With all the hype about Z2/Z5, clay, etc., I have not heard many accolates about Z6.
I just put another coat of Z2/Z6 on my new (2 months old) Lexus ES300 and let me be the first to say that the Z6 part of the process really makes it. I can't say enough about Z6.
Note that my car is a semi-dark charcoal-like color. Does not shine like black or red. But Z6 takes the Z2 shine up a notch on my car.
After reading as much as I could on this message board, I started by asking the dealer not to wash my new car, etc. and then proceeded to order Zaino products. I also ordered their new ZFX Flash Cure because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to finish the whole process on my off days. The whole process couldn't have been more pleasurable! Everything goes on so easily and wipes off just as easily and the results were outstanding!
That was two months ago and since then I've used the Z-7 wash followed with the Z-6. I live near Las Vegas, NV and now we're heading to the 100+ temps and I want to maximize the car's protection for the summer months. My question is whether I can apply more of the Z-2 now without starting from scratch? It's the dark blue version of the '02 Honda CR-V. It's parked in a covered garage at work and home, but I also worry about the high temps "stressing" the paint.
I'm looking for a definitive answer on whether my new car is clear coated or not. I just purchased a 2002 Lexus GS300 in Black Cherry Pearl. So far four phone calls to mine, and different dealers is split.... 2 say no, 2 say yes. I just recieved my package from Zaino yesterday, and I ordered both hoping to know the answer by the time it arrived. Can anybody help me?
I saw a post in a Lexus board which said that after consultation with Toyota HQ, the definitive answer is that until a couple of years ago, the flat black (non metallic) paint on Toyota and Lexus was not clear coated but since before your 2002 (and I don't remember when they started, but maybe two or three years ago), ALL of the colors are clear coated. I would be willing to bet a lot of money that anything described as "Black Cherry Pearl" was clear coated. It was only the non metallic black that was not.
I have put about 6 - 7 coats of Z2/Z5 followed by Z6 on my car and it just keeps getting better. I live in Ridgecrest, Ca., which is in the same plant region as Las Vegas (which means very hot summers and cold winters, with lots of wind and blowing sand). I, too, want to "summerize" my car.
Currently, I prefer not to use ZFX, although I have tried it. I put a new coat of Z2/Z6 on whenever I wash the car, about every two weeks. You don't need anything else. Once, when strapped for time, I just did the roof, trunk and hood. I figure they get the brunt of the sun. Partial polishing works just fine.
Thanks atows, I'll get right on that program as temp is heading up as I write this. You said you had used the ZFX but preferred not to use it. I have only just started using the Zaino products and so have only used it with the ZFX instead of the Z-1. Do you think the results are better using the Z-1? I haven't seen any other posts that talked about the pros or cons of the "new" ZFX product.
crazy4cars - Congratulations on your beautiful car! I almost bought the same car as you - I LOVE that color. For some reason it is extremly rare here in L.A. It will look great with just a little bit of gold trim, the rest removed.
Anyway, this is a metallic paint, so it will definitely be clear coated. It will look fabulous with 3-4 layers of Z2, like a giant candy apple!
Also- regarding Z6, I find that this is essential to getting the best shine. I believe that it has a little bit of a solvent effect on the hardened Z2 or Z5, and smooths out any microscopic rough parts.
The main benefit of ZFX is that you can apply multiple coats without waiting for the Z to "cure". Since I don't apply multiple coats, the Z1 works fine for me.
pj: Hi, how are you? hawks1: daverose is absolutely correct. The sooner you start the better.
scottc8: I went and did it: applied Z5 to my windshield. The results are very good, but now I'll wait and see how long it lasts. First, I used the Zaino Glass Polish which removed many of the tiny (microscopic) scratches but not the bigger ones. I really had to clean the window afterwards as that glass polish leaves a very, very fine haze behind. I was ZFX/Z5'ing anyway, so I applied a coat to all my windows including the windshield.
Wow, it really made the window seem much more clear. Night driving was a pleasure. But now I'll have to see how it holds up over time and against my wipers, etc.
re: CLAY - I also clayed my car prior to applying 2 coats of Z5. After a very, very good washing, my car looked completely clean. Then I went to work with the Clay. I am still amazed at how much dirt, brake dust, etc. the clay picked up.
Tons! My 1 oz. clay bar now weights 30 lbs! Only kidding. But it really picked up a huge amount of stuff. And on my daily commuter, the results were actually visible! The lower portions of the car had taken a beating this winter, and most of the stuff was picked up there.
My experience with Z1 and ZFX and Z 2 is that ZFX seems to give a better application with Z 2 than Z1 does. I do not know why, but on my silver mb the shine is deeper and the application is much easier in just one step with ZFX and Z 2. Does anyone know how many coats of Z2 can go on top of ZFX + Z2, before applying another layer of ZFX plus Z 2 ?
