Two weeks ago I applied Zaino to my car per directions. Then I think I goofed by running by car through a Chevron touch-less car wash. Does the soapy wash that Chevron uses contain a detergent that removes the Zaino wax? Do I have to start over with a Zaino wax job? I do appreciate any answers.
Cult? - Hmmmm - you may be right! I'll have to meditate on that !
However, you know the car gets dusty just sitting in the garage, at least in the garage of my ancient money pit. Maybe there are some great garages that have good door seals, but that sure isn't mine!
Thanks for your comments. The reason I was concerned about the Chevron car wash removing my Zaino was that Zaino says to start with a Liquid Dawn car wash to remove old wax because Liquid Dawn has a high alkaline content. I was wondering if Chevron's detergent is high alkaline.
Yesterday was a great day out so I clayed and Z5'ed my car. Unfortunately I found two 3-inch long scratches on my passenger door. They were parallel to each other about half inch apart. These are the kind of scratches that catch the fingernail. My car is silver and the scratches are basically white lines. I was hoping that the Z5 would hide them but they're still noticably visible.
I'm going to a car store later this week to buy some scratch remover but would I be wasting my time? This is my first time doing any kind of scratch remove job so I'm wondering if I should just get it professionally removed. I'm assuming as soon as it gets buffed out I need to apply more Z correct?
Re: Message 1512 by ryguye Since Z5 may take as many as five coats to provide its highest level of scratch and swirl hiding, why don't you do the additional four coats on that panel before you look to other remedies. It is my recollection that the next level of scratch/swirl/oxidation removal is 3M's Foam Pad Polishing Glaze. You might want to check with Sal Zaino (sal@zainobros.com) on what to do when the Z5 doesn't work.
I did the Z1/Z5 thing yesterday. It's been a pretty nasty winter, so before doing the Z treatment, I checked for the "ding's and scratches" I used that GS27 stuff, and I was surprised how well it removed "chips" in the door and around the wheels. Got the Z5 on and I think I'll do one more coat next week, then a Z2 coat - to get complete that spring cleaning.
Follow up. After applying the Z1, then Z 2-Z6 combo several times on my TOY and then a 2000 Black finished car I have the following observations. However, let me start by saying I did this over Collinite, a carnuba wax. I e-mailed Sal with a few questions and mentioned this test over the Collinite. He was quite expressive, perhaps arrogant would have been the better word. He stated " if you are going to use my product over a Carnuba then please don't bother to use it at all!
Anyway on a scale of 1-10, 10 being best here is the score card. On the black car I did two panels side by side with Zaino and the other Collinite. Ease of application Zaino 8.5 Collinite 9.5 (Z takes two coats, one z1 other z2) Ease of removal, Zaino, 9.5 Collinite 8.5 (some wax not quite white can be left in door jams etc and visible with Collinite). Slipperiness, very, very, very clsoe on this one. Zaino 9.8 Collinite 9.5 Shine, again a tough call, Zaino 9.5 Collinite 9.0 Durability Probably to Zaino as it is not a wax whereas Collinite is and carnuba's do not last as long. Remember I have yet to try this on a finish with no wax on it, will do that in a few weeks on another car. As to my TOY, it looks so great that I refuse to remove all of the old wax and the Zaino just so I can apply the Zaino again. Conclusion to date, both extremely great waxes and one could not go wrong with either. Leaning towards the Z but test on car with no wax will be the deciding factor.
armtdm: the problem is you can't strip zaino easily to get rid of the carnauba underneath it. you have to use an alcohol solution to get rid of zaino. That's why it's best to strip all wax off the panels you want to test Z on before trying it...
I only use Z1 twice a year. There's no need to put it on before every coat, and Z1 by itself doesn't do anything to offer protection "between" applications. I put a coat of Z5 on in early November and it held pretty good thru the winter. I just reapplied Z1/Z5 last Saturday.
I have at least 5 or 6 coats of Zaino on both of our Lexus cars which i did last April. Now my question is do i have to clay and apply the Z1 & Z2 again this year? It still beads up like i just waxed it. Or will the Z6 be enough for now. Please advise. Thanks. Wayne
wayn1 wrote, "It still beads up like i just waxed it." Thats very good. The Zaino lasted a year. Are your cars garaged regularly?
