Maxx gets DeWinterized with new Z5- Opinions/Suggestions?

[Craigster]

Spring finally arrived here on LI, so it was time to try the goodies Santa brought me (Zaino kit, Sonus Pads, PC). The Maxx was pretty beaten up form the winter. For those who don't remember my screams of agony, I had to have the hood and passenger doors repainted when the car was two weeks old. Long story that I won't bore you with, but in the end, the clearcoat is too soft and it scratches easily compared to the rest of the car.

UPP took me through the winter perfectly, but since I do get and show scratches too easily, I wanted to try the new Z5 to see if it could hide some for me since this is my daily driver.



The regimen was:







NXT Wash



Clay



FPII - PC w/Sonus Green Pad



Z5 w/ZFX x2 by Hand



(used 8 drops to 2 Oz)

The "new" Z5 is supposed to be slicker, more durable and easier to use. I don't know....I may be spoiled by using EX and UPP, but Z5 seemed very very hard to remove, even on the second coat (maybe I'm just getting old). I dont remember the old formula being this hard when I used it at the begining of last summer. The look is good, it doesnt hide anything more than the old version does (which is a little...it hid some of the stuff I seemed to leave with the FP). I also have a bottle of Z2 Pro to try, but I still havent found the right combo for this paint. UPP, lasted, but streaked alot and as slick as it is, seemed to "hold" dirt more than the Zaino did. My experience with Zaino through the years was that a good rain would wash away light dust and pollen, the car seems to hold it with the UPP.







Anyway...







I didnt have as much success with the FPII alone as I would have liked, but with my paint in the conidtion that it is in, I just want to make it better, not perfect. FP, which seemed magic when Sean originally fixed the repaint last year, seemed to not be that effective with the PC. It could very well be me and my technique. Since I am new to the PC Can someone pass along some PC pad/polish/speed combos for me?







Thanks!!

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Just a suggestion, maybe the Z5 hadn't fully cured when you were trying to remove it, or you're applying it too thick? :nixweiss It could be that the new formulation is more picky about those aspects.



Nice detail though, on a, well, less-than nice looking car IMO. I've never really adjusted to liking the MAXX rear-end, and still find the front end akward.

 

[ZaneO]

I may be spoiled by using EX and UPP, but Z5 seemed very very hard to remove, even on the second coat (maybe I'm just getting old).

If you used 2 oz. for 2 coats, you used WAY WAY too much. I can get 3 coats out of 1 oz. on my Camaro. When you put most anything on too thickly, it is going to be difficult to remove.



Car looks really nice



P.S. The "new" Z5 has been out for a good while now.

 

[Craigster]

Shiny Lil Detlr -



I agree it's not any eye catcher. I got the Maxx for it's versatility and economy, not it's looks (that's why I have my Mach1 ). Maxx is ugly, like it's owner...but it works well for what I need...And with the Mach, having another car that gets me 30mpg is a blessing no matter what it looks like. (They just released an SS and a Cross Country version and COMPLETELY redid the front and rear end, added fender flares, etc. Looks more like a Mazda 6 with ground effects...) Thanks for the compliment on the detail!



Zano -



I didnt use the full 2 onces, that is what I mixed. I only wound up using about 1 oz for both coats. I know its been around awhile, I just got it for Xmas. The last stuff I was using was almost 2 years old, and I havent used it since last June.