over the weekend i detailed my 98 camry. the color is a silver metallic.......i clayed it a month ago, so i ashed with z7...it was verty clean, then i dried and appplied zaino. i mixed 4/5 oz with 4 drops of zfx...i thought i was gonna get 2 coats, but luckily, i got 3...it was hard to apply it to the paint, because when i put a little bit of Z on the app, it smeared on to the paint. i also qd'ed it after each coat....i did everything right including taking Z off, and everything else, but the shine isnt what i expected.....ppl said zaino will change the look, but it hardly did, i can tell it made a difference, but not that good...also, when i look at the car, i can see smear marks on the paint, i tried buffing it off with a damp towel, but it is mostly there, any suggestions?
problems with Z
- Thread starter bmms8
- Start date
For the smear marks try washing again with the Zaino wash...it should get rid of them...
As for the look....not sure what you were told....but it should give a pretty decent shine that will last a long time....It may not look like a carnuaba but it does shine ecspecially on the lighter silver colors.....
As for the look....not sure what you were told....but it should give a pretty decent shine that will last a long time....It may not look like a carnuaba but it does shine ecspecially on the lighter silver colors.....
PGA2B
New member
bmms8 said:
From zaino's web site...
"Pour one to two ounces of Show Car Polish into a 2 ounce mixing bottle. For each ounce of polish, add 4 to 5 drops of ZFXâ„¢"
I don't think you had the correct mixture of ZFX, therefore it may not have cured correctly.
bmms8 said:
If you already had a super clean and well cared for car, you shouldnt see much of a difference with Zaino. I have found the difference is in the slick feel, durability and ease of application. It also beads water like no tomorrow. As far as shine goes there are many products that give an equal shine but Zaino is the best all around polish I've used. Also as you layer it, the car will look better and better, give it a couple coats and I think you will be happy. IMO Its just too expensive
C. Charles Hahn
CCH Auto Appearance, LLC
well after speaking to you on AIM I think there are a few things I see that you did a little wrong:
1) you clayed a month ago, but the car never had anything more than that done to it.... even by hand, you need to use a chemical paint cleaner and a paint polish to prep the surface. This can be done by hand since you don't want to buy a buffer.
2) The wash immediately prior to Z application should have been with dishwashing detergent, preferably blue dawn. This way anything by way of a spray wax (like from a carwash or something) would have been removed. The streaking wouldnt have occurred because it wouldnt have any silicones or etc. to hang on.
3) You put way too much ZFX for the ammount of product. ZFX is extremely volatile in making the mix "just right" or you wont get the optimum results. You should have just made up 1 ounce of product with ~3-4 drops. I find 3.5 is optimum if you can regulate that.
4) Depending on which form of the terry applicators you used (I assume you werent able to use the foam underneath), I would have to ask: did you remember to spray the applicator with one spritz of Z6 before you started using product??
5) How long did you let it dry for?? If you didnt let it cure up enough, of course it would/will streak because its not bonded and "ready" to be removed from the paint.
6) When buffing, did you make sure to turn the towel often?? If the towel gets too caked with residue, it won't give you good results whatsoever.
Hopefully all this helps. Any questions, just ask! :xyxthumbs
1) you clayed a month ago, but the car never had anything more than that done to it.... even by hand, you need to use a chemical paint cleaner and a paint polish to prep the surface. This can be done by hand since you don't want to buy a buffer.
2) The wash immediately prior to Z application should have been with dishwashing detergent, preferably blue dawn. This way anything by way of a spray wax (like from a carwash or something) would have been removed. The streaking wouldnt have occurred because it wouldnt have any silicones or etc. to hang on.
3) You put way too much ZFX for the ammount of product. ZFX is extremely volatile in making the mix "just right" or you wont get the optimum results. You should have just made up 1 ounce of product with ~3-4 drops. I find 3.5 is optimum if you can regulate that.
4) Depending on which form of the terry applicators you used (I assume you werent able to use the foam underneath), I would have to ask: did you remember to spray the applicator with one spritz of Z6 before you started using product??
5) How long did you let it dry for?? If you didnt let it cure up enough, of course it would/will streak because its not bonded and "ready" to be removed from the paint.
