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Comments
maxpower - Yes, the color is very CLOSE to the gorgeous graphite of the new Accord, but us seems a little lighter. We now have on 4 coats of Z2, and the shine is really extreme. I will have to post some photos for you all.
There is a problem tho - the entire car is so shiny and smooth that you can't touch it without leaving a fingerprint. I guess we will need to wear gloves to enter the car! When friends are looking at it, I find myself following them around, wiping with a soft towel, like some kind of butler! I DO think it's the Z2 fumes.
Doing the BRAND NEW paint was a pleasure - it was so smooth, I can hit record speeds with the applicator pad! I think I can Z2 the entire car in about 10 minutes, max! At this time there is not a SINGLE scratch, swirl mark or spiderweb. I wonder how long it will stay that way.
By the way, I have been using some cotton garden gloves that have little rubber bumps on the palm and fingers while polishing the car. These allow a good grip on the pad and keep your greasy fingers off the car.
On another weekend, I used ZFX and Z2. I had a little streaking, but it was cleared up by using Z6. It was much more humid when I used the ZFX/Z2, plus I removed it immediately, allowing no drying time.
So that's not a fair comparison.
Some habits die hard. I had been using Z1 once per year for so long, that I got the application techniques to a science.
I don't see any bennefit from using ZFX or Z1 more than a couple of times per year.
I can tell minor differences in different manufacturers painting techniques and how they respond to Zaino.
In addition to my cars, I've Zaino'd friends a relatives cars, too. Results are always great, but I found Zaino responds well on GM and Infinitis regarding durability (about 6 months). With my Chryslers, the durability is about 5 months. I did a friend's new BMW 5 while he was visiting. He reported his durability was about 4 months in the Pacific Northwest, but he lives in an area where his car is much more suceptible to salt, cold, lots of rain and he keeps his car outdoors all the time, whereas mine are always garaged.
pblevine has gotten great durability on his Honda and fastdriver has posted the same results with his Acura.
Automophile - Wheres the car, all I see is the driveway and trees. ooooohhhhh I see it, I was looking at the reflection on the car.
P.S. Use some 303 on the tires, gives a nice matte finish and won't make the tires brown.
A great looking interior compliments the great Zaino finish!
maxpower02 - The car is lighter than the picture, but it is surely the same "family" as the Accord paint. Thanks for the tip on the 303 - I will try it for sure! I have been using Z16 for the rubber and tires with very satisfactory results. Not too shiny, and it dries hard, so it doesn't pick up dirt, and you can easily clean the tires when you wash the car.
Automophile: Great Pic! You have done well, pilgrim. The color and shine looks very much like my Honda Accord Coupe in dark Emerald Green. Only my car, which is now 5 years old, has accumulated a bunch of scratches and little bumps. This last winter in the NE was very bad. On my daily commute, the car was hit be gravel, sand, salt, mud, ice, and generally rough roads. Nothing can really protect a car against such elements over an extended period of time. Still, my car looks very good. And I'm learning how to use touch-up paint. Well, I'm far from perfect, but at least I try.
And now my tale of woe. This last weekend, I was up in the Bershires where the water is hard and contains iron. As an experiment, I decided to use about 1/2 oz of Calcon water softener in my bottle of Z7/water lubricant for claying. BIG MISTAKE! Not claying, my car really needed to be clayed. The Calcon killed my clay bar. I was about half done when the clay started to flake and fall apart. It had been picking up a lot of brake dust (even after two washes). I realized what was happening and stopped using it (and threw out the lubricant too!). But I was left with a bunch of clay smears. I tried re-washing without luck. 'Even tried some Z6. No go. In a near panic, I then tried some Sprayway window cleaner which contains an Ethyl/Methyl mixture. It worked. End of panic, but now I had some swirl marks.
I had planned to apply Z2, but given the self-inflicked swirl marks, I decided to switch to Z5. I had just gotten a bottle of the new Z5 thanks to comments from Bret. Four drops of ZFX and a little less than 1 oz of Z5 allowed me to apply two full coats. Yes, I used Z6 between and after applications. And guess what? The new Z5 really did eliminate the swirl marks! Sal get an A+.
And now I know to: NEVER USE CALCON!
I use Zaino product on the tires.
I once bought a used car, and the dealer put on some kind of interior protector that made the vinyl kind of slick, like slippery plastic. I couldn't even put a dash cover on my dash because the velcro glue would not hold, it was so slippery.
I like the breathable quality of the vinyl as it comes on the car.
The 303 cleans the vinyl up and adds UV protectant that will keep it from fading and deteriorating over time -- that's why I use it on my convertible. For this same reason, it is recommended for tires.
The general concensus of the car care experts is to use 303 and stay away from Armorall.
I did and I'm glad.
303 gives you a matte look and UV protection. I have been meaning to add it to the rubber parts on the sliding doors of our Ody, but not sure how to apply it there yet.