"Now my question is do i have to clay and apply the Z1 & Z2 again this year?"
If the paint is still smooth to the touch and looks visually clean you could skip the clay. I would highly recommend doing at least one (Z1, Z2) coat since it has been a year. Claying is the hardest part--another option is that you could wash the cars first and just do areas that you find need claying.
If you are very short of time the Z6 alone will provide some protection and will improve bead quality.
Will tar remover take Z off? I have some tar stuck to the bottom panels of my car. Simply washing isn't working (smears the tar which makes it even more difficult to get off). I already butchered my clay bars doing the rest of the car. I'm just wondering if I'll have to Z the area once I tar-remover it.
TAR REMOVER - Previous posts have indicated that tar remover does not remove Zaino as it will remove oil-based products, such as car wax.
ARMTDM - Zaino is designed to be completely optically clear. To install it over a wax, which by its nature is not optically clear, and will yellow with age, will defeat much of the purpose. That is why Sal was so adamant about this point. What you have done is like installing clean storm windows over dirty glass - No matter how much you clean the storm windows, you will never get a clear view.
It's too bad that you did this just to avoid the Dawn wash - you had to wash the car before polishing anyway didn't you?
No, didn't have to wash the car, Toy is garaged and never taken out in the rain etc. so I wanted a quick test of Zaino. Again, results look good but I will test on a on waxed car soon. I may just strip the wax on another car and side by side panels with Zaino and Collinite to see the diff. I have not seen anyone do a direct, side by side comparison of this product on these posts. All compare to what they remember the car finish to be like before they Zaino polished the finish. I am the true cynic and I must prove to myself any product is superior.
Just put Z on my 2 cars this weekend (Volvo & dodge caravan). I have noticed that the Zaino seems to last longer on the Volvo than the Caravan.
Regardless, both cars look great and Zaino lasts longer, looks better and applies/wipes off easier than any product I used in the past. I am surprised it isn't even more popular than it is already. The swirl reducer really works without the pain and risk of buffing the clear coat.
I just ordered the leather cleaner and conditioner products. I hope they work as well as the exterior products.
I think if you check the archived Zaino posts, you will see several comments from people that have done side by side comparisons of Zaino with carnuba wax products like zymol. Zaino is typically described as having the "wetter" look. The carnuba waxes as having a shiny, but not as wet of finish.
Regardless, you will be hard pressed to beat Zaino. Frankly, just the ease of Z, its long lasting protection, and its low cost compared to premium waxes is enough to make me use the product.
armtdm -- bakefly1 said it effectively in post #1527. Zaino IS superior to any other car care product most of us have ever used.
But your cynical tests will NOT give you proof of one of Zaino's most important advantages, that being its ability to provide superior long-term protection, including UV protection. Your wax just won't hold up as well over the months. I speak from experience!
armtdm, I agree with mbdriver regarding your tests. Zaino has great endurance. I've now gone all winter without another application of Z2. And my car is now a daily commuter. After a quick wash this last weekend, it is still beading water. Unfortunately, today's rain has recovered my car with wet dirt! Damn, when will this winter end?
By the way, never put Zaino over an existing coat of wax.
However, I have no doubt Zaino will last longer as it is not a wax. As my climate permits washing and waxing almost 12 months year I am much more interested in the shine/gloss effect over durability!
My biggest complaint about the product is that it turns my 2000 Impala LS into the biggest dust-magnet on the road. The car looks absolutely great up to a couple hours after being treated, but from there after, it attracts every piece of dust and dirt you can think of.
armtdm: Side-by-side on the same panel would be a more valid test than putting Zaino on top of wax.
this_is_nascar: One of the regular contributors here recently discussed using the Z6 Gloss Enhancer on his television screen and watching cigarette ash be repelled. That leads me to ask, did you use Z6? Can you tell if there is more dust being attracted to your vehicle than before you used Zaino, or can you just see it more clearly against the clean, reflective surface you now have?
Is it ok to use Joy liquid dishwashing soap instead of dawn to remove the old wax? It says on the label that it removes grease from your dishes plus it's safe to use on hands as it is anti-bacterial.
