Yes, the Guru's really liked Zaino. I too have the report and refer to it frequently. I'm glad you bought a copy; it's much much more than just a comparo of car waxes.
I spend a great deal of time testing, evaluating, and researching car care products. Over the past 2 months I have received or bought 27 different products from 9 mfr's with more on the way. These products are not just paint protectors like Zaino but paint polishes (some still in the prototype stage and not available to the public), glass cleaners and polishes, interior cleaners, tire dressings, etc, etc.
I do this all to expand my base of knowledge and increase my experiences so that, if asked, I can offer the most balanced and objective viewpoint I possibly can. But primarily I do this because its my favorite hobby and something of great personal interest. I'm happy to pass along whatever info I can to those who are interested.
I need some refills but I can't find the number for the re-seller I used who takes credit card orders over the phone. Can anyone help me out here? Many thanks, Joe
Hi all, I have been reading this board for a few weeks, and decided that Zaino was the way to go. I have a 1999 White Cavalier Z-24, and a 2003 Black Jeep Liberty Renegade. I recieved my order yesterday, and decided to tackle the Z-24 first. I dawned and dried (I had clayed 2 weeks prior, as I do every spring), and Z-5/ZFX 3 coats. There is no denying the deep wet shine, the car looks great, and is in great shape. My problem is that I really thought this product would do a better job on the swirl marks. They may be a little less noticible, but they are still there, and very visible. I followed Sal's instructions, and even bought new towels, but the swirls and spider webs are still pretty evident. Do I apply 3 more coats of Z-5 after I wait 24 hours, or will I just be wasting my time? I really want to make sure this is going to work as advertised before I do the Renegade since it is Black, and such a pain to wash and dry. Any words of advice? By the way, I decided to go with Zaino based on the posts I read here concerning durability. I am in the Air Force, and heading for a one year remote to Korea. I know Zaino will not last that long, but my wife will never "wax" a car, so I need to at least get the longest lasting protection I can for while I am gone. Hopefully when I come home for my mid tour leave, the weather will be nice enough to get both of them done!
Just wondering where everyone has bought their 100% Cotton, Made In USA, White Towels. Has anyone found them without designs or borders? I cannot seam to find "Plain Jane" White.
I think the best way to think of swirls are as fine scratches which we see due to the irregularity of light reflections from the paint's surface. Z5 will not remove swirls but rather it makes them less noticeable (by filling the voids). A couple more coats of Z5 may help, but deep swirls may require an abrasive product to remove (e.g. Meguiar's Scratch X). Just remember that a bit of the surface (i.e. clearcoat) is removed when doing this. What you are really doing with an abrasive swirl remover is abrading off the fine surface irregularities. I try to avoid abrasives to keep as much of my original clearcoat as possible. Personally, I would Zaino the Renegade. Even if it does not look perfect to you, Zaino is about the best paint protection available. BTW- Good luck in Korea, and thanks for your service to the U.S. of A. !!!!!!
If you have Kohl's department stores in your area, they often have white sales and have the name-brand, USA-made 100% cotton towels (Cannon or Fieldcrest - I forget which) on sale. That's where I've purchased mine... still have to cut the borders off...
I get the Cannon's at Bed Bath & Beyond or Linen's & Things. We seem to get a 20% off coupon every week from one of them.
Last time I got towels, the cashier commented on how much I would like the towels I was buying. When I told her they were for the car, she thought I was nuts.
I've been using Zaino (not ZFX) on my silver-colored '01 Chrysler Sebring onvertible since I got it two years ago, and I'm very happy with it. I've been away from this forum since last summer and just skimmed through 20+ pages. Compared to you guys, I'm just a casual Zainoholic. My last treatment was in September.
Now that Spring has just about sprung in New Jersey, I want to do right by my car, and kick off the top-down season with a thorough Zaino treatment. I have some questions:
(1) Coming off a long, harsh NJ winter, shall I just assume a clay bar treatment is needed?
(2) There are parts of my car where I definitely got too rigorous trying to rub off discolorations, leaving light scratches. I just bought some 3M Rubbing Compound (Fine Cut) that "effectively removes 1500 grit sanding scratches." I plan to apply it by hand (don't have power tools). I want to be cautious here. Is this fine-cut compound going to be effective? Is there something I should apply after it, before applying Zaino?
(3a) I have never followed a 24-hour curing rule between coats of Z2 and Z5, although I don't think I've ever applied more than one coat of each in a single day. How bad is that?
