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Comments
Coats 4 and 5 of Z-2 and Z-6 were applied back pain free with the Ames Buddy and Planters Wagon. (No, I don't own stock) Purchased on sale for $25. It is perfect for sliding around my Solara with whatever Zaino application I am doing. And my beer huggie fits nicely, too.
Check it out here: http://www.ames.com/
Click "Choosing the Right Tool"
Click "Wheelbarrows, Wagons and Carts"
I have been very busy, so have only been able to add one pic- in my garage no less, but I still like it.
http://members9.clubphoto.com/mark392223
Your car looks GREAT! Love the color! ;-))
fastdriver
nokuy2001 - re: "Dawn, clay, dawn" Sal told me that Dawn can leave a detergent film, so I would end with Z7. I would suppose that it might be OK to go "Dawn, clay, Dawn, Z7," but that is not what the Zaino Bros site says.
By the way, I DID wash my car with Dawn after about the 6th coat of Z and it DID look a little odd - slightly less bright. I asked Sal about it, and that's when he told me about Dawn and detergent film. It now looks OK, after sticking to the Z7.
Re: Bending. I did not realize how out of shape I was until I started this whole Z thing. And, the most work occurs on the first day (with the clay and Z1), so there is no "approaching it gradually." And, of course, you want to put a second coat on on Sunday, if you did the first coat on Saturday, so that first weekend . . .
On the positive side, an added benefit (?!) of Z obsession is that you get a bit into shape. But, I am still going to get one of the stools, creepers, or gardening aides you fellows have mentioned!
Someone wrote earlier that they thought Z6 might be a "leveler," I think they might be right. It certainly smooths out the surface and really improves the gloss.
But, damn, the car sure looks good.
I've got to go look for tmart's posting in the 'other' topic.
darbh: Yep, if he used Z6, it would have been no contest at all. Then again, there are also ways to 'freshen' some of the better wax products.
On bending: I've found that the normal amount necessary for a single Z7 wash, drying, Z6, Z2, and residue removal is my limit. If I add claying, my back will get even. And the little gardening stool really helps. And fastdrivers' not so old. Again, you're only as old as...what was I saying...as you..huh...feel? Where was I...ah, 'bout to look for that other contest link. ("sometimers" desease).
Step Applicator
1. wash with DAWN -- use old sponge
I used an old sponge to wash as I didn't want to ruin a good towel
2. dry -- bath towel
3. CLAYBAR
use Z7/H20 mix as lubricant
4. wash with DAWN -- use new sponge
old sponge might have residual dirt. After the Claybar your car has no protection, be nice!
5. dry -- bath towel
6. apply Z1 -- cotton applicator
Z1 does not need to be dry in order for Z2 or Z5 to be applied
7. apply Z5 or Z2 -- cotton applicator
Use Z5 if your car has swirls you wish to hide. Z2 is your finish looks good.
8. let dry at LEAST one hour
9. remove Z5 or Z2 -- bath towel
Z should come off easily. If it smears, its not dry yet.
10. apply Z6 -- hand towel
Technically you are done here. If you want to apply another layer of Z (most of us do) you must wait 24 hours for the first layer to cure.
These next step are also what I consider normal maintenance. These are the steps I go through when I clean my car
11. Z7 wash -- sponge with towel around it
12. dry -- bath towel
13. apply Z6 -- hand towel
14. apply Z2 or Z5 -- applicator
15. let dry at least one hour
16 remove Z2 or Z5 -- bath towel
17 apply Z6 -- hand towel
Some additional tips:
- I printed out Sal's instructions to refer to. Helpful.
- I use Z6 before and after applying Z2 or Z5.
- Z2 should always be your last layer.
- Always wait 24 hours between Z layers. (Waiting is the most difficult thing.)
- High quality 100% cotton towels are key. Make sure you wash with dye and fragrance free detergent. (I learned the hard way.)
- Wash the towels before you use them or you will have lint problems.
- Wash the applicators by hand.
Hope this helps.
Argh -- my list didn't exactly format as I had intended. I wanted the far column to list what I used to apply each step with. Hopefully you can read through that. Sorry.
exterior is a silly waste of time. So be it, different strokes for different folks, yada, yada, yada."
I defy you to find one shred of evience that I'm not someone who takes care of my cars. My cars are 7 and 12 years old, and I constantly get comments on how good they look. (The 12 year old Volvo is a recent purchase, so I can't take full credit for its appearance; the previos owner, who bought the car new, took fastidious care of it.) I wash my cars weekly and wax them at least monthly, if not more. I just think Zaino Zealotry (tm) is funny.
3.5 -- Budweiser
8.5 -- Budweiser
10.5 -- Budweiser
14.5 -- Budweiser
18 -- Budweiser
BTW, I checked out the "other" list. I did see the message with the link to the comparison test, but it generated virtually no discussion! I guess they must think that if they ignore the test the results go away (or don't count).
