...this zaino stuff is incredible. With only one coat of Z2, my paint is sooooo shiny and reflective that yesterday I took some photos out in the sun of it. When I got them back You can look at the red painted car and not only see the reflection of the clouds in the sky, but see a reflection of the COLOR of the sky. it is like looking into a mirror!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have never seen a polish like this before. And it feels so soft too....
Thanks for the comments - I had just washed the cars, and saw this image, and grabbed the camera. Please note how you can see every little detail in the driveway and on the Solara. This clarity is why I call Zaino the "Hard Shine" - it is like a mirror. I had NEVER gotten this with a wax.
By the way - The green Accord was more than 3 years old before I Z'd it the first time. I wonder how shiny it could have been if I had been using Z from the beginning! Also- I quit at 3 layers, I don't have Fastdriver's energy to do 7! Of course I do have 2 cars to do, so I guess it evens out.
For those of you that haven't seen them, the rest of the Z pics are at:
I hate to be a naysayer, but after all the ravings about the Z, I made the plunge. In all honesty, I was a little disappointed. My guess is it's due to the color being applied to, along with the condition. I have a gold Volvo C70 convertible. After the complete process, Dawn, Z1, Z2, Z6, Z2, and Z6, I really can't see that much difference. The finish was mirror like before starting and was after the whole process. When touched though, the finish is really smooth and slick. So, the other benefits/protection are there. I then applied it to my wife's burnished gold Lexus ES300. Lexus calls it gold, but to me it's more like pewter with a hint of gold. I did half the trunk lid, one door, and front fender, and could see no difference at all. Granted, like the Volvo, you could feel the areas done. The Z process was definitely easy to do and not as time consuming as I expected. So, again my best guess is the visual impact is best on darker colors. Tmart
I concur. Z it appears gives a longer laster protection and slipperyness, however, the shine and appearance are very difficult to distinguish from my Carnuba wax previously used and removed with dawn etc.
initially...but they usually don't hold up well for too long and are generally harder to remove. Reflectivity with Zaino is definitely better. It is nearly optically perfect compared to wax. With wax, there is a slight tint of the yellow color. This may not be noticeable by everyone. Ease of application/ removal, longevity of Zaino are the main reasons I use it. You should also notice that after several washings/rain storms it will still look nearly as good as the first day it was applied. Something I have never observed with a wax product.
I have four layers of Zaino on my car. I was gone for a few days and when I returned I found out my wife had put the car in a drive-through car wash. My question is how much damage does the soap in the car wash do to the Z? The finish is still slick but only about 75% as slick as it was. Do I need to begin with Dawn and Z1 or can I just start with Z6,Z2 etc..?
Soaps in car washes are generally not going to damage a wax or polish layer. I would be more concerned about the brushes, or those things that are moved over the surface of the car and the towels used to dry the vehicle. They can cause scratches and swirls.
I doubt you should Dawn again. I wouldn't. Dawn is harsh and should be used initially or after using a swirl remover/glaze that leaves oils on the paint. You might want to wait a few weeks before adding another Z2 or Z5 coat--(that is, if she got the additional spray wax put on the car--although that stuff doesn't last long anyway).
But in the meantime before adding adding another Z2 or Z5 coat do your regularly washing routine with Z7 and you can Z6 also.
Isn't it dangerous to Dawn your car, since you can't be certain to Zaino every nook and cranny that the Dawn gets into? For example, the sides of the hood, inside the bonnet, the door jambs... How do you ensure that you aren't leaving some area untreated?
How hard is it to do the clay? How much time does it take for the Dawn and clay-ing steps?
What do you think could happen to those nooks and crannies that might keep some Dawn on them? It isn't like Dawn is corrosive or that the sides of the hood or the inside of anything will deteriorate if left untreated. Don't you think that the areas exposed most to the elements (sun, rain, etc.), are the areas that need the protection the most? I do. All Dawn does is remove most waxes and polishes that are not polymers so that Zaino will have a clean base under it. I kind of doubt that anyone took the trouble to wax those areas anywhere so it didn't take anything off. It just cleaned them up and left them the way they were.
As to Claying, it depends on the state of the paint. If you just have to do it lightly you can finish in as little as an hour (Hummers excepted). I suggest that you do it in stages. Start with the hood (or bonnet if you prefer). Start at one corner. If you are finished and feel good, do the front fenders. The point in claying is doing it until the surface is really smooth. You might find that doesn't take long on some parts of the car. You might find it is a bear. If it is hard, do 1/3 or 1/4 of the car and do the rest later or the next day. You will eventually finish and a few days of no protection won't kill your car. I clayed my car on a Friday night and Saturday morning in about an hour. Then I z'd it in less than that. I was done by noon with lots of breaks.
Some of us actually Z those "unseen" places!!! Going to be in the All Fords at Carlisle PA this weekend and had good weather today and did all those out of the way places!!! Didn't Z the engine (LOL) but got that all cleaned up too. It looks and feels AWESOME! When I get to the show I'll touch her up and do the wheels and wheel wells. This will be only my second show and have been told buy some veterans that paying attention to little details pays off. But I'll be there for the fun not the awards.
