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Comments
-T
Geez. I spend enough time researching and applying car detailing products. That's all I need - to be unable to resist the temptation to become an auto photography buff on top of that!!!
;-)
LOL.... You have plenty of time to take pics, since you're not spending it "waxing". STOP researching. How much better shine/endurance/protection do you want than what ZAINO gives you?
fastdriver
I notice you just experienced the CL tranny glitch, [I was notified via e-mail]. I also got nailed @36k, but had a pretty good experience on the repair side.
To me Acura simply tone down the AT, via ECU, and it really never had the same get up and go. Kind of masking the problem rather then fully addressing it.
I was just wondering if you plan on keeping your CL long term. I decided to ditch mine while the value of the car was still good [last year & new ones are heavily discounted], plus I feel the problem will re-occur as it has for others.
Do I need to get Z5 and/or Z2, or will just the Z2 do the trick ??
However, if you're getting ZFX, keep in mind that one unit of ZFX should treat at least 16 ounces of polish, which translates to however many coats you get from an ounce. (I helped a guy do his Chevy Avalanche; we averaged 1/2 ounce of polish using Z-6 on the applicators to coat the vehicle one time.) Bottle(?)/container of ZFX contains 80-90 drops to be used @ 4-5 drops per ounce of polish. So with 80 drops at 5 per ounce, that's at least 16 oz.; if you have 90 drops and use it at the rate of 4 per ounce, that's 22.5 ounces of polish. So be sure you get enough polish to go with the ZFX AND remember that you do not have to accelerate the polish every time you apply some. Also, it takes about 10 coats in quick succession to max out how good you can get your car to look.
While I have not discussed this with Sal, I believe you can get the last of the ZFX mix out of the bottle with Z-6 sprayed into it. You may be "wasting" some Z-6, but that strikes me as cheaper than not making use of the residual polish mix or believing that you have to mix more to finish the vehicle.
I currently do NOT have any known scratches, my thought just in case I did find some scratches, I would have some Z5 handy. And I would not have to pay for shipping a second time. -Or- should I be using only one or the other Z2/Z5.
Things are heating where I live, like mid-90's, but I do have a garage to work in. Is this kind of heat a good/bad thing.??
Most, I think, prefer Z2, which provides a mirror-shine.
If you are trying to economize, and you have a new car, your best bet is to go with Z2 over Z5. You really don't need Z5 on a new car, in my opinion. A few posters even claim that Z5 does not cover swirl marks.
However, if you are not trying to economize, you might want to get both, so you can see for yourself which you prefer, and in which combinations.
Can it get too hot outside even in the shade, to do a complete Z job??
I live in the Mojave desert, and most of my Z experience is in hot, dry weather. I try to apply in the morning, but inevitably some will be done in 90+ degree weather.
The upside is that you don't have to wait long at all for the Z to haze/dry.
The downside to hot/dry is:
1) Maintaining enough dampness on the applicator to get the Z to spread. Not damp enough and the applicator absorbs the Z; too damp and you get water on the car.
I have, of late, taken to applying dime sized Z applications directly to the car, as opposed to putting Z directly on the applicator. This minimizes the amount of Z absorbed by the applicator and/or the Z that dries on the applicator. Also, if you follow Sal's directions and first apply in a swirl fashion, and then redistribute in a back-and-forth motion, you have to be really quick, or the Z will dry before you get to back-and-forth.
I do, say half my roof, swirl, then back-and-forth, then do the other half of the roof, swirl, then back and forth. It is too hot AND dry to do the entire roof at once.
2) Keeping the Z from drying into little pieces that clog the opening of the bottle. I continually wipe the opening as I am applying the polish. I also find myself closing the lid on the bottle whenever there is more than about 30 seconds that I will not be applying the Z. Once the Z dries around the opening, it is really difficult to get if off, and you keep getting little dry pieces on your car. Pain.
I have no idea on how to apply in hot HUMID weather.
It is the dryness, more than the heat, that forces a different approach.
Thanks
My recommendation would be to dry off the Santa Fe when you do get a chance but don't drive yourself crazy if you can't do it every time.
Holy smoke, place my order via Z's web site (6/24 approx. 2pm CDT), recd. my order next day same time. Yes on the 25th that is a 24-hour delivery time. I had to double check, thought maybe I ordered on the 23rd. We're talking to Wichita, KS. WOW, dang quick both on Zaino side & UPS.
I may have to move up my Z D-day.
The ZFX is was a surprise, real small package. I better read the instructions carefully.
The new Z2 offers a higher gloss than the old Z2 (if that's possible) but the biggest improvement IMO is the gloss and slickness remain at a high level after multiple washings. The new Z2 is very light pink in color, lighter than the old Z2.
The new Z5 offers much of the same improvements as the new Z2. Better gloss, better optical longevity, etc. Its a cream/vanilla-look in color instead of orange but its easily noticed by its new bottle - white with a black label.
Another benefit to both products (esp Z5) is that they are thinner than before. Neither seems to stick to the insides of a ZFX mixing bottle ensuring little waste. Also the thinner consistency provides for better mixing with ZFX.
All in all both products offer noticeable improvements. Personally I'm most happy with the consistency of them as it makes it even easier for me to apply a super thin coat.