(3b) With the advent of ZFX, which if I understand correctly is an additive only for Z2 and Z5 (not Z1) that facilitates quick curing, what is the curing time now, and how many coats of Z2 and Z5 can I apply in a day dedicated to detailing?
(4) Define "coat": is a "coat" an application of Z2 AND Z5, or is it an application of Z2 OR Z5?
I'll probably have more questions later...thanks in advance, and by the way, it's good to see some of the same names on this forum now as when I first discovered it a couple of years ago.
I don't have a lot of time, but my initial response to your questions would be (besides suggesting you read the Zaino web page):
1. No. Clay does not remove dirt. You use it to remove imbeded material, usually metal, in the paint. You should not assume that clay is needed just because a winter has passed. You should determine if clay is needed by feeling the surface of the car after a good washing. If there is still rough sharp small particles, then you should clay the car. No need to assume anything when an objective test will give you a definitive answer.
2. I don't know much about this, except that you should start with the lightest abrasive available and work you way up. I'd start with SMR, but there are other boards here that have lots of good information about fixing up problem areas in the paint job.
3. You should not apply a second coat until the first is cured. Without ZFX, this takes a day. If you apply a second coat too fast, it's like repainting a wall before the first coat has dried, more or less. The two applications merge and mix with each other. I would think that the result would be wasting your time doing the second coat. No harm would be done to the car or the Zaino finish.
3b. As for ZFX, this is all on the Zaino site. ZFX replaces Z1. It is mixed with either z2 or z5, and cures instantly, allowing a second and third coat to be applied immediately. For chemical reasons, Zaino says do not apply more than 3 coats in a single 24 hour period.
4. A coat is an application of z2 or z5 (they are very similar). A coat does not include Z1, which is used rarely, and even less so now that we have ZFX.
As far as removing scratches, if Z5 doesn't do the trick, then use the lightest polish you can find. While I still have some 3M foam pad, which works well. I had heard that 3M quite making it, though. Usually, anything that says "fine-cut" would be the best thing to use.
Clay, indeed, will not remove scratches. After the initial claying, I only use clay on the rough feeling parts of my finish, usually found on the lower areas of my car. What you want to do is get the smoothest possible area to apply Zaino so all you get is shine and the depth of color for your finish.
Z5 will not touch those scratches. It doesn't fill swirls. With enough coats it might fill in some micro-marring but that's it. Do not rely on Z5 to fix this problem.
Silver is a color that tends to hide swirls. If you can see the damage, its probably pretty serious. Fine Cut is pretty aggressive but will probably be a good start on those scratches. If you have a swirl mark remover or other light polish, that would be a good second step.
Best way to see if your car needs claying is to put your hand in a plastic baggie and lightly rub the surface. If you feel/hear roughness, you should clay. I see no harm in claying your car after winter of driving. It's easy to do and only takes a few minutes so I say go ahead and do the whole car, just to be sure.
Using a light polish all over the car would be a good idea too. It will remove light oxidation, dirt and grime clay cannot, and give the paint a good cleaning which it can use.
either Z1 or ZFX. Personally, I just use ZXF/Z2 and Z6. Haven't clayed or used Z7. Not sure why you'd want to just apply Z2 over/under a wax, since it's made to be used with either Z1 or ZFX. Probably wouldn't hurt the finish, so why don't you try it and let us know your results?
It would be somewhat defeating to use Z2 alone or with other products.
Z1/ZFX acts as a sort of "primer" that helps following Z layers stick to the paint. Without it, following Z layers may not work properly at all.
Other wax based products, either under or over Zaino will yellow over time, defeating the clarity of the Zaino polish. Also, if they are under the Zaino, they will take off the Zaino as they deteriorate. It's kinda like painting your house without scraping and priming the house first. As the old paint falls off, it takes your new paint with it. Any wax will degrade much faster than a polymer like Zaino, so you you will not benefit from the extremely long life of a Zaino finish.
So, In short - why bother if you're not going to use the product properly?
Although a complete Z treatment from scratch has several layers, it goes really fast - still less time than I used to spend doing a single Meguiar's wax job, and a lot easier too.
Considering getting some Zaino for my now 4 year old Solara which is really hurting for some TLC. From what I've read, I need ZFX first, then Z5, then Z2 (applying Z5 and Z2 in that order for how ever many coats). Then Z6 for the extra gusto, and Dawn the car first (and clay if needed).
