It is critical to wash with Dawn prior to applying Zaino. Regular Car Soap does not remove wax. Dawn does. It does not take off the clearcoat.
You have to apply any polymer polish to the paint (including a clearcoat, if it's there); unless Zaino (Z1 or ZFX) is applied directly to the paint, it will not bond to the paint, and if it does not bond to the paint, it will not stay on the car as long.
So if you do not remove the wax, then when you put Z on top of the wax, it does not bond to the wax, and it will come off the car with the wax. If Z bonds to the paint as God and Sal intended, it can stay put for 6 to 12 months, depending on exposure to the elements. Wax is good for maybe one or two months.
In addition, the wax will yellow with age, while the Z polymer will not. So even if it stays on the car for months, which would be unusual, you will have a yellowing film between the Z and the paint.
That is why you wash with Dawn before applying Z, and not just car soap. While you are at it, you might want to clay the car after the dawn wash and prior to applying the Z. See above posts for the advantages of the clay job.
It really is best to wash with a strong soap, and clay the car if you can, if you want the best shine possible. An alternate to clay would be something like Mequire's professional line New Car Glaze which is only very, very mildly abrasive. What you are doing is removing the crud that acumulated on the car from the factory, shipping, etc. and making the surfae as smooth as possible for the best reflectivity. Then follow the instructions for Z as close as you can. You need very little Z for any application. Multiple applications will really bring out the shine. And it will last a long, long time, especially if you use a bit of the shine enhancer after a wash every once in a while. Just like you might with other companies quick detailer products.
I came on board the Z bandwagon last year with my newer ES300 and my wife's old 84 SL. My wife's car needed a complete polishing to look right, but my newer ES only needed a wash and clay.
Actually its ZFX,Z2,Z5,Z6,Z7,Z12,Z16 and shipping. Then there's %100 cotton towels, Clay magic and Dawn - already got those.
Just put my order in - reading the posts was helpful but what really turned the trick were the pictures at various sites (Fastdriver- you're collection is great!).
Thanks to all for taking the time to post snapshots.
Being an obsessive, I'm sure this will be a very enjoyable $100. Can't wait to make my Siennas shine!
I am eager to jump on to the Zaino Bandwagon but I now have a problem. Living in the NY/NJ area I just found out there is a ban on washing your car. I just purchased a new Santa Fe and I want to start the Dawn/Clay process. Now I don't know what to do. I was thinking about taking my car to a coin operated car wash just to use their water. I am afraid though that the high pressure water wand may be too rough. Anyone have any ideas Thanks
LOL... Thanks! What you see is what you get! Some people probably think I enhance those pics! First of all, I don't know how. Secondly, I don't have any fancy software to do it. Thirdly, there's NOTHING to enhance! HOW could I make the shine ANY better!
You'll love it! Ignore all those naysayers. Once you have on several coats and see that shine and how long it lasts, you'll see that it's the best thing since sliced bread! ;-))
I have used Zaino Z1 + Z2 for over a year with great results. BUT, I just did my silver car with ZFX + Z2. Wow!!! Here are my thoughts based on my experience with my car and Zaino:
johnstone53, the problem with car washes isn't the pressure, but the water. In areas where water is scarce, car washes filter and recycle the water, so it's not very clean. A water shortage this time of year? Wow. I thought it was dry out here in the West.
If it were me, assuming the water situation is temporary, I'd wait. Maybe put on a quick coat of something, anything, to protect it for now, but don't waste the time, money, & effort on the Z treatment if you can't get the vehicle spotlessly clean.
After reading through this board I'm sold on using Zaino on my '99 Camry. It's black and I can't get the swirl marks out of it!
I don't know if this car has a clear coat or not - one person told me Toyota doesn't use a clear coat on their black cars, but I'm not sure about this.
Would it hurt to just use the Z2 or do I need to use Z3 if there is no clear coat?
I had a question regarding where I could find a distributor in Hawaii, so I emailed Zaino. Got a response within 20 minutes (and this on a Sunday). Fantastic service. I am going to order product (first time) for use on my new Jeep Liberty(picked it up yesterday). Can't wait. Aloha
I had that same debate a while back, and heard similar stories where lexus black cars do not have clearcoat (they DO have clearcoat!!). So I've been using Z3 on my car, however, my understanding of Z3 is it has more 'nutrients' for your paint, so it doesn't hurt the car if you use Z3 on a car with clearcoat. You probably just don't get the benefit of having those additional ingredients react directly to your paint! I'll probably switch over to Z2 when my Z3 runs out.
