1st Time Z Usage - My Trek and Impressions

blkZ28Conv said:
For some reason Zaino products cause these types of feeling most of the time. Zaino really is a wonderful and amazing product line.



To get the Z7 to produce more suds. First add a cap or 2 to about 2" of water in your bucket. Spray hose on the jet pattern and you should produce plenty of suds. Do you have hard water?? Not sure if that matters but my water supply is soft and I get plenty of suds.
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There were plenty of suds, but nothing to write home about. Interesting thing was that suds just slid right off the car, not giving me much of a chance to wash with them.
 
Luv Z after the first wash....amazing.



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docker said:
Yesterday upon further inspection in the daylight I noticed considerable streaking on the hood, and minor streaking on the trunk. So, last night I proceeded to try to remove the streaking via S&W, then reapplication of Z8 on the hood and Z6 on the trunk. The trunk looks fine, however, there is still a bunch of streaking on the hood.



Frustrating. I had had only minor problems streaking in the past, and that was a long time ago (way back in my super noob days) by applying too much product. I am very confident I did not use too much Z8. The vertical panels seem to be fine w/no streaking.



Can there be any other explaination besides applying too much Z8? The hood was pretty cool to the touch.



I'm hoping the streaking will wear off this week with some rain, then this weekend I'll wash the car and have hopes of adding more Z coats (probably Z2Pro cuz it's supposed to give a carnauba look). What do you think the odds are of the rain and a wash getting rid of the streaking?



?? HGAS compatibility with Z2 or Z5 Pros?? If I can't lick the Z8 streaking prob, do you think there would be any problem using HGAS instead and layering Z5 or Z2 on top?
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I too find the streaking problem with z8. That's why I stick with z6 even though it is

less durable than z8. Look wise I can't tell the differences between z6 and z8, even

on my black car. Give z6 a shot.
 
Thanks for the review. I think 3 coats is plenty myself and one is really sufficient if you use Z-8 and stay on top of things. I do notice a bit more shine with 2-3 layers..but it seems to top out at 3.



P.S. Hazing is almost always from using too much Z-8.
 
I used the Z10 and Z9 tonight for the first time as well as the new pro versions of Z2 and Z5. I am nothing short of amazed..I cant wait to see what all my hard work looks like in the sun. You should definately post some pictures of your work! Zaino is here to stay in my arsenal, it sounds like it is for you as well! Glad you are liking the results.
 
SilverLexus said:
:showpics:
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Haha Lee :) Today when I pulled into work I couldn't help but keep looking back at my car. I usually always do this after I detail my car or my girlfriends and she always tells me to keep walking...I think she will be turning around with me this time, Zaino really is the best. It went on *very thin* a little bit goes a long way and I was suprised with this...I spritzed my applicator with Z6 before starting. When I get out of work I'll snap a few pictures and upload them! I just cant wait till my car gets dirty so I can see how easy it is too clean up now with Zaino :chuckle:
 
I used Collinite IW exclusively last year and thought a Collinite waxed car was easy to wash and dry. It was but this year I polished with the Zaino twins and it turned out to be a cleaner wash and a faster dry. I used a teaspoon of Z-7 in my wash and cool water. The beading reminds me of the legendary Collinite and the Zymol Estate beads. I do a free-flow rinse causing the beads to roll off quickly and the rest seem to evaporate. I'm going on 3 weeks and the slickness of my paint is impressive. The surface doesn't seem to hold onto dirt. Amazing is a good adjective.
 
I've been using Z-5 for almost 5 years now on my black Impala SS, and was pretty happy with it, but when I put it on my curvy twighlight blue '2000 Miata, the shine obscured the curves of the car, even after switching to Z-5Pro, so I decided to try Collinite 476S as a topper. The straight carnuaba wax, on top of the Zaino, gave a mind-blowing deep finish, that a week of rain and then a week of hot sun has not put a dent in.



I had a co-worker who was raving about it today, asking what the heck I had done to the paint on my car.





http://wbengston.com/images/Miata/rear.JPG



http://wbengston.com/images/Miata/trunk.JPG



http://wbengston.com/images/Miata/front.JPG



And the GT;

http://wbengston.com/images/Miata/gtfront.JPG



Oh, the Collinite is also seemingly impervious to bird bombs, which the Zaino was not.
 
When I get out of work I'll snap a few pictures and upload them! I just cant wait till my car gets dirty so I can see how easy it is too clean up now with Zaino
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Cool. We look forward to them.
 
Day 10 - Very good, Oh so very good...



OK, on about day 10 of my Honda being Z'd. Here is what I've done do far...



6/23 - Prep'd, 3x Z5Pro w/ZFX, using either Z6 or Z8 inbetween coats

6/24 - Applied 3x Z2Pro w/ZFX, using either Z6 or Z8 inbetween coats

6/27 - Washed w/Z7

7/1 - Washed w/Z7, applied 3x Z5Pro w/ZFX. Used Z5Pro cuz I want a deeper finish.

7/4 - Washed w/Z7, applied 2x Z8 today with about 6 hours between each application



Also, on 7/1 I talked my wife into letting me redo her Jeep Liberty, and WOW! does Z look good on it. You may recall, she is a gigantic WG fan and WG looks great on her auto. I prep'd with Dawn, then Z7 washed, then layered 3x Z5Pro. 24 hours later, washed with Z7, dried, then started putting Z8 on and as of this afternoon have applied Z8 2x and Z6 1x. Sweet! BTW, no probs with Z8 streaking on any of her surfaces.



