgrant: Like the man said: call Sal Zaino. And that really is a classic car. How long have you had it? And how did you get it?
Does anyone have any experience with this product. I have the Zaino Glass Polish but I have not used it yet since the instructios seem to imply it is for actually polishing scratched up glass, etc and all I want is a good cleaning "solution"...something that one might use in place of Windex, for instance. There is a coupon in the latest Car & Driver for a full refund so you can try it out "for free" but in looking at the can the product has some solvents in it that I have no experience with and I don't want to risk spotting the exterior paint or the vinyl dash when I do the inside. If you've used it, did you notice any ill effects?
For the comments on the Accord, guys. I just wish I'd known about Zaino when it was new! At least I kept it up with regular waxing, but I could have done 1/4 the work over the last 3 years and had a better shine!
Yes, the Solara is also Zaino shiny, but just doesn't look the same as the dark Accord! The Z5 took out ALL the waxing swirls in 1 application - I was amazed!
I'll post another pic in another month, as continued follow up to the durability.
...for all the positive feedback on the Pace Car. I've had it about 4 years, it took about 2.5 years to restore (professionally, I could never do that quality of work), and it was listed in an ad in Hemmings Motor News from Newport News, Virginia. It's one of about 9 remaining Pace Car coupes in restored condition (from an original quantity of about 190 in 1964). The coupes were awarded to dealerships from a month-long sales contest in April, 1964.
There were 35 dignitary convertibles and 3 more Hi Performance convertibles modified to use in the race itself. Of these, only 3 of the dignitary cars are verified to exist.
thanks so much for the suggestion. at least you show some class by at least giving someone a response. you're obviously a quality minded individual that cares enough to help someone too. there was a guy named Parrish that also cared enough to give answers that often gave results. why are'nt there more people like you around? BTW zaino (got this from sal himself today) is planning on making his materials more readily available in one of the major auto supply houses real soon. may also help on better pricing.
Thanks. There really ARE a lot of people in this forum who are a BIG help. I guess they just hate to do windows as much as I do!! LOL.... This is ONE job that I really would hire someone to do for me!!!
Chris Parrish was a TREMENDOUS help in this forum until some "idiot" came along with "stone age" advice and eventually drove Chris away! It's OUR loss for sure!
If you have a "regular" windshield and not some Mt. Everest sloping windshield, then the Zaino window cleaner is easy to use followed by some Z-6. I wet a small towel and then put the Zaino window cleaner on that WHEN I decide to tackle this major chore.
Wish I could have been of more help, but windows aren't my thing! ;-)))
This was not really done as a test but it turns out to be. I detail my relatives cars for them for christmas or for their birthdays. since i started using zaino, of course i used it on their cars too. the first one i did was a 99 camry last october. one coat of z2 and it was great looking. the owner of this car RARELY washes it. Several weeks ago this car was in my driveway, and of course it was not clean, so i scrubbed it with some z7. It still beaded extremely well and the thousands of bugs came off with a washcloth. still only one initial coat of z2. I just finished another relatives car last weekend, a 95 honda civic. oh what a difference!!! and the owners of that car are so happy and proud to drive a shiny car. they also do not regularly wash their car and i am glad that zaino allows them to have a really clean car with not much maintenance. Zaino also makes my job a lot easier.
I have never used the Zaino window polish as my windows don't have any scratches. What I do use is an aerosol foam cleaner called Sprayaway. It comes in a 1950's stlye can with a drawing of a woman cleaning mirrors on it. I have seen it available thru some of the better car enthusiast's catalogue, and it use to be available at Sam's Club. Anyways, it works very well and easily, does not leave a film. I use crumpled newspaper which really seems to work. I wear a latex glove to keep my hands from getting filthy also. If you're interested in this product it is made in Addison, Il. and the company will give you names of distributors who will sell it to you if you can't find it anywhere else.
thank you very much on the tips. i seem to rember another product called glass wax. it also came in an old fashioned can. sorta 50's style. you put the stuff on with a terry towel and wiped it off with a cotton towel. cleaned real good but, was alot of work. 'oh well, it's like the old saying go's, "if you want something to be perfect then you gotta work at it".
as far as my last post goes, i absolutly meant no disrepect to any of the members in this forum. i was just saying thank you in my own way.
My relative has a FORD with bad paint. Some two tone look. Could Zaino be of any help to this vehicle with over 120,000 miles and the bad peeling paint?