I just called Zaino to get the answer to my own question.... Use ZFX every 6 months with Z2. Z 2 without ZFX as often as you want in between the 6 month period. If you want to apply multiple coats of Z 2 on the same day, use ZFX with the Z 2. Got It?
Decided to order Z5 this year to see if it would reduce some surface scrapes on my hood and got ZFX instead of Z1.
On Saturday I Dawned (I always Dawn every spring), clayed, Z7 wash, 2 coats of Z5/ZFX with Z6 in between. The Z5 really reduced the visibility of the scrapes and the ability to apply multiple coats in one day made it look great. Other than waiting the 30 minutes as per ZFX instructions, it's just as easy as the regular Z1/Z2/5 route.
I mixed up one ounce of Z5/ZFX and it was enough to do my Accord twice - even had a little left over.
I have seen a lot of people talking about the ZFX that allows for multiple coats of Z2 in the same day. I thought it was possible to put on multiple coats of Z2 on the same day as long as you waited a few hours in between coats. Is this incorrect?
Also, will claying remove the Zaino i have on the car now?
Yes, you are incorrect reagrding your first question. It is not really possible to apply multiple coats of Z2 in the same day, even if you want to stay up all night. A coat of z2 or z5 needs about 24 hours to "cure." The ZFX is a magic additive which causes the z2 or z5 to cure instantly. Even so, Sal says do not apply more than 3 coats in one day.
The last time I did my car, I mixed enough ZFX with the z2 for 2 coats, and then applied the third coat without ZFX. (Saving the ZFX, which is expensive.)
And no, clay will not remove the Z you have on the car now.
According to the instructions, six hours is sufficient curing time between coats if the temp is over 70 degrees. My first application started on a Friday evening, and I applied the fifth coat on Sunday evening. The results were spectacular. I was fortunate in that the temp was in the 90s with very low humidity all weekend. I wouldn't try it in marginal weather.
atoews, I couldn't agree more about Z6. It's the icing on the cake.
In an earlier post, I stated that I prefer not to use ZFX. Note that I have not tried it as a replacement for Z1. I used it so I would not have to wait the recommended 24 hours between Z2/Z5 coats. I think it is just probably prejudice, ignorance and some irrational fear on my part .
First of all, ZFX has not been in use long, a paint job is a pretty important and expensive aspect of a car and I do not want to risk destroying it. I'd prefer that ZFX be tested more in the field before I go wild using it. Solidifying my concern is observing what ZFX does to that plastic mixing bottle. You can't completely remove the mixture from the bottle. And it looks like the ZFX mixture distorts the plastic, despite my taking care to wash the bottle well within the 12 hours recommended by Zaino Bros.
Additionally, while trying to wash out the ZFX bottle, some Z2/ZFX mixture made its way to my sink and some of my dishes - and the dishwasher and my scrubbing has not removed it completely!!
If it does that to the plastic bottle and glass dishes, what might it do to non-paint parts of the car (plastic,etc)?
I am not saying to be afraid of ZFX. I would use it in a pinch. But as it stands, I prefer to just wait the 24 hours between coats whenever possible. If nothing else, it is harder work to wash out that bottle than it is just to wait. I suppose one option would be just to throw away that bottle.............
I have just completed giving my 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe the complete Zaino treatment. I washed with the Dawn, used the clay, washed with the Z7, and ended with 2 coats of Z2 with the ZFX. In between coats and for the finale I used the Z6. I must say I am very delighted with the results. I now see what everyone on this site has been bragging about. I plan on putting on another two coats this weekend. As for the plastic bottle, I just threw it out.
Now that my car has been given the Zaino treatment I would like to ask everyone if they have any tips on what to do after it rains. Is it a good idea to dry the car off or let it dry by itself? What about using the CA water blade that I have been reading about on this post? Is it a good idea to wipe the car down with Z6 after the car is dry? Thanks
I throw out those little ZFX bottles, too. You can buy them at many stores for about 25 cents, so it's not a big deal. That's why Sal sends you 3 or 4 with the ZFX.
As for after the rain, I have used the CWB on my wet car after driving it right into the garage from a rain, and observed no ill effects. The danger would be that the car is really dirty in addition to being wet. If I had been driving on an expressway, where the road splash gets a lot of dirty water on the car, then I would not do that; I'd just let it dry and wash it off, because that kind of water has a lot of grit in it.
Or maybe I'd rinse it off with the hose, then dry. The only time I use the blade right after a rain is when I know that the car was not also dirty. (Including being dirty before it started raining.)
I too threw out the little ZFX bottle. Actually, I filled it with about 1.25 oz of Z5 which I thought would be enough for 3 coats. I didn't have time for three coats - only two. And there was about .25 oz left over. 'Hated to waste it. But I could care less about the little bottle. Like the man (atoews) said, they're just cheap little bottles. So I dumped it in the fish tank. NO,no, that's a joke. I just threw it out. And atoews, I expect ZFX / Z2 or Z5 to affect the plastic bottle. That's the chemical bonding taking place, and if ZFX/Z5 didn't do that, it would be worthless. That's a good attribute.