I just bought a brand new GMC C3 pickup in black. Having a 1999 Black Lexus GS I know the maintenance probs, but have also used Zaino on the Lexus since new. My new truck had never been driven and had just come off the truck a few days before which means it had NOT been washed before. Dealer says to me..my detailers are off on Sundays so I can't wash it. I said..GREAT!!! This is the first time I had the chance to wash a brand new factory paint job the right way. Brought it home, used a brand new lambs wool mitt and washed it really well. Towel dried it and there was not a flaw in the paint. Every new car I have brought home has had surface scratches or some sort of blemish after being "dealer prepped". Not this one, it is perfect. Put on a nice thin layer of Z1, let it dry and then put on one coat of Z2. Turned out awesome. Just took it out for a drive and it started to rain. Brought it back and used the gloss enhancer spray over the whole truck and it looks (and smells) better than it did yesterday. In fact, parked next to my 2 year old Lexus it is obvious I need to do a complete Zaino detail on the Lex. The paint on this truck is so smooth and shiny it is almost unbelievable. So, if you are in doubt about using Zaino, don't be! It is by far the longest lasting and easiest polish to remove. Just don't put on too much, and make sure you use a 100% WHITE cotton towel made in USA. For dark color cars this stuff is the best. But either way, no matter what color car u have it will give your paint lots of protection and last a long time. Happy motoring!
Well of course some people maintain those spaces, but that wasn't the issue, was it? The post concerned whether the Dawn, since it removed any wax might result in damage. I don't see how it could. It might result in losing a top level concours, but I don't think it would really hurt anything.
Do a couple more layers of Z2. The first one is about as good as a VERY good wax job, but after that, Z keeps on getting better, unlike waxes.
My car is Diamond White Pearl, and after 3 layers of Z2, the difference is obvious, even on a white car - and - it is even slicker! The metallic layer just "glows". I never saw this with a wax. The reflections are mirror clear.
The protection seemed to last at least 6 months for our cars. It may have lasted longer, but that is all I would wait. Even at 6 months, the protection, gloss and beading was better than wax at 2 months.
Automophile: Again, your pics are extremely good. You really should send some to Sal. Not just the reflections. I've also got an Emerald Green Accord ('98 Coupe EX V6). And even with a fresh coat of Z, my pics just don't have the saturation and 3D look that yours do. Very Good!
tmart: Like automophile says, try another coat of Z2. The effect gets better with each application. And yes, I originally bought Z due to its endurance and protection factors.
ishee & joebob6: I'm no expert on car washes. Hate 'em. Rather do it myself. Except two weeks ago when all that pollen and dust hit at once. It was like my car was coated with mud. It was that thick. On my way home from work, I got frustrated and pulled into a car wash. It was one of those "brushless" places that use water pressure and those stripes of cloth/leather. I didn't get the usual swirls from the brushes and I made sure the guys with those dirty towels never got close to me. But most of these places use "recycled" water, and as a result, my shine is a little bit duller. Granted I haven't applied my spring coat of Z2 yet, but I did dry carefully and applied some Z6. My conclusion is only use such car washes in a dire emergency.
Thanks. I love this car. Was going to take some new pics in New Hampshire this weekend, but all it did was RAIN and HAIL!! I was flipping out when the hail started- not once, but twice! I was never in a hail storm before. The hail was about the size of a dime. It came down fast and furious. Car looks okay, but it needs a good cleaning again because even though I wasn't near any pine trees, I do have some sap on it. I'm not worried because I'm protected by Z! I swear this sap just flies in the air up there! ;-))
I've had Zaino on for almost a year now with probably 6 to 8 coats over that time. So, it's time to apply Z1 but I was going to clay before doing this. Any downside to claying again ?Do I need to use Z6 between claying and Z1?
Whoa. If you put 6-8 coats of Z 2 on in a year and this stuff protects so well I just do not underatnd why you would need to do the clay and Z1 again. I could see it if you went 6 months and did nothing but 6-8 applications and you still need to start all over. Where is the protection that everyone is claiming about this stuff? Should not it block out the grit and ozidation etc.
I can't imagine doing the clay over again unless you have been exposed to some contaminants like paint overspray or tree sap. If you don't see it, feel it, or know it is there, why clay again? Even if your clay is not abrasive (and I think there are some that are), I would only do it if that was how I got my kicks. PS It isn't
armtdm: as a "tester," I thought you were paying attention to the instructions for Zaino; Z1 is applied once a year to show cars (I translate that to garaged.), twice a year to non-show cars (I translate that to ungaraged 24/7.), or between every 10th coat of polish. In my terms and understanding, Z1 is the molecular chemical set-up which bonds to the paint (and the cleaner the paint, the better), the polishes bond to Z1. That bond weakens over time and exposure to the elements, or is "saturated" by the build up of polish, so needs to be renewed. How is what reubenchan contemplates contrary to the instructions and characterisitcs attributed to Zaino?
joe166: done properly, which is not a particularly hard thing to do, claying could be, and for some is, the way to achieve as clean a surface as possible for EVERY application of polish. So, what problem do you see claying, presumably with the non-abrassive type, as being a once-a-year part of reubenchan's routine? Zaino effectively, chemically seals the paint, to the degree that you can seal paint with a microscopically thin substance even multiple layers of it, but what insures removing contaminants and, particularly, brake dust from the surface of or embedded in the Zaino? I see clay as the answer. On what is your reluctance/caution based?