Blue Dawn is preferred; it is strictly a cleaner. Don't know how the antibacterial element in Joy would affect your results. If you have the choice to use Dawn, I would. But the nature of the effect of Joy, especially if you rinse thoroughly, might be pretty small. If you're going to clay before you apply Z1, that might be even less of a problem with the Joy. For some reason, I believe Dawn and Joy are made by the same manufacturer; call the 800/888 toll-free number or write the link that's probably on the side of the Joy package to ask. How can that hurt? If they're not the same manufacturer, then ask if Joy is an alkaloid cleaner. If it's not, I would certainly go with the Dawn.
I clayed and put Z5 on my car last saturday. Weather permitting I plan to put a coat of Z2 on top of that this coming saturday. I haven't put any Z6 on the car yet. I was wondering should I Z6 right before I put the Z2 on? Or should I have put Z6 on right away after the Z5? Or maybe I should wash on Saturday, Z6, then put Z2 on sunday?
I doubt that Zaino "attracts" dust, in fact I have found the opposite - dust seems to blow off while driving! Maybe it just shows up more on the shinier surface!
For overall shine and durability, please see this magazine article that tested several waxes including Zaino and measured them with a professional reflectance meter for shine - at first and after 52 washes.
armtdm - waxing your car without washing it is begging for some single dirt particle to scratch your paint up really well as you rub it in! I hope that you were lucky and this didn't happen.
Interesting comparison at the web site you referenced..
On my "toy" I never take it out in bad weather and wipe it down after every trip out. So the only thing accumulating on it normally is dust, some brake dust, or pollen now, even in a garage. So a wipe with a Z6 dampened cloth and then maybe a Z6 will do the trick. I agree that if dirt etc. a wash is better.
When my daughter comes home from college in a week her car will have no wax left on it so a good cleaning and the Z product will be a good test for me for shine and durability. I know that I put Z on incorrectly over a carnuba wax on my toy but that was intentional as a comparison test for me to see what the others cars will look like compared to a proper application. Being the true skeptic ( I did this with synthetic oil usage 9 years ago and extended drains) I need to attempt all angles to believe. There is so much marketing hype out there, so much false and misleading advertising that I now believe no one or no one's claims until I have proven it to myself. Granted, I applied the Z on my toy over a wax base but it is very very slippery. However, I agree with the above post that pollen (he claims dust) does not freely flow off of the Z coated finish and may even attract it. Perhaps it will repel if there is no wax base but we shall see. I actually have noticed more static with the Z product but too early to tell definitively.
Static! Static causes the dust to stick to your car. Z6 should help eliminate it. Grounding will also help. And then again, it could be the air. Polution and global warming. Use more Z6 and curse all those dust makers.
Joy is better than water but not as good as Dawn. I know, ya got some in the kitchen. Use it and let us know if it works.
Hi all,I hope someone can help me,I've been reading all the post's on the zaino product's and decided I would like to try it.Problem is I wasn't sure what to order,so I called Sal and he asked if it would be for showroom?. I just want a shiny protected car.Now I'm really confused,is this for everyday car or just show car's?I just bought a sterling mist maxima,and would really like to protect it and have it sparkle,any advice would be greatly apprieciated.I know this sounds dumb but could anyone walk me through what to buy and how to apply it.Thank's Eileen
Sorry,I forgot to ask,does this go on all part's of the car except the glass,or do you keep it off the wind deflector,front grill (plastic)and mud flap's, ect?
Just wondering if anyone has used Z12 clear glass polish. If so: 1. Is it worth the price, 2. Do you use it when ever you clean the windows or only once a month (thus, using another glass cleaner on a more frequent basis), 3. Should I just give up now and order one of everything from Zaino bros'?
Hello Eileen, I'm not a fanatic about my car. I used Zaino last Aug (clay, Z-1, Z-2) on my 97 Infiniti J-30. This car is outside 24/7 and is still shiny & beading water. Granted, I live in Silicon Valley & we only have had some rain, but I'm extremely happy. The thing I like most is that it is so easy to apply. I did my car in about 5 hours. Last month I Zainoed by wife's new MPV minivan (Z-1, Z-2 only) & it only took 3 hours. I love the protection & ease of use. Though the initial cost is high, the cost per use is very reasonable if you follow the hints of THIN coats as recommended by many gracious posters on this board.