It DIDN'T work because you forgot Z-1 AND as pat455 said- you used the wrong towel!!!!!!! LOL......
lynne29-
Zaino might be great, but it's NOT a "miracle" cure-all, although it's close! It can't make a car turn itself into a "raving beauty" like that old Plymouth, Christine, did in that movie on TNT last week! LOL..... Try it on a spot and see what happens. I know it will be the shiniest, peeling paint car around! NO question about that! LOL.....
Thought I'd throw my .02 in to this conversation. I used Rain X on my last truck and loved it. I bought the one use cloth, wiped it on, it dried very quickly, smells as though its almost 100% alcohol, then buffed it off. Repelled water for almost 2 years very well.
I have since bought a bottle to use on the new truck but haven't had a chance yet.
On the cleaning side of windows, I found Invisible Glass in a magazine ad. I've been using it for almost two months and really like it. It truly makes the glass as though it isn't there when it is clean. The windows still do what I've always seen windows do though, after a week or two they seem to just develop a film. A quick shot of the cleaner and a little elbow grease and I've got the cleanest windows I've ever seen.
The web site for Invisible Glass is http://www.moreshine.com/ I've not ever seen it in stores, I don't know if they sell it there or not.
tpmiller: LOL! Chris and fastdriver missed the point. Why would towels make a difference? Why, I've used old cloth from jeans and/or paper towels on all my TV's. Me thinks you just gotta wash it again - but this time use Z7. And let it dry overnight. Then plug it in. Most of the time when folks call me about TV's not working after a Z application, they just forgot to plug it back in. HeHe.
lynne29: I agree with fastdriver. I think you need a new paint job on that car.
My Zaino products should arrive any day now. Thanks for all of the great advice on removing a scuff out of my clearcoat. Once I remove the scuff and Zaino the Truck I'll post my results. Has anyone tried an Orbital Buffer with Z2
Agree with pblevine and fastdriver...I doubt that Zaino is going to put the paint back on the vehicle. I can gurantee that you'll have the shiniest peeling paint out there, though.
It seems you basic '79 console TV has a hidden reset button right between the pink (used to be red) and pale yellowish green (used to be blue)color settings. I'm back in bizness but every bug in the neighborhood is attracted to the newly Z'd set sitting in the all glass sunroom!
And I have to use #35 suntan lotion at nite to watch anything over 30 minutes long.
Just off I81, not actually in P Grove, in Lebanon county, but did marry a Perry county girl which is probably why we don't have a cable option or over the air reception. But the Z process did make the snow on the tube show much whiter whites and blacker blacks, which keeps the Perry county girl's interest.
I had just collected my car from the workshop last week after someone bumped into the left panel. So I decided to give it another layer of Z1 and Z2 the last weekend.
Everything was fine, or so I thought it was. But something was amiss. When I buffed off Z2 on top of the Z1, I feel that the surface was a bit rough. It was not like all the previous times when I zaioned my car. On closer scrutinization, the paint was perfect. It was perfectly shiny, wet looking, with a deep reflection. However, when I run my fingers over the surface, the feel was rough.
I do not know what's wrong, or what has the workshop done. But my car was with at least 10 coats of Z2/Z5. Surely it can't and wasn't removed in a single day by the workshop.
It puzzles me. What is happening down here? And what should I do to remedy the situation? Help is very much soughted and appreciated. Thanks a lot in advance.
IF I'm reading your message correctly, it sounds like some kind of "spray" has found its way to your door. Is that the ONLY part of the car that is rough? Try claying that area and see if it helps.
I have never gotten my car back from body work that there has not been some overspray, either on the windows or on some part of the body that should have been masked, but wasn't. That is not as bad as it seems, because it should be pretty easy to "clay" off any overspray. That is probably what clay does best. Before I got so "sophisticated" and started using polymers instead of waxes, all it took was a cleaner wax or a mild abrasive on paintwork and a razor blade on glass and it came off pretty easy. The claying should be your first effort. If you return it to the body shop, they will almost certainly use some machine to buff off about half the life of your paint.
Fastdriver and joe166 are absolutely correct - you have "overspray" on your car. It has happened to me a couple of times.It coul be from painting your car, or perhaps the car next to yours. The last time it was easy to see - they got it on the windows and chrome wheels . It just looked like dust, but wouldn't clean off!
Clay should do it easily for the paint, as the paint won't stick well to the Zaino. For the windows, use some chrome polish - it works really well!
After the clay, I believe that you will need to start with Z1 again. Ask Sal to be sure.
All the horizontal surfaces are rough. I thought it might be overspray too. As I run my fingers through the surface this morning, the texture seems to be much better, and I have not done anything to it yet. Is this normal? And should I still continue to clay it? Thanks...
