Zaino Car Care Experiences

atoews · December 2002

I wrote Sal about the issue of claying removing Z.

Here is a copy of his response message:
==================================

> Does claying remove some Z2/Z5?

> Thanks

A light or simple Claying will not remove Zaino.

Repeated Claying of the paint surface will eventually remove Zaino....

Zaino is very durable....

--

Happy Holidays,

Sal Zaino

(732)833-8800

http://www.zainobros.com

cusafr · December 2002

Thanks for writing Sal. Also glad to hear Sal's answer. One more reason to Love Zaino! Winter has not really started and I have Spring Fever...

Thanks Again,

CUSAFR

pjyoung · December 2002

Because of many things going on the past 6 months, I haven't been as good to my car as I should have, but last Sunday is was 60...humidy was low, and there was no wind, so I decided to put my winter coat on. Sorry purists...just one coat for me, but it'll do. Even though the car is white, it still looks shiner that the other white cars in the parking lot. Forecast calls for rain in a couple of days (we need it - BAD), but it'll be kind of fun to watch the water bead again. Mine lost a lot of the beading in the 6 months sinc my last application. I'm sure it didn't help that I wasn't able to wash it that often over that time. But the stuffs still great.

hud116222 · December 2002

2003 Black Solara SLE- 3 coats of Z-5 and 3 coats of Z-2. While having dinner the other night, came out of restaurant to find that someone had SCRATCHED "wash me" into a perfectly spotless car on the trunk. Three more coats of Z-5 later and the trunk is repaired! Thank you Zaino and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all Z enthusiasts.

maxpower02 · December 2002

Does anyone know how long it takes to receive their order?? Haven't used Z yet, but already convinced since reading the comments on this board. Was in the low 50's on Sunday, I washed my new Accord to get the road salt off. The water beaded, guess the dealer put something on. Hope I get the package soon, then all I have to do is pray for a 55-60 degree day!!!

cusafr · December 2002

You should have it very soon. Always received mine in about 7 or 8 days. Of course the Christmas mail may well be the hold up. If you don't receive soon, call or e-mail Sal. He will answer. Best of luck and I know your Max will love Zaino. My 2001 Infiniti can't live without it!

CUSAFR

maxpower02 · December 2002

got my package yesterday! After reading the instructions on the ZFX, I guess I shouln't have ordered the Z1. Guess that will go on the shelf.

Okay, I was wondering if any of you Zaino veterans would comment on my plan. Car is 2003 Accord Sedan EXV6 Graphite Pearl (Dark Gray). So I was thinking: 1. Dawn Wash 2. Z-18Clay 3. Dawn Wash 4. Z-5 polish 6. Z-6 Spray 7. Z-2 polish 8. Z-6 Spray 9. Z-2 Polish 10. Z-6 Spray. Whoa! Sounds like a lot of work, but this is first time for car. Anyway, if this is wrong, I would appreciate any help.

tmart · December 2002

Unless you already have swirls on your new car, and hopefully you don't, you can skip the Z5 and just use the Z2.

mbdriver · December 2002

Whoa!!! What happened to the ZFX? Unless I assume that you did the "mix routine" with Z-5 and Z-2. Without the "power lock" feature of the ZFX or Z-1, your Z-5/2 will not be as effective. BTW, I agree with tmart about not using Z-5 unless you already have swirl marks.

bh0001 · December 2002

Step 3 should be Z7 wash, not a Dawn wash. You only need Dawn to get the old wax off, then you can switch to Z7 all the time - unless someone attacks your car with a tub of turtle wax ;0

Otherwise looks good (with agreement on the Z5/Z2 comments from tmart and mbdriver.