Its my understanding that all orders direct from Zaino or their website are being fulfilled with the new products. If you buy from a distributor, I suggest you call them first and ask about their inventory.
Bret, how could you state that we may know this, come on, you are the guru here. I know between you and your 10 million bottles of cleaning, polishing and waxing products in your garage, I'd be shocked if I knew something that you didn't.
Nice of you to give some of us credit. hehehe.
Thanks Bret,
BTW, have you stateted to empty out your garage yet.
I don't know if an immediate upgrade is necessary but it's your call, of course. From what I've seen the new Z5 is more "Z2ish" but I have not noticed much change in its swirl filling ability.
I'll check back in the future with my results. Stay tuned....
LOL - that's what I call it!! I guess if you're happy with the results, that's all that matters. I don't buy into magnetic bracelets but there are plenty of people who swear by them.
I just did our Ody yesterday for the first time since November. It was still very smooth but I know the Z had worn off after the harsh winter we had.
PROBLEM: After our long trip (4 hours) I knew we had hit some bugs. Then with the wet days and also coming home around 8PM after work, I believe the bugs got caked on. I rub and rub, to no avail. What do you guys use to take off these little critters?
FYI, pretty impressive, 10 runs b4 any out.
Bret: Thanks for the new product info. I'm glad that Sal is always seeking to improve his products. I just wish I knew about this improvement in advance.
I'm hearing the new Z5 fills swirls better so I look forward to that improvement.
What do you guys use to keep the bugs off of the car to a minimum. Last night I was driving through the NJ Turnpike and notice this morning that the entire bumper was covered with splatter. I remember driving in Orlando and many drivers had this net in front of their cars. In fact some of the rest areas had this public spray area where you just drive through to get a quick clean up of the bugs. Are these nets worth it? Should I should resort to the fact that there is nothing out there?
It really bothers me the way the car looks now, I feel like going home early just to wash the car. NO not vacuum the house, maybe vacuum the car.
oh well
Next, I tried mounting speakers up front to scare 'em off. Well, at 80mph, the speakers got coated with the bugs. Then, I tried some of those ultra-sound gizzmos advertised on TV. 'Didn't stop many bugs, but local dogs loved it. Really bright lights came next. Nope, but a lot of cars got into accidents whenever I turned on my search lights.
One day, I came upon an Indian Guru who stated that his chanting would drive all the bugs away. It seemed to work, only my wife objected to always having him sit in the front seat. So we had him stand with his head through the moon roof. Unfortunately, he didn't make it through a short trip in that position. He became totally covered in bug bites, and I had to let him go.
By process of elimination, I came to realize that the only way to stop flying bugs from impacting on a car is to NOT DRIVE the car.
But a good second choice is Z6. It actually works. If you clean and use Z6 after every rain storm, it will help keep the finish slick which will make it harder for bug parts to stick. And it makes it easier to clean them off too.
Robr - sorry, it just hit me. I now get it. And it only took me 2 large cup of jave and how many hours? Sorry it must be the fumes from the Zaino again. oooops, I just notice you deleted that post, man, I am really behind today.
I can't think anymore, I think my brain is full now, I better go home and wash the car.
I didn't have a spray bottle handy, so I use the left over lubricant from Clay Magic. Nope don't worry, I didn't use "Clay Magic" on the new car, just on the old one. The new car gets all Zaino products.
Anyway, does anyone know if this lubricant is harmful to all the layers of Zaino that I put on? Is it just a mixture of soap and water?
End result: Smooth as glass. Looks great, too. Car is garaged.
THEN drove it around a couple of days. Maybe 100 miles. No rain. Heavy traffic. Pollution. Diesel exhausts. Construction dust. The usual stuff.
Next day, ran my hand over the finish. Noticed some of the same kinds of gritty little spots/lumps that I felt before claying.
Maybe a dumb question, but is this normal? Just pollution, dust and other crap in the air hitting the finish?
Car LOOKS great; can't really SEE the crud. And I don't want to have to wash it every time I drive it. :-)
Penny for your thoughts.
As for the spots/lumps, the way I see it is, if you got into this cult, the car will never be shiny enough. The car will never be clean enough. Others here wash their car every week and Z every week. I thought they were nuts, but look who is following and doing the same, yours truly. Though the things that you feeling are normal, the best test for your satisfaction is to feel it after you have done everything to the car. As for any crud on the road, well, it might as well be a showroom car if you weren't willing to get it dirty every few days. Right now I am fighting all these bugs that seem to be attracted to my car. I think they are attracted to the fumes from Zaino, but who isn't.
Tmart, I tried Z6, and bingo, the bumps go away. Some needed a fair amount of rubbing with a clean towel -- heavy duty grit/polution particles maybe.
Lapvn, I used ZFX, put on 2 coats of Z5 and 1 coat of Z2 the first day; then another coat of Z2 the next day.
You've got a point about the car never looking clean enough, but I've gotta draw the line somewhere! If I could just keep it in the garage... :-))
My ZFX so far has been enough for a whole bottle of Z5 and half of Z2 and I still have plenty left.
Sean
Happy 4th weekend to all.
What has improved ??
Any suggestions on what to do with about 2 ounces of the old stuff. I was just going to mix it with the new stuff, now I' not sure what to do. Hate to waste it, maybe use it as for a winter application.