Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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AND to stay on topic, did two coats of Z2, one in the morning and one in the afternoon with some Z6 in between. Dang, that truck looks good.
Of course, if jona57 went to the Store bought Wax thread and posted the results, then the flames would be "hot and heavy".
I just don't get it? This is the entire reason we have our own Zaino thread...so we can post experiences/tips/techniques without having to get chastised for doing it.
I rememeber that one had to wait between coats of Z5 and Z2. Wasn't sure on multiple Z2 coats. I wouldn't have had time on Saturday or Monday to do the second coat and figured 8 isn't as good as 24 but is better than 2. ;-)
This activity has been going on for years in here. While I agree that it's a good thing that there are two separate topic rooms to discuss car care products, I deeply resent the implication that I or anyone else cannot post in here on their own volition. I do not nor will never seek the permission or acceptance of the regular posters here who treat this thread as their personal chat haven. They have absolutely zero power and zero authority and NO ONE should be cowed or intimidated by them.
If the regulars in here do not like it they are free to leave Town Hall and create their own online paradise where dissention and opposing commentary is forbidden.
Until then everyone who dislikes my viewpoint and attitude can just lump it. I've said it before and I'll say it again - - I aint' goin' nowhere.
atoews - Thanks for the props, I appreciate it. :thumbsup:
div2 - Sir, I salute you. :salute:
Bret: I don't mind you coming around here. That's fine. And your positive comments (ie: not about Z per say but of all products) ARE welcome. But give us a break. You truly know that you cannot stop stirring the pot. If you cannot stay on the constructive side - please stand aside.
And there is also a very cute post making fun of Zaino nuts such as I. That's fun too and will help to keep us honest. Except for one thing. We should refuse to deal with fools such as div2 (who is a good writer) who would stoop so low as to make fun of Chris Parrish. Chris tried to help out every one (Z fans AND others) and never asked anything in return. We really should not return to those days.
As far as I am concerned, this topic exists to help others with the use of Zaino and other products too. Let's give folks some advice and not go bickering into the night. Take those frustrations out on a golf or tennis ball.
Best probably to ignore those posters who try to stir the pot.
Everyone's welcome here from my perspective. I'll give help where I can.
As my mother always says, "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all".
Let's remember that NO car care "polish" or "wax" or polymer is perfect, and nobody that I recall ever said that Zaino was. Great, yes. And better than anything else available? -- IMHO, yes again, definitely! But perfect? No way! (It probably does leave water spots on some finishes in some circumstances. And some folks simply prefer other products.)
So let's have fun as we exchange information and relate experiences. Regarding Post # 4127 by div2, I thought it was clever and hilarious -- I actually laughed out loud! Div2, permit me, like Bret, to salute you too! :salute:
Salute? 21 GUN?? ;-))
fastdriver
Why did I do the test??
My wife & I were settling a disagreement. She had complained about me spending so much on the "complete" Zaino ($50 inc. s/h) since "it's all just car wax". Thus, we had to find out if the Z process was really any better than what I was using (Mother's CW). Heck- at least this comparo idea got her to help out with the car detailing!.
I was planning to share my results regardless of what I found. I had no intention of annoying anyone.
BTW- as I told my better half......there are other auto polishes/waxes out there ALOT more expensive than Zaino. I've wasted my $$ on some of them which lasted no longer than the cheap stuff, & my wife never lets me forget this. After our latest experience she demands that I Zaino her Caravan.
bretfraz
.... I happen to like the Aztek as my golf clubs would never fit in a Ferrari.
Jon
I don't think you "annoyed" the regular posters here. After all, we all know what our shine looks like and how long it lasts.
Has your wife seen pics of my shine?
fastdriver
some of my Zaino.[z2/z5]
1- can u use z2/z5 zfxed on regular paint[non clear coat] without worry.
2- anyone know the paint type of 93 mazda's. Clear coat or single stage.
ty
rd
One way to find out if it has clear coat would be to take a small amount of cleaner wax. Rub it on an area that isn't readily noticeable. If the color of the paint comes off on the applicator, it's probably not clearcoated (pigment of the paint would "rub off" on the applicator...if it's clear coat then there would be no color).
All water spots go away when I use Z6.
I have just finished the Zaino treatment on my new Black Garnet Lexus ES300 and WOW !
After washing the car, can I use the California Water Blade
http://waxdepot.safeshopper.com/15/62.htm?218
for removing the access water whithout putting any swirl marks on the finish ?
The California Water Blade manufacturer claims it is softer on a car than a cotton towel !
Any experience greatly appreciated ...
The blade is made of a surgical quality silcone rubber and is very safe for auto paint. Follow up with a microfiber towel wipe down and you'll have a perfect dry finish.
the CA Blade is also a great product, cuts the drying time way down, it truly does work and does not scratch the finish
What happens is the rain or wash water actually "eat through" a portion of your clear coat leaving the shape of a water spot on your finish.
You could try clay, but if the etching is deep enough, even that won't help. Next step is to try a polish like 3M PERFECT-IT FOAM POLISHNG PAD. That has abrasives in it and will actually smooth out the clear coat (while removing a microscopic amont of it).
Past that, you're looking at a "buff job".
Good Luck and let us know how it turns out.
If you get ZFX, and mix it with the z2 or z5, the coat cures instantly, and you can apply up to 3 coats in one day.
If I had a new black car today, I would get some ZFX and do 3 coats of z5, wait a day or a week, and then apply 3 coats of z2.
