Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Thanks!
One bottle of each of z1, z2, z5, z6 has lasted me over 4.5 years on my 2000 Subaru Outback, and still have some left! My Outback will be traded on Friday for a new 2005. I have various amounts left in the z1, z2 and z5 bottles but noticed separation in the components of the polish. Any idea if this stuff is still good, or should I toss and start fresh with the new bottles?
Also, first time I will have leather, so I have not tried the leather in a bottle. Any advice on how much to apply? Same rule as the polish...ie. less is better?
The leather in the OB has a flat sheen to it. Will the z10 change the sheen...ie make it shiny? I hope not...I don't like the shiny look in the interior.
Cheers.
Z10 is a very matte looking conditioner so no worries about a high gloss on your leather. And you don't have to be as stingy with the leather care products as you do the paint sealants as they work differently. I like Sal's terry apps with the leather conditioner but most any clean soft app will work fine.
cheers.
1. Use #0000 steel wool (yep, steel wool) and your fave glass cleaner. The steel wool will remove light surface crud that a towel won't.
2. Claying the glass will also help remove surface crud. If anything, claying is easier to do on glass than paint because glass is usually smoother.
3. Use a liquid glass polish. Zaino Z12 is a good, mild polish but there are a few others on the market (Duragloss is aggressive, Autoglym is about the same as Z12, Diamondite makes a 3-step polishing system). The polishes will dissolve embedded crud that glass cleaners cannot touch.
I just detailed the glass on my truck last week. My steps were:
(a) Clay glass to remove surface contaminents.
(b) Polish glass with steel wool and Z12.
(c) Seal glass with Aquapel resin-based sealant (kind of a durable version of RainX).
Do this a couple times a year, like before and after winter, and your glass should be easy to maintain year round.
also i haven't read anything so far about the use of the zfx yet (altho i'm starting from the beginning of the thread and that could be why). is this flash cure additive recommended? the one that also replaces the use of z1? or is z1 better?
lastly, after looking over the website the line of products is kinda overwhelming for me. can someone advise me as to which products are not worth getting?
When I started, I bought the Z1/Z2 but the ZFX is SO much better! It cuts the drying time so much that by the time I'm done putting the Z/2-ZFX on, it's dry enough to take off. (I also live in Hawaii so it dries faster.) Here's my recommendation for a starter kit. (And I won't use the letter/number since that was and is so confusing.
Even though it's a new car, I clayed my car first. I don't know if Zaino has clay but if not, you can buy it at a car supply store. The clay takes any "debris?" off. (It's not really debris but don't know another word for it.) Then I wash it with the car wash. After the car wash, I use the Z2 and ZFX. Since this is your first application, you can put two to three coats on. Then you can finish with the gloss spray.
On subsequent washes, I just wash my car and dry. I don't always put the gloss on since it seems to rain as soon as I finish drying my car. (The gloss comes off with each rain but the Zaino protection does not.) Every couple of months, I'll put another coat of Z2/ZFX on. That's it!
Your initial application will take you all day. Think of it as a workout.
1. Wash your car with Dawn. That takes any wax off.
2. Clay your car. Keep the clay a bit moist. You can use the gloss spray or I think water. Don't use it if you drop it since it will pick up dirt, etc.
3. Wash the car again with the Zaino car wash.
4. Dry the car.
5. Apply the z/2/Zfx mixture in a thin coat. Remove when dry. Repeat again (and again, if you can)
6. Finish with the gloss.
Tired, huh? But it's so worth it because your subsequent washes will be so easy! You really don't have to Dawn or clay again but I think you'll find that you'll want to! :)You just have to wash and gloss.
I'm sure all the veterans on this board will have a lot to add to my instructions so wait until you hear from them. But I wanted to tell you my experience--woman to woman.
Linda
Zaino does offer its brand of clay. One can contains two bars. But you can find clay bars from other major manu of wax products (eg. Mothers). To clay the car surface, you need a lubricant. I use about 1 cap of Zaino car wash to one average size spray bottle of water.
You also need some microfiber or 100% cotton terry towels.
Some mods to fickle's instructions:
Note: If possible, use a garage, or perform this work on a day where there is no dust flying in the air, otherwise, you risk your clay or applicator acting like a fine grit sandpaper on your paint...a definite no-no.