Good luck keeping the swirls off of that colour!
Brad

cusafr · December 2002

I mostly agree, except I do use the Z5 without swirls. It seams to give a better base for the Z2. Maybe my imagination, but looks good to me. Your plan looks like what I would do except as bh0001 said change step 3 to Z7 and as the others said, you did not say, but you are mixing the ZFX with the Z2/Z5, right? And, your right, you don't need the Z1 if you use the ZFX. ZFX is reasonably new. It took the place of Z1 and works much quicker and allows more coats per day.

Also, by your name, I thought you had a Maxima. Did you recently switch from a Max to Honda? Just curious. I have had several of both. Presently have a 2001 Infiniti I-30 and a 2002 honda Accord EXV6.

CUSAFR

maxpower02 · December 2002

I also got the ZFX so, all those coats shouldn't take that long to put on. I will change the wash after the clay to the Z7 wash. I saw a few light swirl marks on the car, (from the dealer I guess), I figured one coat of Z5 will take care of that.

So I'm all set, now all I need is a 55-60 degree day! Maybe I will ask Santa!

Thanks again everyone, I'll let you know how it turns out.

Cus... never owned a Maxima,I got that handle from something my son said once...long story!

squidd99 · December 2002

Yeah, I got that same nickname from something my wife said once.

Long story.

graphicguy · December 2002

Ok...I'll bite...give us the readers digest version. I can only imagine why anyone would get a nickname like "squidd". You don't want me to use my imagination, do you?

squidd99 · December 2002

". . . same nickname . . ." is a reference to "maxpower" in the preceeding note. It was a joke.

The origin of the "squidd" nickname is lost in legend and therefore cannot be accurately reported.

But thanks for asking.

behhpp · December 2002

I was able to give my car 2 more coats of Zaino for Christmas today. Sun was out, low humidity, 55 degrees and it dried fine. I have put 7 ounces of Z2 plus ZFX on my 6 month old car, and it looks better after each application. It is starting to get a "wet" look when I am done. I am sure I have put on more applications than necessary, but I like spoiling my car.

I will have to place another order. I sure was skeptical when I bought my first bottle, but the Zaino is looking good.
Merry Christmas

pblevine · December 2002

Where? Its cold up here. Well, not really that cold but its below 40 and that's the Z limit. I haven't put a coat of Z2 or Z5 on the car since October.

behhpp · December 2002

I do live in the south, but today it is 45 degrees, and raining. I got lucky and hit a nice day yesterday. It will probably be a while before it warms up enough for another application. Happy holdays.

obyone · December 2002

not Zainoing your cars....we don't...

cusafr · December 2002

And I was there!!! Nice...

CUSAFR

tmart · December 2002

That pic sure brings back good memories! Mahalo.

morry · December 2002

When the weather is bad and you can't hand wash, do you go through the car wash. What effect does this have on the finish and shine?

Happy Holidays!

tmart · December 2002

go to a "touchless" one, you shouldn't have any problem.

obyone · December 2002

Y'all have a safe holiday now.....

pblevine · December 2002

Nice pic, long time.
Enjoy.

automophile · December 2002

Boy - some guys just have to rub it in, don't they!!! :-)

That photo reminds me of my "carefree" days when I would spend my Holidays on my friends' sloop in the Ala Wai Marina. Time to go back, I think!

Happiest of Holidays to ALL -

JON

fastdriver · December 2002

Wishing everyone a safe, happy and healthy new year. Drive safely!

fastdriver

pblevine · December 2002

'Have a very happy and healthy New Year.

obyone · December 2002

Best wishes in the New Year!!

And since I'm here.

Anyone with a black vehicle having smudge problems with Z6? Just curious.

squidd99 · December 2002

A smudge problem is not related to the underlying paint color, although dark colors can make the smudges more easily detected.

I have a black car.

If you have a smudge problem with Z6 it may well be due to applying too much Z6, or not removing the previous layer of Z2 or Z5 completely. Sometimes smudging happens when putting Z6 onto a cold car, and sometimes it can mean that your towel was not dry enough.

In all cases, the sure fire cure is a good Z7 wash.

