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Comments
I put another layer of Z2 on my car Saturday, but I'll never catch up to fastdriver. It really only took 10-15 minutes! This could NEVER happen with any wax. After it dried, I put on my sheepskin mitt and dusted it off, another 10-15 minutes, then a quick Z6 to catch all the dust, and add that extra gloss. GOD I love this stuff. When the towel is damp after wiping the Z6, I used it to wipe down the glass, making it extra shiny too!
The problem is that the car is SO SLICK it is hard to close the trunk lid - my hand slides off!
By the way, I use a left-over pump from a large shampoo bottle in the Z7. One press is just about the right amount for a bucket o'suds, and it is much more convenient.
You CAN catch up to me. Winter is coming to CT and I don't have a heated garage to put on Z, so I have to do it all now before the snow starts flying. You have nicer weather there for a longer period of time. That said, there are times in the winter when the sun is out and the temps near 40 that I can and do apply the Z2/Z6.
hud116222-
LOL...With my previous car, I used to put my finger in the keyhole to close the trunk. With this car, there is no trunk keyhole, so I have to grab the emergency release handle inside the trunk to close it. No problem and no fingerprints!! ;-))
fastdriver
As everone else has said, you did fine.
If you were able to just wipe off the Zaino, you didn't put it on too thick and you let it dry (the two most commen problems with initial Zaino applications....putting it on too thick and/or not letting it dry). You're next application will be easier to guage now that you have a bit of "experience" of the first coat under your belt.
A suburban is a "large" vehicle. No doubt your arms are tired. Just think what they'd feel like if you had to really "buff" the wax off with the other wax products out there, as opposed to just wiping off Zaino.
I would imagine that a suburban would take quite a few towels to dry and some serious claying.
A couple of suggestions:
1. I have a California Water Blade (CWB). You can find them at most auto supply stores. The CWB looks like an ice scraper, but is made of high grade, surgical silicon that won't harm a clean automotive surface. It's used like a "scraper" to get the water off a vehicle. It's very easy to use (and quick). Since your suburban has a lot of flat surfaces, the CWB would be perfect for it.
2. At your final rinse, take the high pressure nozzle off your hose. Then just take the hose, hold it about 4-5 inches from the surface and "stream the water" over the suburban's surface. This will actually get a good portion of the water off the surface and leave you with less water to remove.
3. You also might want to look at a synthetic chamois called "The Absorber" (again, at most auto supply places). It's the best drying towel I've ever used. It won't harm your finish and absorbs water like crazy. All you have to do is wring it out in your hands when it gets water logged. You should be able to do your whole subruban with one "Absorber" (two of them if you want it to go quicker).
Glad things went well with your initial Zaino treatment. It gets much easier (and shinier) from this point forward.
Let us know if we can help.
Great shine, easy to apply, VERY easy to take off compared to the Mothers and Meguires (sp?) that I used for 5 years previous to Z, and no white residue! With a young child, I don't have time for car care like I used to, so I Z early spring, sometimes during summer and just before winter. I must say, that re-applying improves the shine, but there has never been a point where the water has stopped beading, even during our harsh winter months. When I used Mothers and Meguires, beading would stop 4-6 weeks after application...very frustrating.
BTW, two years and my bottles of z1, z2 and z5 are still at least half full. My z6 is about 2/3 full. I am down to about two or 3 washes of z7, so will have to get a re-fill soon.
The way I see it, keeping my car looking this good has to help re-sale value when I sell.
Actually, I now have 4 large bath towels, 5 hand towels, and 2 wash cloths. Fieldcrest had an on line sale.
automophile: I also use the keyhole on the trunk to close the lid.
Julie: As graphicguy said, you did just fine. And yes, it becomes easier after the first application.
And lastly, GO YANKS.....next year. Hey, the D-Backs did well. Except for the "Big Unit" (Randy Johnson) who managed to screw it all up (for us).
Anyway, they deserved to win (3 games), and I wish them well (until we meet again).
Weird day in sports. I also watched the Browns/Bears game. Almost turned that one off in the 4th quarter, too.
Who'd of thunk????!!!!!!
Anyway, the requisite Zaino mention....I was too busy watching sports to Z2 yesterday.
I fixed that a while back.. I installed a TV in my garage! I removed Z5 and Z6'd the entire car twice during the 4-9th innings...
