? for non zaino users

zaino has an almost "cult-like" following.. as much as I try to find other products, i keep going back to it.. I haven't found many LSP's to rival it. There was a time where like you, I simply couldn't be bothered with mixing for every new customer and then having to explain to them not to put this on, not to put that on it.. but I personally found, with a proper compound paint prep, z2 pro to be more universally "wet looking" LSP on the market..
 
wannafbody said:
I'll spend my money with companies who don't have users who flood the internet with biased posts and act like a PR spokesman to promote a product. I have products I like and will say so LOUDLY but I'm not here promoting 1 line of products. Many companies produce very good looking , durable products.



I'll agree some Zaino followers are fanatically obnoxious but I hardly believe Sal Zaino approves how they promote his product.
 
chpsk8 said:
Well, for a pro I think the hinderance would be the cost of the additional material to mix. The function of mixing is trivial. Add a couple drops, shake shake, apply. Tell me when that gets difficult.



You forgot the part about whatever product isn't used within 12 hours needs to be tossed and washing out the mixing bottle. ;)



Not a huge deal but if I can get close durability results and in the case of a few products, better appearance straight out of the container, seriously, which one do you think I will use?



I have now used Z5 without ZFX followed by Z8 on a customer's metallic black BMW M Roadster and at the one month point, the combination was still real slick. Used in that fashion, Zaino is a piece of cake to use. :)
 
FWIW, I've used Z2Pro over AIO several times with no apparent problems . . . no Z1, no ZFX. The Zaino coat seems to have bonded to something, as the Zaino beading is very apparent, even a couple of months after application. Will the lack of Z1/ZFX affect overall durability? Quite possibly, but even without the Zaino-specific prep, Zaino appears to be at least as durable as a number of other sealants out there.



I would like to see a version of Z that eliminates the "need" for Z1/ZFX, though, if only to make it (even more) user friendly. I'd also love to see a mild one-step from Zaino some day, much like AIO, but leaving Z2/Z5-like protection behind instead an AIO's acrylic.



Tort
 
Scottwax said:
You forgot the part about whatever product isn't used within 12 hours needs to be tossed and washing out the mixing bottle. ;)
You know, I've been meaning to test if this is still true. When ZFX first came out, any polish left in the mixing bottle would sort of "curdle" after a day or so, and it was obviously unusable.



More recently, though, I've had a bit of Z2Pro left in a mixing bottle, and some Z5 in a different bottle. Both were treated with ZFX, but neither has solidified at all, even weeks later. Out of curiosity, I took some of the "expired" Z2Pro and applied it to part of the bathroom mirror. It still dried and removed just like untreated Z2, and left a slick spot on the mirror that's still there several weeks later (it even fogs differently than the rest of the mirror after a shower).



That got me wondering just how the "expired" ZFXed sealant would perform on a car. As a guess, I'd say it won't cross-link properly, and wouldn't have any real durabilty . . . however, if it will still apply/dry/remove and leave some shine behind, maybe it's not completely useless.



Has anyone else noticed the most recent formulations of Zaino setting up/not setting up in the bottle when you have some leftover ZFX mix?



Curious,

Tort
 
I've left the mixed ZFX in the garage overnight where it gets down to about 40 degrees. I then went out in the morning, fired up the heater, (the heater not A heater. :D) and proceeded to apply the mixed product to the paint. It worked just fine. There was barely enough there to do the hood and front fenders of the truck I was worknig on, but it wasn't hard. I have seen it curdle and cure. I didn't clean out a bottle and the residual got to the unworkable point in the summer fairly quick.



Maybe mixed product could be put in the fridge for the night, then used again. As I said in my previous post, I like the Z1Z2 process better, much slicker IMO. Plus, the only added step is gonig aroun dt he car with the Z1, it's not like you have to wipe off the Z1, just go right over the top.



Oh and as far as the "off the hook Zaino fanatics". Yeah I see them everywhere. I think they really jsut love the product so much they don't quite know a polite way to get others to try it. Too bad really. Some of the zealots really turn off other customers. I agre that Sal wouldnt' apporve of some conversations. Where else can you call the customer help line and talk to the creator himself and he actually wants to help!? (ok, maybe a couple other places... but you dont' see Barry Meguire answering the tech line!)