A little Z6 goes a long, long way.

pblevine · January 2003

I'll second everything squidd99 says above. I've had smudges due to over applying Z6. Actually, they went away when I immediately applied Z6 again and wiped completely. Clean towels and a very light Z6 spray seems to do the trick.

lotech1 · January 2003

Same thing happened to me with Z6. I've been gone, so thought I would see how everyone's Z is holding up. Here in the midwest we've had enough snow to keep the car wash people happy. My Buick still shines from the last Z application 5 months ago despite repeated trips to the car wash (touchless of course). That Zaino sure makes quick work of salt residue and takes far fewer quarters when washing. Never before have I been able to do a satisfactory wash at the CR, but now I can... amazing how slick that Zaino finish is.

pblevine · January 2003

But much of the dust, dirt, and road salts seems to simple brush off my Zaino coated car. Then again, its only January. Time will tell.

pghtiburon · January 2003

I have a lighter colored that has swirl marks. I don't think they're particularly severe or anything, but are definitely noticeable in direct sunlight.

I have tried (by hand) using Meguiars Scratch-X as well as Meguirs #9 Swirl Remover...neither have made a difference.

I'm debating whether to invest in a dual-orbital buffer or perhaps trying the Zaino system with Z5.

Any opinions on which would work better?

bretfraz · January 2003

If an SMR didn't remove swirls Z5 sure as heck isn't gonna make a dent in them.

ScratchX is more aggressive than #9. If that didn't work you might have a more severe swirl problem that you think. If you have access to a top quality polisher like a Porter Cable 7424, try a cutting pad and the #9 and see if that works. If not you'll have to go to a more aggressive polish like Meguiar's DACP or 3M FI2 or FCRC.

Usually work by hand requires a more aggressive polish than what would be appropriate for a machine.

pblevine · January 2003

pg & Bret,
Unfortunately, Bretfraz is correct. Z5 can fill in swirls embedded in a Zaino coating of either Z2 or Z5. But Z5 cannot eliminate swirls, micro-scratches, or spider-webs which go below the Zaino coatings into the clear coat or the paint itself. 'Wasn't designed for that purpose. Once you have a Zaino polymer coating, Z5 can do wonders for maintaining the finish and even covering over swirls, etc.

In your (pg) case, the swirls are already into the clear coat and must be, as Bret states, polished out using a slightly abrasive compound such as 3M's FCRC.

koury · February 2003

Has this board gone silent, or am I just having problems with the new format of this board?

robr2 · February 2003

...just too darn cold or cruddy I guess for most of us to be out there doing anything.

bh0001 · February 2003

I just spent four hours detailing my car - Z7 wash, clay bar, Z7 wash again, a couple of coats of Z5/ZFX, a coat of Z2, Z6 between each layer, detailed all the wheels and wheelwells, polished up the glass, full vacuum, even cleaned a bit under the hood. Looks AWESOME. Beautiful, smooth shine - best looking car in the neighbourhood.

Whaaa! What the heck was that? Something just wacked me on the side of the head. Oh crap, it was winter in Ontario reminding me that it's only February.

My car looks like crap. I think there's more salt on it than on the road. However, when I take it through the touch-free wash it still comes out pretty shiny (hurray for Zaino!).

I can't wait for spring. I'll have to take a couple of days off work to give my baby a really good bath.

Happy winter everyone!
Brad

pblevine · February 2003

I guess most of us are just hybernating for the Winter!

bh: I have resisted putting my car through a "no touch" or any other kind of commercial car wash. Maybe I should. Any comments.

bh0001 · February 2003

I'm quite pleased with the touchfree wash that I use. I know there are pureists out there that won't let anything but their 100% cotton towels touch their cars (not even a jet of water). However, reality is that there is no way I could go through the winter without some kind of washing. I did the same thing last year and everything still looked good come spring.