It's been Friday since I did the first coat, and we have had cruddy, rainy weather since then. I washed and dried (thanks for the drying tips Graphicguy! They will really help next time.)
I decided to apply z6 before the z5 on one side and just the z5 on the other. I wanted to see if I noticed any difference. One thing I did notice is water spots! I think they may be from the rain/parking in the garage without hand drying. ?
Shouldn't they have come off with the Z7 wash? Maybe I just got the water spots and I didn't notice them until I started to apply the Z5. Am I being pathetically anal about this? How should I work on the water spots? Are you going to tell me to wash and dry that 'bus' again?
help me...
My name is Julie and I need Z.A.
jnj91---patetically anal...NOPE, you're now just like the rest of us...just compulsive shine-o-holics.
Wait until you feel the withdrawal symptoms when it's too cold, wet and snowy out to clean your winter encrusted Suburban. You'll get to be like fastdriver. He went through such a withdrawal a while back and ended up z-ing his computer screen.
LOL......shine-o-holics! That's me! Julie, you're hooked now! Once you're in this "cult", there "ain't" no turning back! ;-)) This afternoon I was in the supermarket. From the checkout counter, I could see my shining beauty glistening even with the heavily overcast sky.
Will I ever live down Z'ing the TV AND computer screen with Z6?? It does work! How about the person who Z6'd his kitchen sink??
Two? weeks from today, Sal releases the ZFX?? I'll have to e-mail him again for the latest release date. Stay tuned.
fastdriver
By comparison, I use no white towels at all. When I received my Zaino package, I rummaged through my towel collection to find those with tags that say "100% cotton". I found quite a few, in all colours and all patterns. Not all of them are made in USA, but I use them anyway (yes, I'm a cheapskate!) :-) Final result after 3 Z5 and 1 Z2 applications: the brightest black shine I've seen. More Z2 can only make her shinier!
Leo
I just applied a few coats of pre-winter Z over the last few weeks (kast time I applied was June I believe). Prior to my first application, I used Z1 to ensure the surface was clean and rid of water spots, then z2. The following weekend, I washed, Z6 and then Z5. I did not have a water spot problem. This could be for several reasons....its much cooler out, I wast more prudent to wash and dry my car as quickly as possible, and it was only a week after my last application of Z.
Since you have a fresh application of Z on your "bus", I suspect the spots should come off easily enough with z6. If that doesn't work, then perhaps you may have to use z1 again, but I leave it to the experts on this board to advise whether this is a good approach.
I wonder.....how long did you Z dry before you went in the rain? If I remember correctly, there is a curing period for Z and it is advised to avoid water during that time.......guys/gals, is this correct?
To avoid spots: try not to wash in the sun (the beads of water act like a magnifying glass and tend to leave heavier water marks), wash your wheels and tires first, then wash your vehicle....thus reducing the length of time water beads sit on your car surface before you dry, wash one side at a time (ie. one side of car - rinse it, then do top of car -rinse it then do other side -rinse..you get the ideat), and finally, use a gentle flow of water rather than a spray when rinsing your vehicle....this allows most of the water to run of the surface reducing the amount of water beads on the surface. Using a gentle flow usually means running back and forth to the water tap to turn on and off the water supply...unless you have a special spout on the end of your hose.
Hope this helps!!!
The Zaino was on the car overnight before I had to get out in the rain. I duno, I tried spot treating them with both Z6 and Z7 and it seemed to help but they did show up again. These may have been on the car for awhile, they are really bad on the roof and some on the hood. If you run your finger across them you can almost feel the outline of them.
I may write Sal and see what he suggests. I will be sure not to let any water spots dry on the car now, but I'd like to get rid of these.
Funny...water spots didn't used to bother me....
Julie
What you seem to be describing is NOT water spots, but ACID RAIN effects. Acid rain will eat through anything. Depnding on what part of the country you live in, acid rain could be real bad. Here in So. CT, it is very bad. I just try to keep my car as clean as possible. I can't go crazy about this because there is nothing I can do except wash it regularly and keep applying Zaino AND put it in the garage every night.
fastdriver
By the way, I've been following your "discussion" in the other forum. I gave up there a long time ago. They just can't accept the fact that Zaino is a great product. One thing I've noticed is that the regulars on this forum seem so much more intelligent and articulate, and rarely resort to the tactics of the folks on the other forum.
