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Comments
-Larry
There is nothing wrong with the "link" to the article...I agree the quality of the print is not good but you asked for the rest of the article and I provided it.
Larry, stick with whatever products you like. From reading your above posts, it is quite obvious that Zaino is too complex a product for you to use anyway.
This car has less than 10,000 miles on it yet. I've been taking such good care of it, with Zaino, weekly hand-washes, etc. Needless to say, I am VERY upset.
In the next day or two I will be bringing it in to the dealer for scheduled maintenance and while there, I will ask them who handles their body work. I just hope this can be fixed to where it looks like new again.
Dammit!
Steve
Clay is NOT overkill on a new car or new paint. That flawless finish can be even better and smoother. I Clay'd my new car when it was 6 months old, and the difference was outstanding. Can't hurt!
NYC - Also - If any of you want to see a superb site showing world sympathy - go to http://www.logboy.com/wtc/world.html
It's a long page and takes a while to load, but it's worth it.
-Larry
Nope...just put a coat of Z1 right over top of the existing coats. Then Z2 or Z5 (whichever you prefer) over top of the Z1.
Yesterday was such a beautiful day in southern OH, that I was going to Z1 and Z2. But, I think I'll wait until next month for the bi-annual Z1 application. Instead, I just put another coat of Z2 after the wash. I did clay the front bumper of my 300M as some stubborn bugs gave their lives to it and decided to try and use the bumper as a permanent cemetary. After the clay, I did put some Z1 and Z2 on the bumper, however. Looks great. Instead of doing the Z1, I decided to detail the interior. Q-tips in the crevices, spot remover on the carpet. Zaino leather cleaner and leather conditioner. I found some generic window cleaner that works wonders without streaking (wish I could tell you what kind it is, but it's just called "commercial window cleaner"). Now, both the interior and the exterior look great (and smells even better).
I'm trying to decide whether it's worth cleaning the engine, but after having done so several years ago (and not being able to get the car started for a couple of hours after the cleaning), I don't know whether to try it again. Anyone have any ideas how to do this safely?
I found my first scratch on the 300M on the rear 1/4 panel yesterday (arrrggghhh!!!!). Looks like I'll have to do a touch-up paint "feather job" on it since it's not a very big scratch, just deep.
I still think that Zaino keeps my car looking cleaner longer than anything else.
Went to fill up at the local gas station after my detail job. Even though my car is over a year old, after a Zaino detail, people still stop and ask me what I use on it. Two people asked me while I was pumping gas.
But I have white residue on the bumper and door handle trim. I'm not sure what to use to get this stuff off.
Also, what do you guys recommend to clean the interior and exterior windshield, windows and mirrors? Does Windex work? Or is that a no-no?
Thanks.
As for windows, I use ClearVue window cleaner. It doesn't contain amonia, which although is a great cleaner, does leave streaks and can break down delicate finishes like mirrors. ClearVue was once made by a local glass company that took it big time. Looks like it was bought by Turtle Wax.
Does the peanut butter get rid of the wax, or just cover it up? I can see it providing a shine, but am unsure how long it would last. Does it work long term?
Or should I be applying a commercial car-care product to protect the plastic trim? Any recommendations? The rubber trim is also looking dull.
Hmmmm... I remember the time when my idea of car care consisted of running it through the Shell car wash every couple of weeks.
If you have been reading the posts on the various paint protectants for a while, you would know that I am not a Zaino Zealot. I think a lot of the things said are just too wierd and seem to be more voodoo than common sense, but if it takes you eight hours to get any zaino product dry, you are doing something wrong. I live in Southern Florida, one of the most humid places in the world and I have never had to wait to wipe off any one of the Zaino products. Winter, summer, about to rain, evening, bright noon, any time. I put it on and by the time I am finished with wiping it on (and sometimes I only do the horizontal surfaces), I can go back to the front of the car and gently wipe off the dried Z product. I think perhaps you should avoid using Zaino products, perhaps they are too complex for you.
With regards to the windows....these are the particular "PAS" that anyone who likes a clean car runs up against. I've tried just about everything on the market. I've recently found a product for wondows that I really like, but know know where you can find it. It's simply called "commercial window cleaner". It doesn't smell like in has amonia, but works great. The guy that washes the windows at my home gave me an extra can.
Barring that, after trying everything else, I went with an old standby...vinegar and water mixed 50%-50%. I use a spray bottle (plant sprayer) with the mixture and a clean dry towel to wipe off.
Peanut butter, believe it or not, should work well to get the "wax" off your textured surfaces. You might want to try Z-14, which is a plastic polish. I use Z-16 on my tires, moldings and textured plastic surfaces on the outside of my car with great success. It's easy to put on, lasts a good long while and gives my trim and tires a very professional, detailed look.
;-)
-Larry
Use a regular glass cleaner the rest of the time. I find Windex to be terrible. I find Stoner's Invisible Glass pretty good, and some of the special auto glass cleaners at the Auto Zone are not bad. For a few bucks a bottle, you can try some out and see how they work.
What I find is that this is a neverending task, as plastic in the dash forms a film on the inside of the window.
If you smoke (does anybody smoke in a car any more?) it's much worse, I would expect.
I'll keep you posted on results.
You're right. I can't wait to see the qustions of someone who just wandered into this discussion.
One of our members recently posted a warning against using polymer-based car polishes. In his opinion and experience, it is possible to over-seal the paint, preventing it from breathing, and will cause cracking over time. I don't have the knowledge to agree or disagree, but I plan to keep this car a long time, so it's a concern.