Hint: Save your old Z6 spray bottles. They make great Z7/water spray bottles. I mixed 2 cap-fulls of Z7 and 18 ozs of water to produce my claying lubricant. Now that I'm done claying (for 6 months at least), I added more water (about 6 ozs) and keep the bottle in my car. Its very useful for removing road splat, dead bugs, etc. from the front of the car. I should actually added even more water as its still a bit too concentrated.
As I was doing my final Z6 rub down, a spider fell on the car and was trying to climb up one of the curved surfaces. It was like watching a spider on a tread-mill. The little feet were running like mad as the spider continued to slide downwards. When the spider finally got too tried (about a minute later), it just slid off the car.
I have parked in the same spot at work for 11 years and have never had this happen: After beginning my Zaino use about a month ago I began to notice a large amount of bird crap on the passenger C column and rear window on a daily basis. I have come out from the office to find birds congregating on that spot. Have been washing it off and re-Z6'ing everyday for several weeks.
Anyone else find that birds are attracted to the stuff?
Call me crazy, but it seems like a Hitchcock nightmare!
If you think it looks good now, wait until you get a few more coats of Z2/Z5/Z6 on!!! Then, you'll know why SOME of us are called Zainoholics! ;-))
jlan-
LOL.... I just read somewhere that birds are ATTRACTED to shiny things!! LOL..... I have bird crap on my trunk right now. That rarely happened pre Zaino!!
I have the plastic polish, the Z16 tire dressing, and the clay bar.
The plastic polish is quite good. I used it on some 7 year-old headlights a few weeks ago, and it improved their appearance dramatically.
The tire dressing is also excellent. It has a deep, rich lustre- not a "wet look", but more conservative and tasteful. It looks like satin.
The clay bar was also excellent, but I prefer Mother's clay. While both perform very well, the Mother's is more sticky and seems to soak up more contaminants with less effort. You can't go wrong with either one, though.
At least it comes off easy! And boy, the car does shine - even my neighbor who keeps his Jag covered in the garage notices and comments.
On the other hand, my wife is confirming that I am a certified nut seeing that bottle of Z6 in my hand EVERY night after work! I am beginning to have to make excuses to go to the garage, and it is getting hard to hide what I am doing. She usually comes looking for me just when I get the last dropping off, so I don't think she believes me when I tell her about the birds. Oh well, I guess she is more nuts than I am since she married me!!
I asked about the dust resistant properties of Zaino. Last weekend I applied Z6 after washing the car with Z7. Wife drove through some rain showers this week and now I see just how great the Z6 works. On the trunk lip edge there are numerous small dirt spots where the wind blew the water off the trunk lid surface. Amazing! Rest of the surface is completely clean! I was concerned about how the "between wash" dirt buildup was clinging to the Zaino, but the Z6 took care of that.
Your neighbor with the covered jag reminds me of my good friend who had a 73 Trans Am 455 back in my high school days. Waxed it every weekend, then put it in the garage and covered it. I waxed my 74 Road Runner every week and we were filling up at a gas station (back then <.50 cents a gallon...oh how I miss those days) and I got two people to compliment me on how good my car looked. We got in the car and he asked "How come nobody ever says anything about my car?"...I told him it was simple....nobody ever SEES your car. He took to driving more after that.
I just started with Zaino this spring (former Meguiar's zealot) & did the whole rec. process on my 2001 Chrysler 300M (Dawn/clay/Z7/Z1/3coats Z5/1coatZ2 with Z6 between all coats). A couple weeks ago I washed/waxed both my vehicles the same day. I waxed my dark blue Gr Caravan (with Mother's Cleaner-wax:to use up my supply) & added a second coat of Z2 to my burgundy Chrysler 300M (total now-3 coats Z5+2 coats Z2). The ability to shed dirt over the past 2 weeks of rain is markedly different, however. Both vehicles are daily drivers & garaged at night. The Z'ed Chrysler looks almost washed after the rain, while the Caravan has the typical ugly film of dust/dirt on it. Also, I know from experience that the Mother's CW shine only lasts about 4-6 weeks. My first Z treatment on the 300M has easily outlasted that already. I must say the the cleaner-waxes (I've used both Mothers & Meguiar's) do get off bugs & some road stains, but I'm afraid about what that cleaning action would do to my finish with regular use.