Out of curiousity, how many coats can I expect to get out of 1 bottle of each of the above? 8oz. doesn't seem like much!!
One oz does my wife's ES300. Some have mentioned using only 1/2 oz for their car. So, you should expect 8+ applications per bottle. Believe you should use the ZFX/Z5 until the swirls are gone, then top off the Z2, rather than alternating ZFX/Z5 and ZFX/Z.
Hi folks, I'm a zaino user and long time lurker. I need advise re: polishing my car to remove swirl marks and fine scratches created from infamous automatic carwash use this winter...I know, I know Anyway my Q's are: 1)After a z7 wash and claying, do I need to remove the zaino that is on the car before I begin with the fine cut polishes 2)If so what do I use? dawn, alcohol...
Great board folks and thanks in advance, for your help ss2u2
I know that most polishes (3M) will remove the Zaino (along with a little of the clear coat).
I think I did a Dawn wash, followed by the 3M polish, then another Dawn wash, then clayed, but I don't remember (last year). Email Sal, he'll tell you the correct order (what I did).
I have used Z over carnuba wax products and also used carnuba over Z. Quite honestly, I do not see much difference in the end results. However, Z is easier to use and can be removed in sunlight and is more durable then the carnuba waxes. Z reamins my favorite but I have no concerns about mixing and matching.
On another issue, I was at a CarQuest parts store last week and inspected the DuraGloss product line. This product does appear to be a duplicate of the Z lineup product for product. We may never know which came first, the chicken or the egg (Duragloss or Z or Z and Duragloss) or where Z actually gets its product. No one seems to know if Z is manufactured in NJ or is NJ simply a shipping point and the product made elsewhere by someone else?????????
My snow brush put some very light swirls in to the paint this winter and I'd like to do something about them. I don't think Z5 alone will do the trick.
Has anyone used Meguiar's Scratch X? Positive or negative comments? Would I be better off hunting for one of the 3M products?
Thanks in advance for any help that anyone can offer. Brad
Scratch X is designed to remove light scratches and stains from small areas, not the entire car. If your swirls are really "very light" a swirl mark remover will do the trick. 3M and Meguiar's make some of the better ones available.
i use only the best terries to wash and dry my black slk 320-its a creme puff-but..., 1)i have white lint after i'm finished, its gotten better since ive washed them for a year, but im wondering about micro's. ive read the posts here and over "there" but dont really have any answers. at what stage should i employ the microfiber, and , how safe will it be for my finish. should i just tolerate the lint bec terries are better or what?
like most of you, i am a fanatic about my cars finish, and im learning, but i have a daily driver. after 20 or so coats of z5/z2 combos, i have small imperfections. i am meticulous about washing technique, almost to the point of surgically sterile, so i dont think i have done much damage myself, but have left over problems from delivery wash and wax, and a neighbors cat that has snuck onto my car. no real deep scratches, just imperfections that i notice.. but i want to get back to a perfect finish and start from there. none of the damage is even near major,nor moderate, just minor, but im looking for a regimen that can get me back to the beginning, and build on it. any ways to "dispose" of felines would be helpful and welcomed-just kidding to any peta members, although given a choice between a @#$%^&* cat and my car, id aim for the cat any day.
The time to switch to microfiber is now. Use it for all your polishing, drying, product removal, window cleaning, etc. I've relegated my terry towels to dirty duty, i.e. doorjambs, under hood, etc.
Bret (and anyone else out there with an opinion), can you recommend any particular brand of microfiber over another? Where do you get yours? I'm sometimes skeptical of the quality of auto care products you see at e.g. AutoZone, but haven't done the mail-order thing yet (I pick up Zaino from a local reseller).
MF towels are so absorbant that it is difficult to rinse them well in the washer. They just keep absorbing the stuff (detergent, dirty water etc) being rinsed.
If you put detergent in the washer, it never gets rinsed out and you have soapy towels when you dampen them while washing the car.
If you use microfiber towels, I recommend rinsing by hand in the sink to make sure the towels do not reabsorb the dirt and soap.
I continue to use terrycloth for everything except drying after a wash, because I am too lazy to rinse the MF in the sink. Also, I never use detergent in the washer when washing the MF towel.
As far as drying the car after a wash, I like California Water Blade followed by a waffle-style microfiber towel. I only need one towel for drying my Lexus ES300.