My reluctance is based purely and simply on reluctance. That is, why do it unless you need to do it? We sometimes make this such an onerous task that anyone reading this forum would think we have a masochistic streak a mile wide. I don't have a problem with anyone doing whatever they want to their own car, but when it is suggested that it is the "normal" procedure, I am afraid that we might be scaring off some who might not be as dedicated (or obsessive-compulsive) as others. If you want to, fine. I just don't think it is needed and I don't consider clay a "cleaner". I consider it a useful tool to remove contaminants. If they are there, great. If they aren't, why do it? I would just rather avoid the ritualistic nature of some of the suggestions. Just my opinion.
My car was keyed in the hood by some low-life vandals a few months back. I had the hood repainted. The problem is that I think the dealer's body shop did a lousy job and the result is that the hood doesn't shine as the rest of the car. Let me try to explain: I can see my face's image "perfectly" reflected on other original parts of my car, but when I look at the hood, my image looks like it's at a lower resolution, a little out of focus or not as sharp... Do you think Zaino can fix this or it will improve everything else and the difference will always be there? :-(
I've been told by those who know far more than me that it's a good idea to thoroughly clean your paint once a year. Moreover, the paint is not quite so smooth to my feel as when I first clayed. The claying was easy, so it seems like the best way to do this once a year cleaning.
The quick answer is "No." You do need to clean off the clay lubricant residue and dry the paint before you apply Z1; optionally you might wash the vehicle again, or just go directly to a thorough, nozzleless hose rinse, followed, optionally, by an electric leaf blower or quick, higher speed "drive around the block" to remove the bulk of residual water, followed by a towel or (synthetic) chamois toweling to completely dry the vehicle. Doing a Z6 wipedown after you dry the vehicle would not hurt, but unless the vehicle is so large that you have trouble fitting in a wash, claying, (wash,) thorough rinse, drying, application of Z1, followed by an application of Z2, or Z3, or Z5, in one session/day, I would not bother.
Is anyone familiar with the chain of touchless car washes called "Super Wash"? These use ONLY high pressure spray and no brushes, cloths, towel drying, etc... (truly touchless). They start with a low pressure spray of concentrated soap, then pass by with a combination of high pressure sprays, polishes, then a low pressure "spot free rinse" (supposedly filtered water). Are these harmful to a Z finish? You can choose the option of no polish application. What are the opinions of the "experts"? Thanks!
OK, I'm about to re-do my Zaino, having been very happy with the outcome for these many months. So here's the question: since it's time to repeat the Z1 base coat, do I start off with a Dawn wash, or just start with Z7, then Z1, and Z2, etc.?
So-Called "Touchless" car washes touch your car indeed, with ultra high-pressure sprays that grind the dirt into your paint before it is washed off, and can also damage the rubber seals around your doors and windows, not to mention what the caustic, clean-in-one-pass detergent soap is doing. Your finish will steadily deteriorate if subjected to such abuse, no matter what polish you use.
There are no short cuts - if you care about your car, take a few minutes to wash it yourself, or if you are physcially unable, hire a neighborhood kid to do it. Your paint will thank you in the long run.
Black 00 See if the paint shop will "Color-Sand" your paint where it was touched up. If there is enough paint to do this, the finish can become as smooth as the rest of your car. Good Luck!
" ... do I start off with a Dawn wash, or just start with Z7, then Z1, and Z2, etc.?
No, you should not need to wash your vehicle with Dawn again; wash with Z7, (optionally, clay the vehicle, wash the clay residue off,) rinse with a nozzleless hose, dry the vehicle, apply Z1, and so on.
black00: automophile has a good suggestion there. I too had a large scratch on my right side door repainted. I used a great body shop. They stripped down to the metal, redid the primer, matched the dried paint on the rest of the car with a light meter and computer. Then they "color sanded" to even things out. And finally, they applied another clear coat. Oh yes, they first removed my Z coat on the panel. A perfect match.
And I also agree with automophiles opinion of those "touchless" car washes. Again, I admit I've gone to a car wash in a dire emergency. But they all do some damage even if its microscopic. Think about it, the high pressure water moves dirt across the panel surface. Some of the dirt is composed of hard or metallic elements. Under pressure, such dirt will eat into the surface. The surface could be Zaino or clear coat or even wax.