My honest impressions of Zaino at this point:
Shine: Excellent-although I think it is matched by some other products (e.g. Meguiar's Gold Class)- perhaps I will feel differently after more coats ("only" 3-Z5 & 2-Z2 at this point) Ease of Use- Outstanding-much easier than traditional waxes-wipe on/wipe off-no buffing required (just remember not to use as much Z5 or Z2 as you would a traditional liquid wax-using too much is a waste, takes much longer to dry, and may get smeary). Dirt/Dust Resistance: Excellent- clearly better than anything else I've seen or used. Durability- Outstanding so far. I stopped using Meguiar's Gold Class (great shine, but lasts only a few weeks). Z7- The best car wash I've ever used- unmatch "lubricity"- economical - 1 capful per 1/2 gal H20 easily does a car. Z6- Adds alot to finish the shine. Not the best "cleaner" (I use dilute Z7/H20 rinse/ then Z6 for bird/bug spots between washes).
The other neat thing about the Zaino process is its flexibility. You could start with just Dawn wash/Z1/Z2 or 5 and get a nice durable shine which outlasts most any mass-market waxes..... or become a Zainoholic with 10+ coats and a show-car finish. I'm afraid I'm slipping into the latter affliction!!!!!
I want to completely get rid of all and any swirl marks from my car...How well does Z5 do this? How many coats would I need to use to completely rid my car of swirl marks?
IMNSHO, Z5 does a lousy job of removing/filling swirls. OK for very very micro swirling but anything more serious and you'll need a real swirl mark remover. Try 3M Swirl Mark Remover or Meguiar's #9 2.0 SMR. Wash the car afterwards to remove oils and fillers and Z away.
Bret is right. Z5 will take care of small swirls, but if it's anything more serious, other products do a better job. If you've got serious swirl marks before you Z the car, I'd suggest using a different product to remove or reduce them, then do the dawn/clay/dawn/Z treatments. IMHO, you'll end up with a much better look.
I must agree with the prior posts that Z5 will not cover deeper swirls or scratches. After 3 coats of Z5 on my burgundy Chrysler, most of the fine swirls are gone but the deeper swirls & a few scratches remain if you look closely. Remember that Z5 fills in the swirls but does not remove them (it's nonabrasive). True swirl removers are abrasive and only you can decide how much you wish to abrade your clearcoat before you are satisfied with the look of your finish. In my case, I used Meguiar's Scratch X by hand on a few of the deeper scratches before starting the Z process with a Dawn wash. Overall I am satisfied with the result. It looks great from 5-10 feet away but it's clearly not perfect viewed up close with proper lighting. I believe that bad swirls & scratches need power-buffing by an experienced detailer.
FINALLY had the chance to give my car a good wash/clay/ZFX-Z5 this afternoon. The last time I put any coats on my car was in the fall. Water was still beading even after the entire winter in Ontario.
I forgot to follow the #1 rule - VERY THIN COATS. Put too much on the first coat and ended up with the hazy film that just moves around whenever you try to wipe it off. I know all I have to do is a Z7 wash and I'll be good to go, but I've run out of time.
Moral of my story? Apply Z in VERY VERY THIN COATS. If you can see it when you've wiped it on, you've likely used too much. Brad
jona, jona, jona...... if only you listened to me ages ago, that 300M would have been gleaming with NO swirl marks UNLESS your award winning 5-STAR" dealer got to it first! It gets better as time goes on.
I think I've found a downside to the wonderful Zaino shine and durability...
Yesterday it was about 75 deg, sunny, low humidity - a perfect Zaino day (that's another problem entirely - calling a day like that perfect for Zaino as opposed to tennis or boating or whatever!). So I told my wife I was going to wash and polish the cars. Now - here's the problem. She asked, "Why do you need to polish the cars again? Didn't you just put two coats on each last month? Doesn't it last 6 months?". Uh-oh. I think I mumbled something about more coats giving better UV protection and split into the garage.
So there you have it - Zaino's shine and durability last too long! Makes being an addict hard to hide!
Gotta love the results though - especially on the black and silver 2002 Trailblazer LTZ. A big, dark coloured car to really show off the depth of shine. Although it also looks great on my wife's metallic green 2000 Grand Prix. Zaino really brings out the metallic flakes.
The same thing happened to me. I'm in the NY area and the weather was perfect. Instead of playing golf I added two more coats of Zaino. My wife thinks I'm going through some mid life crisis.
Fastdriver
You are right I thought my car looked great last week with two coats of Zaino. It looks even better now that I have four coats. I especially like the results of the Z6
Jona57: I've finally been able to find the "endurance" mark for Z5 on my Honda Accord Coupe. Last Thanksgiving, I applied 2 coats of Z5. After that, I only washed it once in December and then again once in March. Its a daily commuter in the New York area. About 30 each way (60 total) daily in all sorts of Winter conditions. I finally (over Memorial Day) did the FULL Z. After washing (Z7 + a few drops of Dawn), water still beaded on the roof and trunk lid. But Not on the front hood or front bumper surfaces. Those surfaces get the brunt of road salts, flying sand, and other assorted nasty things. That's almost 6 months.
