Disappointed in Zaino ClearSeal Durability

T

TigerMike

New member
Having used Zaino products for many years, I know the quality that comes from that line, and I was never let down by any of the products, except maybe ZFX (another story). I was always most impressed with the sealants and their neverending durability and gloss. However, after giving CS my best effort, I am frustrated and disappointed with the purchase and end result.



I have applied CS to completely bare paint on two (2) different vehicles, using it as a standalone for testing. On both, it really didn't add anything significant to the gloss factor (first disappointment), although there was greater slickness. What has really disappointed me the most is the Zaino-famous durability that I used to get from the sealants, and that is promised from Zaino. On both test beds, Z-CS beads nicely for about 1 month, 2 absolute tops, and then turns to nonuniform blobs and the protection just doesn't seem there. Not Zaino typical.



I really like how it applies so easily though, never any streaking or application issues. But honestly, I get greater beading and longer, tighter beading from AquaWax than I am seeing from CS, not to mention AW adds way more gloss and wetness to the paint than CS. That is what is so disappointing to me. I have no confidence that CS can be used as a standalone anymore. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, although I doubt that is the case, as I'm no stranger to the Z products.



I remember when CS came out, the description read as such that it would give 9 month durability, when applied in conjunction with the Z polishes. Later that verbage was revised to say that CS can be used as a standalone for 9 month durability. I can see that it may extend the polishes to 9 months, but there is no way in the world it is going 9 months as a standalone on my cars. It's practically dead after 2... Again, this is just frustrating....Zaino products have, for the most part, always held up to their claims, but I am not seeing it with CS. I likely will not order it again, when honestly, I can get better results from a $7 bottle of AW. I will still continue to use the bottle up, but I'm learly of using it now as my standalone.



Just my $0.02 worth...



Regards,



Mike
 
Mike,



Thanks for the review. I am interested in the work prior to ZCS. I am a little shocked that you only got 1-2 months. I have gotten 6 months out of a coat in MN winter, so I'm scratching my head.



Greg
 
Mike,



Surprised you are only getting a month or two out of CS. I've been getting 6 months of tough New England winters out of it (even including a couple "no touch" commercial washes), but then again I've been using it as a final coat on top of ZAIO and Z2. Been so pleased with the duability I was going to use it as a final coat on top of 105 then AW the next day as I switch to DG products.
 
GregCavi said:
Mike,



Thanks for the review. I am interested in the work prior to ZCS. I am a little shocked that you only got 1-2 months. I have gotten 6 months out of a coat in MN winter, so I'm scratching my head.



Greg
Click to expand...



Is that with NOTHING underneath, not even ZAIO?
 
GregCavi said:
Mike,



Thanks for the review. I am interested in the work prior to ZCS. I am a little shocked that you only got 1-2 months. I have gotten 6 months out of a coat in MN winter, so I'm scratching my head.



Greg
Click to expand...



I am a bit shocked as well that it is not lasting as long as I'd expected. This is the first time I've been truly let down by a Z product. Every other product always exceeded my expectations. Certainly left me scratching my head as well. :hairpull



For testing purposes, the ZCS was intended to be used/tested as a standalone LSP with no other products used. Therefore, both surfaces had IPA wipedowns to remove any last bit of AW I had left on both cars, which wasn't much anyway. Another thing that left me puzzled was that it never did/does bead extremely tightly, even right away. I mean, yes, it beads pretty good initially, but not what I'm used to seeing with the Z sealants or other products...then the beading falls off a cliff pretty rapidly.



I had really high hopes for CS too, as detailing isn't much of a huge hobby for me anymore, like it used to be, due to time constraints and other life factors. So, for me, any product that offers great durability/protection, and supreme ease of use, is a winner for me. Time limits what I am able to do nowadays, so something quick and easy is what I'm after. I had hoped CS would be that one product that would put all others to rest. It's no doubt supremely easy to use, but I'm just not getting the durability I think I should. :nixweiss: If I have to use ZAIO, Z2, or Z5 first, that defeats the whole ease/quickness thing, and I may as well stick with 105/AW combo...that's why I was using CS by itself...



Thanks,



Mike
 
I've also noticed a drop off in bead uniformity at 6-8 weeks. However, it's so dang easy to use, I really don't care. It's rare that I would go this long and not do something (polish / clay/ bug & tar remover, etc.) that would cause the need to reapply any LSP anyway, so it's not a big issue for me.
 
TigerMike said:
I am a bit shocked as well that it is not lasting as long as I'd expected. This is the first time I've been truly let down by a Z product. Every other product always exceeded my expectations. Certainly left me scratching my head as well. :hairpull



For testing purposes, the ZCS was intended to be used/tested as a standalone LSP with no other products used. Therefore, both surfaces had IPA wipedowns to remove any last bit of AW I had left on both cars, which wasn't much anyway. Another thing that left me puzzled was that it never did/does bead extremely tightly, even right away. I mean, yes, it beads pretty good initially, but not what I'm used to seeing with the Z sealants or other products...then the beading falls off a cliff pretty rapidly.