Use the towels for all washing, drying and polish applications.
Then use the 24 hour waiting period to run everything through the washer/dryer. I felt like I was working at the gym for a while, but the towels come out clean and fluffy (!) every time, ready to be abused again.
The very bottom of the car, under the bumpers and under the rocker panels under the door have lots of dirt and stuff, so I do those last, as this is what makes the towels very dirty, even black.
But it all comes out in the wash.
LOL... You were BRAVE!!! LOL... Wonder why I didn't see it. TH probably UNSUBSCRIBED me to that group now!!
emaison-
Good job, but I agree with those above- NO SPONGES!!!! 100% chenille cotton mitts or towels. Also, you do NOT need DAWN again after you clay. Use the Zaino car wash. Also, I do not use Z6 BEFORE I do a Z2 or Z5 application. I do END with a Z6 application. This is a good site too:
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Flats/6021/zainofaq.html
squidd99-
Mmmmm........if your towels are getting black from wiping under the bumper and rocker panels, then you are not BENDING low enough! LOL.......
fastdriver
squidd99: 'Like your suggestion: Bud is a good choice. At my advanced age, its a good idea to break up all that work with a few good breaks. I really enjoy detailing my car and am willing to take my time.
Bud = bad
lite beer = good
(take your pick from Amstel, Coors, etc.)
Too many Buds while car detailing will eventually lead to comments from the spouse like "hey, why don't you Zaino that belly while you're at it".
FWIW
"In reality", some folks HAVE gone over the edge with pushing one product or another in all sorts of forums and topics. And objectivity has not been a hallmark of any polymer or wax activist. And some of the arguments I've seen since the days prior to Chris Parrish have been shall we say somewhat less than rational. Both pro and con. So it doesn't take a Bill Gates to reach your conclusion. And yes, "Zaino Zealotry (tm) is funny". Sometimes its a riot. As in when I told my wife I was buying a set of Fieldcrest towels for the car.
But all that not withstanding, Zaino is a fine product and our little squabbles should not distract from its reputation. I'm not a car care fanatic. I'm an old performance driver who cares much more about driving than looks. Yet, I like to keep my car in good shape and exterior cleaning is part of that. When I complained to Chris Parrish about the various waxes I tried, he recommended Zaino, and I tried it. Objectively, it was the best product of its type that I ever used. And as a result, I happy to part take of the Zaino topic and help others with it. I also can frequently be found in a whole host of other topics too, and I don't think anyone would call me a fanatic in those topics either. In fact, I'm probably the first to poke fun at myself and my general like of cars. All of us here at TH are just a bit more than mildly interested in cars. Enough for now.
And now about that Volvo of yours......
What about my Volvo?
Last comment -- has anyone tried Dos Equis beer instead of Bud or a "light"? It's brewed in Mexico, originally by a German brew master who immigrated to Mexico City. It's a good tasting complement to Zaino's great smell. Try it!
Have to go over to the other forum and see if any flaming started.
We need to find "car detailing" specific beers. They shouldn't make you bloated so that bending or scooting around on your mechanics creeper becomes a chore.
But seriously (if that's possible, given the subject matter and my zealousness for the Z product), I've used everything from Simonize (Yep! I'm THAT old) to NuFinish over the span of more years than I'd care to admit to. But once I tried Zaino and experienced the ease of use, long-lasting protection and wet look shine, I was hooked!
And, yes, I too am a car nut and always have been. And my wife, like pblevine's, smugly tolerates my Zaino antics including the expensive towels. She really laughed when I told her about the poor idiot who tried Zaino for the first time and, like a true believer, used his wife's Ralph Lauren Polo towels.
I know we're a breed apart. But as the old saying goes, "Don't knock it if you ain't tried it!" (I note that you really haven't knocked Zaino -- just the fanatics like me who swear by it.)
And about Zaino: For some reason (and that does seem a little strange to both of us), Zaino products have become something of an emotional hot button here at TH - and from what I understand, on other car related sites too.
Detailing results are judged on a rather subjective basis and that's part of the reason. Another factor has been the personalities involved in the various arguments. Various waxes such as "Mothers" also have a loyal following and when you put such loyal supports of competing products together, you are just bound to get some emotional feelings running loose. Mine included.
Do I think Zaino is the best thing since sliced bread? Of course not! Is it God's answer to dirt? Give me a break! Is it the only good product on the market? Not by a long shot.
So what's the attraction for someone like me (the old and former performance driver now driving a normal daily commuter car)? I'll try to be objective here. As a techie (I'm a software engineer), polymers seem like a technical breakthough in terms of protection and endurance compared to normal waxes. And as a company, Zaino Brothers actually delievers. Their products are all of extremely good quality. Zaino doesn't hype their stuff. Actually, we do. And many Zaino users have been so impressed by actual real quality that we've become rather loyal.
