A few Zaino questions

EBPcivicsi

EBPcivicsi

GOT PREP?
So I have been slowly getting the hang of the Z system for a few months now. My first experience with the product line was in 99 or 00, pre ZFX. So I have a few questions.



Can I prep, finish with FP-II, wipe down with Z6, then apply Z2PRO (no zfx). I hate mixing the ZFX, I feel that it wastes product, I will try the syringe method, but haven't had time to pick one up. Is one non-zfx'ed layer enough to protect?



Also, is Z5PRO as durable as Z2PRO? Could I prep, FP-II, Z6, Z5PRO (non-zfx'ed), Z2PRO(non-zfx'ed)?



I also like to finish with Z8, any problems using this after the non-zfx'ed Z2PRO or Z5PRO?



I really wish that the ZFX was "built-in."



TIA
 
Yea I feel you on the mixing up the ZFX part. I have never tried it without it and I guess since Sal has it in there for a reason, there must be a purpose. I have used Z2Pro after FPII and Z6 wipedown plenty of times, so you are safe there. I always finish off with Z8 to give that last little cleanup of any Z2Pro I might have missed and to give the paint the extra little pop. I guess if you are't gonna use ZFX then I would recommend an extra long cure time to let it bond to the paint. I believe it is said that the ZFX is only needed for the intial coat for it to properly bond to the paint and cure faster.
 
You're going to get plenty of responses, but the Z company line seems to be that the first layer has to be activated with either Z1 or ZFX, but that succeeding layers don't have to be, and you need ZFX if you are going to apply more than one layer in a day. I thought Scottwax was doing some sort of non-activated "experiment".
 
Oh, I would imagine that one nonzfx'ed layer would protect as long as most other waxes/sealants. I would think (at least hope since ZFX isnt cheap) that a ZFX layer would last longer.
 
One non zfx layer will suffice. I only use zfx if I'm applying 3 or more coats at a time or the surface has had any previous layers of zaino.



I would assume yes, z5pro is as durable but with added depth and gloss.



I also do the route of z6 wipe, to z5 pro and z2 pro both non zfx'd and its fine



I like finishing with z8 as well over the z2 pro and z5 pro.



as for pre-mixing, I do that if i have an early morning detail as zfx can be pre-mixed and left to sit for up to 12 hours I think. I never leave that long but it surely helps doing it the night before.



i hope this is a bit of help..
 
I guess I'll be picking up a syringe then. I can get 5+ coats from 1oz of ZFX enabled Z2PRO, then I end up putting the rest down the drain. That includes glass, wheels, etc--not that I am complaining I just hate the ZFX mixing. Not to mention the extra expense of keeping those little mixing bottles around, perhaps syringes are cheaper? :D



Thanks guys.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
You're going to get plenty of responses, but the Z company line seems to be that the first layer has to be activated with either Z1 or ZFX, but that succeeding layers don't have to be, and you need ZFX if you are going to apply more than one layer in a day. I thought Scottwax was doing some sort of non-activated "experiment".
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Setec has hit the nail on the head. Z1 or ZFX to get the product to activate properly. After the initial activation Z1 or ZFX is only need every ten layers.



I guess I do not get it. I never found it hard or irritating to mix the product. I guess at my age it is nice to do hardly anything during a detail. I actually appreciate the break.
 
Joe: My personal evidence has shown this...





-For outdoor vehicles, a non-ZFX'd application will yield about 4 months of protection, whereas a ZFX'd one will be closer to 6. Certainly, either are not shoddy, IMO.



-Look and application ease are increased with ZFX



-Z2/Z5 Pro have very similar durabilities



-Z6 wipedowns after FPII or any polish for that matter are recommended



-ZFX is a catalyst and Sal, too, wishes it didn't have to be there. However, after seeing what results it *does* produce, it's hard to argue, but I do understand where you are coming from.





At the end of the day, you will NOT get poor durability with Z2/Z5 Pro used sans ZFX.
 
I only had a chance to put down only one layer of ZfX'd Z2Pro yesterday as light was becoming non-existant :D Is this enough to protect my car until I get another chance to apply some more layers?



And do I need to ZFX Z2Pro again or can I do a straight Z2Pro applicaton later?



Also, I find that the next morning after a nice detailing job that the car has some dust and crap on it. Would it be ok to just do a QD with Z8 and a MF towel?
 
I too, am trying to get the hang of the Z system. For 1oz of product, how many drops are you guys using? I've been doing 4 drops/ounce but I'm thinking of cutting it back to 2 or 3. Thoughts?
 
slvr: Should be at least 6 months protection with normal Autopian care.



ZFX will increase the bonding strength between layers. You can easily see it in the mixing bottle. Standard Z2/Z5 Pro will easily wash out but when used with ZFX, you need IPA to remove.



Z8 is a spray sealant, not a QD. I would go with Z6 or a Z7 wash first.





RC: Usually 3-4 drops per ounce. How many applications are you getting out of an ounce? You should get in the ballpark of 3-5 complete vehicles. I'm trying to knock on the door of 6 vehicles.
 
Bottomline: Z2/5PRO require either Z1 or ZFX for initial application. ZFX "is" required for multiple layers in one day.



There is no escaping the chemistry behind the proper usage of Zaino. Zaino sealants is a complex system in terms of cross-linking within itself and actual bonding to the painted surface. Forget what we learned about applying waxes or pseudo-sealants. :(



I always start off mixing just 1/2 oz with 2 drops of ZFX. If more is need I can mix up another batch of either 1/8 no Zfx because this is probably my second coat or 1/4 oz (1 drop of ZFX) for 1.5 to 2 coats. The usage goes down greatly with each coat and saturation of the applicator. With practice it is quite easy to determine how much of the mixture is needed. Very simple. Very little time and a great deal of time saved in the long run when Zaino is used as instructed. Throw Z8 into the system and start looking for another hobby. :cry:



Z5PRO and Z2PRO have equivalent durability when applied properly (Z1 or ZFX). :bow
 
GSRstilez said:
RC: Usually 3-4 drops per ounce. How many applications are you getting out of an ounce? You should get in the ballpark of 3-5 complete vehicles. I'm trying to knock on the door of 6 vehicles.
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Wow, I must be using way too much then. I was mixing ZFX+Z2 or Z5 in 1oz bottles. I used about the whole bottle for a silver Altima. Maybe it was the color (silver), cause I couldn't tell how thin it was, so I'd wipe on some more. It buffed off fairly easy; even though it was thick. I'll retry Z on my dark green 4Runner later this month.
 
I will say that Zaino mixing bottles suck, since they changed to Pro version they should do something about that because too much gets wasted. They should have a smaller bottle with wider sides that let you get the applicator down there. Does anyone have any different bottles that are good to use for Zaino? Minor inconvenience for a good product but still I hope they do something about it. RC I use 6 drops per ounce and do one car with it, my ZFX lasts 2 bottles of Pro. I only get about 8 details out of a bottle of Z2Pro but that's over 3 years worth for me, so it works out. :buffing:
 
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