Regarding Swirls: Gee, pj defending Bretfraz. I needs a drink. Actually, Bretfraz does make a point (did I say that?). Z5 is great stuff but cannot hide those deep visable scratch marks. But more commonly, most people get those very minor "spider webs" or swirls which look sort of like light interference patterns. Z5 will help with those in a dramatic fashion.
Jona57: I've finally been able to find the "endurance" mark for Z5 on my Honda Accord Coupe. Last Thanksgiving, I applied 2 coats of Z5. After that, I only washed it once in December and then again once in March. Its a daily commuter in the New York area. About 30 each way (60 total) daily in all sorts of Winter conditions. I finally (over Memorial Day) did the FULL Z. After washing (Z7 + a few drops of Dawn), water still beaded on the roof and trunk lid. But Not on the front hood or front bumper surfaces. Those surfaces get the brunt of road salts, flying sand, and other assorted nasty things. That's almost 6 months.
Regarding Swirls: Gee, pj defending Bretfraz. I needs a drink. Actually, Bretfraz does make a point (did I say that?). Z5 is great stuff but cannot hide those deep visable scratch marks. But more commonly, most people get those very minor "spider webs" or swirls which look sort of like light interference patterns. Z5 will help with those in a dramatic fashion.
LOL.....As much as I want/need to put more Zaino on my car, I went to Naragansett, RI for the weekend! Friends have a house/cottage there. After a bad storm Friday night, the remainder of the weekend was great. There will be plenty more nice weekends to Z the car. Soon, I'll have more free time to Z any day.
Carpe diem. The sun will shine again. ;-))
fastdriver
PS-If you think 4 coats looks good, just wait! ;-))
What do you all recommend as far as what to use when washing and drying? Everyone seems unanimous about using 100% cotton towels to dry -- but there seems to be a difference of opinion as to what to wash a car with -- Is it worth spending the money on a wool wash mitt, or is a plain old sponge fine?
NEVER a sponge!! It can scratch. I use the VIKING chenille wash mitts. I believe Auto Zone, K-Mart etc. have them.
To dry, I use the Absorber quickly on one section at a time and follow up with the 100% cotton white towels for the remainder. The Absorber really sucks.
I used to driver "quickly" around the block, but with the car rinsed with the nozzle off and the Absorber, I don't have to do that until I am finished wiping the car. Then, the drive around the block gets the water out of all the nooks and crannies.
WalMart sells lambswool wash mitts. They are nice and soft and easy to clean to be used over again. This works great for me. I also use 100% US cotton towels for drying although I am thinking of trying a MF towel.
Suggest you give the California Water Blade a try. Works great!!! For the final rinse, I also remove the hose nozzle and allow the stream of water to form large sheets that seem to slide right off of the car's surfaces. That results in far less water to remove. But the Water Blade takes most of the remainder off, especially from large flat surfaces. Then it takes just on 100% cotton towel to complete the job. The Absorber or MF towel would also work fine.
Some worry about the "Blade" scratching the paint -- it doesn't. Acts like a large squeegee and is very easy to use.
I too use the Viking Chenille wash mitts found at Auto Zone and Walmart. Did another application of Z5 after washing with Z7 last Saturday. Temps were in the 90's and the car was in the shade. Maybe a bit too warm even with the shade. Z5 worked great on the small swirls, but Z5 doesn't hide the larger marks (IMHO). I'm impressed with how my 01 Regal looks when parked next to other burgandy cars. This being my first new(er) car in 15 years, I'm wondering if the Zaino will have an impact on the tradein value. Hopefully I won't wait 15 years before trading again :-) I'm also wondering how much value to subtract per scratch (smudges actually) when purchasing a car (not sure about Edmunds rating method)? I got a decent price (IMO) on this car but it does have a couple of small surface smudges (not thru the clearcoat), but not too noticeable (it was a rental car). Guess I shouldn't look back, but I'm curious and inexperienced with these newer cars. Sorry, got carried away and strayed from the subject matter.
Believe me , I was NOT ignoring your advice. The dealer did indeed get to the car 1st & "detail" it. Looked like they sent the poor thing through a bad automatic car wash Looks 1000% better now with a bit of Meguiar's Scratch X & the full Monty Zaino process. My Toyota finance manager neighbor compliments me on my 300M almost daily. He tells me I can get me a job detailing cars at his dealership anytime!!!
LOL... I know you weren't ignoring me. I was just "rubbing" it in! ;-)) I can't believe the "damage" done by the dealers in prepping the new cars. I didn't let them touch the Acura! I even told them to leave the white plastic on! LOL... Every time I bring the car in for an oil change I have to remember to tell them to leave it ALONE because they want to wash it and fool with the air in the tires.