Thanks for the insight on the clearcoat issue. Besides my black '99 Camry I've got a black '01 Lexus RX. No problems with swirling on it yet, but I'll do the zaino on it nonetheless just to make her look better!
I've read several times where isopropyl alcohol removes Zaino.Does methyl alcohol(methanol) do the same?I ask because it is commonly found in windshield washer solutions.
for asking a question that's been asked before. Multiple coats of Z5 have not removed swirls on my black car. Several people have mentioned other products - 3M, Meguire's, etc. Any recommendations?
For minor swirls, I have had good success with Maguire’s professional products: New Car Glaze, Show Car Glaze and/or Swirl Remover with a foam pad (bonnet) with a good quality orbital buffer. Others have said ood things about the 3M swirl remover. If one of these do not do the trick, you are looking at using more abrasive products that would require a bit more car to use.
After about a year, I just redid my whole van! I just returned from a 14 hour trip though bug fields and really had to work hard. I washed and clayed it and then reapplied the z1 and z5 because I didn't get the new additive(zx or zf?) yet. My van is inferno red and looks beautiful, so shiny my neighbor commented before I was even finished. It took me so long though, I had to keep reminding myself that it is only once a year or so and it takes so much longer with regular waxing. By the time I finish the z1, it is already dry where I started and by the time I finish the polish, it is dry too because the thing is so hugh so I never really have to wait for the drying time. Just a couple quick questions,please? What if I get Z on the windows-any big deal-yup,did it,a few places? If I had the new additive, I could have put on two coats of the z5 in the same amount of time, right? So is it worth getting? I'll have to put on the next coat tomorrow and then I follow up with a few of the z2 to make it really shine. Do I do it on the alloy wheels-can't remember. Also, if you convince me to get the additive, should I get the tire gloss too? Anyone have it and like it? Thanks in advance for any help and thanks to all of you who convinced me to get this over a year ago!!
I bought a few of the zaino products about a month ago and tried it on my new car this week. First of all its an '02 Protege LX in sandalwood. I've owned it for all of a month now.
Here's the thing, It seems like I need to use more z5 than what I am hearing here. I mean after a while, It seems like I am just dragging around the applicator, and nothing is coming from the applicator.
The second thing is that after the first coat of z2, I am getting the dreaded OP on my finish.
I will say though, that once that first coat was done, (wash w/dawn, Clay, Wash, Z5, z2) the car looked gave off a golden color.
"Here's the thing, It seems like I need to use more z5 than what I am hearing here. I mean after a while, It seems like I am just dragging around the applicator, and nothing is coming from the applicator." I put a small line on the applicator and put "streaks" of the polish on a few panels, and then rub them into the paint. I use about the same amount of Z2 or Z5. Often times it may be difficult to see but there is likely polish still in the applicator that does come off.
As far as Orange Peel goes it was there after the car was painted and the day the car was delivered. No wax or polish creates orange peel effect. It is possible that Zaino's optical characteristics make it easy to see because unlike wax Zaino does not slightly mute the surface the way wax can.
Claying is pretty hard work especially if you are doing it on a full size van.
"If I had the new additive, I could have put on two coats of the z5 in the same amount of time, right?" Not really...Z1 is really only a half step--it is removed after the Z5 is applied. Z5/ZFX would be one application/removal and a second application/removal. I like ZFX...is it worth getting? Depends...it will help you if you are applying Zaino Polish in high humidity conditions and works great for multiple coats in one day. And it does eliminate the additional half step of Z1. Some people have reported higher durability and higher gloss.
Z# polish on the windows won't be a problem. Some people use it on all the windows including the windshield--some report of wiper chattering. I use Z6 on the exterior windows rather than the polishes.
The Z16 tire product is very good. It gives a low satin shine...not a high "ghetto" type shine. It is a water based protectant and pretty durable.
I don't have a simple answer for the alloy wheels. The answer depends on whether the wheels are clearcoated and whether they are smooth rather than a textured finish.
