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my waterspot problem is worsening.
I posted a while back that I noticed waterspots only when wiping the water off the vehicle. I have a dark burgandy colour, and when I am drying the vehicle, I notice "waterspots" (ie. spots that retain moisture..seem wet) as the damp rag passes over the surface. They are not noticeable when dry, but it begs the question as to the level of protection my Z is actually providing if these these spots are occuring. And no, I do not have hard water.
I washed my car on Sunday, and noticed that waterspots have become even more numerous. As a result, I threw on a coat of Z2. I can't remember exactly, but I put a coat of z5 approximately 1.5 months ago. I'll have to see if this makes a difference. If it does, then I can only conclude that the Z was no longer performing to snuff.
Don't get me wrong...I admit Z gives the best shine I have seen, and I have posted my support for Z. But I must admit, I am beginning to question its durability as a result the waterspots.
Appreciate any thoughts/comments/advice.
Shoshana - I always put it on in direct sunlight. I've not had any days of extreme heat, but you might try e-mailing Sal Zaino and ask him that question.
If you are still not happy with the results, you may want to look for a shop that is capable of "buffing" at least a good portion of the oxidation out.
Then proceed with the zaino treatment.
pblevine has it right (don't let him fool you, he's got the zaino treatmtment down pat, even though he's a little slow;-)!
After you've done your initial Zaino treatment, you want to allow Z1/Z2 or Z1/Z5 to cure for at least 8 hours (I prefer overnight) before applying your next coat.
sdgrant: graphicguy's approach makes sense. You'd want to get rid (lift) that metalic brake dust out prior to using the 3M pad. Otherwise that hard dust will create swirls as you remove the oxidation. In any case, just make sure that you've removed all the oxidation before applying Z1/Z3.
alex29: I've even left Z2 on (with removing the residue) overnight before using the towel. The results will be worth it.
I don't want to buy a new set of towels every second wash. Maybe one set a year would be OK but these have only been used a half a dozen times.
How are your towels?
I personally have found it fairly easy to avoid using the edges of the towel. It's not difficult. I just fold the edges away from the rest of the towel.
Works good for me.
Saturday I had to make a quick trip to Keene, NH for a 75th birthday party. The car was fairly clean, but I hadn't washed it because they were predicting MORE rain for CT. While I was there, I didn't park in my usual place- AWAY from all those damn pine trees! I THOUGHT I was in a "safe" area. Anyway, I didn't wash the car Sat. when I got back. Drove it dirty on Sunday. Didn't use it at all yesterday and decided that since the sun was out today, I would wash it before the rain arrives again tomorrow!
I had it just about all wiped off when I suddenly noticed a big glob of SAP on the passenger fender and the top of the rear fender! This sap was there for 3 days. I decided that I would try some Z-5 to get it off. There's only a few drops left in the bottle, but it was enough to get this goop off the fenders in about 3 minutes! There was no hard rubbing. The sap came right off! Another plus for Zaino!
fastdriver
Was that Z-6? A good Z-7 wash also gets rid of those sap spots.
NO! This was more than just tree sap i.e. little dots all over the car. This was a BIG GLOB of Pine Tree sap that was on the car. This wasn't the run of the mill Maple Tree sap. I don't think that Z-6 would have taken this off. It was like glue!
fastdriver
Another subject: Z-6 on windows. Graphicguy had a great idea there. Z-6 was like having RainX on the window. I hardly had to even use my wipers during a heavy rain storm. But (and Sal had warned me about this) the rain will eventually wash the Z-6 off the window. And the result is those wiping streaks which only show up during heavy windshield wiper usage. Fortunately, I re-applied Z-6 and the results are very good.
Conclusion: Using Z-6 on windows helps keep dust off them (anti-static properties) and makes for a clear windshield during rain storms. BUT you will have keep applying Z-6 on a regular basis. That's a good trade off in my mind.
Anyway, I decided to reapply some Z2 on Saturday weekend and washed my car again on Monday after driving through rain. Waterspotting problem was gone. Furthermore, I must admit, I do notice that there is more shine and beading ability after the z2 this weekend. I can only conclude that my Z was "wearing thin".
I must admit, I am a bit dissappointed...I was hoping my Z would stand up better than it did. I am happy with the shine, beading and ease of application, although durability was key factor in my decision to try Z. It seems that in my circumstances, Z shine nor ability to fend of contaminants (ie. waterspots) lasts as long as I had expected. Beading was still adequate but certainly not like the beading after a fresh coat of Z.