Compared to say installing a new shock, detailing can be rather tricky. And to get the most out these products (ie: Zaino AND all the other waxes too), many users (me too) have become almost anal in their investigation of application methods and techniques. And after some effort, many of us WANT to inform other users about such things. In fact, since none of us has the knowledge of say a Chris Parrish, we really do depend upon one another for application information. And that's another major factor in what you see as 'zeolotry'. For me, its a hobby and I have many other more time consuming interests. But here at TH, it may seem that we're overly focused on just that single aspect of the entire auto industry.
And lastly, I guess some of us just enjoy maintaining cars.
But in this case, at least the poster did create some kind of credible test....not that "tests" aren't suspect to the skeptic, since as we know the tester can affect the test in very subtle ways...again, not saying this happened, just bringing up the skepticism that others might feel.
I WAS unsubscribed from that OTHER topic. That's why I didn't see your posting. I had to subscribe again. I think they're just ignoring it. They're too busy putting on their waxes and then applying the polymer on top of that?? AND.....they say Zaino is a chore! If they only knew.
fastdriver
I have been using Zymol (Walmart) for years on my wifes Lexus and my trucks. Thought I was completely satisfied with the end result. Hard to imagine my vechicles looking any better.
Here are the last of pictures of my car after two coats of Z1 & three coats of Z2 & Z6. Since these pictures were taken a couple weeks ago (under lousy light), I have applied two more coats of Z2 & Z6 producing an even better shine (who woulda thunk it!).
I could have (and should have) taken the pictures in better light. Pictures 2 & 3 (and possibly 7 & 8) best represent how good Zaino looks on a silver car. I was once a doubter - now a believer that multiple coats DO make a difference. I think I'll be doing two more coats for added 'insurance' before the month is done. FYI..I never did bother claying.
<http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1750090&a=13480151&p=51638327>
Enjoy.
.
The best time to take pics, as automophile reminds us, is at sunset or in the shade. The bright sun washes out the effect. Your pics did come out good. Why doesn't anyone believe us when we say that multiple coats make it shine more? All these doubting Thomas's! ;-))
fastdriver
To show the gloss on a silver car, I offer the following suggestion. Take photo #4 again (side profile); have the car in the shade while items in the reflection are in the sun. This will make the side of the car seem like a mirror.
1. If you have any doubt whatsoever, run the towels through a second rinse cycle. They must be totally free of detergent.
2. A slightly damp applicator (damp with distilled water, if a fanatic), then sprayed with Z6, will help you put on thin coats, since you can put just a very small amount of Z2 or Z5 on an applicator so moistened and you can still work with it (i.e., spread the Z2/Z5 around). If the applicator is dry it is harder to spread the Z around and one is then tempted to put more Z2/Z5 on the applicator.
3. If the car is dirty, use two buckets when washing. One is clear water (I use hot water). The other has Z7 in it. Frequently rinse your towel or wash mitt in the clear water, then dip in the Z7. I use the two bucket system whenever I wash, without regard to how dirty the car is. The great enemy is damage to the paint. The last thing we want is to be the source of our own upset.
4. Turn and fold your towels frequently, exposing a clean surface. Help support the petroleum and utility industries by using lots of towels resulting in heavy use of your washer and dryer.
5. Sal mentions that many of his customers Z6 before and after a coat of Z2/Z5. I do. The 6 really increases the gloss. Then, again, it maybe that the 6 is a mild hallucinogen and it is my perception, not the car's gloss, that is being altered.
6. Using a leaf blower will reduce the number of towels you need to dry the car. It will also eliminate most of the dripping (that then results in the dreaded water spots) that comes from behind the chrome trim, door handles, grill, etc. Use of the blower reduces the number of towels necessary to dry the car -- one will do. There is also less rubbing of the paint involved, which is always good. Using the leaf blower regularly on your car will also reduce your neibors' requests that you make civic contributions, like becoming a Boy Scout leader, and will reduce the likihood that they will want their kids to overnight with yours at your home. It will also help support an insanity defense, if you ever find yourself arrested and on trial. As you can see, there are many practical benefits from using a blower.
7. Not exactly part of Z instructions, if the car is not garaged at home and at work, a car cover will really help your paint in the long run and will save you work (which saved time will then probably be consumed applying "just one more coat" of Z). It reduces the frequency of washing -- and, lets face it, no matter how careful we are, anytime you touch anything to the paint, there is some risk. Heck, I have scratched the paint with a brad on my jeans while washing the car (I now wear swimming trunks or sweats). Depending on the model, it protects against UV damage, acid rain, industrial fallout, bird droppings, tree sap, etc. which then saves you from having to apply some heavy cleaner to the paint, removing the Z, etc.