Could you be absorbing the Z5 into the applicator? I usually dampen the pad with Z6 first, so as not to waste a lot of polish saturating it. Regarding OP, if you hate it, don't put a Zaino shine on it.
fidoprincess, I Z my wheels, aluminum with the factory plastic coating on them, but the first application seemed to make them a little bit sticky. They didn't feel sticky, but seemed to get dirty fast. A couple more coats on subsequent weekends and they became as slick as the rest of the car and practically repel brake dust.
I was not sure which board to post this on but I have an assigned spot in the parking lot of my building.
In the Spring/Summer there is a problem with bird droppings. I know I will have to wash the car often but is there any coating or wax that can help protect my car. Thanks MOD7
mod7 -- The Zaino you've applied (a polymer) is the protectant that's already on your car. But bird droppings are powerful stuff and will "eat" through the Zaino in time and, if left untouched, will eventually damage your paint. The smart thing is to remove it as soon as practicable. Some Z users on this Board say they keep a rag and spray bottle in the trunk containing a mixture of Z-7 car wash and water, and they use it to remove bird droppings if a car wash is impractical.
About putting on two coats of a ZFX-enabled polish in the time to apply Z1 then the polish; more like your other answers, "It depends." You are correct that applying Z1, then applying polish and wiping it off when dry, is less physical effort than applying and wiping off two coats of ZFX accelerated polish (two wipe offs using ZFX, versus one wipe off only after applying polish in the Z1/polish process being the difference), but the drying time (and the visual results) need to be considerd, too.
It did not seem like she was having any drying problem issues: I have never had any either.
As far as "noticeable" visual results you may or may not be able to really tell much of a difference. I do believe the surface seems to be slightly more durable but I can't honestly say I have seen an improvement in gloss (2 or 3 coats will shine better than 1--whether they are put down 3 in a day w/ZFX or with 24 hours between w/out ZFX I don't know that it would make a difference). The shine was already fantastic IMO. Just the fact that you can layer on 3 coats in a few hours was reason enough for me to get ZFX.
First, Zaino is far and away the best product I have ever used when it comes to easily removing bird poop. Many of them practically blow off (I mean blow, with your mouth). A shot with a spray bottle of water blasts them clear off the car. I do this kind of spot cleaning in the winter, and "touch up" the area with a little Z6. In the summer, a quick rinse with the hose floats them all off.
Now, I'm going to go against conventional wisdom and experience here. On a few occasions I have left bird poop on my car for two or even three days, with no permanent marks left on the paint. The car is very dark metallic green which I believe would show almost any blemish under close scrutiny. I put four coats of Z on the car at my initial application about a year ago, and have averaged a coat every 6 weeks or so since then. Nobody will claim Zaino is bird-proof, and I don't mean to recommend negligence in dealing with it. I still clean it off promptly whenever possible (after all, it looks like, well, you know), but I don't quite panic like I used to.
I took advantage of today's warm Ontario weather to wash my car. Not pretty. The Zaino seems to have held up really well in terms of water beading and shine, but there are lots of dings and scratches in my car's finish from rocks etc. I also noticed a significant increase in spider-webbing. I guess there's nothing that can protect the finish against the dreaded snowbrush! Time for multiple coats of ZFX/Z5.
I also noticed some pitting and rust in the aluminum rims on my car. Any suggestions on what to use on these? The car is a 2001 Impala LS, Navy Blue.
One more vote here for Z-16 on the tires. Just a reminder: Z doesn't give a BRIGHT (oily) shine. That's one reason I like it. Another is: it's longer lasting. I also Z my alloy wheels - 'specially the alloy wheel spare, tucked up under the body behind the back axle. Don't forget - do BOTH sides of those wheels. =;-))
When I went into the garage today I had to get my sunglasses because the sparkle was blinding! Really, thanks for all your hints and opinions. I realized today that I do need to order the ZFX because it was Easter and no way was my hubby going to let me out to play with the Zaino today so now my subsequent coats will have to wait again. He just doesn't get it-LOL! Honestly, he watched my 2 little ones all day yesterday while I spent 7 hours on the van (doing the inside too after our big trip-not all z time) so I couldn't press him for more car time today on a holiday especially. I am going to order the tire stuff too and when I get to sneak out to the garage again, I will z my wheels-they are smooth with clear coat and look so good I must have done them last time, just couldn't remember. I think Sal should sell the towels also to save us time, mine are getting a little ratty and it is impossible to find them here in my little town. I have to admit that I made a mistake when applying the Z1 yesterday-put it on in the back and forth motion instead of circular so I emailed Sal and asked if I should do the Z1 again before any more coats of polish. Can you believe he emailed me already and on a holiday too!! What a great business man! By the way, he said it was fine, I didn't have to do it again(whew!) I was thinking of secretly zing my hubby' car just to convince him how great it is but he has a bigger van than mine so I think I just trade z time for his golf time or lock the kids in the car while I do it! Thanks again everybody.
