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Comments
Any comments from you "old timers"?
Don
I took the advice of many on here and got the California Duster. It is great!!! Works very well.
Zainians, eh, bluebeast? Someone finally named this "cult." LOL
Wetting the appicator - a common trick is to spray a little Z6 on the pad - couple of light shots from the spray bottle at the most. I have found that making it too wet works against you, until it starts to dry out a bit.
The vinegar and water combo also sounds good for water spot removal. It does sound like you've got super spots. Let us know what happens.
fastdriver
mr_d -- follow the advice from homer2000 and pblevine about spraying a bit of Z-6 on your applicator before squeezing on the "X" of Z-2/Z-5. You'll use less Zaino, and it's application will be easier.
Regarding the removal of dust, I agree that the California Duster does a great job. And for drying the car after a wash, use the "nozzle removed" trick or the Home Depot nozzle for the final rinse, followed by use of the California Water Blade. You'll find that one towel will be more than sufficient to complete the drying process.
BTW, I can't understand why anyone would apply Z-6 BEFORE washing a car. Z-6 is a gloss enhancer, and though it chemically complements other Z products, I find it's more effective AFTER a wash or INSTEAD of a wash (assuming no dirt on the finish and all dust removed prior to Z-6ing).
This includes spraying Z6 and wiping it off, per instructions.
If a car needs washing, it is because it has visible dirt, and spraying that dirt with Z6 or any other liquid and then wiping it is asking for scratches.
If in fact the Z6 is a "gloss enhancer," as noted above, a dirty car has no gloss to speak of, (although I have noticed the z finish to shine through a layer of road dust).
I would think that the proper procedure to deal with a dirty car would be to wash first, dry, and then add a layer of Z6.
This is what I do (including yesterday) and I think it works fine. I think that a freshly washed (black, new) car with several (5) coats of z5 and z2 looks even better after z6.
But to put z6 on a dirty car is to ask for swirl and scratch marks from the grit. Z6 is not a quick wash; I don't think there is any such thing, because you really have to float the grit off the finish before you wipe it.
I had gotten too much Z3 on my vehicle, and after it dried, was next to impossible to get off. I mean you REALLY had to rub and buff for certain "dried specks" to come off. Same properties as caked on wax.
Well I thought, let me try some Z6... what the Z6 ended up doing after rubbing on the spots is "melting" the residue that was there and causing it to smear around.
So Z6 is actually a product "leveller", meaning that when it is applied and wiped off it will "re-melt" the Z layer on the car and smooth it out. That's why a "waxed" car (I'm not talking Z) is so shiny, the abrasive wax knocks down the "peaks" on the paint finish. The more "level" the finish, the greater the light reflectivity.
For another clue, read the instructions on Z6, it says that once you spray it on, do not let it dry on the car without wiping it off first. Why? Because by just spraying it on and letting it sit there, it'll re-melt the Z finish wherever the little droplets are. All you have to do is then spray on more product and wipe off to "re-level" that area.
As I have said before, this stuff should be approached scientifically, not like black magic.
Only when the car is clean do I then apply Z6. And it IS magic.
WHY do you even bother? The doubting Thomas' will never be convinced. Didn't we go through this with that OTHER topic- NO Zaino posts- which I just found again since they switched to this software? ;-))
I say- let them use what they want. We'll be the ones driving around with our Zaino shine and wet look.
Sometimes I swear some of these people are the same ones who drove Chris Parrish from this site.
fastdriver
I make sure i wash my towels, and they are clean, and dust free, and same w/ my applicator! what am i missing?
Hope this helps you when you do your own white vehicles.
Just a thought- have you gone into the Honda topic area to ask about the smearing problem with Zaino?
Like I said before, I have a 2001 Acura(made by Honda) and have had no smearing problems. Of course, I WARNED the dealer NOT to touch the car when it came in- NO wash, NO wax, NO removing the plastic sheets. I figured if there were going to be any swirls or scratches, it would be my fault. I did the clay procedure on the car before using the Zaino products.
fastdriver
A couple things I did differently than my first applications:
-Made the Z7 wash a little more concentrated.