1. Wash your car with Dawn. The Dawn removes any wax or other chemicals that might prevent the Zaino from bonding.
2. Dry vehicle (doesn't have to be perfectly dry)
3. Clay your car. Lubricate the surface with solution of choice and rub the paint with the clay. If you drop the clay on the ground, toss it. If clay leaves marks, it's because it was too dry. Lubricate area again, and clay...marks will come right off. Don't worry spots or streaks from lubricant...car needs to be washed again anyway.
3. Wash the car again with the Zaino car wash.
4. Dry the car.
Now time for the Zaino. Remember that less is better here. You don't apply generous amounts like one would with regular wax. I barely see the stuff on the paint after applying.
5. Apply the Z1 using a 100% cotton terry applicator pad, and let it haze.
6. Add approx 4 or 5 drops of zfx mixture to 1 ounce of your choice of Z2 or Z5 (assuming you have a clear coat, which you likely do) and mix for about 1-2 minutes. On a new car, I recommend using z5 first to fill/remove/hide fine scratches, then toping with z2. You may want to alternate your application of z5 and z2 with future applications.
7. Apply the z/Zfx mixture in a thin coat using 100% cotton applictor pad (prep the pad by spritzing some z6 onto it...this reduces the amt of mixture absorbed by the pad). Don't apply in circular pattern. Front to back for horizontal surfaces. Top to bottom for vertical surfaces. When you can wipe it off with your finger and it does not smudge...its dry. Remove with microfiber or cotton towels. Can use circular motions to remove if you like.
8. Spritz small amounts of Z6 onto paint and gently rub and spread using a soft 100% cotton towel or microfiber. One section at a time. I use one small section of the sleeve of old 100% cotton flannel pijamas. The more cloth, the more absorbtion of Z6 and the more product you end up using. If necessary, you can hand buff afterwards.
9. Repeat with another application of z/zfx mixture etc. I can usually get 3 coats with just over 1/2 ounce of z/zfx mixture on an established z surface. For first time application to an "unZainoed" surface, you may wish to mix an ounce.
6. Finish with the gloss (z6 spray). This is optional. Personally, I do not see a difference after 3 coats of z2. I use the z6 again before the next application of z2 or z5 or ocassionally after a wash.
Re-claying is optional, but I re-clay my vehicle every spring. After a year, contaminants can still build up on the surface and I find it helps keep the finish silky smooth.
Hope this helps.
1. do i really need to dry the car after the 1st dawn wash since it's just gonna get wet again from the clay lube?
2. i thought zfx replaced z1 completely? so the first application of z should be zfx+z5?
2. Correct. But I still use z1 before my first applic of z on my car, as I did with my new Outback. I will not use it again now unless necessary. After the 1st applic of z1, it will be only z5 or z2 + zfx.
Your choice of z5 or z2 first. I use z5 to fill and hide any fine surface scratches, then top with z2 in my next application. After that, I use mostly z2 with occassional applic of z5 if I develop new fine scratches (all this done with zfx to speed curing time).
I suggest minimum of two. One to get most of the water off (will have to wring it out while drying so keep this in mind when sizing), and the 2nd for the final wipe to get it completely dry. You may want to get 2 additional to have as back-up while two are in the wash. Alternatively, you could go for a California water blade or equivalent product....it's a squeegie like product made of very soft silicone. Squeegie water off your car then use a small towel for touch ups. I tried it and found it just didn't cut it for my vehicle...too many ridges etc. Ended up having to dry practically the whole vehicle anyway.
If you go cotton towels, get 100% USA made. eg Cannon (got mine at Walmart - they are approx 18" x 40"..guessing from memory here). Alternatively, get some microfiber towels from local auto supply store, or if you search this thread, I believe some have posted urls to on-line distributors.
Virtually ALL the aftersale dealer added paint and interior items are USELESS and only designed to get HUGE profit margins for the dealer. This applies to ALL the paint treatments (Lifetime wax? C'Mon!) interior treatments (Scotchguard it yourself for 1/20th the cost) and undercoating (CAUSES more rust than it stops). The basic concepts behind these items are : 1. They make HUGE profits on them, and 2. They bet that you will sell the car or lose the paperwork before you try to make good on the warranty.
Regarding Solarshield - There is NO WAY that some SPRAY ON treatment can stop rocks, etc. like a plastic clear bra. Also, it seems that it doesn't last any longer than Zaino. My advice - DON'T do it. If you did, the clay will surely strip it off so that you don't have to worry about it.