Got the almost full line of Z products last week (ZFX,Z2,Z5,Z6,Z7,Z12,Z16) and applied Saturday as we had a great day for it (over 60 and partly Cloudy in central Connecticut).
After some touch up work w. Langka the day before;
My process went like this: Dawn Wash, Z7 Wash, Chamois dry, Clay Magic w/ lube, Chamois Dry, Z2 w/ ZFX then Z5 w/ ZFX. Note the Chamois was oil free without additives.
I also sampled the Zaino Quick detailer Z6, Tire Gloss Z-16 and Glass Polish Z-12.
First to answer some of the previous posts - I ended up using a little of 1 OZ each of Z2 and Z5 w/ 5 drops each of ZFX.
Polishing a mid-size Van, a Toyota Sienna, I still had a little of each left. That seemed to be the right amount for me judged by the fine results.
Sal's instructions said use a dime-sized spot of the applicator, instead I used the same amount but spread in a thin line across one end of the application to get as even an application as possible.
Some impressions:
Z7 Wash - definite degreasing power as the car really sqeeked to touch after - a worthwhile upgrade.
Clay Magic - not Zaino's product but from what I could see in other Internet Postings, what Sal used to recommend before Z18?
I think this realy helped - wonder what it would have looked like if I'd done this before using Meguire #26.
Z2 and Z5 - great products so far, especially with ZFX to speed things up. To me the shine is slightly better than Meguire #26 Great wet look that's better than Meguire's #26. Z5 did a good job masking the swirls but from certain angles and light they still visable. Still I'm very satisfied with Z5 as it picked up the shine of Z2 (which itself was quite good).
Showed the Van to my Brother-in-laws brothers, all car freaks and they thought the shine was fantastic - I'd agree. Had it next to one of the kid's Mustang polished with Meguires and my shine was better! But how much is due to clay bar and how much to Zaino is hard to tell.
The key test for me will be durability.
Z6 Enhancer - It didn't seem to do much - then again I tried it late in the day as the temp. dropped and just after the Z5 application. Just used a little on one part as an experiment but so far I'm not too impressed. Perhaps it was too cold.
Z12 Glass Polish - With a little elbow grease this removed the acid rain spots on my wife's car that none others could. Also seemed to work well on my headlights - a winner.
Z16 Tire Gloss - Suspiciously similiar to Amor All in appearance - Didn't see to make much difference in effect either but in fairness to Zaino I used in a limited test AND Zaino's claim includes durability. Again I probably need to test some more.
As I only had time to do one application of Z2 and Z5 I'd like to add another in a few weeks.
Figure I'll just wash with Z7, Chamois, Clay bar, Chamois and go - does that sound right for upkeep on the polish?
I assume the Z7 will not pull off the first Z2/Z5 application.
abt z2 & 5 Likely it is being absorbed into the applicator. and I din't say that I minded the OP effect, it actually makes an intersting effect on the light coming off the paint, sort of like a pixelization, except in life not on the comp.
In my opinion, the Zaino tire dressing is as good as any other one and maybe better, but that is not very good. I just don't think there is a good tire dressing. You have the ones with a really shiny gloss that sit on the surface of the sidewall and get thrown onto the car by centrifugal force and you have the less shiny ones that SEEM to last longer, but don't shine as hard. I seriously doubt that any of the tire glosses actually get absorbed by the tire. I would be kind of nervous about inducing a gloss into the sidewall of something as important to my personal safety as a tire. I have just given up on tire dressings, they seem to me to be a waste of time. Maybe if I was in some sort of a car show or other static display it might be worth it, but I spend my time trying to get the brake dust off my sidewalls and just leave them looking like rubber. Once in a while, if there is a scuff mark I might put on a dressing, but again, IMHO, it has not seemed to matter much what I use.