-Gave my towels an extra rinse cycle.
-Dried my towels in the dryer on 'very dry' setting.
-Used a very little amount more of Z6.
Why dont you try to just do a wash (or two) and Z6? See what happens then. I would think if you are still getting smears that means there is still excess Z on the car. The wash might help.
Even though I have had the smearing problem as well, it has gotten better for me and each additional layer of Z2 I add really makes the car look better. Its looks like glass!
P.S. I received my Z order (with Z5 of course) around the beginning of May.
Mike
killakella: That Z5 layer still can't be smearing. Maybe pj has a point. See if you can exchange your bottle with a newer one. It can't be the Honda paint. I've got a '98 Honda Coupe, and although I think their paint is terrible, once paint is cured, its cured. Their will be not difference between Z'ing a Honda and Z'ing say a lexus.
fastdriver: Why do I? I've got no great philisophical reason. Others like Chris Parrish helped me, and besides, its fun.
I've switched towels (even though the first ones were 100% cotton made in Canada), carefully analyzed my washing pattern, stopped using my California Water Blade, etc, etc. I have 5 coats of Z5 on the car now and I still have swirls that seem to appear from nowhere. VERY annoying. Someone in the Impala group mentioned that they thought the paint on the Impala is the softest they've ever seen so this could be my problem.
Overall the car looks AWESOME until you catch it in direct sunlight or under a streetlight at night and see the swirls.
I'd be interested in hearing anyone's suggestions.
B
I didn't end up putting another coat of z-5 on this weekend. I just washed it and used z-6. In doing so, I did notice that all the smears from my previous 2 coats were gone. That made me feel good. If the next coat of z-5 I apply smears again, then I will try getting a new bottle. That z-6 stuff is pretty sweet. The paint doesn't feel all that smooth after a wash until that is used. I don't remember who tried to describe z-6 "melting" and redistributing the zaino coat.. but by what I can feel while I use it, they appear to be right.
pblevine - you are probably right about it not being the honda paint. I don't see how honda paint could keep zaino from drying more than another paint. I know I had gotten any previous wax off the car with the 2 dawn washes I did before my initial application.
emaison - I know this is off topic, but have you tinted the windows in your 2001 accord? Does it have those damn speckeled black dots at the top of the back window? If so, did the tint stick to it very well? I had mine done this weekend, and so far I am dissapointed with how it looks up there.
No I dont have tints on my windows. My interior is lighter in color so it doesn't get too hot. Are the speckled black dots that you are reffering to part of the antenna/rear defrost lines?
On the other hand, if it is not oxidized, but just doesn't have that deep polish, a clay job and a full Z treatment might be all you need. Try it on a corner of a flat surface (flat surfaces seem to take the worst sun and elements beating of all). Do your clay, clean it and do your z1, etc. If you are satisfied with it, do the rest. If not, you haven't wasted a lot of time. The clay is easier than it sounds. Have fun.
Sorry. Let me go check. I don't always use the same browser that my e-mail is attached to. Right now I'm in IE. My mail is with Netscape.
fastdriver
I have used Zaino in the past and had great results on my other cars but just finished doing my new car and I have smears.
I am sure it was dry when it was taken off. But even if it wasn't then it must be now, can it still dry after you have tried to remove it IF it wasn't dry to start off with?
What can I do to get it off, I read something about a clean towel with water? Any suggestions...Thanks everybody?
And how much did you use?
Some factors, however, can be discounted: position of the moon, odd vs even days, high tides, what you had for breakfast, the Fed Discount Rate, geological fault lines, and the local baseball scores.