Request a free sample from their web site and see how you like it:
http://www.303products.com/
Sean
Sean
The detergent-y type cleaners (be that Simple Green, Purple Power, Super Clean, Greased Lightening, Formula 88, or anything else from the same shelf at WalMart/PepBoys/AutoZone/KMart/Murrays...) seem to be alot less damaging to rubber...
Here is my question. If I put on the last coat of Z5 last night about 4:00pm and wiped it off this morning, when can I put on my next three coats using ZFX?
Thanks,
Morry
I agree that there are a lot of acceptable cleaners out there.
The point is to get all the greasy kid stuff OFF before you Z16.
BTW - I found several nearby retailers on the 303 site, and will pick up a few of their products this week.
Went to Bj's last Wednesday and picked up a 3 pack of wash mits. Felt nice and soft and had a foam on the inside. I went to use it yesterday and the thing was crap. When I was applying the soap, you see nothing, then I used the Zaino mit, and there were all the suds. The Zaino mit has no foam inside so it was lighter. Anyone else tried another brand of wash mits?
Yes Z'd the car again, this time only a Z7 and a Z6, 303 Aerospace, 303 Fabric Guard. Brought it in the garage, and next thing you know it is raining. Just in time. Shiny as always, ready for our trip to Sesame Place next weekend. Sorry no picture yet.
Since I wash the car yesterday, can I apply the Zaino Tire treatment some time this week?
BTW, you can apply Z16 whenever you want to.
The Zaino tire treatment (Z16) is great. It gives you the matted look and it does keep the dirt and rain off of your tires. I noticed this when we went to the grocery store in the rain, all the cars had wet tires, except ours. And it was raining pretty hard.
303 is made by 303 products.
Some use it on the tires as well. I prefer just the interiors.
Never used Z17. Next batch of Zaino order is ANOTHER Z7 bottle, ANOTHER Z6, Zaino leather treatment, and another wash mitt.
I haven't used Armorall in many years. What I do know from painful experience is it turned my black tire sidewalls brown and actually dried out my vinyl dash to the point that it started cracking. They may have done something to their formula that took care of these issues, but I won't risk it. In addition, it took so long for Amorall to dry on my sidewalls that it always threw "gunk" all over my newly waxed wheels. It also dried slippery when used on vinyl surfaces.
Regarding Bleche White....last time I used that was.....well, when I had white wall tires (a very long time ago). I do remember it would clean white walls, but would also "stain" the black part of the tire to the dull grey as was mentioned.
For tire sidewalls, I do use Maguiars Endurance which I like for a higher "sheen" or Zaino Z16 for a "matte" finish. TO scrub tire sidewalls, I use plain old Z7 and a scrub brush. Most alloy wheels these days are painted with clearcoat, which we all know Zaino works great with. Even chrome wheels respond well with a coat of Z2.
I have yet to use 303 because I garage my vehicles and do little more than dust the dash when detailing with a "mini" California Duster. I use q-tips that I spray with Lysol to dust the HVAC vents.
As an aside, I might be bringing home an RX8 this evening. My beloved (and exclusively Zaino'd) 300M is going to a neighbor's garage for his college bound daughter to use. It's been a trusty steed with a happy owner during it's service to me over the last 115K+ miles.
If the "deal" happens as the dealer said it will (said with some trepidation), I'll be doing a Zaino routine to a virgin car this weekend. That'll give me a chance to try the "new" Z2 formulation.
I know it would be a waiste of money but has any tried using both Z16 and 303 on the tires at the same time? Are there any advantages to using both?
The only thing I hate about Z16 is the way you apply it. I feel like I am waisting more since I use a small rag or old sock to apply it. I think you tend to be more frugal when it is a spray item like the 303. (hey, but then again look what I did with the Z6).
Lets see, currently I like the clean dry look, I actually used the word frugal, and understand it, I really have turned into my father.
The RX8 is on my shopping list for next year, I'll have to see what it looks like in person, and read all the owner's opinions.
Good Luck.
I remember the first time I used that word and my father patted me on the back and said "that's my boy".
Of course, if he only knew that I went out and bought 100% cotton towels to use strictly on my cars, he would have railed on me for months.
jgriff....thanks! Deal's done! This is the first new car I've been excited about in quite some time. Before my son was born (17 years ago) I had a pretty healthy sports car addiction and actually did some amatuer weekend racing/autox. This will be the first true sports car I've owned for a couple of decades. From my test drive experience, the RX8 is quite a piece. The advances they've made since the last sports cars I had (MGB GT and an Alpha Romeo) can be measured in quantum leaps.
Unfortunately, they are just getting ready to load it on the ship in Japan. Then it hits port where they make sure everything is right, then they ship it to a distribution center, then to the dealer. I should have it sometime towards the end of next month.
My question is, can someone give a good overview of the WASH process? I keep struggling with how hard to "scrub" when you get dry spots of dirt, like after a light rain dries on the car. It seems like it takes more elbow grease than I've been willing to apply, but what do you all recommend? Also bugs. (Note - I couldn't find a good answer in past posts)
Next Q: Despite all the devotion to not letting swirls appear, I did see a few in some intense sun the other day. Can Z5 be applied over my current Z2?