Nice story and it sounds like you did a really good job getting your van into shape.
Stop worrying about the clay; from what I read, most clay bars are pretty much the same, and from my experience with 3 cars, clay does not cause much of a visual difference. As far as I can tell, the big difference is the smooth as glass feel. All those little bumps are gone. They are often steel, and will eventually cause problems, so it's good to get rid of them, but mostly you can't see the difference, except in theory.
I agree with the above post that putting stuff on tires is a waste of time, unless you are showing the car. To me it's like polishing the bottoms of your shoes. Also, my tires are very low profile tires, so I don't have much of a sidewall for anyone to see anyway, and maybe that's a bigger deal on a van, but still, it's just a black tire rolling on the ground. That having been said, people say Sal's stuff is about the best.
I have found the glass polish to be the best. It's a mild abrasive, so don't use it all the time, but when you need it, it's great. Works on other glass surfaces that need it, like TV screens.
You say you did not see too much of a diff after the Z6, but I think that's just because you just applied Z2. Wait for a month, wash the car, then use Z6 and you will see a diff.
And no, the Z7 will not take off the Z2 or Z5 -- what kind of a bad deal would that be? Actually, the Z7 wash is the best wash you can use on Z2 or Z5. (Actually, it's pretty hard to take off the Z2 on purpose; check above if you need to know how, but it's rare that you would want to or need to.)
I must admit I can't see a visual difference when using the Z6. Glad to see I'm not the only one! Have really tried though, 6ing half the hood, or half the trunk, looking straight on or at an angle, bright light, low light.. Could be Volvo's gold paint. It definitely smells good though and is great for touch ups between washings and Z2ing. Tmart
Have you had good luck with this stuff,. I have a bottle and every time I use it it just takes everyhing off and I am back to square one. Really not had good luck in using it for me,
Any usage instructions on getting a good chip filled?
It takes a little practice but here's a few things I learned about using this stuff.
First, remember that it is a solvent for the touch up paint and will not effect the original paint.
Use a toothpick to drop a small amount of paint onto the chiped spot. If you can do this without putting the touch up paint on the original paint, that is good, but not required. Use lots of bright light, and put on your reading glasses. (I use a razor knife to sharpen the point of the toothpick; this is like surgery.)
LET IT DRY. If you are taking it all off with the L stuff, then you probably have not let the touch up paint dry. The bigger the glob of paint, the longer it has to dry. I have come back two days later and had good results, while a very thin spot will dry in an hour or so.
If the touch up paint is not dry, it will all come off quickly with the L.
Use the plastic card and a soft cotton rag; tear a piece out of an old t-shirt, but a good one that's all cotton, not some poly and painted thing that says "Born to be Bad." I spread the L on a corner of the rag stretched over the card in a thin coat, and then rub it across the paint chip lightly at first, keeping the card in the same plane as the surface of the car. Slowly increase pressure and you will start to see the glob of touch up paint start to wear down, as if you were sanding it. (You are not - this stuff is a solvent, not an abrasive.)
If you take too much off, just try again. At first, it took me several trys at least to get the hang of it, but now I can get a very good result in one or two tries. I did a small ding on the front of my car over the weekend, and got it right on the second try. It's practically invisible. Not counting the time I left while the paint glob dried, the job took about 10-15 minutes at most for both trys.
It gives a good result quicker and easier than anything else I have tried.
Comments
Collinite, a great wax, actually what I do use when I mix the Z and carnuba.
It is critical to wash with Dawn prior to applying Zaino. Regular Car Soap does not remove wax. Dawn does. It does not take off the clearcoat.
You have to apply any polymer polish to the paint (including a clearcoat, if it's there); unless Zaino (Z1 or ZFX) is applied directly to the paint, it will not bond to the paint, and if it does not bond to the paint, it will not stay on the car as long.
