Should I be mad about this, or should I finally dump Zaino...

6

66#1

New member
I have used Zaino since '02 after reading reports of it's durability, and also based on pictures I saw of Zaino'd cars.



I've tried everything, but this stuff ain't working for me. One good rainstorm, and it's about gone. Dust and roadfilm eat right through it also. :mad: This stuff has not lived up to the hype.



I first tried it on my Formula that does not sit in the weather, and is not driven in the rain. It looked great, but the few times it got rained on or driven in the rain the Z didn't hold.



I tried it on our '90 Sunbird next, which was my wife's car at the time. It barely lasted past the first rainstorm. I chalked some it up to the paint being old, but I was still disappointed.



We bought a 2000 GTP last July, and I went for the Zaino after about a month. I did 3 coats of ZFX/Z5, then another 2 coats a week or so later, and it worked great. 3 weeks later I put another coat of Z5 on. I noticed the water didn't bead well before that coat, and it hasn't worked since.



I really thought I had the problem fixed. The last two coats have beaded water incredibly when I sprayed the car to wash it off. However, we had been in a long drought. Two weeks ago, it rained 7 inches over 4 or 5 days. I washed the car last weekend, and sure enough the rain had put a hurtin' on the indestructible Zaino. The beading had greatly diminished on the top, and the beading stopped where the roadfilm had slung up on the side of the car. It has rained tonight, and there are spots on the roof and trunk that aren't beading for spit. The Sunbird isn't beading at all. The GTP had a coat of Z5 3 weeks ago, and the Sunbird about 2 months or so ago. I've noticed the water doesn't bead good on my Firebird even after a coat either. If rains blows in on the back of my Formula, it cuts through the Z.



I've just about had it. I bought AIO with the intention of using it under Zaino. I hope this helps the situation! Elsewise, I'm done with the almighty Z. I use the Z6 and Z7 always, but nothing works. Even using ZFX doesn't make a difference.



On top of that, Sal Z. won't answer my emails or anyone else at Zaino.



Sorry for the rant, but this is getting old.
 
How does it bead when washed, not just when rained on? And how easily does dirt and grime come off?



And I second BJ's question. How was the paint prepped prior to the Z? Let us know how AIO as a base works, perhaps the paint just needs a good cleaning first. :)
 
66#1 said:
I I first tried it on my Formula that does not sit in the weather, and is not driven in the rain. It looked great, but the few times it got rained on or driven in the rain the Z didn't hold.



.
Click to expand...



Hmmmm that is odd
 
I'm still a bit of a newbie at Z5, but it's beading very nicely after two weeks on my Audi and three weeks my wife's old Rav4. Here in tghe Seattle area we get a bit of rain, you know. Absolutely NO problems in with beading.



It's so slick that driving home on the freeway is enough to blow off most of the dust that collect on the paint during the day. After I get home, I use a CCD with a light touch to remove the rest of the dust. Two minutes of dusting and the cars are dust free.



Prep is critical. All previous waxes, sealants, etc. MUST be removed prior to applying Zaino. To prep, I:



- Washed with Dawn

- Clayed

- Polished

- Rewashed with Z7

- Applied ZFX/Z5



Hmmm... What did you wash it with before applying Z5? And what did wash with after applying Z5.



FYI, I'm applying Z2 + ZFX on the Audi today. Total of 2 coats of Z5 and two coats of Z2. It should be good for the winter.



Regarding Sal, he's more of a phone person. I had no problem contact him by phone.



Regards,



Dan.
 
Zaino doesn't last for me either. I talked to Sal about it several times, and he said the only thing he could think of is the minerals in the FL water. Odd...most of my other stuff lasts longer. Even 1 layer of Natty's lasts longer than 6 layers of Zaino...the stuff just wouldn't last longer than 2-3 weeks. Water would just pool up on the surface, bugs/dirt would be hard to get off, and the surface was very draggy. I gave up on the stuff...
 
I went by Sal's instructions to the letter. Dawn wash, clay,wash again,Zfx or Z1, Z5 or Z2, and Z6. I've even stripped the Zaino off with ISO and started over, but it still doesn't help. I do appreciate everyone's help, but it always seem to be "your" fault when it comes to Zaino problems.