6) When buffing, did you make sure to turn the towel often?? If the towel gets too caked with residue, it won't give you good results whatsoever.
Hopefully all this helps. Any questions, just ask! :xyxthumbs
thanks for the tips, and yes i dawn washed a month ago, and i used foam apps, i got them from wal mart, and i guess i did put to much of zfx, next time, i wont put as much....and on the app, i did spray a lil of z6, and i let it fry for 15 minz each time.....and i used one mf towel for each coat of zaino.....so i buffed off with 3 mf's
C. Charles Hahn
CCH Auto Appearance, LLC
you dawn washed a month ago and didnt wash the car again until just now?? that might be part of your problem. do a second dawn wash IMMEDIATELY PRIOR to applying your coats of Zaino. Just like claying. You cant do this in steps that are spread out that far - the mess created by waiting like this makes good results nearly impossible.
imported_Paul Mitchell
New member
Along with what SLD said, I would try using 100% US made cotton terrys to buff off. Charisma or Charisma Selects are great IMO. Every time I try to buff off with MF's I have a problem. (I keep trying...I just won't learn 
) The MF's load up too quickly with product. The terrys work great if you keep turning them to a clean surface. I use 2 bath size towels for my removal. Also, even if the ZFX ratio is correct, I still think 15 min. is not enough time to dry. I always give it at least 30 min., even with ZFX. It usually is fine after 30 min., but I still need to watch it if the temps are low and there is a lot of humidity. With a Dawn wash and a claying/rewash/proper paint prep and proper mixing of ZFX with proper dry time and removal, you should see the results you are looking for. I do on my silver paint and I learned it all here!
Good luck!
Regards, Eric
:xyxthumbs
) The MF's load up too quickly with product. The terrys work great if you keep turning them to a clean surface. I use 2 bath size towels for my removal. Also, even if the ZFX ratio is correct, I still think 15 min. is not enough time to dry. I always give it at least 30 min., even with ZFX. It usually is fine after 30 min., but I still need to watch it if the temps are low and there is a lot of humidity. With a Dawn wash and a claying/rewash/proper paint prep and proper mixing of ZFX with proper dry time and removal, you should see the results you are looking for. I do on my silver paint and I learned it all here!Good luck!
Regards, Eric
:xyxthumbs
Just do a Dawn and alcohol wash and start over. You might want to just put on one coat of Z5 without the ZFX to start with. Wait a week, then do a wash with a good car shampoo, then one coat of Z2, again without the ZFX. It should look great.
I got some ZFX, but I haven't used it yet. I understand it can be a little tricky and may not give quite as good a shine. I just add another layer of Zaino every few weeks.
I got some ZFX, but I haven't used it yet. I understand it can be a little tricky and may not give quite as good a shine. I just add another layer of Zaino every few weeks.
Wash with both Dawn and alcohol. The alcohol will remove the Zaino and the Dawn will remove anything that might have gotten trapped underneath it. That should get you back down to a clean surface. You might want to follow that with some good car shampoo (like Meguiar's or Z7) to neutralize the Dawn and alcohol.
After it dries and your satisfied that the surface is clean down to the paint start with a single layer of Z5. I don't think you'll need to clay again, just get it good and clean before you start with the Z5.
After it dries and your satisfied that the surface is clean down to the paint start with a single layer of Z5. I don't think you'll need to clay again, just get it good and clean before you start with the Z5.
imported_Paul Mitchell
New member
I think following everyones tips/techniques, you will get a better look.
Yuo can try the Z without the ZFX if you like. Proper paint prep may yeild a lot of what you are looking for. If your paint is in good condition to begin with, i would suggest P21s/S100 paint cleanser. I have had luck with this by hand on my silver car. Initially, I Dawn washed, clayed with Clay Magic, used S100 cleanser, dawn washed then Z1/Z2. I subsequently added 4 more coats of Z-2 over the next few weeks and then I recently got ZFX and added another 3 in one day. I am happy with the results and the protection. I should be set for Winter. I do entertain the thought of topping with P21S/S100 wax thinking I may get more depth. I do wonder if this depth will be at the expense of clarity though (?) I figure the wax will be gone pretty soon in the winter and/or I can Dawn it off if I don't like it.