I still have to conclude that it is superior in shine, ease of app, and durability than other products I have used (ie. mothers and mequires) but not sure this will justify the higher price of Z for everyone. I personally will continue using Z.
Then, when you figure in the money it is saving you by protecting your paint better than anything else, it becomes the LEAST expensive polish on the market.
How many layers of Z2 did you have? Maybe this new one has eliminated the spotting problem?
I use Z-6 on the windows all the time. You're right. Many times I don't need to use the wipers at all because the rain just flies off! It also prevents the windows on my 300M from STICKING in the up position. It's a better solution than going to a "5-STAR" dealer and getting the weatherstripping replaced! ;-))
fastdriver
fastdriver: Ah, anyother good Z6 feature. The tops of my side windows always have those little streaks. I'll try some Z6 there too. Thanks.
Off topic, but fastdriver, what was the outcome of all of your problems with your 300M? Did your "5 Star" dealer finally make things right?
Reason I'm asking, my father is intersted in a 300M and he's looking towards the "5 Star" dealer in our area to make a purchase. He's also looking a Park Aves, I30s, DeVilles, Lincoln LSs (which I particularly like, but it's his money).
There have been so many things that I'm beginning to lose track! ;-)) The last thing was the trunk leak back in April and the replacement of the driver's side foglight that was filled with moisture. The spare tire area was soaked. The matting in the trunk was soaked and the carpet UNDER the floor mat on the rear passenger side was wet! Yes, the DODGE "5-STAR" dealer did send it out to be fixed! This took two days with NO car to drive! The inconveniences that I have experienced with this car and the waste of my time has been unbelievable. I will never buy another Chrysler no matter WHAT they look like. ONE more year to go and then it's THEIR problem!
If your dad doesn't need a big car, I would suggest the I30 or the Toyota Solara. If the I30 is anything like my 94 Infiniti J-30 was, he'll NEVER have to see the dealer for anything! Same for the Solara! Just my opinion of course. I know many others will not agree with me, but then again, they don't own a car like my CHRISTINE! You can read ALL about it here if you haven't already. It needs to be updated soon.
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Flats/7501/
fastdriver
Will report on results and post some photos later on.
LOL....... Yep, she does LOOK good! I imagine that going to the 300M forum for "fun" must be some experience if you don't own one! I don't think I would believe what's written there if I didn't own Christine because it sounds so unbelievable sometimes! Trust me- it's ALL true! At least my soap opera is!
I go to the Toyota Solara forum for some SANENESS!! LOL....... The biggest thing they've complained about so far is the tiny coin box and some malfunctioning radios! I love it!
fastdriver
The gloss on my paint is really different in quality from even the best wax. (I guess that's what Sal means by optically perfect.) The effect isn't as striking on my metallic silver as on a darker color but when I actually look at the finish or just notice it as I'm pumping gas or getting into the car, the shine is amazing. Also, so far dirt does not seem to be building up on the finish as quickly as it usually does.
This week, I'll put on a second coat of Z2 and then I intend to leave it alone and test Zaino's durability. Hope it lives up to the shine.
Back to Zaino...didn't have time to wash my car today...just rinsed it.
I've got about 4 coats on the finish (2 Z2, 2 Z5).
Haven't washed it in about 3 weeks. The rinse makes me wonder if I even have to wash it again. All dirt just seems to just "rinse off".
OK, just for fun, I'll wash and Z2 again tomorrow. I expect it to take about 1.5 hours to do another detail (including interior, windows, vacuum, under hood, Lexol Vinylex and Z2). I'll finish with Z6 and have the shiniest car on the road again.
pblevine...I'll time myself tomorrow to see how long it takes me. ;-)
I trimmed them like Sal said and now everytime I pull them from the washer/dryer I have a tangled wrestling match on my hands.
I guess no one else has ever experienced this or they DID NOT follow master Sal's suggestion of trimming the towel edges.
Still "fuzzy"
Norton
+
Does Zaino window cleaner remove those streaks left by the wiper blades? Tried alcohol and vinegar without success..
fastdriver: I went to your web site a long while back and read it all. I just couldn't believe all the problems, that is until I say the JGC. Then it all became a reality.
Only a little while more to go. I saw a nice Solara Convertible. Looks real good with the top down, but I don't like the way the convertible tops look when I am up.