I had really high hopes for CS too, as detailing isn't much of a huge hobby for me anymore, like it used to be, due to time constraints and other life factors. So, for me, any product that offers great durability/protection, and supreme ease of use, is a winner for me. Time limits what I am able to do nowadays, so something quick and easy is what I'm after. I had hoped CS would be that one product that would put all others to rest. It's no doubt supremely easy to use, but I'm just not getting the durability I think I should. :nixweiss: If I have to use ZAIO, Z2, or Z5 first, that defeats the whole ease/quickness thing, and I may as well stick with 105/AW combo...that's why I was using CS by itself...



Thanks,



Mike
Click to expand...



Quite interesting. How are you washing? I am getting tight beading well past when your's fell off. Are you in a really abrasive environment?



Greg
 
GregCavi said:
Nothing. It was po85rd or 106ff (I foreget), Then ISO wipedown, then 1 coat of CS
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Wow, I hope this isn't going to get :argue , but I bet the finish was real smooth after that Menz treatment, how long would it bead just from that?
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Wow, I hope this isn't going to get :argue , but I bet the finish was real smooth after that Menz treatment, how long would it bead just from that?
Click to expand...



That's a good question. And honestly, I have a rough estimate. When I got my hood repainted, and when my sisters was repainted, I had, as you would expect, quite a bit of polishing to do. I found about 2-3 weeks max of real beading. After that, it was just big pools of water.



I wonder if this is a question of even coverage?



Greg
 
GregCavi said:
I wonder if this is a question of even coverage?
Click to expand...



Obviously TigerMike will have to answer that, but from my limited experience with CS (two tries) I haven't figured it out yet (how to apply it properly/successfully).
 
GregCavi said:
I wonder if this is a question of even coverage?



Greg
Click to expand...





I could be wrong, but I don't think so. I use the supplied Zaino applicator and have used CS *very* liberally on the paint, often spraying far more than needed on each panel. Also, after going fully over the car once, I usually hit some surfaces (mostly the horizontals) with another spray or two just because. I have actually been overusing the product per application...



I have used nothing else at all on the paint, just CS. As for washing, I rarely even find time to do that these days, and it is down to about once a month, using a plain ole 100% cotton mitt and some DG car wash normal strength.



I do leave the cars outside 24x7 (no other choice), and occassionally park under trees at night, the same conditions for any product I use or test. Even so, I would have expected more from CS I guess...



I just don't know... :think:



:sadwavey:
 
TigerMike said:
I use the supplied Zaino applicator and have used CS *very* liberally on the paint, often spraying far more than needed on each panel. Also, after going fully over the car once, I usually hit some surfaces (mostly the horizontals) with another spray or two just because. I have actually been overusing the product per application...
Click to expand...



Does your car look perfect after doing this, without using a quick detailer for touchups? I ask because I tend to be heavy-handed when applying products, and I noticed that the Z-CS creates a hologram effect after it cures.
 
johny said:
Does your car look perfect after doing this, without using a quick detailer for touchups? I ask because I tend to be heavy-handed when applying products, and I noticed that the Z-CS creates a hologram effect after it cures.
Click to expand...





Yep, it always has looked flawless for me; application hasn't been a problem for the most part and that's one thing about CS that I have really liked. Once it dries clear, there have never been any streaking or other issues that would cause me to need a QD or other source to fix imperfections. I do see a hologram or oily looking effect while it's drying, but give it about 20 minutes and it looks flawless for me... This is on dark red and black paint (2 diff cars)...
 
TigerMike said:
Yep, it always has looked flawless for me; application hasn't been a problem for the most part and that's one thing about CS that I have really liked. Once it dries clear, there have never been any streaking or other issues that would cause me to need a QD or other source to fix imperfections. I do see a hologram or oily looking effect while it's drying, but give it about 20 minutes and it looks flawless for me... This is on dark red and black paint (2 diff cars)...
Click to expand...



Cool. Thanks for your response. One thing that kinda freaked me out about CS was the minimal number of spritzes you are instructed to use. It just feels like I am using a bone-dry applicator the entire time. Since you are getting good results with several spritzes, I will experiment some more with my application process.
 
Don't know if this helps with CS but I've been using UPGP per the direction - 1 or 2 spritzes per 4+ square foot swipe. The spritzes are incredibly small and light yet once the pad is primed, I can see the UPGP layer being deposited, especially on chrome and trim since my vehicle is white. If I look at the right angle, I can see the deposit on the paint as well. 1-2 spritzes covers an entire hood or a door quite well. As the layer cures over the next 20min-1hour, the visibility of the layer disappears and the shine comes through.



You might use a similar technique to see if you are putting too little or too much CS - as long as the pad continues to deposite the CS on the panel, you don't need to add more. The thinner the layer, the less likelyhood of hazing, streaking or removal (if applicable) problems.



Since I haven't use CS, I could be completely off the mark. I have to confess, it does feel 'wrong' to wipe with what appears to be an almost dry pad, especially since I'm used to the waxes and sealants of 10-15 years ago.



RG
 
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