Maybe after you Z properly, you may want to do a topper?
Silver is tough. I had to realize it would never look like a dark color after it was detailed.
If you have the time, start over. Take it slow and see if you like it with a proper prep. If not, try topping it. Try both Z2 and Z-5 by themselves. Some people like one better than the other. Best regards, Eric
Yuo can try the Z without the ZFX if you like. Proper paint prep may yeild a lot of what you are looking for. If your paint is in good condition to begin with, i would suggest P21s/S100 paint cleanser. I have had luck with this by hand on my silver car. Initially, I Dawn washed, clayed with Clay Magic, used S100 cleanser, dawn washed then Z1/Z2. I subsequently added 4 more coats of Z-2 over the next few weeks and then I recently got ZFX and added another 3 in one day. I am happy with the results and the protection. I should be set for Winter. I do entertain the thought of topping with P21S/S100 wax thinking I may get more depth. I do wonder if this depth will be at the expense of clarity though (?) I figure the wax will be gone pretty soon in the winter and/or I can Dawn it off if I don't like it.
Maybe after you Z properly, you may want to do a topper?
Silver is tough. I had to realize it would never look like a dark color after it was detailed.
If you have the time, start over. Take it slow and see if you like it with a proper prep. If not, try topping it. Try both Z2 and Z-5 by themselves. Some people like one better than the other. Best regards, Eric
tkr128
New member
It's really hard to tell anything with silver. I didn't find my car looking better until the other day (4 months after initial Z application). I parked next to a car identical to mine, but 2 years newer. I stepped back and could see the difference automatically. The other car wasn't bad looking at all, it was clean and shiny, just not as much as mine!
VetteToVair
New member
i have noticed that silver cars with zaino really have a distinct glow at night under street lights.
imported_memnuts
New member
It is very important that the initial coat of Z2/5 is either layered on top of Z1 or mixed with ZFX. If you do not have any Z1 you MUST use the ZFX.
I have found that the 2oz:5 drops ZFX ratio is important but not gospel. Your mixture was probably okay but your prep is lacking. As everyone has stated Dawn wash prior to applying Zaino. This is extremely important if you are not using Z1. Also do a quick Z6 after drying to check for and remove any water spotting from the Dawn and Z7 washing.
The initial application is the only time consuming and hard part of working with Zaino. Take you time and follow all the steps- claying and SMR'ing if necessary, Dawn wash, Z7 wash, Z6 , Z1/Z2 or 5 or Z2 or 5 w/ZFX.
If using ZFX always test to see if polish is dried. This additive speeds up the "crosslinking" of the polymers in order to be able to do multiply layers in one day. A side-effect has been a decrease in drying time but too many variables effect this reaction to automatically state that it will completely dry in 15, 20 ,30 or even 60 minutes. Always test. The suggestion about using 100% USA cotton towels is really good ( also recommended by the maker of Zaino - Sal). I find they work better than MF's for the intial removal and follow with a MF final buff. JMO and experience.
After subsequent layering (~5) you will really notice the Zaino experience.:xyxthumbs :wavey
I have found that the 2oz:5 drops ZFX ratio is important but not gospel. Your mixture was probably okay but your prep is lacking. As everyone has stated Dawn wash prior to applying Zaino. This is extremely important if you are not using Z1. Also do a quick Z6 after drying to check for and remove any water spotting from the Dawn and Z7 washing.
The initial application is the only time consuming and hard part of working with Zaino. Take you time and follow all the steps- claying and SMR'ing if necessary, Dawn wash, Z7 wash, Z6 , Z1/Z2 or 5 or Z2 or 5 w/ZFX.
If using ZFX always test to see if polish is dried. This additive speeds up the "crosslinking" of the polymers in order to be able to do multiply layers in one day. A side-effect has been a decrease in drying time but too many variables effect this reaction to automatically state that it will completely dry in 15, 20 ,30 or even 60 minutes. Always test. The suggestion about using 100% USA cotton towels is really good ( also recommended by the maker of Zaino - Sal). I find they work better than MF's for the intial removal and follow with a MF final buff. JMO and experience.
After subsequent layering (~5) you will really notice the Zaino experience.:xyxthumbs :wavey