Segirl, Dennis's post is very good and to the point. You should order clay, Z1, Z2, and Z6. Also, reference the Zaino site (www.zainobros.com) for a detailed set of instructions. You should also buy some 100% white cotton towels (made in USA only).
Curry, It depends. The Zaino Glass Polish is useful for cutting through really hard to remove dirt from windows. Unlike Windex, this stuff is abrasive. Its the only abrasive product in Zaino's line. Its real purpose is to remove the haze on the inside of a car's windshield which is created by curing plastic. All new cars have lots of new plastic parts which give off a chemical haze as they cure. You've seen it in new cars and old cars which were owned by heavy smokers. Windex helps but doesn't get it all. It also is quite good on exterior glass. The simple test is if a normal glass product like Windex does the trick, then you don't need Zaino's Glass Polish. But if you've got some hard to remove haze on your windows, buy it. It works.
I little know trick to clean/polish exterior glass without having to buy a dedicated product is to use car wax that is mildly abrasive. Side benefit is that it also cause water to bead/fly off much like Rain-X.
And no, it doesn't optically distort images or impair night images (glare) the many times I've done it. Just have to make sure you wipe it off completely.
Zaino'd this long weekend. Clay, 2 coats of z5, 2 coats of z2 on both body and wheels. (car was garaged) Needless to say, my Outback looks spectacular!!! I really noticed the diff when I went down to the local hardware store this week. As I was coming out the door, I immediately noticed a significant diff in the shine and depth of colour of my car vs all the others in the lot. Clay took off all the build up since my last claying about a 1 year ago, and made the surface unbelievably slippery!!! I should be set until Fall.
A note: I purchased 1 bottle of each of z1, z2, z5, z6, z7 in Feb 00. Based on use so far, this should last me at least one more year (ie to end 2002), which would make it approximately 3 or 4 years total. I may need to repurchase z7 at the end of this year. Price may seem steep initially, but it lasts years and is worth every penny.
You really must have worked to apply all those coats of Z. However, if I remember correctly, doesn't Sal Zaino recommend a wait of 24 hours between the applications of Z-2 and/or Z-5? You may have done too much in too brief a time period. I'm not sure what the results are, but I'm fairly certain that you didn't do any harm.
Yes I have. It realy does an excellent job of cleaning and polishing the glass. I do not use it very often though. Most of the time, windex works just fine. I bought it while restoring an older car and it made a huge difference on 17 year old glass.
I think the issue is that if you reapply too soon, you do not build up the layers because the new application just disolves the previous application. The layers must have time to completely dry. If it is warm and dry , it takes a lot less than 24 hours.
I just polished out some surface defects on my wifes car and am reapplying Z2. Each time I wash the car, I'm aplying one more coat of Z2 until I get the desired effect. I'd like to have gotten it all done in one weekend, but it's just not going to be practical to try with the weather being mostly cool and damp lately.
Can someone direct me to the zaino site without my having to read back through a thousand messages? Also, where do you buy the clay? This board has really picked my interest. tia
Comments
However, you know the car gets dusty just sitting in the garage, at least in the garage of my ancient money pit. Maybe there are some great garages that have good door seals, but that sure isn't mine!
Thanks for your comments. The reason I was concerned about the Chevron car wash removing my Zaino was that Zaino says to start with a Liquid Dawn car wash to remove old wax because Liquid Dawn has a high alkaline content. I was wondering if Chevron's detergent is high alkaline.
I'm going to a car store later this week to buy some scratch remover but would I be wasting my time? This is my first time doing any kind of scratch remove job so I'm wondering if I should just get it professionally removed. I'm assuming as soon as it gets buffed out I need to apply more Z correct?
Yes, you should re-apply Z1 to a buffed surface.
Anyway on a scale of 1-10, 10 being best here is the score card. On the black car I did two panels side by side with Zaino and the other Collinite.