So if you do not remove the wax, then when you put Z on top of the wax, it does not bond to the wax, and it will come off the car with the wax. If Z bonds to the paint as God and Sal intended, it can stay put for 6 to 12 months, depending on exposure to the elements. Wax is good for maybe one or two months.
In addition, the wax will yellow with age, while the Z polymer will not. So even if it stays on the car for months, which would be unusual, you will have a yellowing film between the Z and the paint.
That is why you wash with Dawn before applying Z, and not just car soap. While you are at it, you might want to clay the car after the dawn wash and prior to applying the Z. See above posts for the advantages of the clay job.
Happy motoring.
It really is best to wash with a strong soap, and clay the car if you can, if you want the best shine possible. An alternate to clay would be something like Mequire's professional line New Car Glaze which is only very, very mildly abrasive. What you are doing is removing the crud that acumulated on the car from the factory, shipping, etc. and making the surfae as smooth as possible for the best reflectivity. Then follow the instructions for Z as close as you can. You need very little Z for any application. Multiple applications will really bring out the shine. And it will last a long, long time, especially if you use a bit of the shine enhancer after a wash every once in a while. Just like you might with other companies quick detailer products.
I came on board the Z bandwagon last year with my newer ES300 and my wife's old 84 SL. My wife's car needed a complete polishing to look right, but my newer ES only needed a wash and clay.
Actually its ZFX,Z2,Z5,Z6,Z7,Z12,Z16 and shipping.
Then there's %100 cotton towels, Clay magic and Dawn - already got those.
Just put my order in - reading the posts was helpful but what really turned the trick were the pictures at various sites (Fastdriver- you're collection is great!).
Thanks to all for taking the time to post snapshots.
Being an obsessive, I'm sure this will be a very enjoyable $100. Can't wait to make my Siennas shine!
Thanks
LOL... Thanks! What you see is what you get! Some people probably think I enhance those pics! First of all, I don't know how. Secondly, I don't have any fancy software to do it. Thirdly, there's NOTHING to enhance! HOW could I make the shine ANY better!
You'll love it! Ignore all those naysayers. Once you have on several coats and see that shine and how long it lasts, you'll see that it's the best thing since sliced bread! ;-))
fastdriver
ZFX is:
Easier to put on than Z1 +Z2
More uniform in distribution on paint
Better shine and depth with silver color
I am sold on ZFX!!! The only way to go!
Mine is a 2001 Denim Blue XLE - a great color and worthy of a great polish.
Got a Digital Camera on my shopping list so I hope to post myself.
>Got a Digital Camera on my shopping list so I hope to post myself.
___________________________________
Nah! Post your car. =;-)))
If it were me, assuming the water situation is temporary, I'd wait. Maybe put on a quick coat of something, anything, to protect it for now, but don't waste the time, money, & effort on the Z treatment if you can't get the vehicle spotlessly clean.
You mix a few drops of ZFX with the Z2 or Z5. Great results!
wolverine-
Can't wait to see the pics!
fastdriver
I don't know if this car has a clear coat or not - one person told me Toyota doesn't use a clear coat on their black cars, but I'm not sure about this.
Would it hurt to just use the Z2 or do I need to use Z3 if there is no clear coat?
Thanks!
Aloha
Not sure about the clearcoat on the black Camry, but if you call/e-mail Sal, he'll tell you what to do.
fastdriver
See- ask, and you shall receive! ;-))
fastdriver
Please correct me if I am wrong with the above,
Here are some links that might be helpful.
http://www.meguiars.com/product_showroom/showroom_template.cfm (look under professional products for: New Car Glaze, Show Car Glaze, Swirl Remover)
http://www.3m.com/market/automotive/
(3M(TM) Perfect-It(TM) Foam Polishing Pad Glaze Swirl Mark Remover)
First of all its an '02 Protege LX in sandalwood. I've owned it for all of a month now.
Here's the thing, It seems like I need to use more z5 than what I am hearing here. I mean after a while, It seems like I am just dragging around the applicator, and nothing is coming from the applicator.
The second thing is that after the first coat of z2, I am getting the dreaded OP on my finish.
I will say though, that once that first coat was done, (wash w/dawn, Clay, Wash, Z5, z2) the car looked gave off a golden color.
I put a small line on the applicator and put "streaks" of the polish on a few panels, and then rub them into the paint.