I still suspect the CWB of causing some scratching, however, but can't get anyone else on this board to confirm it. With CWB, be careful to only drag over VERY wet surfaces, and be very careful on curved surfaces. Also, be sure to rinse your CWB before each car wash, to avoid there being sand or dirt on the surface of the CWB.
PBC, the record number of coats per ounce of Z reported on this board that I have seen is by bretfraz, who reports 6 coats per ounce. And this is for a truck or SUV of some kind, if I remember correctly.
I get about 4 coats per ounce for my 2002 Lexus ES300, which is a fairly large sedan with lots of paint area.
Most experienced users on this board report about 3-4 coats per ounce. The more experienced you become in using Zaino, the more coats you can get from one ounce.
I have medium grey/green 2002 Lexus ES300. This is medium-large sized sedan and the Z haze does not show up too much on that color. The color also does not display the shiny effects of Z to the extent that other colors, like red and black, do.
When I first bought my car, I experimented with multiple coats of Z. I found that the diminishing return was at about 8 coats. After 8 coats, I could see no improvement.
Since then, I have settled on the following, lazy man's process:
Every October and April (twice per year), I put three coats of Z5 followed by 3 coats of Z2 on the car, with Z6 between coats. I don't usually do this all on the same weekend, and don't always need ZFX.
The rest of the year, I wash the car once per week with Z7. Sometimes I follow the Z7 wash with Z6, but not all the time. I live in the desert, where the weather is pretty nice all year long. The worst conditions here are brutal sun in the summer and blowing sand.
The advantage of the climate I live in is that I don't have to do the entire Z process at once. Throughout the year, I can put a coat of Z on the car, or even do a partial coat (ie. Z trunk, hood, and roof only) as I see fit.
I've been using the "Absorber" synthetic chamois for many years. I've been pleased with the way it dries my cars. It also is super absorbent while not harming the finish. It's easy to keep clean...just pop it into the washer and put it bakc in it's container while still damp.
While I'll probably stick with the Absorber for drying, I may want to look at microfiber for removal of Zaino. Up unitl this point, I've only used 100% cotton towels to remove the "Z". How do the microfiber towels compare to 100% cotton towels for Z removal?
The microfiber certainly looks like a less expensive alternative to the towels.
I just got My silver Mazda 6 and want to protect the paint. Is Zaino really that superior than anything out on the market? I'm a sales manager for a chain of detail places so I have access to waxes like diamond kote and meguiars for free. However if Zaino will keep it looking in mint condition I have no problem paying for it. Also how long does it last? My cars usually get washed once a week (more in the winter)
I've used nothing but Zaino on my bright silver 2000 MB E320 since it was new. Probably I now have 8 or 10 coats on it, and I use Z-1 (prior to Z-2) every 6 months, with an occasional Z-2 coat in between. But I haven't done anything to the car except infrequent washes since the last Z-1 + Z-2 application last October, and the rain still beads up like crazy. The superb shine is still there, and recently I rubbed my finger inside a plastic baggy on the paint to see if I needed to clay. I don't! The finish is still smooth as glass.
I doubt if I'll ever use anything but Zaino. My wife has a 1977 light ivory MB 300D, and I've applied Zaino -- Z-1, then Z-3 (for non-clearcoat paint) for three years. Its finish is stunning! People keep trying to buy the car when my wife drives it.
I might mention that both cars are garaged almost full time, and that undoubtedly helps the shine and finish. But the Z is more durable than any product I've ever used, and I've been retired for a few years now. Previously I used NuFinish, but it has some abrasives and isn't nearly as durable as Zaino.
I'm thinking of trying a complete Zaino application...Is it worth purchasing the Z7 car wash? Is there something special about it that makes it necessary for the Zaino process?
I've been using Meguiars Gold Class Wash without any problems...I don't want to switch unless it's really necessary.
Although technically, it's not "really necessary," the answer to your first two questions is "yes" in both cases.
Since you don't really know what's in somebody's car wash, why not use the product designed to enhance the polish and not degrade it. There are some comments that Z7 wash actually helps the shine, but I doubt that. What I do know is that it is a great car wash, and in over 2 years, I have had no problems nor any desire or inclination to try something else.
I doubt that the Gold Class stuff you are using will harm the Zaino finish, but when that bottle is empty, you really should give the Z7 a try. And if you order a bottle when you order the other stuff, the incremental shipping charge will be insignificant.