After reading the numerous postings regarding the ease ease of use and shine that can be obtained using Zaino I have decided to give it a shot.
I purchased a new car within the last three weeks and have already given it two coats of Blitz Wax. I realize I have to do the whole "Dawn" thing to get all the existing carnuba off and then start the "Z" process from the beginning.
One thing concerns me however. I have some very fine pinstriping on the driver & passenger doors that I want to ensure doesn't get removed. Do I have to worry that the Dawn will take it off ? What about the Zaino, will it remove the striping or is it safe to go right over it ?
It is my understanding that the Zaino will last considerably longer then the wax. Correct ?
Have you washed the car to see if that will remove this "rough" finish? Try that first before claying.
keys88-
Is the pinstripe tape or painted on? If it's tape, I would just be careful if you're going to clay the finish. If it's painted on, I don't think you have to worry. At any rate, I would e-mail Sal and ask his advice. If you call him, he always answers the phone!! WHEN did you EVER have that happen to you when dealing with ANY company?
I highly recommend the California Water Blade, it is a squeegee made from Silicone that removes 90% of the water without a towel. They work great,$20 from www.calcarcover.com. Zaino is the best bar none, much easier than wax and a better shine. I'll never switch to wax again.
Well, in my never-ending quest to find the totally non physical way to clean my car, I tried to use my leaf blower to dry my car to save the towels. Wow! It sure works, but the people who do this must be doubles for Arnold Shwarzenneger. That thing is heavy. It just doesn't seem to be worth the trouble. It did mean that I was able to dry all three of my cars with only one towel, but it dried it too fast. I mean that the windows were already dry when I got to them so I had to wet them down to get the spots off. I guess I will try to get that California squeegee, but I will NOT try that blower again.
Do you have a Shop Vac? The top of mine comes off to use as a blower. A little lighter than a leaf blower I imagine.
I've never needed it because after I wash my car, I just take a QUICK spin and come back to wipe off what little water is left! With Zaino, everything flies off my car!
Yes, I have a shop vac. I didn't think of it. Usually I just drive my car around the block too, but today I hosed off my car, my wifes and my daughters, so I didn't want to drive all three of them. I guess I should just do one at a time. I will try the shop vac if I get into this situation again, but my shop vac is really top heavy and the dumb thing falls over all the time, most annoying, but a good suggestion, Thanks.
My month old Odyssey has gotten its first scratch. Its a horizontal scratch about 8 inches long on the side door panel. The scratch was made by the handle bars of a bike. It seems to very fine (not very wide of a scratch) but deep in that I can feel it easily if slide my finger nail across it. Its got one coat of Z1/Z2 on it. I'm inexperienced in this area. Does this sound like something that could be buffed out or would I need touch up paint?
What would you suggest I try from least to most aggressive?
I used Z1 and Z2 on my new truck this weekend. I felt it went on easier than Mother's or other waxes I have used. A scuff in my clearcoat even came out using Z2. The shine looks nice on the black paint. I am looking forward to seeing how long it will last.
wstang: I'm with fastdriver on this problem. My only comment is to say: How are you sure that it is due to paint overspray? Could it be tree sap?
miric: Thanks for the Cal. Water Blade idea, I'll check it out. I've tried fastedriver's quick spin around, but in my case, the result was a lot of water spots (and the need for a second wash). It depends where you do it.
Len_a: Oh man, I know how you feel. I'd call Sal on this one too. But first, determine if the scratch goes through the paint layers to the actual metal. And second, is the scratch thin enough so that it could be filled in with touch up paint. You can get the correct touch up paint from your dealer. But be careful with that stuff. Chris Parrish had a write-up on how to correctly use it (www.LS1.com). The idea(s) included: cleaning the area before application, and using thin layers of touch up paint. You'd have to remove the Z1/Z2 from the scratch area, remove any oxidation from the scratch, and use very thin layers of paint to fill in the scratch. I've applied touch up paint with a tooth pick and wiped it off to create a first thin layer. Let us know how you do.
You asked for suggestions starting from the least aggressive. Using Z5 is the least aggressive attempt to treat the scratch I can think of. It may not be your least expensive remedy if your supply of Zaino is otherwise adequate and you don't want to spend $6.95 to ship just one bottle of Z5 plus the cost of the Z5, then I understand your hesitancy and your questioning the suggestion. But, that's what I would do as the least aggressive remedy. Just because you can feel the scatch doesn't mean Z5 can't fill it, which is what it does. It might take five coats of the Z5 in the area of the scratch to take care of it, but that is the least aggressive approach.