I use about the same amount of Z2 or Z5. Often times it may be difficult to see but there is likely polish still in the applicator that does come off.
As far as Orange Peel goes it was there after the car was painted and the day the car was delivered. No wax or polish creates orange peel effect. It is possible that Zaino's optical characteristics make it easy to see because unlike wax Zaino does not slightly mute the surface the way wax can.
Claying is pretty hard work especially if you are doing it on a full size van.
"If I had the new additive, I could have put on two coats of the z5 in the same amount of time, right?"
Not really...Z1 is really only a half step--it is removed after the Z5 is applied. Z5/ZFX would be one application/removal and a second application/removal.
I like ZFX...is it worth getting? Depends...it will help you if you are applying Zaino Polish in high humidity conditions and works great for multiple coats in one day. And it does eliminate the additional half step of Z1. Some people have reported higher durability and higher gloss.
Z# polish on the windows won't be a problem. Some people use it on all the windows including the windshield--some report of wiper chattering. I use Z6 on the exterior windows rather than the polishes.
The Z16 tire product is very good. It gives a low satin shine...not a high "ghetto" type shine. It is a water based protectant and pretty durable.
I don't have a simple answer for the alloy wheels. The answer depends on whether the wheels are clearcoated and whether they are smooth rather than a textured finish.
fidoprincess, I Z my wheels, aluminum with the factory plastic coating on them, but the first application seemed to make them a little bit sticky. They didn't feel sticky, but seemed to get dirty fast. A couple more coats on subsequent weekends and they became as slick as the rest of the car and practically repel brake dust.
In the Spring/Summer there is a problem with bird droppings. I know I will have to wash the car often but is there any coating or wax that can help protect my car. Thanks MOD7
Hope this helps.
As far as "noticeable" visual results you may or may not be able to really tell much of a difference. I do believe the surface seems to be slightly more durable but I can't honestly say I have seen an improvement in gloss (2 or 3 coats will shine better than 1--whether they are put down 3 in a day w/ZFX or with 24 hours between w/out ZFX I don't know that it would make a difference). The shine was already fantastic IMO. Just the fact that you can layer on 3 coats in a few hours was reason enough for me to get ZFX.
Now, I'm going to go against conventional wisdom and experience here. On a few occasions I have left bird poop on my car for two or even three days, with no permanent marks left on the paint. The car is very dark metallic green which I believe would show almost any blemish under close scrutiny. I put four coats of Z on the car at my initial application about a year ago, and have averaged a coat every 6 weeks or so since then. Nobody will claim Zaino is bird-proof, and I don't mean to recommend negligence in dealing with it. I still clean it off promptly whenever possible (after all, it looks like, well, you know), but I don't quite panic like I used to.
I also noticed some pitting and rust in the aluminum rims on my car. Any suggestions on what to use on these? The car is a 2001 Impala LS, Navy Blue.
Thanks!
Brad
I also Z my alloy wheels - 'specially the alloy wheel spare, tucked up under the body behind the back axle. Don't forget - do BOTH sides of those wheels. =;-))
After some touch up work w. Langka the day before;
My process went like this: Dawn Wash, Z7 Wash, Chamois dry, Clay Magic w/ lube, Chamois Dry, Z2 w/ ZFX then Z5 w/ ZFX. Note the Chamois was oil free without additives.
I also sampled the Zaino Quick detailer Z6, Tire Gloss Z-16 and Glass Polish Z-12.
First to answer some of the previous posts - I ended up using a little of 1 OZ each of Z2 and Z5 w/ 5 drops each of ZFX.
Polishing a mid-size Van, a Toyota Sienna, I still had a little of each left. That seemed to be the right amount for me judged by the fine results.
Sal's instructions said use a dime-sized spot of the applicator, instead I used the same amount but spread in a thin line across one end of the application to get as even an application as possible.
Some impressions:
Z7 Wash - definite degreasing power as the car really sqeeked to touch after - a worthwhile upgrade.
Clay Magic - not Zaino's product but from what I could see in other Internet Postings, what Sal used to recommend before Z18?
I think this realy helped - wonder what it would have looked like if I'd done this before using Meguire #26.