After you have prepped and Z'd your paint, you can have the clear bra applied. Then, you can Z on top of it - it will be nearly as shiny as your paint and almost invisible.
We have found that the Zaino Polymer is so hard that it is nearly like a clear bra - many small abrasions and other marks just come right off.
p.s. i see that you're also in the area. any recommendations for a good invis bra place?
Good Luck!
(prays that her hubby doesn't think she's gone nuts.)
Z6 - I've never diluted. Just spritz and wipe, spritz and wipe, spritz and wipe. I Z6 my Odyssey in about 5 mintues.
I only apply Z-6 to the Z2/Z5 applicator at the beginning. It's kind of like a primer so the Z2/Z5 doesn't soak in.
1. Does the leather in a bottle not repel water to some degree?
2. How often do I need to re-apply?
thx.
I received my Zaino last Thursday and did the complete treatment to both of my vehicles over the weekend. I'd like to post my experiences and errors and what I think of the product to help and enhance other's and new Zaino users application, and to make everyone feel more comfortable with it. At the end, I will sum up what I would do differently the next time.
Products ordered:
ZFX Accelerator
Z-2 Polish for ClearCoats
Z-7 Formulated CarWash
Z-6 Gloss Enhancing Spray
Z-10 Leather Conditioner
(applicator included)
Meguiar's "Quick Clay" ClayBar and Lubricant
BLUE Dawn Dishwashing Soap (original)
2 16x24 100% Cotton, made in usa Cannon Towels
1 LARGE Bath Size " " "
1 Viking Brand Microfiber "Polishing" Cloth
1 Viking Brand Cotton Chenille Wash Mitt
A Tire Scrub Brush
2 Large Buckets
I started from scratch with zero products. Followed the Zaino's website to a tee.
1. Vehicle is outside. Thoroughly hose down entire
vehicle with pressurized hose nozzle on.
Loosens dirt and some bugs.
2. Remove any bugs and/or roadkill with an
appropriate bug cleaner and sponge/cloth. Do
NOT use any sort of coarse bristle brush.
3. Fill one bucket with water, about 1/2 full, and liberally squirt your original dawn dishwashing soap into that bucket. Fill second bucket with water, about 3/5 full. This will be for rinsing.
4. Rinse vehicle again and dip wash mitt (chenille, microfiber, lambswool, etc.) into dawn wash. Starting on the roof, wash vehicle, keeping sud action to a maximum, and rinse off with hose. Rinse mitt in rinse bucket, place back in dawn bucket, and work on trunk, hood, side panels, and bottom panels. Save front bumper area for last (most dirt resides in that area). Rinse ENTIRE vehicle over and over again in between washing each panel to avoid water spotting.
5. When completely finished, take off nozzle and and let water freely run out of hose with no pressure added. Hold end of hose 1-2 inches away from the roof and watch as water sheets off, leaving very little spots. Continue all the way down the vehicle.
6. Use a towel to dry vehicle. It could be chamois, cotton, but I recommend microfiber (see bottom of post).
7. Now it's time to clay. Remove your clay bar from it's package and, if your clay bar is of medium or large size, rip it in half. Put the other half away in the plastic so it doesn't dry out, and mold the half your holding into a ball. Flatten it into a pancake about 1/2 or less thick and at least a 2 and a 1/2 inch diameter. Use clay lubricant or spray bottle full of soap/water mixture to generously spritz roof. On top panels, slide the bar across 1-1 1/2 foot sections from front to back. If bar doesn't move, definitely spray more lube. Continue to clay on all paint surfaces. On side panels, use up and down motions with bar. It's important in between doing the different panels to buff off what you just did with a towel to remove the clay/lube.
8. Now that you're done with clay, it's smart to wash with Z-7 Wash to remove any residue still left behind, go over dirty spots once again, and get your paint "primed" for the rest of your Zaino products. Follow the same steps as the Dawn, except for the amount, which is labelled as 1-2 capfuls a gallon. From my experiences, you'll use almost exactly a gallon on a midsize car (based on my Acura TL), so I slosh in 2 capfuls. Extra suds are produced with Z-7 and it smells like blueberries. Also remember to clean your mitt thoroughly from your last dawn wash. Fill your rinse water with a clean batch, also.