On claying: My opinion (not an expert) is that properly using clay will NOT damage previously applied Zaino (or clear coat or even ...wax). Proper use of a lubricant is required, but that easy. Just keep spraying with a water/soap (Z7) mixure. The clay should "glide" over the surface and almost no pressure need be applied. And it does work.
I leave for a long weekend and come home to a bad DSL modem, so I am just getting back to you.
First, a "polish" like Meguires will have some abrasives in it which will work out many of the swirl marks. You might want to use that as your first step. Way back when, I used to use something called "Dupont #7" (I don't know if they even make that anymore) which was a "finish restorer". It was pretty much an abrasive that pulled out swirl marks and got a lot of the oxidation out of the paint. That may be why your car doesn't look "clean" after it's been washed. Also, if you pull up a lot of oxidized paint, you most likely don't have a clearcoat finish, so you'd need to use the Z3 as opposed to the Z2.
I haven't clayed my car, so I can't tell you about that, although most others swear by it. My day will come, I'm sure.
The initial preparation is going to take some "elbow grease" and will be much harder to do than a regular wax. However, the results will be worth it, and Zaino is easy enough to apply that you might find yourself using it more often than "required" (about 6 months).
Finally, "wax" is usually Carnuba and it works well to shine. It isn't as long lasting as a polymer (like Zaino) though.
It's going to be a lot of work at first to get an older car shaped up, but as long as it hasn't deteriorated to the point of really needing a paint job, it's kind of cool to "restore" an older car. Makes it look better, and you'll swear it's running and driving better too. Good Luck.
Thanks for the info, pjyoung! It was a HUGE help! I think I'll hold off on getting the Z until I see what the polish reveals (no pun intended). I'll post the verdict here once I get around to polishing it.
Hope you had a great weekend and that your DSL connection is fixed.
There's nothing wrong with Meguiars, but it does not last as long as Zaino. I used it prior to Zaino. The Zaino shine rocks! Click on my name above and you can see the Zaino results on the 300M and the Acura. The previous cars were done with Meguiars.
Your Acura looks good fastdriver. Hard to really see the difference in before/after zaino in the picture. I am sure it is much more impressive in person. I just got a red 01 Accord Coupe. They are kind similar, but I wish I had your 17" wheels! I am getting ready to put zaino on it. I made the mistake of using some "bad" towels and now I have swirl marks! I am really hoping that z-5 will cover them! If I have to use multiple coats of z-5, do I have to wait 24 hrs. between EVERY coat? I plan on putting z-5 on as many times as it takes to get the swirl marks out (or if it doesnt work).
Thanks. It is hard to tell the shine of the before and after pics. I think it looks great in person. Good luck with your car. I know exactly what it looks like. I believe that the 24 hour waiting period depends on the temperature. Check the http://www.zainobros.com website to see what it says. I think if the temp is above 70-75, you can reapply after a 6-7 hour wait? I'm not positive. I have never put more then one coat of Z on in one day.
fastdriver
PS If you click on my name above, you can see a photopoint.com movie I made of the Acura. I think it's a riot!
There are some professional polishes made by 3M that are very highly recommended, these may be the best for restoring paint and removing swirl marks prior to Z-ing.
I would have to disagree, too, or at least here in California. The local touchless here first sprays...no, wrong word...dumps a ton of water, and floods the car with what they call "pre-soak lubricant" to "flush off all fresh bird droppings, without grinding contaminates into the surface." Then they spray on some foamy bubbles (supposed to be pH 6.5,) and it gets rinsed off with the "flood of pre-soak lubricant." Then it is repeated with a "milder, pH 5.5 car wash" and this time, a spray and the flood of water comes again. Finally, the water sheets off and the air blowers partially dry the car. I dry the cars myself with my own bath towels and I find the door seals pretty dry as usual.
If I remember my chemistry correctly, I think the pH numbers in #1841 are way out of whack. pH is measured on a scale from 1 to 14, with 7.0 being neutral. The lower the numbers go the more acidic you get and the higher you go the more alkaline (basic) you get (and strong alkalines can burn you just as badly as strong acids). Detergents are alkaline (higher than 7.0).
Although fastdriver is correct (curing time depends upon humidity and temperature), I've had a less than perfect experience applying Z2 about 4 hours after applying a layer of Z5. The temperature was a bit low (50's) but the humidity was also low. The result was a lesser shine than the Z5 alone. When the lower layer has not completely cured, it is somewhat "soft" and next layer prolongs the drying/curing time. After both layers were left for another day, the shine seemed to return.
When I've left the first layer dry overnight and then waited another day for curing, the next layer produced a significantly better shine.
mike_542: If I could find such a drive-through car wash around here, I'd give it a try. Local laws demand car washes here use recycled water, and instead of "tons" of water, they use a higher pressure along with leather strips. I guess the idea is to conserve water. Ugh, doesn't CA have drastic water shortage problems?
bjohnson-I live in Overland Park right now.. I see you are in Olathe.
automophile- the swirl marks are very light (as far as I know). I can only see them in the sunlight or with a flashlight right up against the paint. (red car) Unfortunately, there are quite a few of them when I do see them. I am pretty sure they are from the bad towels I used when I washed and first waxed it.