No offense, but you are probbaly wasting your breath trying to debate with those folks. Good luck.
By the way, I've been following your "discussion" in the other forum. I gave up there a long time ago. They just can't accept the fact that Zaino is a great product. One thing I've noticed is that the regulars on this forum seem so much more intelligent and articulate, and rarely resort to the tactics of the folks on the other forum.
If you or anyone else can find specific comments I or anyone else in SBW have made against Zaino then do it. I will post an explanation of my thought process or offer a retraction and apology. The only comments about Zaino I have made is that I think it's overpriced and too complex to use.
For the last time, I have no real problem with Zaino products. What I do not like about Zaino are the people that use it and promote it.
It's not about product, it's about people.
You're barking up a slippery tree with these guys. (A 21st century "Yogi Berraism")
I used to get into with them on this topic. It took me awhile to realize that all they were offering were their opinions and no one ever supported any of their claims with facts. All they do is throw opinion after opinion, and when they're pressed for proof, you get name-calling and more opinion.
None of them have attempted any emperical testing like the Porsche guy did. I mean, at least he tried. I applaude him for that.
Be careful, my friend. Things only get worse from here. Forget about expecting them to support their statements with facts because they don't exist. And never did.
The difference between fact and opinion is that facts can be verified independently. Facts stand up to scrutiny. A fact becomes one only after some kind of test or trial. Like the Porsche guy attempted.
If you want anyone to believe you then you will have to make the effort to fairly and objectively compare products. Then you will have to use the same objectivity in analysis and reporting. Taking a few pix of your car proves nothing to no one.
Instead of putting all this energy responding to every little comment about Zaino, why not put forth some real effort and conduct a scientific test of products? Get together with all your cronies and develop a balanced format for comparison. Involve the car care product companies as well as their products.
In other words, put your money, time, and energy where your mouth is.
PJ has 6 months to develop and refine his testing techniques and methods of analysis. He's never failed to criticise someone's opinions or findings. When his assertions are questioned, he's frequently engaged in personal attacks. Time will tell if he can grow from personal persecutor to objective analyst. Otherwise, whatever he presents in March will be worthless to most everyone but himself.
By comparison, Zaino Bros. is a very small, family-owned and operated business. They produce and sell a small line of car care products, most of which are designed to be used together as part of a system. They have no retail distribution by design; they are strictly mail order. I have never seen or heard of any advertising or product promotion. They offer 13 different products.
So what we have is a classic "David vs. Goliath" story.
The only reason I post this is to alert readers to the need to compare specific products, not brands or companies. So comparing a little mail order company to a much larger one offering dozens of products is not valid. Be careful you don't get drawn into generalizations that mean nothing.
Stick to comparing specific products and evaluating results based on equitable testing of those products.
Long before any of the "comparison tests" made their way to the boards, there was no empirical testing to "prove" that Meguires or Zymol or Turtle Wax were better or worse than any other products. We only had opinions from users. Why were they acceptable then?
But my favorite was this response from you in the "Zaino beats Zymol in Test" thread. You said:
Don't believe the posts from the hypersters of polymer products. The results are good but it takes a major effort to get them and I think most folks do not want to go to that extreme.
So I must ask - if you haven't tried Zaino, how can you know that the above statement is true??? At least I have tried Zaino and I know that I can apply it in about as much time as it took to wax with a regular wax. But...saying that makes me a "hypester", doesn't it?
Comments not based on any testing just the opinion of someone who likes to care for his vehicles properly.
JR
Right on koury, I never new some Town Hall Hosts smelled like sour milk until I checked this discussion for good, honest & valuable advice.
mbdriver "Talk to the Town Hall Hosts" Jan 24, 2001 12:50pm
Honestly, I'm not trying to show you up, however if you have something to contribute to this discussion, please do.
-PJ
-Larry
In order for Bretfraz to respect you--you must stop using and promoting zaino products...but he really does not dislike Zaino products. This makes absolutely no sense.
He doesn't dislike Zaino per se: he thinks it is overpriced and difficult to use.
What Bret hates is the people who use and like Zaino and disagree with Bret's "opinion".
If he does not like people who use Zaino than it stands to reason that he does not like the product Zaino because the only thing different about a person he dislikes is that they like and use Zaino products.
Bret is such a phoney.
Unlike braindead Joebob, I can differentiate between a product and a person.