Let's put it this way. The plastic bucket I use to wash my car with Z7 definitely appears as though it (the bucket) has been polished. I have been using the bucket for 1 year now, and I use it exclusivly with Z7.
For convenience, the following is the report (Thanks, bret)
Car Wash Chemical Analysis For my college ChemLab, I had to analyze a product of my choosing and I chose Zaino Bros.' Z7 Show Car Wash. There will be some more in depth stuff later, this is just the portion I have done so far:
Zaino Z7
For the Z7 test, I tested for pH, UltraViolet Protection, and surface tension interuption. Also I scanned for product remains after rinse.
pH = 7.0, dead even. This means that it is completely neutral, just as Zaino states in its advertising. This was true when prepared in solution with Distilled Water, as well as a water sample I took from the exact same hose I use to wash my cars with at home.
The UltraViolet protection in Zaino actually came out to an SPF factor of 45, not 40. However, this protection diminished quickly (I suspect that this is only due to the trace ammounts of polish in the wash, that the polish itself would have higher durability rating.)
As far as surface tension interruption, the zaino did quite the job of beading up pure H2O after being rinsed and dried on a glass surface. The beading was however easilly interrupted by the use of some very diluted (.01% acidic by molar volume) distilled vinegar. Again, this likely due to the mere trace ammounts of polish in the wash.
One surprising fact however: There WAS a trace ammount of soap left after rinsing and drying the piece. I happened to have with me a bottle of Z6, so I tried using this out of curiousity to see if these trace ammounts would be removed - they were. (Z6 btw is 6.5 pH acidic.) These trace ammounts explain precisely why the surface looks so much better after a wash AND QD, instead of just a wash.
Does anyone know where I can buy 3M products in Southern Ontario? I have some very light swirls in my paint but they are too much for Z5 to take care of. I need something else, but the only thing I can find is Meguiar's Scratch X. I would really like to try one of the 3M products.
I'm presently working from a client site and cannot register on that forum in the link you presented in post 4585. Could you give us a condensed review of that article?
And now that it is actually almost and just about SPRING, its time to order some more Z5 and Clay. Ah, spring!
I finally got to "detail" the "PT Turbo Cruiser" and the 300M this past weekend. After one of the harshest winters in recent memory, I can say that the Zaino I put on in the Fall held up extremely well. Finish on either car is no worse for the winter wear.
Got one coat of Z5 on both cars. Next weekend, I'll follow up with Z2.
Anyone using the "microfiber" towels to remove Z2/Z5 after application? Any better/worse than using cotton towels?
his new Jetta. Barely got it done with one oz. I just don't understand how you guys, and gals, get so many more coats per oz. I use a dime sized amount covering roughly 2 foot by 2 foot area. Takes one oz. for my wife's ES300. Definitely don't see how Atoews gets 4. With my C70, I can do the car with a second coat on the hood and trunk, since no top to do. Over the past several years, have gone through 3 bottles of Z2(one Z1) and drying has never been a problem, even with Houston's humidity. Even a Z1/Z2 application would dry within an hour or less, not the hours some have reported with "heavy" coats. Oh well. My son was really impressed with his Z shined Jetta. Looked much better than when picked up at the dealer. Needless to say, it rained the next day, but I told him Zaino laughs at rain, and it's like a free wash.
Comments
Yes, the Guru's really liked Zaino. I too have the report and refer to it frequently. I'm glad you bought a copy; it's much much more than just a comparo of car waxes.
I spend a great deal of time testing, evaluating, and researching car care products. Over the past 2 months I have received or bought 27 different products from 9 mfr's with more on the way. These products are not just paint protectors like Zaino but paint polishes (some still in the prototype stage and not available to the public), glass cleaners and polishes, interior cleaners, tire dressings, etc, etc.
I do this all to expand my base of knowledge and increase my experiences so that, if asked, I can offer the most balanced and objective viewpoint I possibly can. But primarily I do this because its my favorite hobby and something of great personal interest. I'm happy to pass along whatever info I can to those who are interested.
Many thanks, Joe
I have been reading this board for a few weeks, and decided that Zaino was the way to go. I have a 1999 White Cavalier Z-24, and a 2003 Black Jeep Liberty Renegade. I recieved my order yesterday, and decided to tackle the Z-24 first. I dawned and dried (I had clayed 2 weeks prior, as I do every spring), and Z-5/ZFX 3 coats. There is no denying the deep wet shine, the car looks great, and is in great shape. My problem is that I really thought this product would do a better job on the swirl marks. They may be a little less noticible, but they are still there, and very visible. I followed Sal's instructions, and even bought new towels, but the swirls and spider webs are still pretty evident. Do I apply 3 more coats of Z-5 after I wait 24 hours, or will I just be wasting my time? I really want to make sure this is going to work as advertised before I do the Renegade since it is Black, and such a pain to wash and dry. Any words of advice?