I suppose it is possible that the high-pressure water at the touchfree wash is causing dirt particles to leave tiny scratches on the paint, but I think the damage from that is miniscule compared to the millions of pieces of bouncing salt that bombard my car all winter.

Last fall I came to the sad realization that the only way I would be able to keep my car in pristene condition would be to never drive it. Since I drive about 40,000km a year, I have to realize that my car isn't going to look perfect.

However, by using Zaino I still have one of the best looking cars in the lot at work - even in the middle of winter!
Brad

maxpower02 · February 2003

they still wipe your car with cheap towels that will produce swirl marks. I think the real question is whether to keep all the roadsalt and grime on the car or the swirls from the car wash. I'm going with the roadsalt&grime.
BTW...42 days till spring! Just looked out the window at my car with 6 inches of snow on it!!!

bh0001 · February 2003

Your "no-touch" car wash is a lot different than mine. NOBODY touches my car. I would NEVER let anyone "dry" my car with those cloths they use. Makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up just thinking about it!

The touch free I use just has the big vacuums at the end and you're done. No wiping.

pblevine · February 2003

I drove past one of those "no touch" car washes the other day, and sure enough, there was a small crew of attendants armed with....towels. Not my 100% cotton made in USA types either. I think these towels were surplus from the local high school track team. Although my car is starting to look like a salt coated snow ball, I'll wait just a little longer.

behhpp · February 2003

I went to a no touch a couple of weeks ago when I saw all the salt on my car. It came pretty clean, and I let the hot air dryer remove the water. Hope it warms up soon.

fastdriver · February 2003

pblevine-

Still here!! ;-)) I finally broke down and went to the "touchless", $17.00, full-service wash with the CL-S! I haven't been to one in years with my cars, but maybe it's because past winters have been mild and I was able to do it myself. Anyway, I figured that the car is almost 2 years old. If I get a few scratches on it, so what. I have Zaino to fall back on. Besides, it's leased. The new owner, when the time comes, should do something to it other than just get in it and drive away with a great shine! LOL.....

So far, I have been to this touchless wash twice. The car looks FANTASTIC! Remember, up until 2 weeks ago, I hadn't washed it since September OR put Zaino on it since last August! I should have taken a picture to show you what it looked like, but I didn't. Both times I didn't have the camera. By the time I got home, it was dark out. I'd get it washed today after yesterday's 7 inches of snow here, but it's going to snow again on Monday, so I'll wait until next week.

REALLY looking forward to SPRING and warm weather! leaving for So. FL on Friday. HAS to be warmer than here!

fastdriver

pblevine · February 2003

behhpp and fastdriver,
Good to hear from you again. I love to drive down to Fl, like right now. My employer on the other hand would not be so inclined.

I hear ya all about the need to wash the road salts and junk off the car once in awhile during the winter. If I could figure out how to get rid of the 'old towel' armed attendants at the "no touch", I'd join you in letting them wash the car. Maybe I'll have a little talk with the manager. There's always a handy shotgun too. Or I could simply floor it as I leave the washing zone and just keep going. Em, any ideas?

tmart · February 2003

washes in your area? They are everywhere here in Houston. Most all the Exxon's have them here if they have a wash.

robr2 · February 2003

...I know pblevine travels up here to MA quite often IIRC. Service stations with attached touchless car washes are very rare around Boston - in fact I can't ever recall seeing one.

There are maybe 1/2 dozen car washes I can think of. Most are automated cloth washes without hand dryers - just those silly vacuums at the end that bounce off your car and the alloy scratching metal rails to guide your left wheels. Or they are the U-Do-It pump quarters in, run around trying to beat the clock, slip on the ice types. One company not to far from my office just installed a couple of touchless automatic bays - It's $7 for just a basic wash & rinse. I have not had a chance to use it yet - if it's not snowing, it's 5 degrees.

koury · February 2003

Can someone tell me why I have to go back to the main listing (Maintenance & Repair) and click on the topic heading in order to see the most recent posts?

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