Ya know, maybe he does this stuff on purpose - twisting someone's post until it no longer resembles the point they were making. Actually, it's a somewhat effective political tactic. If it wasn't so stupid. But then again, maybe it's just the way he's wired. I'd tell Joebob to pull his head out, but I really think electroshock therapy is needed. I can hardly wait to read the next crackpot response from him.
People, use whatever product you want on your car. I could not care less. I appreciate a well-cared for car as much as anyone else. If I didn't I wouldn't post on TH.
But Joebob and a few others are a clear reason why I don't use Zaino. I simply do not want to be associated with them.
Disagree with my opinion all you want. Your opinion is worth the same as mine - - nothing.
"For the last time, I have no real problem with Zaino products. What I do not like about Zaino are the people that use it and promote it."
If a person uses Zaino and promotes it then you do not like them.
I am not twisting your words here.
You also state that you have no real problems with Zaino products.
If that were true then you would not care what product a person uses and would IGNORE their posts. You obviously DO HAVE a problem with anyone that uses and promotes Zaino products.
You state time and time again that you do not like people that use and promote Zaino products and continue to attack and berate that person.
Explain which statements you made that I twisted.
You insult anyone on the other board that makes any reference to Zaino whatsoever. Now instead of arguing logically here you attack and berate me with terms of "braindead", "needing electroshock therapy" and "crackpot response". On the other board you make statements like "Prolly led by Sal Queda and Osama bin Zaino. Remember kids, Zaino can be used for good or used for evil."
You attacked me more than a year ago with,"Looks like 'ol JOEBOB6 has taken the point position as "Defender of Sal". He'll get sliced and diced like all the others. Someday they'll learn, I hope."
You state that you could not care less about what product a person uses. This is simply a false statement because you continue to hurl insults at Zaino users. If you truly did not care you would IGNORE the Zaino posts.
I do not need to stoop to your level and throw out insults. When a person has nothing intelligent to say to fight back the easiest thing to do is launch a personal attack as you did...Your own words prove my point.
Let's get back to asking questions and giving hints and tips about how to make our cars look better. When we do that, we are helping each other, and I feel good.
Bret just likes to incite people - it is completely useless to respond - save your energy
Hey, Joebob, nice to see you keep all my posts. What else do you have? I need some entertainment.
It's interesting: I don't seem to have the same "relationship" with the many others in TH as I do with a few of you. Why is that? Perhaps you could be a part of the problem?
You created this monster (me). Think of me as the replicant in "Blade Runner" played by Rutger Hauer. Remember what he did to his creator?
You threw gas on this fire with your post #1394 in Store Bought Waxes. I responded directly with #1396.
You escalated it in #1397 and #1402. When it starts flying in SBW, my policy is to bring the fight into the Zaino room. And everyone else gets involved almost by default. That's my intent all along.
PJ, if you'd just keep your big mouth shut none of this would happen because I would have no reason to post here or even read here. What happened in "Zaino beats Zymol" is also your doing. You were in a discussion with Dave Hanley. I added my opinion and you jumped on the post. Of course you deleted it later but the fire was roaring by then. But if you just would have ignored me everything would be fine.
I know you can't do it, PJ. You love the taste of blood too much. This is kinda like Fight Club to you. You love this.
Some folks in here do a great job of offering advice and expertise. I don't see too much good advice from you, though. Mostly repetitive stuff. Where is your value? At least I try hard in SBW and other topics. I made a trip to SEMA just to collect info on tires and car care products. Cost me about $2000. I don't derive any financial benefit from that. Heck, I don't even work in the car industry so I can't benefit indirectly or even remotely.
So why do you think I'm here, PJ? Why do I research questions posted by strangers that cannot provide me a benefit? Why do I contact mfr's to obtain info about products and services that I'm not shopping for? Why do I buy expensive leasing software to calculate leases for people I don't know?
Have you given the slightest bit of thought as to why I'm even here?
So much hostility over car polishes. Unbelievable.
I used to use many brands of polishes/waxes. When I started reading this forum about 2 years ago, my impression about Zaino was ratehr skeptical. However, as more and more people became belivers to Zaino, I went ahead and gave it a try. Let me tell you, it's one of the best decision I ever made so far. Now, there's only Z left on my shelf (I gave away rest of the waxes/polishes).
About bretfraz - I would just ignore all his comments. Please don't respond his messages or it will never end. Thank you