I always wash with the Z7. The water pretty much sheets up instead of beading for a wash. The car cleans up very easily though, and the bugs come off easily as well.



No matter what combo of Zaino, I try it doesn't work. It doesn't matter if it's Z5 or Z2, or using Z1 or ZFX. I've tried every possible combo to make this stuff work. The AIO base is the last chance for Zaino.



I know 7 inches of rain is a lot, but this stuff is supposed to last for months and months and months. I know it will rain more than 7 inches in 6 months in most places. It's especially aggravating when people in places like Seattle have no problems or areas with high levels of acid rain. I really like this product otherwise, and I never go very long between coats. That's not the point.
 
Well, everyone's car is different. Not all products work the same on all paints. Perhaps the Z just isn't the product for you. Still, I'd try some kind of cleaner first, not just clay, before throwing in the towel. AIO certainly counts as a cleaner, maybe that will help. :)
 
66#1: If Zaino doesn't work for you move on! Not everyone is going to be happy using the same product, maybe Zaino just isn't for you.



I really wish I could be of more help, but your results and those of MattZ28 are so totally different to my own, it is difficult to know where to start in in trying to find the cause.



Same with contacting Sal, by email or by phone, he has always responded to me very quickly, in fact I swapped a few emails with him just earlier this week. I dunno!



Also, where are you located? maybe another Autopian Zaino user might help in person, sometimes trying to help sight unseen is very difficult.
 
If Zaino does not work for you and you truly believe your prep was perfect. Move on. There are other fine products out there.



Try the AIO. If this doesn't work you probably live in an extremely rough climate and I feel that your protection longevity with many other products will really suffer an even quicker death if the combo of AIO and Zaino does not work for very long. I get at least 4 -6 wks on a daily driver with just carnauba. Something is very strange. For some reason the Zaino is not bonding. Please post your complete prep regimen if it is more extensive than what you have already posted.

I wonder if Zaino or any sealant for that matter will bond properly to oxidated paint?



I find your statement about contacting Sal very strange indeed. Maybe you have exhaust even his great patience. :nixweiss
 
Do you park under trees? I've noticed no matter what product I use, if I park under a tree when it is raining, my car doesn't bead. Stuff gets washed off the trees and makes the water just lay there. Washing takes care of the problem for me so the next time it rains, I get beading again.
 
66#1 said:
On top of that, Sal Z. won't answer my emails or anyone else at Zaino.
Click to expand...



I find this extremely difficult to believe. Which phone number are you using?



732-833-8800 - For product questions or technical support only?

888-999-9870 - For customer service or telephone order entry?



I, along with many others, have never had difficulty contacting Sal Zaino. Sal is more than willing to discuss his products and application techniques with anyone who calls him.



David
 
Zaino didnt work very well for me either. The durability was sad to say the least. 3 coats of Z5 didnt even last a month here in South FL. I have moved on to Vanilla Moose, EX-P, and Natty's. So far this combo is holding up fine. My previous combo of FK1usa conditioner, Sealant/polish, and Pink Wax lasted for over 2 months. Im sure it would have lasted longer but I stripped it all off to try the VM EXP stuff.
 
I'm not clear why the Zaino wouldn't work for you. I'm in S. Florida as well, and have been using it since 2000. I have never gotten at least 4-7 months out of an application, and that's one coat of z-2 with weekly washings following application.



I do notice that the beading decreases if it's raining a lot (recent hurricanes!), but that's due to crap on the paint from all of the rain - almost like a film on the vehicle. A wash returns the beading to normal.



I have NXT on one of my vehicles right now, and it looks great. Maybe you should try that or one of the other products mentioned here.



If you're after durability, though, I don't see how you could do too much better than Zaino.
 
I applied Zaino on my father's BMW about a year ago and it is still beading to this day. It doesn't feel as slick as it did the first few months, but the protection is still there. Dirt and dust can be literally hosed off without a breaking a sweat.



All I can say is it worked for me.
 
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