By the way, I decided to go with Zaino based on the posts I read here concerning durability. I am in the Air Force, and heading for a one year remote to Korea. I know Zaino will not last that long, but my wife will never "wax" a car, so I need to at least get the longest lasting protection I can for while I am gone. Hopefully when I come home for my mid tour leave, the weather will be nice enough to get both of them done!
cusafr
I think the best way to think of swirls are as fine scratches which we see due to the irregularity of light reflections from the paint's surface. Z5 will not remove swirls but rather it makes them less noticeable (by filling the voids). A couple more coats of Z5 may help, but deep swirls may require an abrasive product to remove (e.g. Meguiar's Scratch X). Just remember that a bit of the surface (i.e. clearcoat) is removed when doing this. What you are really doing with an abrasive swirl remover is abrading off the fine surface irregularities. I try to avoid abrasives to keep as much of my original clearcoat as possible. Personally, I would Zaino the Renegade. Even if it does not look perfect to you, Zaino is about the best paint protection available.
BTW- Good luck in Korea, and thanks for your service to the U.S. of A. !!!!!!
Jon
--Robert
Last time I got towels, the cashier commented on how much I would like the towels I was buying. When I told her they were for the car, she thought I was nuts.
I've been using Zaino (not ZFX) on my silver-colored '01 Chrysler Sebring onvertible since I got it two years ago, and I'm very happy with it. I've been away from this forum since last summer and just skimmed through 20+ pages. Compared to you guys, I'm just a casual Zainoholic. My last treatment was in September.
Now that Spring has just about sprung in New Jersey, I want to do right by my car, and kick off the top-down season with a thorough Zaino treatment. I have some questions:
(1) Coming off a long, harsh NJ winter, shall I just assume a clay bar treatment is needed?
(2) There are parts of my car where I definitely got too rigorous trying to rub off discolorations, leaving light scratches. I just bought some 3M Rubbing Compound (Fine Cut) that "effectively removes 1500 grit sanding scratches." I plan to apply it by hand (don't have power tools). I want to be cautious here. Is this fine-cut compound going to be effective? Is there something I should apply after it, before applying Zaino?
(3a) I have never followed a 24-hour curing rule between coats of Z2 and Z5, although I don't think I've ever applied more than one coat of each in a single day. How bad is that?
(3b) With the advent of ZFX, which if I understand correctly is an additive only for Z2 and Z5 (not Z1) that facilitates quick curing, what is the curing time now, and how many coats of Z2 and Z5 can I apply in a day dedicated to detailing?
(4) Define "coat": is a "coat" an application of Z2 AND Z5, or is it an application of Z2 OR Z5?
I'll probably have more questions later...thanks in advance, and by the way, it's good to see some of the same names on this forum now as when I first discovered it a couple of years ago.
Steve
1. No. Clay does not remove dirt. You use it to remove imbeded material, usually metal, in the paint. You should not assume that clay is needed just because a winter has passed. You should determine if clay is needed by feeling the surface of the car after a good washing. If there is still rough sharp small particles, then you should clay the car. No need to assume anything when an objective test will give you a definitive answer.
2. I don't know much about this, except that you should start with the lightest abrasive available and work you way up. I'd start with SMR, but there are other boards here that have lots of good information about fixing up problem areas in the paint job.
3. You should not apply a second coat until the first is cured. Without ZFX, this takes a day. If you apply a second coat too fast, it's like repainting a wall before the first coat has dried, more or less. The two applications merge and mix with each other. I would think that the result would be wasting your time doing the second coat. No harm would be done to the car or the Zaino finish.
3b. As for ZFX, this is all on the Zaino site. ZFX replaces Z1. It is mixed with either z2 or z5, and cures instantly, allowing a second and third coat to be applied immediately. For chemical reasons, Zaino says do not apply more than 3 coats in a single 24 hour period.
4. A coat is an application of z2 or z5 (they are very similar). A coat does not include Z1, which is used rarely, and even less so now that we have ZFX.
That's about all I know.