Someone had asked if water still beads after 2-3 months. Take a look. It still seems to bead, at least the water that hasn't run off!! Car not washed yet - just hosed.
Hey Guys, Has anyone tried Zaino on an aluminum tool box. I need to clean my tool box up and wax it, but just wondered how Zaino would do on the aluminum. It is kind of difficult to put anything on it because of the little raised pieces. Any suggestions or comments?
Comments
I like the car in the reflection too!!! LOL............
fastdriver
My decision to never wash it comes from the unique opportunity to maintain it in original factory finish, so water spots in the engine area, in the area between the front fenders and the door, in the wheel wells, etc. would be too difficult to remove and restore to its like-new condition.
I have to thank everyone on this forum for guidance regarding some minor problems. I believe the clay procedure should take care of any overspray, but I have to be careful around the stripes and decals. I hope the clay doesn't lift the edges of any lettering or other decals. The paint is like new, but I've noticed some swirl marks that I want cleaned up.
For pictures, see below:
Please contact Sal Zaino - he will give you the information about how to prep the car properly for the best Z finish. www.zainobros.com
newwesdt--I've seen brand new Hondas that don't look as good.
Just put on a 4th coat (2 Z2 and 2 Z5)in 5 months on my car this weekend. Didn't need it, but still getting more depth with each successive coat. I'm finding that after a good wash, the z6 treatment really makes a great shine trully outstanding.
Still wish I had a digital camera.
sdgrant: Like the man said: call Sal Zaino. And that really is a classic car. How long have you had it? And how did you get it?
Awesome Pic!
Yes, the Solara is also Zaino shiny, but just doesn't look the same as the dark Accord! The Z5 took out ALL the waxing swirls in 1 application - I was amazed!
I'll post another pic in another month, as continued follow up to the durability.
There were 35 dignitary convertibles and 3 more Hi Performance convertibles modified to use in the race itself. Of these, only 3 of the dignitary cars are verified to exist.
show some class by at least giving someone a
response. you're obviously a quality minded
individual that cares enough to help someone too.
there was a guy named Parrish that also cared
enough to give answers that often gave results.
why are'nt there more people like you around? BTW
zaino (got this from sal himself today) is
planning on making his materials more readily
available in one of the major auto supply houses
real soon. may also help on better pricing.
anyway thanx a bunch,
...red
Thanks. There really ARE a lot of people in this forum who are a BIG help. I guess they just hate to do windows as much as I do!! LOL.... This is ONE job that I really would hire someone to do for me!!!
Chris Parrish was a TREMENDOUS help in this forum until some "idiot" came along with "stone age" advice and eventually drove Chris away! It's OUR loss for sure!
If you have a "regular" windshield and not some Mt. Everest sloping windshield, then the Zaino window cleaner is easy to use followed by some Z-6. I wet a small towel and then put the Zaino window cleaner on that WHEN I decide to tackle this major chore.
Wish I could have been of more help, but windows aren't my thing! ;-)))
fastdriver
I just finished another relatives car last weekend, a 95 honda civic. oh what a difference!!! and the owners of that car are so happy and proud to drive a shiny car. they also do not regularly wash their car and i am glad that zaino allows them to have a really clean car with not much maintenance. Zaino also makes my job a lot easier.
another product called glass wax. it also came in
an old fashioned can. sorta 50's style. you put
the stuff on with a terry towel and wiped it off
with a cotton towel. cleaned real good but, was
alot of work. 'oh well, it's like the old saying
go's, "if you want something to be perfect then
you gotta work at it".
as far as my last post goes, i absolutly meant no
disrepect to any of the members in this forum. i
was just saying thank you in my own way.
again thanx,
...red
One thing- now she don't work.
Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
It DIDN'T work because you forgot Z-1 AND as pat455 said- you used the wrong towel!!!!!!! LOL......
lynne29-
Zaino might be great, but it's NOT a "miracle" cure-all, although it's close! It can't make a car turn itself into a "raving beauty" like that old Plymouth, Christine, did in that movie on TNT last week! LOL..... Try it on a spot and see what happens. I know it will be the shiniest, peeling paint car around! NO question about that! LOL.....
fastdriver
I have since bought a bottle to use on the new truck but haven't had a chance yet.
On the cleaning side of windows, I found Invisible Glass in a magazine ad. I've been using it for almost two months and really like it. It truly makes the glass as though it isn't there when it is clean. The windows still do what I've always seen windows do though, after a week or two they seem to just develop a film. A quick shot of the cleaner and a little elbow grease and I've got the cleanest windows I've ever seen.