Zaino, it's not just a sealant.... its a religion! :D



(Please give generously at the door! )
 
I was going to buy the Z2-pro sealant but i dont want to prep it with other Zaino **** & spend more money on their high prices. I will stick to other brand names that bond with all.
 
Is this why so many more people drink beer instead of mixed drinks? (lol) You mean I have to shake or stir my Southern Comfort & Cranberry Juice? (lol) It's all kinda silly, if you ask me.
 
I don't understand the problem with mixing.



I can't be the time involved. I can mix the products in about 15 seconds. It just takes a few drops of ZFX in the Z2 Pro.



I keep trying other products to see if I can find a better one than Zaino. I can't.



What's the big deal. Why is everyone so interested in saving 15 seconds?
 
I think the FK1 1000P & 2180 sealants are at least as durable, they produce an awesome hard candy finish and compatibly layerable after 15-20 minutes. Apply the ultra slick 425 over them quite a few times, or alternatively top them with Mothers FX spray wax (×2-3) after 3 days and you will not believe it.
 
Luster said:
I don't understand the problem with mixing.



I can't be the time involved. I can mix the products in about 15 seconds. It just takes a few drops of ZFX in the Z2 Pro.



I keep trying other products to see if I can find a better one than Zaino. I can't.



What's the big deal. Why is everyone so interested in saving 15 seconds?



2 problems for me. Potential product waste and the cost of ZFX.



I look the look of other products better so why spend money on an additional product to add to Z2?



I do really, really like Z8 though. Now, if I could find it cheaper.... ;)
 
Z8 cheaper? I guess it is high on the comparitive price scale. But the amount you need to use to cover a section is no small, my bottle will last me years! Remember Z8 is Super concentrated.
 
Intercooled said:
Z8 cheaper? I guess it is high on the comparitive price scale. But the amount you need to use to cover a section is no small, my bottle will last me years! Remember Z8 is Super concentrated.



I use it on my customer's cars. Doesn't last nearly as long for me as for someone who uses it only on their own vehicles.



I do agree, it doesn't take much to cover a car...but when you use it on several cars a week... ;)
 
Bence said:
I think the FK1 1000P & 2180 sealants are at least as durable, they produce an awesome hard candy finish and compatibly layerable after 15-20 minutes. Apply the ultra slick 425 over them quite a few times, or alternatively top them with Mothers FX spray wax (×2-3) after 3 days and you will not believe it.



Interested in the Mothers angle......425 has become my favorite, I also use a lot of 1016 and SSP.

2180 over PO85RD is fantastic!
 
I got pretty caught up in Z when I bought my car two years ago and gave the full line a shot. I thought it was great stuff, and I really didn't mind the mixing (I prefer mixing my drinks to just opening a beer bottle, as well). But as I learned more and more about the whole detailing business/hobby/lifestyle I got a bit put off by the price of the stuff. After trying a variety of other products (I'm just a DIY enthusiast here, with 3 cars to keep looking good) I found myself to be equally happy, if not happier, with other product(s) or combination thereof and instead of giving all my detailing budget to Zaino I can spread the wealth, so to speak.



I'm a bang for the buck kinda guy - in my opinion I can achieve a higher $:SHINE ratio with other product(s).
 
Scottwax said:
I'll agree some Zaino followers are fanatically obnoxious but I hardly believe Sal Zaino approves how they promote his product.



I have mixed feelings about this personally- some Z apologists are Z testers and I question their objectivity when they attack other good products. I have tested some products and in 1 case I told the owner that I couldn't get the product to work. Eventually we found the problem and he worked on a solution. I've tested the new Tropicare XP and while I think it has a great wet look I can't say that it looks better than AJ (which I haven't used). I feel it has improved beading charactarisitics but I won't unequivically say its the absolute best. I preferr its look to Duragloss even tho the Duragloss might bead longer.
 
wannafbody said:
I have mixed feelings about this personally- some Z apologists are Z testers and I question their objectivity when they attack other good products.



While I woud tend to agree, I still don't think as a good business man, Sal wants his loyal customers to alienate potential new customers.



I have tested some products and in 1 case I told the owner that I couldn't get the product to work. Eventually we found the problem and he worked on a solution.



Same here and I am sure it is the same with those who test Zaino. My understanding is that Z-PC went through several revisions during testing before the forumula was finalized.
 
Back
Top