So busy lately that I have ignored the car. The weather was iffy too and I was sick. To most people it looks great, but to me, I know what a few coats of Z2/Z5/Z6 will do.
Comments
I just put another coat of Z2/Z6 on my new (2 months old) Lexus ES300 and let me be the first to say that the Z6 part of the process really makes it. I can't say enough about Z6.
Note that my car is a semi-dark charcoal-like color. Does not shine like black or red. But Z6 takes the Z2 shine up a notch on my car.
That was two months ago and since then I've used the Z-7 wash followed with the Z-6. I live near Las Vegas, NV and now we're heading to the 100+ temps and I want to maximize the car's protection for the summer months. My question is whether I can apply more of the Z-2 now without starting from scratch? It's the dark blue version of the '02 Honda CR-V. It's parked in a covered garage at work and home, but I also worry about the high temps "stressing" the paint.
Currently, I prefer not to use ZFX, although I have tried it. I put a new coat of Z2/Z6 on whenever I wash the car, about every two weeks. You don't need anything else. Once, when strapped for time, I just did the roof, trunk and hood. I figure they get the brunt of the sun. Partial polishing works just fine.
Congratulations on your beautiful car! I almost bought the same car as you - I LOVE that color. For some reason it is extremly rare here in L.A. It will look great with just a little bit of gold trim, the rest removed.
Anyway, this is a metallic paint, so it will definitely be clear coated. It will look fabulous with 3-4 layers of Z2, like a giant candy apple!
Also- regarding Z6, I find that this is essential to getting the best shine. I believe that it has a little bit of a solvent effect on the hardened Z2 or Z5, and smooths out any microscopic rough parts.
Did automophile say "candy apple red"??? ;-)) I want to see pics!!! ;-))
fastdriver
hawks1: daverose is absolutely correct. The sooner you start the better.
scottc8: I went and did it: applied Z5 to my windshield. The results are very good, but now I'll wait and see how long it lasts. First, I used the Zaino Glass Polish which removed many of the tiny (microscopic) scratches but not the bigger ones. I really had to clean the window afterwards as that glass polish leaves a very, very fine haze behind. I was ZFX/Z5'ing anyway, so I applied a coat to all my windows including the windshield.
Wow, it really made the window seem much more clear. Night driving was a pleasure. But now I'll have to see how it holds up over time and against my wipers, etc.
re: CLAY - I also clayed my car prior to applying 2 coats of Z5. After a very, very good washing, my car looked completely clean. Then I went to work with the Clay. I am still amazed at how much dirt, brake dust, etc. the clay picked up.
Tons! My 1 oz. clay bar now weights 30 lbs! Only kidding. But it really picked up a huge amount of stuff. And on my daily commuter, the results were actually visible! The lower portions of the car had taken a beating this winter, and most of the stuff was picked up there.
I just called Zaino to get the answer to my own question.... Use ZFX every 6 months with Z2. Z 2 without ZFX as often as you want in between the 6 month period. If you want to apply multiple coats of Z 2 on the same day, use ZFX with the Z 2. Got It?
On Saturday I Dawned (I always Dawn every spring), clayed, Z7 wash, 2 coats of Z5/ZFX with Z6 in between. The Z5 really reduced the visibility of the scrapes and the ability to apply multiple coats in one day made it look great. Other than waiting the 30 minutes as per ZFX instructions, it's just as easy as the regular Z1/Z2/5 route.
I mixed up one ounce of Z5/ZFX and it was enough to do my Accord twice - even had a little left over.
Also, will claying remove the Zaino i have on the car now?
The last time I did my car, I mixed enough ZFX with the z2 for 2 coats, and then applied the third coat without ZFX. (Saving the ZFX, which is expensive.)
And no, clay will not remove the Z you have on the car now.
atoews, I couldn't agree more about Z6. It's the icing on the cake.
I think it is just probably prejudice, ignorance and some irrational fear on my part .
First of all, ZFX has not been in use long, a paint job is a pretty important and expensive aspect of a car and I do not want to risk destroying it.
I'd prefer that ZFX be tested more in the field before I go wild using it. Solidifying my concern is observing what ZFX does to that plastic mixing bottle. You can't completely remove the mixture from the bottle. And it looks like the ZFX mixture distorts the plastic, despite my taking care to wash the bottle well within the 12 hours recommended by Zaino Bros.
Additionally, while trying to wash out the ZFX bottle, some Z2/ZFX mixture made its way to my sink and some of my dishes - and the dishwasher and my scrubbing has not removed it completely!!
If it does that to the plastic bottle and glass dishes, what might it do to non-paint parts of the car (plastic,etc)?
I am not saying to be afraid of ZFX. I would use it in a pinch. But as it stands, I prefer to just wait the 24 hours between coats whenever possible. If nothing else, it is harder work to wash out that bottle than it is just to wait. I suppose one option would be just to throw away that bottle.............
