no Zaino prep?

W

white gecko 99

New member
So, after doing the whole regiment... wash, clay, polish... its time for Zaino. Now I've been using Zaino for about 7 years, but I wonder can you apply it straight from the bottle (ie Z2 or Z5)? I know using ZFX activated Z2/Z5 is best, or using ZAIO prior. But after doing the alcohol wipedown, would it still bond ok to a fresh surface?



I know people do it all the time, but what I want to know is how does that effect the longetivity of the Zaino or the shine?
 
Are you out of ZFX? It does seem to work better with the ZFX, but you're still going to get decent longevity out of it with no ZFX. Maybe it's my imagination, but it seems to apply thinner/easier with the ZFX, and of course you are supposedly unable to do more than one layer in a day without.
 
white gecko 99 said:
But after doing the alcohol wipedown, would it still bond ok to a fresh surface? I know people do it all the time, but what I want to know is how does that effect the longetivity of the Zaino or the shine?
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In my opinion skipping a step will effect the application, Setec Astronomy said it correct ZFX makes Zaino slightly thinner thus easier to apply as well as helping with cure time. ZFX is important though not as important as the surface prep, putting the Z2 on virgin paint will yield good results but in the end I believe not using ZAIO decreases the longevity of Z2, for some reason it just doesn't seam to take hold as good. I've tested this on my own vehicles and here are my results.





Zaino Z2 applied by itself, 3-4 months durability



Zaino Z2 applied with Z1 polish lok (no longer avail) 4-6 months durability



Zaino Z2 applied with ZAIO 6-9 months durability



I did these test on my own two vehicles not garage kept and parked in NJ
 
Wow, detailbarn! Good to see you! Were those results with or without ZFX? When you say "applied by itself", what was your prep for that?
 
I've occasionally applied both Z2 and Z5 right from the bottle but only after a real good wipedown with Z6 or iso/alc. to insure a throughly clean surface. Even then I understand the cure period to be prolonged and leave the vehicle in the garage for at least 12 hours and keep any water off of it.



Because of the properties of ZFX and mixing is so easy I usually add ZFX if even one layer is applied.
 
detailbarn said:
In my opinion skipping a step will effect the application, Setec Astronomy said it correct ZFX makes Zaino slightly thinner thus easier to apply as well as helping with cure time. ZFX is important though not as important as the surface prep, putting the Z2 on virgin paint will yield good results but in the end I believe not using ZAIO decreases the longevity of Z2, for some reason it just doesn't seam to take hold as good. I've tested this on my own vehicles and here are my results.





Zaino Z2 applied by itself, 3-4 months durability



Zaino Z2 applied with Z1 polish lok (no longer avail) 4-6 months durability



Zaino Z2 applied with ZAIO 6-9 months durability



I did these test on my own two vehicles not garage kept and parked in NJ
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I agree I wouldn't skip ZFX. I also have had similar real world results as you stated above here in CT.
 
That was exactly the info I was lookin for! Thanks guys.



I have plenty of ZFX left, but am getting low on ZAIO. I'll definately keep the prep going.
 
I use Z2/Z5 w/o ZFX and w/o ZAIO the majority of the time. IME, I don't see much difference in durability or performance. Then again, I reapply every couple months, so I don't see it to the end.
 
NSXTASY said:
I use Z2/Z5 w/o ZFX and w/o ZAIO the majority of the time. IME, I don't see much difference in durability or performance. Then again, I reapply every couple months, so I don't see it to the end.
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I don't own ZAIO, but I've never seen an advantage when using ZFX. I usually have applied it over some other AIO, like Klasse or Prime.
 
I typically go 1 of 2 routes when using Zaino:



1) Z-AIO, topped with 1 layer of Z2 or Z5 (with no ZFX), with a Z6 wipedown in between.



2) 3 layers of a ZFX'd mixture of 50% Z5, 50% Z2, and a spritz of Z8 in the bottle. Again, I do Z6 wipedowns in between.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Wow, detailbarn! Good to see you! Were those results with or without ZFX? When you say "applied by itself", what was your prep for that?
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Hey Setec thanks for the warm welcome back it's great to be back here - I missed it alot! You still part of the Cyclo users club? : )



All the Zaino tests where using ZFX, I simply don't like Zaino with out it not sure if really is needed but I always do two coats of Z2 in a session so for me it wasn't an option not use it. As for the prep all my Zaino details get polished using my menzerna 2 or 3 step polish process. Powergloss, Intensive, Final Polish, followed by a wipe down of 50%. So essentially the last product on the surface would be final polish but that is removed. So in theory there should be nothing on the surface, but in reality I don't think it's possible to remove 100% of the product or it's oils, that's why I really like using ZAIO for prep before putting ZFX activated Z2 on. Make sense?
 
I think the issue of ZFX is one of "faith". Do you believe that ZFX is worth $20 and that the guy who makes the stuff is telling the truth about it being beneficial. Personally, I like using ZAIO since it acts as a paint cleaner for a daily driver.
 
I've probably used every combination of Zaino products imaginable in the last 8 years.



IMO the ideal combo is:



1. Claybar

2. ZAIO applied by PC

3. Z5P (w/zfx) applied by hand

4. Z8



Great shine and longevity.



Once again, I don't care that much about longevity because I do this every chance I get. It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on. :clap::clap::clap:



A picture's worth a thousand words...



zaino_reflect1-1.jpg
 
Luster said:
IMO the ideal combo is:



1. Claybar

2. ZAIO applied by PC

3. Z5P (w/zfx) applied by hand

4. Z8
Click to expand...



That sounds pretty good to me...just don't use as much ZAIO as I did the first time...was a smeary mess.
 
Luster said:
I've probably used every combination of Zaino products imaginable in the last 8 years.



IMO the ideal combo is:



1. Claybar

2. ZAIO applied by PC

3. Z5P (w/zfx) applied by hand

4. Z8



Great shine and longevity.



Once again, I don't care that much about longevity because I do this every chance I get. It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on. :clap::clap::clap:
Click to expand...



Looks awesome!



What type/color pad did you use when applying ZAIO by PC? White LC pad?
 
RonMexico said:
Looks awesome!



What type/color pad did you use when applying ZAIO by PC? White LC pad?
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I used LC orange to cut the very light swirls. ZAIO does have a little cutting action, but is highly pad dependent. I applied very light pressure and just a few passes. I have used LC white as well.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
That sounds pretty good to me...just don't use as much ZAIO as I did the first time...was a smeary mess.
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Yep, if you try just wiping ZAIO on you will get a smeary mess. You have to use a very small amount and work it into the paint.



Has anyone replaced their finishing polish with ZAIO?
 
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