As far as removing scratches, if Z5 doesn't do the trick, then use the lightest polish you can find. While I still have some 3M foam pad, which works well. I had heard that 3M quite making it, though. Usually, anything that says "fine-cut" would be the best thing to use.
Clay, indeed, will not remove scratches. After the initial claying, I only use clay on the rough feeling parts of my finish, usually found on the lower areas of my car. What you want to do is get the smoothest possible area to apply Zaino so all you get is shine and the depth of color for your finish.
Silver is a color that tends to hide swirls. If you can see the damage, its probably pretty serious. Fine Cut is pretty aggressive but will probably be a good start on those scratches. If you have a swirl mark remover or other light polish, that would be a good second step.
Best way to see if your car needs claying is to put your hand in a plastic baggie and lightly rub the surface. If you feel/hear roughness, you should clay. I see no harm in claying your car after winter of driving. It's easy to do and only takes a few minutes so I say go ahead and do the whole car, just to be sure.
Using a light polish all over the car would be a good idea too. It will remove light oxidation, dirt and grime clay cannot, and give the paint a good cleaning which it can use.
Would this work?
SEPC
Z2
S100
Never topped it with S100 or Souveran but I've got both so maybe I'll try it. Don't see any harm in it. Might give you a look you really like.
Z1/ZFX acts as a sort of "primer" that helps following Z layers stick to the paint. Without it, following Z layers may not work properly at all.
Other wax based products, either under or over Zaino will yellow over time, defeating the clarity of the Zaino polish. Also, if they are under the Zaino, they will take off the Zaino as they deteriorate. It's kinda like painting your house without scraping and priming the house first. As the old paint falls off, it takes your new paint with it. Any wax will degrade much faster than a polymer like Zaino, so you you will not benefit from the extremely long life of a Zaino finish.
So, In short - why bother if you're not going to use the product properly?
Although a complete Z treatment from scratch has several layers, it goes really fast - still less time than I used to spend doing a single Meguiar's wax job, and a lot easier too.
Out of curiousity, how many coats can I expect to get out of 1 bottle of each of the above? 8oz. doesn't seem like much!!
Thanks,
PBC
1)After a z7 wash and claying, do I need to remove the zaino that is on the car before I begin with the fine cut polishes
2)If so what do I use? dawn, alcohol...
Great board folks and thanks in advance, for your help
I think I did a Dawn wash, followed by the 3M polish, then another Dawn wash, then clayed, but I don't remember (last year). Email Sal, he'll tell you the correct order (what I did).
--Robert
On another issue, I was at a CarQuest parts store last week and inspected the DuraGloss product line. This product does appear to be a duplicate of the Z lineup product for product. We may never know which came first, the chicken or the egg (Duragloss or Z or Z and Duragloss) or where Z actually gets its product. No one seems to know if Z is manufactured in NJ or is NJ simply a shipping point and the product made elsewhere by someone else?????????
Has anyone used Meguiar's Scratch X? Positive or negative comments? Would I be better off hunting for one of the 3M products?
Thanks in advance for any help that anyone can offer.
Brad
1)i have white lint after i'm finished, its gotten better since ive washed them for a year, but im wondering about micro's. ive read the posts here and over "there" but dont really have any answers. at what stage should i employ the microfiber, and , how safe will it be for my finish. should i just tolerate the lint bec terries are better or what?
--Robert
http://www.microfibertech.com
http://www.neatitems.com
http://www.properautocare.com
If you put detergent in the washer, it never gets rinsed out and you have soapy towels when you dampen them while washing the car.
If you use microfiber towels, I recommend rinsing by hand in the sink to make sure the towels do not reabsorb the dirt and soap.
I continue to use terrycloth for everything except drying after a wash, because I am too lazy to rinse the MF in the sink. Also, I never use detergent in the washer when washing the MF towel.
As far as drying the car after a wash, I like California Water Blade followed by a waffle-style microfiber towel. I only need one towel for drying my Lexus ES300.
I still suspect the CWB of causing some scratching, however, but can't get anyone else on this board to confirm it. With CWB, be careful to only drag over VERY wet surfaces, and be very careful on curved surfaces. Also, be sure to rinse your CWB before each car wash, to avoid there being sand or dirt on the surface of the CWB.
I get about 4 coats per ounce for my 2002 Lexus ES300, which is a fairly large sedan with lots of paint area.
Most experienced users on this board report about 3-4 coats per ounce. The more experienced you become in using Zaino, the more coats you can get from one ounce.