Ease of application Zaino 8.5 Collinite 9.5 (Z takes two coats, one z1 other z2)
Ease of removal, Zaino, 9.5 Collinite 8.5 (some wax not quite white can be left in door jams etc and visible with Collinite).
Slipperiness, very, very, very clsoe on this one. Zaino 9.8 Collinite 9.5
Shine, again a tough call, Zaino 9.5 Collinite 9.0
Durability Probably to Zaino as it is not a wax whereas Collinite is and carnuba's do not last as long.
Remember I have yet to try this on a finish with no wax on it, will do that in a few weeks on another car. As to my TOY, it looks so great that I refuse to remove all of the old wax and the Zaino just so I can apply the Zaino again.
Conclusion to date, both extremely great waxes and one could not go wrong with either. Leaning towards the Z but test on car with no wax will be the deciding factor.
the problem is you can't strip zaino easily to get rid of the carnauba underneath it. you have to use an alcohol solution to get rid of zaino.
That's why it's best to strip all wax off the panels you want to test Z on before trying it...
When exactly should Z1 be used? Only before the initial application of Z2/Z5? Or between applications... such as waiting 3 months for winter to pass.
Thanks
When exactly should Z1 be used? Only before the initial application of Z2/Z5? Or between applications... such as waiting 3 months for winter to pass.
Thanks
Wayne
"Now my question is do i have to clay and apply the Z1 & Z2 again this year?"
If the paint is still smooth to the touch and looks visually clean you could skip the clay. I would highly recommend doing at least one (Z1, Z2) coat since it has been a year. Claying is the hardest part--another option is that you could wash the cars first and just do areas that you find need claying.
If you are very short of time the Z6 alone will provide some protection and will improve bead quality.
ARMTDM - Zaino is designed to be completely optically clear. To install it over a wax, which by its nature is not optically clear, and will yellow with age, will defeat much of the purpose. That is why Sal was so adamant about this point. What you have done is like installing clean storm windows over dirty glass - No matter how much you clean the storm windows, you will never get a clear view.
It's too bad that you did this just to avoid the Dawn wash - you had to wash the car before polishing anyway didn't you?
No, didn't have to wash the car, Toy is garaged and never taken out in the rain etc. so I wanted a quick test of Zaino. Again, results look good but I will test on a on waxed car soon. I may just strip the wax on another car and side by side panels with Zaino and Collinite to see the diff. I have not seen anyone do a direct, side by side comparison of this product on these posts. All compare to what they remember the car finish to be like before they Zaino polished the finish. I am the true cynic and I must prove to myself any product is superior.
Regardless, both cars look great and Zaino lasts longer, looks better and applies/wipes off easier than any product I used in the past. I am surprised it isn't even more popular than it is already. The swirl reducer really works without the pain and risk of buffing the clear coat.
I just ordered the leather cleaner and conditioner products. I hope they work as well as the exterior products.
I think if you check the archived Zaino posts, you will see several comments from people that have done side by side comparisons of Zaino with carnuba wax products like zymol. Zaino is typically described as having the "wetter" look. The carnuba waxes as having a shiny, but not as wet of finish.
Regardless, you will be hard pressed to beat Zaino. Frankly, just the ease of Z, its long lasting protection, and its low cost compared to premium waxes is enough to make me use the product.
But your cynical tests will NOT give you proof of one of Zaino's most important advantages, that being its ability to provide superior long-term protection, including UV protection. Your wax just won't hold up as well over the months. I speak from experience!
I agree with mbdriver regarding your tests. Zaino has great endurance. I've now gone all winter without another application of Z2. And my car is now a daily commuter. After a quick wash this last weekend, it is still beading water. Unfortunately, today's rain has recovered my car with wet dirt! Damn, when will this winter end?
By the way, never put Zaino over an existing coat of wax.
this_is_nascar: One of the regular contributors here recently discussed using the Z6 Gloss Enhancer on his television screen and watching cigarette ash be repelled. That leads me to ask, did you use Z6? Can you tell if there is more dust being attracted to your vehicle than before you used Zaino, or can you just see it more clearly against the clean, reflective surface you now have?
will this work as well as Dawn?
bruce
For overall shine and durability, please see this magazine article that tested several waxes including Zaino and measured them with a professional reflectance meter for shine - at first and after 52 washes.
http://smiley.tzo.com/fbody/pics/zaino_art1b.jpg
armtdm - waxing your car without washing it is begging for some single dirt particle to scratch your paint up really well as you rub it in! I hope that you were lucky and this didn't happen.