Anyway, I just wanted to hear some more z-5 experiences so I konw whether or not z-5 will cover those annoying little swirl marks up? I am planning on trying zaino either way, I just want to know if I need to try something else (like a 3M product) beforehand.
Speaking of 3M, I am also probably getting the clear bra put on the front end this weekend. Any good/bad experiences people have had with those I would love to hear!
kilakella - I had some of these light swirls (probably from towel marks), and most were eliminated by a couple layers of Z5. However, In the future, I feel that it would be best to polish them out first with a good polish or glaze - then perfect the finish with Z5 then Z2.
As to the use of blue Dawn after a car wash, it really depends on whether a wax or "sealant" was also applied after the wash (it almost always is in the D.C. area). If in doubt, definitely wash with blue Dawn first to prepare the surface for Z-1. I understand that the Dawn won't affect the Zaino.
Regarding Z-6s between applications of Z-2/Z-5, I have to ask "why"? Z-6, I believe, is a "gloss enhancer" and, accordingly, might not be a necessary step if the surface is going to receive an additional coat of Z-2/Z-5 (after 24 hours). Personally, I use lots of Z-6, but I often use it instead of a Z-7 wash (providing I can remove any dust with a 100% (etc.) towel or California Duster. BTW, I recently bought a Duster, and it's great. I also got the California Water Blade -- same opinion. I learned in this forum to remove the hose nozzle for the final rinse; the water seems to slide off rather than bead and remain on the paint. Then, the "blade" does most of the rest (better than using a leaf blower), and I use only one towel to complete the drying. And I finish by doing the (previously Zaionoed) door jams and edges, sides of the hood and trunk and even the painted parts under the hood.
fastdriver -- man, you cost me a bundle when you suggested a Sony digital camera (that uses 3.5" floppy disks) to post photos here. I really got carried away -- I ordered an MVC FD-97 and expect delivery shortly. Actually, I'm using both USB ports on my computer, and the floppies will do the trick of inputting to the PC. Thanks for the info! Can't wait to start using the new camera.
FYI: "Actually, I'm using both USB ports on my computer" It's time for a USB hub, small device and won't cost much. Some monitors have them built in. USB ports can support up to 128 devices, not just the two on your PC.
all use recycled water. In all Fairness they do filter it and those filters do a very good job...I wouldn't drink that water though. California has laws that carwashes must recycle their water too. Mike542 sounds a bit mixed up...his profile says he is from Alabama. Maybe he drives to California to wash his car?
I never said they didn't use recycled water and as for "tons of water," maybe a "foot-long waterfall of water" in which the car drives through it.
The pH levels are from the brochure about the Car Wash. I don’t know if it’s true, but if its not, I’ll contact them and ask about it.
Oh, and my profile about the state was wrong, though the zip code part was correct. Doesn't edmunds check to see if the zip code matches the state? I dunno, and I changed it anyways.
LOL.... First I think I got you to try the Zaino on your black? Mercedes by showing you how the Zaino looked on my cousin's black BMW 2-seater. Now it's the camera! ;-)) I didn't say you had to buy the best one! You could have bought the base model- MDV 75 for $399.00. I think it takes great pictures. Maybe the FD 97 will take better ones. Anyway, can't wait to see some pics.
Just received my Z's in the mail, and I am going to do my car this weekend, few questions for you Z experts out there by now,
I did not get the window cleaners, can I use Z2, or Z6 or something on glass? inside and outside? Also, I have tint on my windows, would using Zaino on tinting films do any damage?
I have read somewhere that you can use zaino on your rims too, do you use the Z2? or Z6 ? which one? for alloy wheels,
I'm not sure about using Z2 on windows. You could check with Sal. I do use Z6 on my windows with good to mixed results. Z6 on my front windshield acts like Rain-X in that it repells water well. It also has a slight anti-static agent with is good for shedding some of the huge amount of pollen around here. But Z6 washes out quickly and has to be re-applied after every good rain storm. After such storms, I use Windex to clean the glass and then Z6. If you don't re-apply, the Z6 will be eliminated from the "high" spots on the glass but remain in the lower parts (ie: a microscopic cross section of the glass will show tiny pits or low spots). The result could be future smearing or fogging conditions on every windsield wiper stroke. But with another coat of Z2 on a clean window, the wiper blade stroke do not produce those streaks or fog like effects. I also use Z6 on TV and computer monitor screens, eye glasses, and even the kitchen sink.
Using Z6 on the car's inside windows would, however, be a waste. And I also wouldn't use it on those tint films only because I don't know their chemical properties.
You should absolutely use Z2 on your alloy wheels. Z1 followed by Z2. And multiple coats. Those wheels are exposed to a lot of brake dust which is composed of very tiny metallic specs which could embed on the wheel's clear coat and/or scratch the metal surface. Those particals will also stick into a Z2 layer, but thats what Z2 is designed for. It protects your wheel and its clear coats too. And you can always clean the wheel and apply another coat of Z2. And I also use Z6 on my Z2'd wheels for additional anti-static purposes.