When I first bought my car, I experimented with multiple coats of Z. I found that the diminishing return was at about 8 coats. After 8 coats, I could see no improvement.
Since then, I have settled on the following, lazy man's process:
Every October and April (twice per year), I put three coats of Z5 followed by 3 coats of Z2 on the car, with Z6 between coats. I don't usually do this all on the same weekend, and don't always need ZFX.
The rest of the year, I wash the car once per week with Z7. Sometimes I follow the Z7 wash with Z6, but not all the time. I live in the desert, where the weather is pretty nice all year long. The worst conditions here are brutal sun in the summer and blowing sand.
The advantage of the climate I live in is that I don't have to do the entire Z process at once. Throughout the year, I can put a coat of Z on the car, or even do a partial coat (ie. Z trunk, hood, and roof only) as I see fit.
I've been using the "Absorber" synthetic chamois for many years. I've been pleased with the way it dries my cars. It also is super absorbent while not harming the finish. It's easy to keep clean...just pop it into the washer and put it bakc in it's container while still damp.
While I'll probably stick with the Absorber for drying, I may want to look at microfiber for removal of Zaino. Up unitl this point, I've only used 100% cotton towels to remove the "Z". How do the microfiber towels compare to 100% cotton towels for Z removal?
The microfiber certainly looks like a less expensive alternative to the towels.
However if Zaino will keep it looking in mint condition I have no problem paying for it. Also how long does it last? My cars usually get washed once a week (more in the winter)
I doubt if I'll ever use anything but Zaino. My wife has a 1977 light ivory MB 300D, and I've applied Zaino -- Z-1, then Z-3 (for non-clearcoat paint) for three years. Its finish is stunning! People keep trying to buy the car when my wife drives it.
I might mention that both cars are garaged almost full time, and that undoubtedly helps the shine and finish. But the Z is more durable than any product I've ever used, and I've been retired for a few years now. Previously I used NuFinish, but it has some abrasives and isn't nearly as durable as Zaino.
Hope this helps.
I've been using Meguiars Gold Class Wash without any problems...I don't want to switch unless it's really necessary.
Since you don't really know what's in somebody's car wash, why not use the product designed to enhance the polish and not degrade it. There are some comments that Z7 wash actually helps the shine, but I doubt that. What I do know is that it is a great car wash, and in over 2 years, I have had no problems nor any desire or inclination to try something else.
I doubt that the Gold Class stuff you are using will harm the Zaino finish, but when that bottle is empty, you really should give the Z7 a try. And if you order a bottle when you order the other stuff, the incremental shipping charge will be insignificant.
I'd say there was something to the rumor.
http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1549- 5&highlight=analysis
Car Wash Chemical Analysis
For my college ChemLab, I had to analyze a product of my choosing and I chose Zaino Bros.' Z7 Show Car Wash. There will be some more in depth stuff later, this is just the portion I have done so far:
Zaino Z7
For the Z7 test, I tested for pH, UltraViolet Protection, and surface tension interuption. Also I scanned for product remains after rinse.
pH = 7.0, dead even. This means that it is completely neutral, just as Zaino states in its advertising. This was true when prepared in solution with Distilled Water, as well as a water sample I took from the exact same hose I use to wash my cars with at home.
The UltraViolet protection in Zaino actually came out to an SPF factor of 45, not 40. However, this protection diminished quickly (I suspect that this is only due to the trace ammounts of polish in the wash, that the polish itself would have higher durability rating.)
As far as surface tension interruption, the zaino did quite the job of beading up pure H2O after being rinsed and dried on a glass surface. The beading was however easilly interrupted by the use of some very diluted (.01% acidic by molar volume) distilled vinegar. Again, this likely due to the mere trace ammounts of polish in the wash.
One surprising fact however: There WAS a trace ammount of soap left after rinsing and drying the piece. I happened to have with me a bottle of Z6, so I tried using this out of curiousity to see if these trace ammounts would be removed - they were. (Z6 btw is 6.5 pH acidic.) These trace ammounts explain precisely why the surface looks so much better after a wash AND QD, instead of just a wash.
Thanks!
Brad
And now that it is actually almost and just about SPRING, its time to order some more Z5 and Clay. Ah, spring!
Got one coat of Z5 on both cars. Next weekend, I'll follow up with Z2.
Anyone using the "microfiber" towels to remove Z2/Z5 after application? Any better/worse than using cotton towels?