On my "toy" I never take it out in bad weather and wipe it down after every trip out. So the only thing accumulating on it normally is dust, some brake dust, or pollen now, even in a garage. So a wipe with a Z6 dampened cloth and then maybe a Z6 will do the trick. I agree that if dirt etc. a wash is better.
When my daughter comes home from college in a week her car will have no wax left on it so a good cleaning and the Z product will be a good test for me for shine and durability. I know that I put Z on incorrectly over a carnuba wax on my toy but that was intentional as a comparison test for me to see what the others cars will look like compared to a proper application. Being the true skeptic ( I did this with synthetic oil usage 9 years ago and extended drains) I need to attempt all angles to believe. There is so much marketing hype out there, so much false and misleading advertising that I now believe no one or no one's claims until I have proven it to myself. Granted, I applied the Z on my toy over a wax base but it is very very slippery. However, I agree with the above post that pollen (he claims dust) does not freely flow off of the Z coated finish and may even attract it. Perhaps it will repel if there is no wax base but we shall see. I actually have noticed more static with the Z product but too early to tell definitively.
Joy is better than water but not as good as Dawn. I know, ya got some in the kitchen. Use it and let us know if it works.
http://www.msnbc.com/local/rtco/drmn320482.asp
1. Is it worth the price,
2. Do you use it when ever you clean the windows or only once a month (thus, using another glass cleaner on a more frequent basis),
3. Should I just give up now and order one of everything from Zaino bros'?
I'm not a fanatic about my car. I used Zaino last Aug (clay, Z-1, Z-2) on my 97 Infiniti J-30. This car is outside 24/7 and is still shiny & beading water. Granted, I live in Silicon Valley & we only have had some rain, but I'm extremely happy. The thing I like most is that it is so easy to apply. I did my car in about 5 hours. Last month I Zainoed by wife's new MPV minivan (Z-1, Z-2 only) & it only took 3 hours. I love the protection & ease of use. Though the initial cost is high, the cost per use is very reasonable if you follow the hints of THIN coats as recommended by many gracious posters on this board.
Dennis
Dennis's post is very good and to the point. You should order clay, Z1, Z2, and Z6. Also, reference the Zaino site (www.zainobros.com) for a detailed set of instructions. You should also buy some 100% white cotton towels (made in USA only).
Curry,
It depends. The Zaino Glass Polish is useful for cutting through really hard to remove dirt from windows. Unlike Windex, this stuff is abrasive. Its the only abrasive product in Zaino's line. Its real purpose is to remove the haze on the inside of a car's windshield which is created by curing plastic. All new cars have lots of new plastic parts which give off a chemical haze as they cure. You've seen it in new cars and old cars which were owned by heavy smokers. Windex helps but doesn't get it all. It also is quite good on exterior glass. The simple test is if a normal glass product like Windex does the trick, then you don't need Zaino's Glass Polish. But if you've got some hard to remove haze on your windows, buy it. It works.
And no, it doesn't optically distort images or impair night images (glare) the many times I've done it. Just have to make sure you wipe it off completely.
A note: I purchased 1 bottle of each of z1, z2, z5, z6, z7 in Feb 00. Based on use so far, this should last me at least one more year (ie to end 2002), which would make it approximately 3 or 4 years total. I may need to repurchase z7 at the end of this year. Price may seem steep initially, but it lasts years and is worth every penny.
Thanks to pblevine for answering my many Q's.
Luck11.
Would appreciate comments from other users.
I just polished out some surface defects on my wifes car and am reapplying Z2. Each time I wash the car, I'm aplying one more coat of Z2 until I get the desired effect. I'd like to have gotten it all done in one weekend, but it's just not going to be practical to try with the weather being mostly cool and damp lately.
You can also get the clay bar.
That was hard.