The towels they sell are "slightly irregular" I ordered 8 and I looked over them real quick and I can't find anything wrong with them. Also, the smaller bath towel, not the "big and soft", gives you the most towel for your money. I emailed them and they said there is no difference in the thread count or anything else between the 2.
These towels DO have 2 stripes of.. I don't know what they are called, but they are the decorative stripes about 2 inches from the end of the towel. Do any of you cut those off or anything? It feels really soft there, like it wouldn't scratch. Buttttt I wanted to make sure. Thanks!
Comments
I have never seen a polish like this before. And it feels so soft too....
incredible.
By the way - The green Accord was more than 3 years old before I Z'd it the first time. I wonder how shiny it could have been if I had been using Z from the beginning! Also- I quit at 3 layers, I don't have Fastdriver's energy to do 7! Of course I do have 2 cars to do, so I guess it evens out.
For those of you that haven't seen them, the rest of the Z pics are at:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1016688&a=9788935
Reflectivity with Zaino is definitely better. It is nearly optically perfect compared to wax. With wax, there is a slight tint of the yellow color. This may not be noticeable by everyone.
Ease of application/ removal, longevity of Zaino are the main reasons I use it. You should also notice that after several washings/rain storms it will still look nearly as good as the first day it was applied. Something I have never observed with a wax product.
I doubt you should Dawn again. I wouldn't. Dawn is harsh and should be used initially or after using a swirl remover/glaze that leaves oils on the paint. You might want to wait a few weeks before adding another Z2 or Z5 coat--(that is, if she got the additional spray wax put on the car--although that stuff doesn't last long anyway).
But in the meantime before adding adding another Z2 or Z5 coat do your regularly washing routine with Z7 and you can Z6 also.
How hard is it to do the clay? How much time does it take for the Dawn and clay-ing steps?
As to Claying, it depends on the state of the paint. If you just have to do it lightly you can finish in as little as an hour (Hummers excepted). I suggest that you do it in stages. Start with the hood (or bonnet if you prefer). Start at one corner. If you are finished and feel good, do the front fenders. The point in claying is doing it until the surface is really smooth. You might find that doesn't take long on some parts of the car. You might find it is a bear. If it is hard, do 1/3 or 1/4 of the car and do the rest later or the next day. You will eventually finish and a few days of no protection won't kill your car. I clayed my car on a Friday night and Saturday morning in about an hour. Then I z'd it in less than that. I was done by noon with lots of breaks.
Going to be in the All Fords at Carlisle PA this weekend and had good weather today and did all those out of the way places!!! Didn't Z the engine (LOL) but got that all cleaned up too. It looks and feels AWESOME!
When I get to the show I'll touch her up and do the wheels and wheel wells. This will be only my second show and have been told buy some veterans that paying attention to little details pays off.
But I'll be there for the fun not the awards.
Do a couple more layers of Z2. The first one is about as good as a VERY good wax job, but after that, Z keeps on getting better, unlike waxes.
My car is Diamond White Pearl, and after 3 layers of Z2, the difference is obvious, even on a white car - and - it is even slicker! The metallic layer just "glows". I never saw this with a wax. The reflections are mirror clear.
The protection seemed to last at least 6 months for our cars. It may have lasted longer, but that is all I would wait. Even at 6 months, the protection, gloss and beading was better than wax at 2 months.
The CL-S IS a great car. Enjoy it!
Automophile:
Again, your pics are extremely good. You really should send some to Sal. Not just the reflections. I've also got an Emerald Green Accord ('98 Coupe EX V6). And even with a fresh coat of Z, my pics just don't have the saturation and 3D look that yours do. Very Good!
tmart:
Like automophile says, try another coat of Z2. The effect gets better with each application. And yes, I originally bought Z due to its endurance and protection factors.
ishee & joebob6:
I'm no expert on car washes. Hate 'em. Rather do it myself. Except two weeks ago when all that pollen and dust hit at once. It was like my car was coated with mud. It was that thick. On my way home from work, I got frustrated and pulled into a car wash. It was one of those "brushless" places that use water pressure and those stripes of cloth/leather. I didn't get the usual swirls from the brushes and I made sure the guys with those dirty towels never got close to me. But most of these places use "recycled" water, and as a result, my shine is a little bit duller. Granted I haven't applied my spring coat of Z2 yet, but I did dry carefully and applied some Z6. My conclusion is only use such car washes in a dire emergency.