8. This has already been touched on, but do not "Clay, then, Dawn then Z1." Sal says that Dawn can leave a detergent film. His recommendation is to "Clay, then Z7, then Z1." I have commented in an earlier post that PERHAPS you could Dawn, then Z7 (to attempt to remove any detergent film) if your car was very dirty (bugs, road film, etc.) , but, there would be no reason to do such in the above initial Zing sequence, as you have just Dawned, anyway, before Claying.
Yeah, I, too, thought there would be more "comments" after the post. Oh well. Tmart
Don't you run the risk of blowing grit from the floor or driveway onto and across the car? Or do you just point it down and blow the water onto the ground?
Have you had any trouble with this, and how long does it take to do the whole car after washing? Right now, I use the Calif Water Blade, which I bought after reading comments here, and am, somewhat to my surprise, very pleased. This seems to get lots of water off quickly, leaves no scratches, and I can dry the rest quickly with one towel.
And it's a lot quieter.
You have a more than valid point: uncritical acceptance to the point of shuting out any criticism is not a good thing. It promotes cults.
Being skeptical in the true sense is healthy, and humor is a good way to maintain balance.
Whether Zaino is a good product (and I think its the best) is not the important question. We all should be comparing it and testing it against others in the market. That's a given.
No, the important question at this point is our perception of Z-Users as 'zeolots' in the cause of a certain product. If the perception is there, then the problem exists. And as a doctor of 'ception, I recommend a dose of humor. Oh, you all beat me to it! OK, good for you and I take back any negative vibes that were hanging out here.
But you've also got to be careful with humor too. Not all jokes are constructive. Reminds me of the time a "Hairy Chistna" [sic] kid asked me for money in an airport. You know, the bald head, yellow robe, and bad breath. I had two pennies in my pocket and thought it funny to give him the 2 cents. He returned a penny to me and said (in his phony Indian accent): "Sir, here is your change".
-Larry
killakella: Is that a local micro-brew? Some of those micro-brews are just great. There are several small distribution micro-brews up in the Bershires that are also very good. In Great Barrington (Western MA), there's a wonderful little restaurant/brewery where I can't help but try all of their beers every time. But you've got a point, I'll try some Bud "Lite" when next working on the car. Gotta be better than Blatz!
darbh: I like your instructions/recommendations. I'm very partial to Z6. But I'm not going to buy a blower just for the car. I'll continue using my chamios cloth and a bath towel. Its fast and good. I'd like to try the Ca Water Blade if I ever get back to Pep Boys.
For all of you concerned about your leaf blowers hurting your paint, think about how hard the wind (and all the crap blowing in the wind) hits your paint when you are driving 70+ mph? Well, thats mostly on the front bumper, but still.. I don't use a leaf blower, but I bet the electric ones don't blow any harder than the wind does when you are driving.
Becoming unsubscribed is just a bug/glitch here in TH. Just like early this morning, when NOTHING worked here! It has happened to me several times. The best way to check, instead of assuming that there are no new messages in a bookmarked topic, is to click on preferences at the top of this page- right next to where it says Welcome......and see if all your bookmarked topics are there. If not, then you have to go and find them again and scroll to the bottom of the page and click on SUBSCRIBE. That will put it back in your preferences.
fastdriver
1) Is it worth it to apply Zaino to a 13 year old car?
2) Is there anything different I should do, as compared to Z-ing a new car?
3) I figured to Dawn,Clay,Zwash, then Z1. After that should I use Z5 and Z2 (with Z6 in between coats) or do I have to use Z3?
4) Can I apply the Z1/Z2 to the vinyl roof of the car?
5) The car has the gold trim on the grill and doors...will Zaino harm this in any way, or should I avoid using Z on those areas?
6) There are a couple of swirl type of scratches on the trunk...Should I use Z5 on it, or one of the other products mentioned throughout these posts?
Any suggestions we be greatly appreciated.
Mark
mbdriver: Dos Equis IS great beer. It reminds me of the San Miguel beer. The San Miguel from the Philippines, not Mexico. And Sam Adams also tastes great. Best served cold after Z6.
Any tips for a first time Z'er on how to adjust the application tehcnique to deal with this?
The one obstacle I see in application is not to attempt it in high humidity. The humidity is 85% and the dew point is 78 today. Pretty typical for central Florida from May through about the second week of October.
If humidity is key to a successful application it appears my only window of opportunity is April.
Hunting season starts in October and runs to March 28th. Wouldn't dream of waxing my trucks and showing up in the deer woods with a show room shine. Red clay and red neck buddies? It appears my old stand-by Zymol (WalMart) will have to do till April.