LOL.... I have the same "luck" here in CT. Usually by the time I am done applying the Zaino- Z2 or Z5, it's dry where I started. If I had to wait HOURS or DAYS for this to dry, that would not work for me. I wish I knew why I don't have a problem. I do not use Zaino if the humidity is 90%. I have used Zaino in the winter, outside, when it's sunny, about 35-40 degrees with the same results.
I have something new to try on my car, but the weather wasn't cooperating, work was real busy and when it wasn't raining, it was too hot! When I do it, I'll post some pics to see if there is a difference. In the meantime, enjoy these pics and look at the reflections.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=912729&a=13384233&p=50949354&f=0
fastdriver
Another problem seems to be people are using older towels that they used for waxing and are not really clean enough or they use detergents with fabric softeners or fabric softeners when drying the towels. The residue will just smear all over the place. And of course, they believe it is the Zaino polish that is the "problem".
Unfortunately, I'm now a daily commuter, and its taking a toll on the car. 'Just came in from lunch, and examined the result of my passing a construction site at high speed this morning. A tiny rock got me right on the right side mirrow cover. Right through the Z, clear coat, and paint. Its only a tiny scratch about the size of a match head. But its there. 'Got out my trusty touch up paint and used a tooth pick to apply about a drop of touch up paint.
I fully agree that "thin" is a relative term. I know how much Z I apply. I usually take a clean applicator pad, spray Z6 to dampen, then put a very small amount of Z2 or Z5 on the applicator. Usually two "thin spaghetti" sized lines making an "X". (I usually use even less than that.) All I am trying to accomplish is to see the Z as it goes on and then to apply it completely so that none of the surface gets missed.
I think you are guessing what people are doing. Everyone here is intelligent and can read prior posts and/or Sal directions. We know that new white 100% cotton towels made in USA are required. We use them. We know that we should wash these towels by themselves, using a detergent like "All" or "Tide", without softeners either with the wash or with the drying cycles. We dont believe Zaino is the "problem" which is why we post here for suggestions and tips. I like my Zaino. I am very happy with it. My car looks beautiful. I just want to see if there is a way to solve my smearing issues.
Zaino may not be the "problem" but then again there was mention of a defective batch of Z5 in prior posts. So anything is possible.
I too like the results of the products so far, and I'm developing my own techniques to work around some of the issues. But my observations are based on logic and science, so I won't bother posting them here ;-)
And the mirror reflection of my black Lexus would put all the other photos to shame. Damn, I gotta get a digital camera.
Detergents with perfumes also can cause smearing problems.
I am not trying to "attack" anyone with smearing problems. I was not referring to anyone in particular. I am just giving reasons why smearing occurs. The majority of users are not having smearing problems. I am trying to understand what is being done differently by the few that are having problems. The reasons I stated are just what I have seen people do. So yes, I am generalizing about smearing problems.
Emaison: You state: "Usually two "thin spaghetti" sized lines making an "X"."
How much surface area does this cover for you?
The amount you describe would be enough to cover an entire hood of an average sized car...i.e. for cars with a large hood, like a camaro, you might need slightly more.
When I am finished applying Zaino polish I cannot tell what is done and what was not done just by looking at it. After it has been applied it looks smeary, some areas you can see the smears more than in other areas. Many areas look like they were totally missed. I apply it in a consistent manner panel by panel in the same pattern so that I know I did not miss anything. It is totally unlike waxing where you can easily see what you missed.
I too have had some smearing problems when I first started. The first time conditions were wet and cold. The second time, however, was wet and hot. Actually warm. It had been hot but the temperature was dropping quickly. Maybe that rate of change is a factor. I'm not really sure. But I left the car to dry overnight and that did the trick. That and my call to Shirley McClane. Anyway, the result was good and shiny too.
I have noticed that when I initially put on Z1, I have to go over the first area several times to thin out the layer. For some reason, initially with Z1 there seems to be tiny water spots when it is first applied. I will go over the area a few times and "dot" other areas until it thins out, these water spots are gone, and it starts spreading evenly.
This is the stuff.