As for after the rain, I have used the CWB on my wet car after driving it right into the garage from a rain, and observed no ill effects. The danger would be that the car is really dirty in addition to being wet. If I had been driving on an expressway, where the road splash gets a lot of dirty water on the car, then I would not do that; I'd just let it dry and wash it off, because that kind of water has a lot of grit in it.
Or maybe I'd rinse it off with the hose, then dry. The only time I use the blade right after a rain is when I know that the car was not also dirty. (Including being dirty before it started raining.)
Always use the Z6 after washing.
Hint: Save your old Z6 spray bottles. They make great Z7/water spray bottles. I mixed 2 cap-fulls of Z7 and 18 ozs of water to produce my claying lubricant. Now that I'm done claying (for 6 months at least), I added more water (about 6 ozs) and keep the bottle in my car. Its very useful for removing road splat, dead bugs, etc. from the front of the car. I should actually added even more water as its still a bit too concentrated.
As I was doing my final Z6 rub down, a spider fell on the car and was trying to climb up one of the curved surfaces. It was like watching a spider on a tread-mill. The little feet were running like mad as the spider continued to slide downwards. When the spider finally got too tried (about a minute later), it just slid off the car.
I have parked in the same spot at work for 11 years and have never had this happen: After beginning my Zaino use about a month ago I began to notice a large amount of bird crap on the passenger C column and rear window on a daily basis. I have come out from the office to find birds congregating on that spot. Have been washing it off and re-Z6'ing everyday for several weeks.
Anyone else find that birds are attracted to the stuff?
Call me crazy, but it seems like a Hitchcock nightmare!
If you think it looks good now, wait until you get a few more coats of Z2/Z5/Z6 on!!! Then, you'll know why SOME of us are called Zainoholics! ;-))
jlan-
LOL.... I just read somewhere that birds are ATTRACTED to shiny things!! LOL..... I have bird crap on my trunk right now. That rarely happened pre Zaino!!
fastdriver
The plastic polish is quite good. I used it on some 7 year-old headlights a few weeks ago, and it improved their appearance dramatically.
The tire dressing is also excellent. It has a deep, rich lustre- not a "wet look", but more conservative and tasteful. It looks like satin.
The clay bar was also excellent, but I prefer Mother's clay. While both perform very well, the Mother's is more sticky and seems to soak up more contaminants with less effort. You can't go wrong with either one, though.
On the other hand, my wife is confirming that I am a certified nut seeing that bottle of Z6 in my hand EVERY night after work! I am beginning to have to make excuses to go to the garage, and it is getting hard to hide what I am doing. She usually comes looking for me just when I get the last dropping off, so I don't think she believes me when I tell her about the birds. Oh well, I guess she is more nuts than I am since she married me!!
My honest impressions of Zaino at this point:
Shine: Excellent-although I think it is matched by some other products (e.g. Meguiar's Gold Class)- perhaps I will feel differently after more coats ("only" 3-Z5 & 2-Z2 at this point)
Ease of Use- Outstanding-much easier than traditional waxes-wipe on/wipe off-no buffing required (just remember not to use as much Z5 or Z2 as you would a traditional liquid wax-using too much is a waste, takes much longer to dry, and may get smeary).
Dirt/Dust Resistance: Excellent- clearly better than anything else I've seen or used.
Durability- Outstanding so far. I stopped using Meguiar's Gold Class (great shine, but lasts only a few weeks).
Z7- The best car wash I've ever used- unmatch "lubricity"- economical - 1 capful per 1/2 gal H20 easily does a car.
Z6- Adds alot to finish the shine. Not the best "cleaner" (I use dilute Z7/H20 rinse/ then Z6 for bird/bug spots between washes).
The other neat thing about the Zaino process is its flexibility. You could start with just Dawn wash/Z1/Z2 or 5 and get a nice durable shine which outlasts most any mass-market waxes..... or become a Zainoholic with 10+ coats and a show-car finish. I'm afraid I'm slipping into the latter affliction!!!!!
Jon
Jon
I forgot to follow the #1 rule - VERY THIN COATS. Put too much on the first coat and ended up with the hazy film that just moves around whenever you try to wipe it off. I know all I have to do is a Z7 wash and I'll be good to go, but I've run out of time.
Moral of my story? Apply Z in VERY VERY THIN COATS. If you can see it when you've wiped it on, you've likely used too much.
Brad
jona, jona, jona...... if only you listened to me ages ago, that 300M would have been gleaming with NO swirl marks UNLESS your award winning 5-STAR" dealer got to it first! It gets better as time goes on.
fastdriver
Yesterday it was about 75 deg, sunny, low humidity - a perfect Zaino day (that's another problem entirely - calling a day like that perfect for Zaino as opposed to tennis or boating or whatever!). So I told my wife I was going to wash and polish the cars. Now - here's the problem. She asked, "Why do you need to polish the cars again? Didn't you just put two coats on each last month? Doesn't it last 6 months?". Uh-oh. I think I mumbled something about more coats giving better UV protection and split into the garage.