The web site for Invisible Glass is http://www.moreshine.com/ I've not ever seen it in stores, I don't know if they sell it there or not.
Greg
lynne29: I agree with fastdriver. I think you need a new paint job on that car.
Zaino goes on and comes off so easily (with no buffing needed) that using a buffer is really a waste of time.
Buffers also tend to waste Zaino.
Literally, when doing Zaino by hand, all you do is wipe it on, let it dry, and wipe it off.
Good Luck!
OH!! That was tpmiller's problem- the PLUG!!! And I thought it was the lack of Z-1 and the 100% cotton towel too!!! LOL............
fastdriver
And I have to use #35 suntan lotion at nite to watch anything over 30 minutes long.
Long live the Zaino bros...
But the Z process did make the snow on the tube show much whiter whites and blacker blacks, which keeps the Perry county girl's interest.
Everything was fine, or so I thought it was. But something was amiss. When I buffed off Z2 on top of the Z1, I feel that the surface was a bit rough. It was not like all the previous times when I zaioned my car. On closer scrutinization, the paint was perfect. It was perfectly shiny, wet looking, with a deep reflection. However, when I run my fingers over the surface, the feel was rough.
I do not know what's wrong, or what has the workshop done. But my car was with at least 10 coats of Z2/Z5. Surely it can't and wasn't removed in a single day by the workshop.
It puzzles me. What is happening down here? And what should I do to remedy the situation? Help is very much soughted and appreciated. Thanks a lot in advance.
IF I'm reading your message correctly, it sounds like some kind of "spray" has found its way to your door. Is that the ONLY part of the car that is rough? Try claying that area and see if it helps.
fastdriver
Clay should do it easily for the paint, as the paint won't stick well to the Zaino. For the windows, use some chrome polish - it works really well!
After the clay, I believe that you will need to start with Z1 again. Ask Sal to be sure.
Good Luck - JON (formerly new west d)
I purchased a new car within the last three weeks and have already given it two coats of Blitz Wax.
I realize I have to do the whole "Dawn" thing to get all the existing carnuba off and then start the "Z" process from the beginning.
One thing concerns me however. I have some very fine pinstriping on the driver & passenger doors that I want to ensure doesn't get removed. Do I have to worry that the Dawn will take it off ? What about the Zaino, will it remove the striping or is it safe to go right over it ?
It is my understanding that the Zaino will last considerably longer then the wax. Correct ?
Thanks in advance.
Have you washed the car to see if that will remove this "rough" finish? Try that first before claying.
keys88-
Is the pinstripe tape or painted on? If it's tape, I would just be careful if you're going to clay the finish. If it's painted on, I don't think you have to worry. At any rate, I would e-mail Sal and ask his advice. If you call him, he always answers the phone!! WHEN did you EVER have that happen to you when dealing with ANY company?
fastdriver
Thanks for the advise re: Sal. I just sent him an email asking for his opinion.
Regards-
it is a squeegee made from Silicone that removes 90% of the water without a towel. They work great,$20 from www.calcarcover.com. Zaino is the best bar none, much easier than wax and a better shine. I'll never switch to wax again.
Do you have a Shop Vac? The top of mine comes off to use as a blower. A little lighter than a leaf blower I imagine.
I've never needed it because after I wash my car, I just take a QUICK spin and come back to wipe off what little water is left! With Zaino, everything flies off my car!
fastdriver
What would you suggest I try from least to most aggressive?
miric: Thanks for the Cal. Water Blade idea, I'll check it out. I've tried fastedriver's quick spin around, but in my case, the result was a lot of water spots (and the need for a second wash). It depends where you do it.
Len_a: Oh man, I know how you feel. I'd call Sal on this one too. But first, determine if the scratch goes through the paint layers to the actual metal. And second, is the scratch thin enough so that it could be filled in with touch up paint. You can get the correct touch up paint from your dealer. But be careful with that stuff. Chris Parrish had a write-up on how to correctly use it (www.LS1.com). The idea(s) included: cleaning the area before application, and using thin layers of touch up paint. You'd have to remove the Z1/Z2 from the scratch area, remove any oxidation from the scratch, and use very thin layers of paint to fill in the scratch. I've applied touch up paint with a tooth pick and wiped it off to create a first thin layer. Let us know how you do.
Has anyone tried Zaino on an aluminum tool box.
I need to clean my tool box up and wax it, but just wondered how Zaino would do on the aluminum. It is kind of difficult to put anything on it because of the little raised pieces. Any suggestions or comments?
Thanks, BigBoy3