9. The ZFX vial is your best friend. The car's washed and ready, so pull it back in the garage (a nice shady spot), but make sure you have good light, and if you don't, find a shady spot of your driveway if possible. Take the ZFX vial out of it's holding bottle, take a 2 ounce bottle included with your ZFX and take your Z-2 Bottle, and squirt the 2 ounce bottle about ¼ full of the actual Z-2. To that polish, add about 2 drops of ZFX. The reason I recommend ¼ full of polish is because you hardly use ANY polish per coat. Coats should be ultra-thin, for easy removal. However, if you desire 2 or more coats, plan accordingly and, for 2 coats, fill the little bottle ½ full of polish, and add 4 drops of ZFX. Shake for 90 seconds, set aside for 5 minutes, then shake for another 15 seconds.
10. The actual application of Zaino polish. Spray your applicator pad (included w/ Zaino) with Z-6, and squirt an “x” shape across the pad. On roof and top panels, go from front to back, just like every other application used with this process (washing, claying), and on side panels, do up and down motions. You might not be able to see the coats, but with certain lighting conditions, you might be able to see a haze. One “x” squirt covers a front door and the front quarter panel. If you see a thick, whitish haze, you have applied to much, and it will take a long time to dry, so go over that area again with the applicator, removing excess and using it elsewhere.
11. Let the polish sit on the vehicle for at LEAST 15 minutes in average weather (70 degrees), less if it’s really hot and dry out. Buff off, using the recommended motions, using a fresh, clean towel (bath size), until all haze is gone and paint is ultra-smooth. Follow up coat with a spray down of Z-6. Spray a hood twice, then use another CLEAN towel to immediately spread around and buff off.
12. Repeat steps 10 and 11 for second, third, and all succeeding coats. (no more than 3 a day (24 hour period))
13. Great! You’re all finished. From now on, all’s you have to do is wash with Z-7, and spray some Z-6 if desired, afterward. No more claying or polishing or dawn. However, it is recommended to put another coat or two on every 4-6 months, at least, to maintain the super-shine and finish.
My thoughts: I wish I would’ve gotten more Microfiber. The cotton towels I used linted and made a big mess, and microfiber is lint free. I also couldn’t believe what little polish is needed for a coat! Extremely small amounts to get an even medium thick haze!
Z10 Leather in a Bottle:
I also decided to give this a shot, and boy did it pay off. Squeezing an amount into my hands, I smeared it around on my palms, then directly applied it to the leather surface, rubbing it in until no excess was left on the surface. That’s it! It smells amazing, just like a new car, and no buffing is necessary.
NOTE: If there are smears still within 24 hours of the application, go over the problem areas thoroughly with a MICROFIBER towel, and only microfiber, because of it’s great absorbing qualities. You will be amazed.
In most climates, it needs to be 30 - 60 minutes drying time.
It won't smear if you wait the proper amount of drying time.
1. prepare to be hungry and sore afterwards (esp. in the lower back. is this a sign i'm getting old??). this can be remedied by a large dinner followed by a catnap.
2. maybe 'cause i'm a small girl and a large bath towel would have been too large for me but i prefered to buff off my z5/2 with hand/hair towels. i folded the edges in and folded until it was the size of a face towel. then i just turned to a clean side whenever needed.
new towels always produce more lint. i recommend washing your cotton towels at least twice before using. mine only linted a little and i either blew it off or lightly dusted with one of my microfiber towels.
i also liked the window cleaner. it buffed off easily and didn't smear like it did for some others in this thread.
i wasn't impressed with Z10 leather in a bottle but that maybe because my hubby's leather is already dry and hard (it's 10yrs old).
Z16 for tires was gave the tires a nice gloss. question tho, do you apply it to the whole tire or just the sides? my hubby told me gloss was just for looks but since the bottle said it prevented drying and cracking i was confused.
1. Wash with Dawn
2. Clay
3. Wash with Dawn
4. Z5+ZFX
5. Z6
6. Z2 with or without ZFX??
7. Z6
8. Z2 with or without ZFX??
9. Z6
Please let me know if any step in my plan is incorrect. I plan to do all of these steps within the same 24-48 hour period.
Also, do I need to wet/moisten the polish applicator with Z6 prior to putting the Z5+ZFX polish on??
Thanks for your help!
Good - Your black car will garner the greatest benefit from Zaino. It can look like black glass when you are done.