So there you have it - Zaino's shine and durability last too long! Makes being an addict hard to hide!
Gotta love the results though - especially on the black and silver 2002 Trailblazer LTZ. A big, dark coloured car to really show off the depth of shine. Although it also looks great on my wife's metallic green 2000 Grand Prix. Zaino really brings out the metallic flakes.
-Jason
The same thing happened to me. I'm in the NY area and the weather was perfect. Instead of playing golf I added two more coats of Zaino. My wife thinks I'm going through some mid life crisis.
Fastdriver
You are right I thought my car looked great last week with two coats of Zaino. It looks even better now that I have four coats. I especially like the results of the Z6
I've finally been able to find the "endurance" mark for Z5 on my Honda Accord Coupe. Last Thanksgiving, I applied 2 coats of Z5. After that, I only washed it once in December and then again once in March. Its a daily commuter in the New York area. About 30 each way (60 total) daily in all sorts of Winter conditions. I finally (over Memorial Day) did the FULL Z. After washing (Z7 + a few drops of Dawn), water still beaded on the roof and trunk lid. But Not on the front hood or front bumper surfaces. Those surfaces get the brunt of road salts, flying sand, and other assorted nasty things. That's almost 6 months.
Regarding Swirls: Gee, pj defending Bretfraz. I needs a drink. Actually, Bretfraz does make a point (did I say that?). Z5 is great stuff but cannot hide those deep visable scratch marks. But more commonly, most people get those very minor "spider webs" or swirls which look sort of like light interference patterns. Z5 will help with those in a dramatic fashion.
I've finally been able to find the "endurance" mark for Z5 on my Honda Accord Coupe. Last Thanksgiving, I applied 2 coats of Z5. After that, I only washed it once in December and then again once in March. Its a daily commuter in the New York area. About 30 each way (60 total) daily in all sorts of Winter conditions. I finally (over Memorial Day) did the FULL Z. After washing (Z7 + a few drops of Dawn), water still beaded on the roof and trunk lid. But Not on the front hood or front bumper surfaces. Those surfaces get the brunt of road salts, flying sand, and other assorted nasty things. That's almost 6 months.
Regarding Swirls: Gee, pj defending Bretfraz. I needs a drink. Actually, Bretfraz does make a point (did I say that?). Z5 is great stuff but cannot hide those deep visable scratch marks. But more commonly, most people get those very minor "spider webs" or swirls which look sort of like light interference patterns. Z5 will help with those in a dramatic fashion.
1) Dawn
2) Mother's Clay
3) Dawn
4) Meguiars' #9 Swirl Remover
5) Meguiars' Gold Class
What do people think of this? Will using Z2/Z6 make a significant difference instead of Meguiars' Gold Class?
LOL.....As much as I want/need to put more Zaino on my car, I went to Naragansett, RI for the weekend! Friends have a house/cottage there. After a bad storm Friday night, the remainder of the weekend was great. There will be plenty more nice weekends to Z the car. Soon, I'll have more free time to Z any day.
Carpe diem. The sun will shine again. ;-))
fastdriver
PS-If you think 4 coats looks good, just wait! ;-))
NEVER a sponge!! It can scratch. I use the VIKING chenille wash mitts. I believe Auto Zone, K-Mart etc. have them.
To dry, I use the Absorber quickly on one section at a time and follow up with the 100% cotton white towels for the remainder. The Absorber really sucks.
I used to driver "quickly" around the block, but with the car rinsed with the nozzle off and the Absorber, I don't have to do that until I am finished wiping the car. Then, the drive around the block gets the water out of all the nooks and crannies.
fastdriver
Some worry about the "Blade" scratching the paint -- it doesn't. Acts like a large squeegee and is very easy to use.
Believe me , I was NOT ignoring your advice. The dealer did indeed get to the car 1st & "detail" it. Looked like they sent the poor thing through a bad automatic car wash
Looks 1000% better now with a bit of Meguiar's Scratch X & the full Monty Zaino process. My Toyota finance manager neighbor compliments me on my 300M almost daily. He tells me I can get me a job detailing cars at his dealership anytime!!!
Jon
LOL... I know you weren't ignoring me. I was just "rubbing" it in! ;-)) I can't believe the "damage" done by the dealers in prepping the new cars. I didn't let them touch the Acura! I even told them to leave the white plastic on! LOL... Every time I bring the car in for an oil change I have to remember to tell them to leave it ALONE because they want to wash it and fool with the air in the tires.
So busy lately that I have ignored the car. The weather was iffy too and I was sick. To most people it looks great, but to me, I know what a few coats of Z2/Z5/Z6 will do.
fastdriver