Thanks. I love this car. Was going to take some new pics in New Hampshire this weekend, but all it did was RAIN and HAIL!! I was flipping out when the hail started- not once, but twice! I was never in a hail storm before. The hail was about the size of a dime. It came down fast and furious. Car looks okay, but it needs a good cleaning again because even though I wasn't near any pine trees, I do have some sap on it. I'm not worried because I'm protected by Z! I swear this sap just flies in the air up there! ;-))
fastdriver
joe166: done properly, which is not a particularly hard thing to do, claying could be, and for some is, the way to achieve as clean a surface as possible for EVERY application of polish. So, what problem do you see claying, presumably with the non-abrassive type, as being a once-a-year part of reubenchan's routine? Zaino effectively, chemically seals the paint, to the degree that you can seal paint with a microscopically thin substance even multiple layers of it, but what insures removing contaminants and, particularly, brake dust from the surface of or embedded in the Zaino? I see clay as the answer. On what is your reluctance/caution based?
The problem is that I think the dealer's body shop did a lousy job and the result is that the hood doesn't shine as the rest of the car. Let me try to explain: I can see my face's image "perfectly" reflected on other original parts of my car, but when I look at the hood, my image looks like it's at a lower resolution, a little out of focus or not as sharp...
Do you think Zaino can fix this or it will improve everything else and the difference will always be there? :-(
I still need to know whether to use z6.
The quick answer is "No." You do need to clean off the clay lubricant residue and dry the paint before you apply Z1; optionally you might wash the vehicle again, or just go directly to a thorough, nozzleless hose rinse, followed, optionally, by an electric leaf blower or quick, higher speed "drive around the block" to remove the bulk of residual water, followed by a towel or (synthetic) chamois toweling to completely dry the vehicle. Doing a Z6 wipedown after you dry the vehicle would not hurt, but unless the vehicle is so large that you have trouble fitting in a wash, claying, (wash,) thorough rinse, drying, application of Z1, followed by an application of Z2, or Z3, or Z5, in one session/day, I would not bother.
Thanks for your input.
umpopa
There are no short cuts - if you care about your car, take a few minutes to wash it yourself, or if you are physcially unable, hire a neighborhood kid to do it. Your paint will thank you in the long run.
Black 00
See if the paint shop will "Color-Sand" your paint where it was touched up. If there is enough paint to do this, the finish can become as smooth as the rest of your car. Good Luck!
No, you should not need to wash your vehicle with Dawn again; wash with Z7, (optionally, clay the vehicle, wash the clay residue off,) rinse with a nozzleless hose, dry the vehicle, apply Z1, and so on.
automophile has a good suggestion there. I too had a large scratch on my right side door repainted. I used a great body shop. They stripped down to the metal, redid the primer, matched the dried paint on the rest of the car with a light meter and computer. Then they "color sanded" to even things out. And finally, they applied another clear coat. Oh yes, they first removed my Z coat on the panel. A perfect match.
And I also agree with automophiles opinion of those "touchless" car washes. Again, I admit I've gone to a car wash in a dire emergency. But they all do some damage even if its microscopic. Think about it, the high pressure water moves dirt across the panel surface. Some of the dirt is composed of hard or metallic elements. Under pressure, such dirt will eat into the surface. The surface could be Zaino or clear coat or even wax.
On claying: My opinion (not an expert) is that properly using clay will NOT damage previously applied Zaino (or clear coat or even ...wax). Proper use of a lubricant is required, but that easy. Just keep spraying with a water/soap (Z7) mixure. The clay should "glide" over the surface and almost no pressure need be applied. And it does work.
First, a "polish" like Meguires will have some abrasives in it which will work out many of the swirl marks. You might want to use that as your first step. Way back when, I used to use something called "Dupont #7" (I don't know if they even make that anymore) which was a "finish restorer". It was pretty much an abrasive that pulled out swirl marks and got a lot of the oxidation out of the paint. That may be why your car doesn't look "clean" after it's been washed. Also, if you pull up a lot of oxidized paint, you most likely don't have a clearcoat finish, so you'd need to use the Z3 as opposed to the Z2.
I haven't clayed my car, so I can't tell you about that, although most others swear by it. My day will come, I'm sure.
The initial preparation is going to take some "elbow grease" and will be much harder to do than a regular wax. However, the results will be worth it, and Zaino is easy enough to apply that you might find yourself using it more often than "required" (about 6 months).
Finally, "wax" is usually Carnuba and it works well to shine. It isn't as long lasting as a polymer (like Zaino) though.
It's going to be a lot of work at first to get an older car shaped up, but as long as it hasn't deteriorated to the point of really needing a paint job, it's kind of cool to "restore" an older car. Makes it look better, and you'll swear it's running and driving better too. Good Luck.
Also what's the best way to apply polish?
I think I'll hold off on getting the Z until I see what the polish reveals (no pun intended). I'll post the verdict here once I get around to polishing it.
Hope you had a great weekend and that your DSL connection is fixed.