Bad - Unless it is fresh from the factory, it surely already has some swirl marks and spider webbing.
Look at a reflection of the sun in your paint - do you see all the tiny scratches and swirls? There should be NOTHING - like looking at a reflection in a pond. Those lines are caused by improper care and not using 100% cotton towels for washing and drying.
If you really want the ultimate finish, you will use a professional swirl mark remover or glaze with an orbital buffer to get rid of all the swirls and spiderwebbing. THEN you will have an un-believeable shine that will turn heads a block away.
With careful washing in the future (NO CAR WASHES) and regular Z treatments, it can always look this good.
Good Luck!
If you apply Z-2, yes, you should use ZFX (unless you're planning to apply Z-1 first). I also put Z-6 on after the wash, but before the first application of ZFX/Z-5 or Z-2.
Yep, you should moisten the applicator with Z-6 before putting the polish on...
Hope this helps,
--Robert
--Robert
about z-window cleaner, i know it has an abrasive and is not for every day use but i thought i read somewhere previously that it was recommended on new car interior to get read of chemical haze or something like that.
My truck has been washed only 3 times....2 times at the dealership and once last week after a long trip....followed the wash tips and guidelines on this forum.
After the wash it does look like a mirror...there are no swirls/scratches like I had on my old honda.
However when I see it at night in street light, at a particular angle, it seems like it has perfect large (12 inches diameter) swirls all over....uniformly all over.....even going behind the license plate bracket. The swirls seems just too perfect...even for a machine.
Have any of you experienced/seen this??
Also, does anyone know what it might cost for a professional polish job to remove swirls for a brand new car??
Thanks! Plan to Zaino this weekend.
I know that BMW has to maintain a high standard facility...so I give them the benefit of the doubt. The service person said that it could just be the way that the paint was laid...just his opinion. But he was asked me get it in to make sure that they were spider-webs and not just an optical illusion.
I'm going to Z5 it this weekend and hope it goes away.
Just one more thing...I'm really anal, my senses are hyper-sensitive.....I am probably seeing a little more than I'm supposed to.
Thanks!
p.s. at the beginning of the day, hubby said i was fanatical and not anal. by the end of the day, he agreed that i was anal =P i'm already wondering if i can talk him into doing it again next wed... when's the next za meeting?
As I have stated before, less is better. I barely notice the Z on the surface when I apply. Putting anymore on is just creating grief for yourself...ie. a great deal more "elbow grease" to remove.
The other 'visible' kind of Bra has water/moisture issues similar to the invisible one.
I had an especially difficult time cleaning some sap spots, but I removed each and every one, with a microfiber cloth, as I wanted a perfect canvas for Zaino.
I went through:
1. Dawn
2. Clean Sap
3. Dawn (Needed to get the sap out)
4. Clay
5. Z7 - Wash
6. Z5+ZFX
7. Z6
8. Z2+ZFX
9. Z6 (TBD - To be done)
10 Z2+ZFX (TBD - To be done)
11. Z6 (TBD - To be done)
I'm very happy with the results, but more so because the effort to get a shine (after the initial pain!!) is relatively less. As for the quality of the shine, I was happy but not elated. In all fairness, I had kept my expectations low - with a Metallic Gold Car!! It looked shiny clean, before I started out.
I think tmart posted previously that the difference between Zaino and commercial waxes for Gold or metallic cars are subtle...hope I am shocked in amazement when I do my Black truck next week.
Overall, I would recommend this system to anyone. Please don't get put off with all the abbreviations and seemingly long process. Claying is not as bad and lengthy as it sounds. I had been using Meguiar's NXT prior to Zaino. NXT is really, really good, very easy to put and take off - but still not as good as Zaino. And the value is pretty amazing. I used a half-ounce of Zaino polish for a single coat.....I think my polish will last 2-3 years between 2 cars.
I will evaluate in the morning whether I should do the TBD items. I might take tmart's advice and stop..I did not see a major difference between the first and second coats....but again, winter is around the corner...might just do it to be safe.
Thank you all for your wonderful, helpful advice!!
I've had very good luck with Z-2/ZFX this way. The most recent time I used Z-5/ZFX, however, the mixture wouldn't rinse out at all. Oh well, my wife bought some replacement bottles for me at Michael's, so I should be fine. Of course, she has ulterior motives - wants me to Z her new Envoy...
--Robert
--Robert