I do use some old 100% cotton "T" shirts to wash my car. Because those shirts have large seams, I've cut off all such seams (including the bottom edges). Still, I be applying some Z5 to eliminate some swirls.
'Just changed my NY registration sticker. What a pain!
On another separate note, what are the main differences between Z2 and Z3? What happens if you use the wrong one on your paint? Is there that much as a difference?
Any information/experience you could share would be appreciated.
Thanks,
I think that maybe washing the car more often than every few months would help keep the finish clean and dirt free. Zaino is a terrific product, but it's not a miracle one. You do have to do your part to keep it looking good. I'm sure your finish is still protected after a few months.
Z-2 is for cars that have a clearcoat finish. Z-3 is for non-clearcoat finishes. If you used the wrong one on the car's finish, it's no disaster, but using the right one on the right finish is highly recommended.
If you have any further concerns, you can always e-mail or call Sal. He is great at getting right back to you.
fastdriver
Ejy: The older NYS stickers used a really stong glue and had to be scraped off. The new registration stickers now use 'double stick' glue which doesn't require and water. Just remove the paper coating and place it on the glass surface. And in the future, this new 'glue' is water soluble. Just a quick spray with Windex, and you should be able to simply peel it off. Just remember to really clean the glass surface after the old sticker has been removed.
Then just place the new sticker directly on the glass and press around the edges.
And I thought everone followed all of sal's rules.
looks like I'm buying 2 new towels.
Norton
At the end of the day, I have to compare my experiences with other waxes since they were used under the same conditions. I guess with all the hype, I was expecting better durability from Z. Admit that the Z is more durable than waxes I've tried, except for this waterspotting prob.
In my experience, Zaino has better durability than other products I've tried. I last applied Z2 during the '99 Thanksgiving holiday. When I last washed (and Z6'd) it (last week), it was in much the same condition as your car. That's a very good shine, but rain water doesn't bead up like when the Z2 was first applied. Hey, that's to be expected. Normal wear and tear. Brake dust in the air WILL wear down any product. I'll be applying Z5/Z2 this weekend.
A few suggestions: Put a coat of Z2 on after any application of Z5 and wipe with Z6 between these steps. Z5 is a 'softer' product, designed to eliminate swirl marks. Z2 is the endurance product. I only use a cotton cloth when washing, but I'm not sure that makes a big difference. You might call Sal about that one. I also wipe down with Z6 after every wash.
Thus, for those of you who want to cut off the edges of your towels, see if you can find some pinking shears. That may help deter or delay the fraying problems.
Chris
I think pblevine touched on something here. Not everyone will have the exact same experiences with Zaino because there are so many variables. I'm sure if I lived in AZ or FL, my experiences would be different then they are here in CT. We don't have 100 degree temps day after day like some parts of AZ have. We don't get the "daily" afternoon thunderboomers like FL either, although we have had a few lately! Also, atmospheric conditions do make a difference. I know that acid rain is bad in the Northeast. If a car is left unwashed for weeks at a time, the acid rain will take a toll on the car's finish no matter what wax or polish you use! NOTHING will prevent acid rain from eating into your finish and leaving all kinds of pit marks. They are MOST evident when the car is seen under fluorescent lights. The best solution is regular washing.
fastdriver
Did you ever try use them to cut "fancy" paper when you were young? I did and boy did I get in trouble. Got the lecture from my seamstress guardian about how paper dulls the scissor edge, blah blah blah!! Evidently it was very hard to sharpen pinking shears, but the sharper they are, the better they work.
Thanks! Dave
Time for some Z-1/Z-2. Sal says to use the Z-1 twice a year or after 10 coats of Z-2/Z-5. Glad things worked out for you.
fastdriver
1) My car is a brand new black 2000 Honda Civic Si. It was delivered to my dad's house in Alabama and I go to pick it up in a week. So, what do you guys recommend for my first Zaino treatment? The dealer prepped it before they delivered it if that makes a diference. I was figuring on a Dawn/Clay/Dawn/Z1/Z2 session, but I am wondering if I need to throw on anything else. Do I even need to clay?
2) How long does it usually take an order to arrive by UPS?
I've been a Meguiars regular for quite a few years, but given the amount of people that are impressed with the stuff, and seeing the Z site's pictures - I'm in. I'm ordering the stuff this week. (I figure they dont work on weekends).
But, what really sold me on Z was how easy ROAD TAR comes off. Bottom line, if bugs are you're concern, Z will help them come off easier.