Thanks a ton to all you OCD's out there...
-Squirrel
Unfortunately, the only safe solution is to wash the car again. There's no magic formula. I have used Z6 on very small spots of bird droppings without washing the whole car, but I'm very careful to totally soak the area with Z6 first before wiping.
As far as wash routine, I fill one bucket with a couple of capfuls of Z7 and clean, fresh water and another bucket of just plain clean water. I use the Z7/water bucket as my "sudsy" wash bucket and the "clean water bucket" to dip/rinse my wash towel/mit. I also use two seperate wash mits to wash the car....one for the upper part of the body (roof, hood, truck lid, upper sides) and another one to wash the lower parts of the panels because they tend to get the dirtiest.
That's my routine, but I'm anal.
Regarding swirls, unfortunately no matter how careful you are, you're going to get some. People lean against my cars and rub dirt into the finish. I've had people come up to mine and rub the finish because they think the deep shine is somehow magic. That will cause latent dirt to scratch the finish. Yes, Z5 can be used over Z2 and vice versa.
The only thing you can do is to minimize the scratching/swirls by using 100% cotton towels. Many recommend microfiber towels as being delicate. I've heard that they vary in quality so I'm waiting to see if there is one manufacturer that comes out with some high quality ones. The best I've seen are from 3M, but they only have very small ones.
Z5 will take care of very minor swirls, but anything worse than that and you'll have to go to a glaze product to polish out the swirls.
Bugs are a different issue. If they're splattered carcasses are left to dry, they will etch into your clear coat. A good dose of Z7/water takes care of most bug splats. I use Z6 to pre-soak the spot well before washing. If that still doesn't do it, try claying the spot. Anything harder than that and you are looking at harsher chemical compounds (like Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover) or an abrasive to get them off your finish. I've seen bug problems that are so bad (like on front bumpers) not even harsh chemicals or buffers would help. Best thing is to care for those spots as soon as you notice them.
If you've clayed and Z2'd your finish, then bugs should come off relatively easy if addressed early enough.
Good luck and let us know if that helps.
As for towels, I'll stick with the cotton for now, though I have one of the glass cleaner ones that works great.
It's also good to hear that you can clay to get uncooperative bugs off.
Thanks - Squirrel
'Hope all is well!
BTW, I tried the new Z5 and it is very good. A real improvement in swirl protection/coverup. I now also have a bottle of the new Z2, but haven't yet had a chance to use it.
That was kind of a surprise purchase for me. I thought I'd end up with an Acura or Infiniti. I haven't owned a bonafied sports car in a couple of decades. Once the 300M turned over 100K miles, I started casually looking at what was available that might interest me. BTW, you really should give one of the new Accords a test drive, even if you aren't in the market. Really nice cars and I'll bet you'll marvel at the difference between your current Accord and the new ones.
The Mazda dealer is right next to the Infiniti dealer I happened to be looking. I spotted the RX8 while test driving an M45 (which I think is a great car, too). Long story short, I drove the RX8 3 times over a two week period and couldn't get myself to like anything else as much. Once I "justified" having a sports car again (if there is such a justification), the rest was easy.
daverose...do you use distilled water when you do a regular wash, too? Does it make that much of a difference? I carry a Z7/water mix in my trunk, too.
In post 4749, etoews suggested putting ammonia into the wash cycle to cut the grease and then vinegar into the rinse cycle to cut the soap. I ran a rinse cycle in the washer (to remove any lint from previous wash loads) before putting in the microfiber towels then, after a Tide wash, ran four rinse cycles with vinegar. The last one was pretty clean, but not perfect (water still cloudy). I didn't do more because I ran out of vinegar and was told the white wine vinegar was off limits.
The quality of MF towels is, indeed, variable. Both my wife and I ordered towels for our individual purposes. Hers were less expensive and much lower quality. I ordered mine from two different sources and was very pleased with both.
www.neatideas.com has both terry and suede towels and states that their towels are "ultra" microfiber, 220,000 thread count, with the little hooks in the fibers that give them the ultra cleaning aspect.
www.properautocare.com (the site for Classic Motoring Accessories, Ltd) has terry and waffle weave towels but also carries MF towels without the hooks for glass cleaning (less lint, I guess).
Both sites provided quality products and I'd recommend either or both. I won't mention the site my wife shopped at but will state that my towels keep showing up in her cleaning supply cabinet.
My cotton towels do get dirty and are sometimes hard to get totally clean, but that's usually after I've used them for quite a while.
"The Absorber" synthetic chamois has served me well over many years. I just replaced mine after about 5 years. I'm keeping the old one to dry door jams. The new one will be relegated to drying the rest of the car. I can throw it in the wash and it comes clean with just a Tide wash. I don't even dry it. I put it in its container/tube while still damp....no musty smell, no mildew and it dries the car well. It sounds like microfiber is the same idea, but more difficult to clean.
Long and short of it, I'll keep doing my cotton towel/absorber routine until I can find something significantly better. Although I may order a microfiber just to see how it compares.