There's nothing wrong with Meguiars, but it does not last as long as Zaino. I used it prior to Zaino. The Zaino shine rocks! Click on my name above and you can see the Zaino results on the 300M and the Acura. The previous cars were done with Meguiars.
fastdriver
Thanks. It is hard to tell the shine of the before and after pics. I think it looks great in person. Good luck with your car. I know exactly what it looks like. I believe that the 24 hour waiting period depends on the temperature. Check the http://www.zainobros.com website to see what it says. I think if the temp is above 70-75, you can reapply after a 6-7 hour wait? I'm not positive. I have never put more then one coat of Z on in one day.
fastdriver
PS If you click on my name above, you can see a photopoint.com movie I made of the Acura. I think it's a riot!
When I've left the first layer dry overnight and then waited another day for curing, the next layer produced a significantly better shine.
mike_542:
If I could find such a drive-through car wash around here, I'd give it a try. Local laws demand car washes here use recycled water, and instead of "tons" of water, they use a higher pressure along with leather strips. I guess the idea is to conserve water. Ugh, doesn't CA have drastic water shortage problems?
automophile- the swirl marks are very light (as far as I know). I can only see them in the sunlight or with a flashlight right up against the paint. (red car) Unfortunately, there are quite a few of them when I do see them. I am pretty sure they are from the bad towels I used when I washed and first waxed it.
Anyway, I just wanted to hear some more z-5 experiences so I konw whether or not z-5 will cover those annoying little swirl marks up? I am planning on trying zaino either way, I just want to know if I need to try something else (like a 3M product) beforehand.
Speaking of 3M, I am also probably getting the clear bra put on the front end this weekend. Any good/bad experiences people have had with those I would love to hear!
I had some of these light swirls (probably from towel marks), and most were eliminated by a couple layers of Z5. However, In the future, I feel that it would be best to polish them out first with a good polish or glaze - then perfect the finish with Z5 then Z2.
Regarding Z-6s between applications of Z-2/Z-5, I have to ask "why"? Z-6, I believe, is a "gloss enhancer" and, accordingly, might not be a necessary step if the surface is going to receive an additional coat of Z-2/Z-5 (after 24 hours). Personally, I use lots of Z-6, but I often use it instead of a Z-7 wash (providing I can remove any dust with a 100% (etc.) towel or California Duster. BTW, I recently bought a Duster, and it's great. I also got the California Water Blade -- same opinion. I learned in this forum to remove the hose nozzle for the final rinse; the water seems to slide off rather than bead and remain on the paint. Then, the "blade" does most of the rest (better than using a leaf blower), and I use only one towel to complete the drying. And I finish by doing the (previously Zaionoed) door jams and edges, sides of the hood and trunk and even the painted parts under the hood.
fastdriver -- man, you cost me a bundle when you suggested a Sony digital camera (that uses 3.5" floppy disks) to post photos here. I really got carried away -- I ordered an MVC FD-97 and expect delivery shortly. Actually, I'm using both USB ports on my computer, and the floppies will do the trick of inputting to the PC. Thanks for the info! Can't wait to start using the new camera.
Enjoy the new toy!
The pH levels are from the brochure about the Car Wash. I don’t know if it’s true, but if its not, I’ll contact them and ask about it.
Oh, and my profile about the state was wrong, though the zip code part was correct. Doesn't edmunds check to see if the zip code matches the state? I dunno, and I changed it anyways.
LOL.... First I think I got you to try the Zaino on your black? Mercedes by showing you how the Zaino looked on my cousin's black BMW 2-seater. Now it's the camera! ;-)) I didn't say you had to buy the best one! You could have bought the base model- MDV 75 for $399.00. I think it takes great pictures. Maybe the FD 97 will take better ones. Anyway, can't wait to see some pics.
Mmmmm......what can I get you to try next? ;-)))
fastdriver
I did not get the window cleaners, can I use Z2, or Z6 or something on glass? inside and outside? Also, I have tint on my windows, would using Zaino on tinting films do any damage?
I have read somewhere that you can use zaino on your rims too, do you use the Z2? or Z6 ? which one? for alloy wheels,
thanks,
Using Z6 on the car's inside windows would, however, be a waste. And I also wouldn't use it on those tint films only because I don't know their chemical properties.
You should absolutely use Z2 on your alloy wheels. Z1 followed by Z2. And multiple coats. Those wheels are exposed to a lot of brake dust which is composed of very tiny metallic specs which could embed on the wheel's clear coat and/or scratch the metal surface. Those particals will also stick into a Z2 layer, but thats what Z2 is designed for. It protects your wheel and its clear coats too. And you can always clean the wheel and apply another coat of Z2. And I also use Z6 on my Z2'd wheels for additional anti-static purposes.
http://store.yahoo.com/fieldcrestcannonoutlet/index.html
The towels they sell are "slightly irregular" I ordered 8 and I looked over them real quick and I can't find anything wrong with them. Also, the smaller bath towel, not the "big and soft", gives you the most towel for your money. I emailed them and they said there is no difference in the thread count or anything else between the 2.
These towels DO have 2 stripes of.. I don't know what they are called, but they are the decorative stripes about 2 inches from the end of the towel. Do any of you cut those off or anything? It feels really soft there, like it wouldn't scratch. Buttttt I wanted to make sure. Thanks!