Can anyone comment on this, either from technical expertise, or the experience of having had Zaino on a car for several years?
I'd be interested in what experience caused this "expert" to arrive at that opinion. Logic seems to dictate that the primary purpose of applying a polymer on painted surfaces is to obtain the best seal possible, thereby protecting the paint from the elements, UV damage and dirt. I am aware that most living creatures and probably some materials need to breathe -- but auto paint?
If I were you, I'd keep using Zaino to add multiple coats to the finish of your own Lincoln. And I'd let someone else worry about the need for your car's paint to breathe!
All I can say is that I have used Zaino on my 99 Chrysler 300M from the summer of 98 until I got rid of it on 3/28/01 and saw NO deterioration in the finish, look or shine.
I am now using it on my 01 Acura CL-S and it looks GREAT! I suppose none of this is really long term use.
fastdriver
Full5.
The bottom line is that the car is now 24 years old and its finish, probably without the ability to breathe because it has always been protected with a polymer, shows no sign of cracking.
Hope this helps.
Now THAT'S a long term test! ;-))
fastdriver
I'm no expert, but I know that Zaino is used instead of wax, and that there is no wax in it. That's why you take the wax off first.
So when he goes on about "polymer waxes," I think he maybe means NuFinish or some other applications that contain some polymer.
I doubt he knows much about Zaino, and I've seen enough posts here from MB and BMW owners to know that there is no problem with putting Z on "German Paint."
If Z did not perform as advertised on German cars, we would not need Sal to tell us that, we'd here about it here.
If you want to wax your car, this article has a lot of useful information; but if you want something better, this is the place to learn about Zaino, both the good and the bad.
Here is a link to a claim that polymers cause cracking...From Wax Depot (A company that only sells wax products)... http://waxdepot.safeshopper.com/faq.htm#13
I don't see any logic in anything said there. I don't understand why the paint would not expand or contract as the same rate whether a polymer coating is applied or not. Modern paints are made with acrylics(plastics).
First, the guy I referred to makes no claims to being an expert, he's just a guy like us who has always spent a lot of time taking care of his cars. His suggestion of possible problems with polymers is based on the experience of an acquaintance in the car business, and who shows cars. He is not an anti-Zaino zealot, he was just adding his $.02 worth to friendly exchange of information on our club website. I'm not defending nor condemning his statements; don't have the expertise to do either, which is why I raised the question here.
Second, I have no intention of going out today and stripping the Zaino off my car. In my un-expert opinion, paint "breathing" makes little sense to me. "Breathing" implies contact with the atmosphere, which is what we protect against, right? If sealing out dirt, acid rain, bird poop, bug guts, etc., etc. means I also seal out the air, so be it. My opinion of Zaino has not changed, and I'll be one of the people who can attest to the effects of five or ten years of Zaino use.
BTW, Zaino has passed my final test, that of durablility. I've always waxed monthly, but haven't put on a coat of Z in nearly three months. It gets washed at least twice a week, and still beads water like a brand-new coat of wax. No wax I've ever used has stood up like that.
I do appreciate all the responses. Never for a minute thought my question would lay here unanswered!:)
I am using Z7 as instructed and the car has 2 Z5's and two Z2's on it. White towels etc...
Just curious if it's something I am doing wrong or is this typical?
Thanks to all,
JR
I do not believe Z7 has any properties that make it dry faster than other products and would cause drying to be any different than other car wash formulations.
I think some people(myself included) go from very little careing about their cars appearance to becoming car detailing fanatics where they notice every little scratch, water spot and any piece of dirt on their car(once they get hooked on Zaino).
Take your pick.
"No, it's both products in one. Look at that floor shine. Yea, and my pie tastes great also!"
8-P
I always was pretty particular about my cars and with Z it's easy to keep them looking they way I like.
Thanks,
JR
The author of that piece doesn't underestand the properties of synthetic polymers. Yes, they employ long "chain link" joined molecule structures. But those structures are much much more flexible than any wax on the market. The entire structure CAN expand and contract WITHOUT breaking or hurting the paint. As an example, just go to any large chain link fense and push on it. It will give easily and then return to the initial position. Now try that with a large pane of glass. Actually, don't try it, you could get hurt. Glass is a solid liquid without a regular bonding pattern between molecules. And so is wax. Wax is simply a collection of oily hydrocarbon molecules that has hardened in place.
As heat expands a wax surface it will expand within a much more narrow range of latitute. After that point, microscopic cracks will develop, and the oils in the wax compound will leach out. That's why waxes do not last as long as a polymer.
JR: I too have 'instant' water spots after drying. In my case, its due to hard water, and dust in the air. And as joebob says, the sun is part of the effect too. After I've washed, I take the remains of my Z7 bucket (clean as I use the 2 bucket method), pour it over my car, and rinse with a slow steady flow of water from the hose. Don't use a strong spray. That seems to help. I then use a chamios cloth to remove most of the water before finally using a towel. And then, I finish with Z6.
To e320: Again, Zaino is NOT a wax. It takes the place of a wax but does not contain any wax.
You can call it a 'finish' or anything else you wish. For me, its a polymer. Maybe its the engineer in me. Some people say the glass is half full, some say its half empty. I say its twice as large as it has to be for the given amount of liquid in it.
JR
Despite my reservations about dragging a blade across my new car, I went with the many suggestions on this board and tried it. It's not at all like the windshield wiper I imagined, and I can say it works great and cuts drying time in half, at least.
I have a black car and almost always wash it outside, and have not had any water spot problems using this blade and then a once over with a bath towel to dry what the blade misses.
Hard water could be the problem, also; I don't know.