Z2 and Z5 - great products so far, especially with ZFX to speed things up. To me the shine is slightly better than Meguire #26 Great wet look that's better than Meguire's #26. Z5 did a good job masking the swirls but from certain angles and light they still visable. Still I'm very satisfied with Z5 as it picked up the shine of Z2 (which itself was quite good).
Showed the Van to my Brother-in-laws brothers, all car freaks and they thought the shine was fantastic - I'd agree. Had it next to one of the kid's Mustang polished with Meguires and my shine was better! But how much is due to clay bar and how much to Zaino is hard to tell.
The key test for me will be durability.
Z6 Enhancer - It didn't seem to do much - then again I tried it late in the day as the temp. dropped and just after the Z5 application. Just used a little on one part as an experiment but so far I'm not too impressed. Perhaps it was too cold.
Z12 Glass Polish - With a little elbow grease this removed the acid rain spots on my wife's car that none others could. Also seemed to work well on my headlights - a winner.
Z16 Tire Gloss - Suspiciously similiar to Amor All in appearance - Didn't see to make much difference in effect either but in fairness to Zaino I used in a limited test AND Zaino's claim includes durability. Again I probably need to test some more.
As I only had time to do one application of Z2 and Z5 I'd like to add another in a few weeks.
Figure I'll just wash with Z7, Chamois, Clay bar, Chamois and go - does that sound right for upkeep on the polish?
I assume the Z7 will not pull off the first Z2/Z5 application.
Stop worrying about the clay; from what I read, most clay bars are pretty much the same, and from my experience with 3 cars, clay does not cause much of a visual difference. As far as I can tell, the big difference is the smooth as glass feel. All those little bumps are gone. They are often steel, and will eventually cause problems, so it's good to get rid of them, but mostly you can't see the difference, except in theory.
I agree with the above post that putting stuff on tires is a waste of time, unless you are showing the car. To me it's like polishing the bottoms of your shoes. Also, my tires are very low profile tires, so I don't have much of a sidewall for anyone to see anyway, and maybe that's a bigger deal on a van, but still, it's just a black tire rolling on the ground. That having been said, people say Sal's stuff is about the best.
I have found the glass polish to be the best. It's a mild abrasive, so don't use it all the time, but when you need it, it's great. Works on other glass surfaces that need it, like TV screens.
You say you did not see too much of a diff after the Z6, but I think that's just because you just applied Z2. Wait for a month, wash the car, then use Z6 and you will see a diff.
And no, the Z7 will not take off the Z2 or Z5 -- what kind of a bad deal would that be? Actually, the Z7 wash is the best wash you can use on Z2 or Z5. (Actually, it's pretty hard to take off the Z2 on purpose; check above if you need to know how, but it's rare that you would want to or need to.)
Happy motoring.
Any usage instructions on getting a good chip filled?
First, remember that it is a solvent for the touch up paint and will not effect the original paint.
Use a toothpick to drop a small amount of paint onto the chiped spot. If you can do this without putting the touch up paint on the original paint, that is good, but not required. Use lots of bright light, and put on your reading glasses. (I use a razor knife to sharpen the point of the toothpick; this is like surgery.)
LET IT DRY. If you are taking it all off with the L stuff, then you probably have not let the touch up paint dry. The bigger the glob of paint, the longer it has to dry. I have come back two days later and had good results, while a very thin spot will dry in an hour or so.
If the touch up paint is not dry, it will all come off quickly with the L.
Use the plastic card and a soft cotton rag; tear a piece out of an old t-shirt, but a good one that's all cotton, not some poly and painted thing that says "Born to be Bad." I spread the L on a corner of the rag stretched over the card in a thin coat, and then rub it across the paint chip lightly at first, keeping the card in the same plane as the surface of the car. Slowly increase pressure and you will start to see the glob of touch up paint start to wear down, as if you were sanding it. (You are not - this stuff is a solvent, not an abrasive.)
If you take too much off, just try again. At first, it took me several trys at least to get the hang of it, but now I can get a very good result in one or two tries. I did a small ding on the front of my car over the weekend, and got it right on the second try. It's practically invisible. Not counting the time I left while the paint glob dried, the job took about 10-15 minutes at most for both trys.
It gives a good result quicker and easier than anything else I have tried.
Good luck.