I have a black Lexus and agree with those who have noted that you get your best results at about 6 to 10 coats. And since you always want z2 as the top coat, I would suggest the above procedure.
Once those 6 coats are on the car, when you want or need to apply more coats, which will vary depending on whether the car is parked outside or garaged, you can mix the ZFX with an oz or 2 of Z5, apply two coats of that, then finish with a third coat of z2 which will not need ZFX since you don't care how long it takes to cure, since it will be your third coat of the day.
I find that I can wash the car and apply 3 coats in about two hours or less, even including a break of about 20 minutes to allow each coat to dry after application before removal.
It's easy.
I also have a blach Lexus ES300 and was wondering, do you apply z6 between each coat ?
Thanks
Paul (Canada)
I probably go through 3-4 bottles of Z6 for every 1 bottle of Z2 or Z5.
Applying a coat of Z2 or Z5 just seems easier when it is preceeded by a Z6 application.
Always use Z6.
Twice a day, right after you brush your teeth.
The car doesn't leave home without it.
Z6 goes without saying.
Now, he also has this little Geo Metro which he tows (hmm, or is it toes?
LOL... ANOTHER doubting Thomas SEES the LIGHT!! ;-)))
fastdriver
I need all suggestions i can get on those 2 products for my 1998 Honda Civic EX (Black), 2000 Honda Prelude (Red) and 2003 Nissan Spec V, thanks in advance. On my Civic, i messed up last and 1 st time i wax, i left a very big circular wax spot, how do i remove that, thanks again.
I have another question. Would you say that a dime sized amount of Z2 per square foot on the vehicle is a good approximation of the quantity to use, or is this too much or too little.?
I have a medium large sedan (2002 Lexus ES300) and I used about 3/4 oz of Z2/ZFX for one coat, Does that sound like too much?
When applying there are areas with very little haze. Fortunately, the truck is black.
I suspect it would be easier to reduce my usage were my vehicle black.
Squidd99 and beaver2000, you have very dark Lexus sedans. How much would you estimate that you apply?
I mix ZFX with about 1.5 oz of Z2 or Z5 and get two coats, usually with a little bit left over. (I usually do the third coat of the day without the ZFX, to make the ZFX go further.)
I use a Viking foam applicator pad, rather than the Zaino cotton wrapped sponge, because I have found that it does not scratch and it puts the coat on very, very thin. Highly recommended.
As far as Z6 goes, I have no idea how much is used to do a once over on the car, since the bottle is so big and it's not transparant. (And half the time I don't do the top since, weather permitting, it has folded itself up into the trunk, to be there in case of rain.
I have the Mystic Sea colored ES300 and it sure is difficult to see where one has just applied the Z.
Regarding Z6 - I have no trouble seeing the Z6 droplets on my vehicle. I have not measured how much of that I use, since one cannot really apply too much of it. It is, however, expensive, so I have been trying to use less. One way to use less is to adjust the spayer for the finest mist possible and then spray at a distance of at least 1 - 1.5 feet from the surface. This causes a wider dispersal than spraying at closer distances does and the finer mist results in usage of lower quantity.
Sal Zaino's directions emphasize that Z6 is highly concentrated and not much is needed, so I have been trying to minimize it.
Thanks for the tip on the applicator. My problem with the Zaino applicator is that it is expensive and I always get it dirty.
It is dark grey, about 5 inches in diameter to fit into a can of wax, and has a mushroom shaped foam "handle" on top so you can hold on to it. When you look carefully, you see that the applicator end is actually a different foam from the rest, and is composed of a finer textured foam.
No scratches, and the Zaino goes on even and very thin.
It looks to me to be a very common item. I bet the Walmart and the Pep Boys carry them also.
As I said, I think the whole thing cost about a dollar or two. After the first one worked so well, I bought a few more the next time I was in the neighborhood to have them around, since sometimes that ZFX can be hard to clean out, although Tide liquid laundry soap seems to do a real good job on the little mixing bottles and on the applicator pads.
I much prefer them to the applicator pads Zaino "sells" (read: gives away free), but don't tell Sal. Everything else from Zaino is, of course, perfect in every way.
As for measuring the "small" amount of Z to put on an applicator pad, I use a "quarter" sized drop. My method starts with wetting down the applicator pad with Z6. A couple of sprays does it. I then nead the Z6 into the pad. My first squirt of Z2 is a bit larger, however. I make an "X" on the pad and then nead it into the pad. That allows some Z2 to be absorbed into the pad but will prevent later loss of Z2 into the applicator. After I've applied the first "squirt", I only put a quarter sized drop on the pad. I probably apply it to a larger area than the "dime" sized users. Using this method, a single ounce will last through three coats.
To insure full coverage, I apply in straight lines, following the contours of the car. I mentally mark the "top of the lane" where I last stopped, and then apply an overlapping stroke without using any pressure. Works for me.
My problem with Sal's pads is that no matter what I do, they pick up dirt. I think the environment in which I wash my car may not be ideal. I take it to a do-it-yourself car wash and then drive the car home to polish it. Not only is it nearly impossible to get all the dirt off the lower edges of the car, but it seems that I pick up some dirt between the car wash and home. Note: the car wash is only a few blocks from my house and I live in the desert, so the streets are not wet and/or muddy, so technically I should be able to make it home without picking up dirt.
I'll be applying more Z this weekend, so I will let you know how the Viking pad works.