My impressions are very, very favorable. I really like the look and feel so far, with 1 exception but more about that later.



-IME, use Z6 between coats (when using ZFX) than Z8. Z6 is slicker and the next layer of sealant will also be slicker. Using Z8 and not letting it cure, results in a surface that is much less slick even after buffing off the next layer of sealant. IME, you lose some slickness everytime Z8 is used between sealants.

-Ease of use - as easy to apply as FMJ, BF, WG, etc., and it comes off just as easily.

-Sealants - Z2Pro is easier to apply than Z5Pro. Z5Pro must be thicker, hence supposed to fill swirls. Both are easy to use if the applicator is slightly dampened with distilled water or some Z6.

-I have 9 layers on the Honda and not sure there is any improvement over #3. The Liberty has 3 layers, plus Z8 and is fabulous. I'm thinking that, unless you really need to add more for durability, you're not going to gain by dumping on the layers.

-Love the Z7 wash - I know, I know, I know... initially wasn't too excited about it, but have since grown to really like it. Lots of suds and leaves the surface super slick.



My 1 discomfort so far - Getting the hang of Z8, or, I misprep'd my hood.

Say what? I am using Z8 real well on all parts of my car and my wifes Liberty, except for the hood of my Honda, which streaks real badly. I've tried very, very light amounts but still streaks. At this point I am thinking that I screwed up the bonding capabilities on the hood on Day 1 when I noticed the clay scratches and tried to polish them out then slightly rinsed with Z7 and then layer Z sealants, and have had difficulties with only the hood ever since. In otherwords, I may not have been at a completely clean surface on the hood. I most likely will take the hood back to the clearcoat and start the layering all over again...



Here are a few pics of my 2 Z'd automobiles - the whole day has been rainy and overcast, so I've not been able to get real good reflection shots. Actually, these pics don't do the car justice...



In the garage waiting for show time...

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My Honda now has...



-9 coats of Zaino (3x Z5Pro, 3x Z2Pro, 3x Z5Pro, over the course of 10 days, and each coat applied with ZFX and very thinly. One coat I applied thick on purpose.)

-Used either Z8 or Z6 between each coat and after each final coat

-Washed with Z7 prior to the first set of application and between the last 2 applications and this past weekend. (btw, I do like Z7 now so disregard my earlier comment. thx)



Also, this past weekend I Z'd my wife's Jeep Liberty with 3x Z5Pro with Z6 inbetween each coat, washed with Z7 the next day, then applied 2x Z8 6 hours apart. Wonderful look and slick feel.



I only have 1 concern regarding the application on my Honda. The Z install on my wife's is preforming exceptionally well.



Streaking w/Z8 continues on my hood and very, very minor on the trunk. Does not appear to be so on the vertical surfaces. Have tried applying exceptionally light and still get some streaking. Have tried the dampish MF wipe and still get some streaking. Have not tried distilled water, but will do so this evening after a Z7 wash.



*** On another board someone suggested that possibly the streaking prob is due to bonding problems with so many coats of Z products - anyone care to chime in on this?



I think I'll split the hood in half and Z8 one side and HGAS the other to see whether the HGAS streaks. BTW, I've used HGAS a bunch on top of BF and WG on this car with never any streaking, and HGAS seems to be as 'thick' as Z8 so I'd expect the 2 of them to behave similiarly. I much prefer to use Z8 than Z6. In other posts I've seen where others have used HGAS on Z without compatibility problems.
 
Sal suggests that there is no benefit beyond three coats and perhaps even the great clarity of Z has some limits so you may be darkening the paint.



I wonder also if it's better to stick with one product, either Z-2 or Z-5.



I find streaking often associated with using too much product. I do a very light mist and use an Ultrasmooth Pakshak mf towel.
 
SilverLexus said:
Sal suggests that there is no benefit beyond three coats and perhaps even the great clarity of Z has some limits so you may be darkening the paint.



I wonder also if it's better to stick with one product, either Z-2 or Z-5.



I find streaking often associated with using too much product. I do a very light mist and use an Ultrasmooth Pakshak mf towel.
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Yeah, well, I definitely got carried away with the layers, Ugh!. However, should be ultra durable :bigups The finish has darkened, definitely, like you suggest but may also be due to using Z5Pro with the last round of layers, eh? I'm OK with the darkening as I think my blue looks better darkened. The 3 layers of Z5Pro look excellent on my wife's Liberty, and have no interest in putting anything else on except to treat with Z8.



I use Cobra Ultra Plush MFs. The short nap side is what I spread and buff with. This should be similiar to your PakShak MF and technique?
 
How important is this...?



"...allow the ZFXâ„¢ enabled Zaino Show Car Polish to sit for five minutes so ZFXâ„¢ can begin activating the polish. Give the applicator bottle a final shake for 10 seconds before using."



I have been shaking then applying. I always apply to the hood & trunk first, which would account for the first 5 minutes, then on to sides, etc. If letting it sit for 5 minutes is important, I wonder whether there might be bonding issues on the hood and trunk and whether this contributes to the streaking problems?
 
If I was to guess, in my limited experience with Zaino polishes, the hood streaks are caused by:



1. too much product (like SilverLexus is suggesting)

2. product overload and then you add even more

3. still too warm a hood from the engine

4. Z-8 applied too soon after applying Z5 or Z2



Yes. I always mix Zaino + ZFX shake for 1-2 mins, go get my towels, appl, radio (takes at least 5 mins), Z-6 a few panels, shake again and then do my Zaino.
 
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