Streaks with Z2-Pro and Z-8?

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imported_Jinba ittai

New member
This past week I applied my first Zaino detailing to my car's new paint. I had some minor swirls, holograms and light marring. I washed with Dawn, clayed, washed with Z7 and then applied two coats of Z5 with some Z6 in between. I used Z1 with the initial coat and allowed 24 hours in between coats. Looked great after applying the two coats of Z5 without any problems over the first two days.



Then on the 3rd day I put a coat of Z2-Pro and Z8 on the car. Now it's super slick and my swirls and marring are pretty much gone but in overcast conditions you can see streaks on the trunk and hood. I sprayed it down with some distilled water and that helped but if I put any Z8 on the surface it streaks again.



I had a similar situation with streaking when I first applied Zaino Z5/Z2 four years ago when the car was new. Wiping down with water took the streaks out and it never happened again but the new Z2-Pro/Z8 combo seems more inclined to streak and getting them out isn't easy.



I'm wondering if I should've allowed more time in between coats or if it still needs to cure. Maybe I just need to wash the car again or just wait some more. In some spots (mainly hood and trunk) it appears there's an oily film on the paint. Other parts (sides of the car) are fine.



Anyone else have this problem? What can be done, if anything? Unfortunately my initial reaction to Z8 right now isn't positive. :( Fortunately the car looks great and is well protected for a long distance trip I have planned for next week.
 
Zaino doesn't streak... I've been using it for years and never had a streak. I've have literally done 1000's of cars with it a never once had a streak. I'm sure it's something in the procedure that can be fixed. MF will remove any Zaino residue as easy as water. However, I have never used z1 with pro so I shouldn't make that bold statement, but i have never had any streaking with ZFX. I also have only used z8 a few times so it is possible your doing something different. Jinba, I have emailed Zaino a couple times through the years and they have always been helpful with answers. Give that a try.:xyxthumbs
 
Try checking your applicators, I an sure there must be some contamination present. Streaking is not an inherent Zaino Characteristic, certainly not Z2Pro, and Z8.... It could be your type of towels, or something on them. Check these things out for a start.... Good luck :)
 
I'm using 100% Made-In-the-USA premium white cotton towels. New ones. I washed and rinsed them three times in hot water before using the Z2-Pro and Z8. I washed in ALL liquid detergent, as is instructed in the Zaino website.



I applied with new Zaino cotton applicators.



There was no streaking with the first two applications of Z5. Didn't happen until the Z2-Pro and Z8.



My experience with Zaino is that it will streak. The first time I used Zaino four years ago the same thing happened. I had to wipe the paint down with distilled water, which helped get them out. Never happened again until now so I'm wondering if it's something with the initial application of Zaino to new paint. Strange that it didn't happen with the first 2 coats of Z5.



I've never used ZFX. Only Z1. I only had streaking when I did use Z1 on the paint for the first time when the car was new so maybe that's it? It has to do with the new paint and the initial application? :nixweiss
 
Aw, I found it. White cotton towels are terrible at removing any residue. I always use Micro Fibers and I have never had streaking, give it a shot.
 
It does say this on the Zaino website:



Z-2 PRO or Z-5 does not cotain any oils and once it's dry will never ever look smeary or feel greasy. If you remove Z-2 PRO or Z-5 before it is thoroughly dry and get any smears. Just wipe down the car with a damp cotton towel. This will remove any smears.
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I was pretty sure the Z2-Pro was completely dry. Wiping it down with water helps get rid of the streaks but if I apply Z8 it streaks again.



No problems with the Z5. So I don't think it's the applicators or towels.



I only see the streaks in overcast/cloudy conditions. If it's sunny out they aren't noticeable...Either in direct or indirect sunlight.
 
Burlyq said:
Aw, I found it. White cotton towels are terrible at removing any residue. I always use Micro Fibers and I have never had streaking, give it a shot.
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Sal is consistently insistent that 100% cotton towels be used and has this about MF in his website:



Q: Are Micro-Fiber products safe to use?





A: Zaino has been testing various Micro-Fiber products. Unfortunately, the jury is still out on them. Some of them are excellent and do not scratch. Others are terrible and definitely scratch. The quality control of these products from overseas, especially Korea, is not consistent, so you never know if they will be the same scratch-free quality. Even when using the same brand, we found the quality to be inconsistent. For now, we do not recommend using them. However, lab testing is ongoing, and we will post an update when we have more conclusive results.



NOTE: If you are already using microfiber towels, look carefully at your paint finish under flourescent light when you are using your towels. If you are not getting any swirls or fine scratches from the microfiber towels, then you are okay and can continue to use them. Remember it's better to be safe than swirly.
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I've never used any MF. The cotton towels have always served me well. The new ones I bought are really nice. Thick, fluffy, soft and absorbant. I've never had any reason not to use them, especially since Sal Zaino has been so bullish on the cotton towels.



This sounds bizarre but I simply can't stand the feel of the MF towels on my hands but I could give it a whirl. What's the best quality MF out there?



I just sent Sal an email so hopefully he'll have a reply as well.
 
There's a lot of them. The more expensive plush ones don't have that nasty feel. I know I hate the feel of some of them myself. I didn't know Sal recommended Cotton, I personally have had terrible luck with terry towels and residue. I guess it depends on the towel, but MF always works for me.
 
I don't have a problem paying for expensive, plush MF towels that are dedicated for the paint. Good cotton towels aren't cheap. I paid close to $20 each for mine! But it's not a problem if they don't scratch the car. I guess I don't trust the MF ones because I do see so many cheap ones and they don't feel very nice.



Sal is definitely bullish on cotton towels. I asked him about washing/drying with Zaino and he replied:



I prefer 100% Cotton Towels Large White Bath Size (only use Cannon or

Fieldcrest name brands) for washing, drying and polishing.....



I prefer 100% Cotton Towels to dry the car. Chamois or the Absorber and

especially the Water Blade are flat and could trap a piece of dirt and

scratch the paint finish. Towels have nap and are much safer and

forgiving. Even if it were to pickup a piece of dirt.

The nap would cushion it.



Again Towels must be 100% Made in USA. Name Brand(Cannon or Fieldcrest

Towels)



You must use only white. Not colored towels.....Colored towels are not

to be used because the dye leaves a chemical residue on the paint

finish. Always wash your towels first before using. Use Liquid detergent

and rinse twice.



When washing your towels. Only use Liquid detergent such as All or Tide,

etc. Do not use Bleach, Powdered Detergents or any kind of fabric

softner. They will leave a chemical residue on the towels which will

transfer to your paint finish. Make sure to run rinse cycle twice to

remove all detergent.



Drying the towels on high heat will make them hold a static charge. I

use the regular heat setting and remove them a little damp and let them

air dry. You can fluff the towel real good when it's dry to make it

softer.



As the towels get older they will lose there nap and absorbency and will

have to be replaced.



Where to buy towels........



Cannon & Fieldcrest make a lower quality version of their towels for

K-Mart, Walmart and other big discount chains. These towels say 100%

Cotton but that is not, totally true. The nap is 100% cotton but the

backing material has polyester blend in it. So if you press a little to

hard on the towel you can get some fine scratches or swirls. The point

I'm trying to make is if a Cannon or

Fieldcrest towel is selling in a discount store for $6.00 or less

(approximately) it

is not the good stuff.



I realize that Cannon-Fieldcrest aka (Pillowtex) is no longer in business... but there are plenty of there towels still available.

I buy all my Cannon & Fieldcrest towels in the Bath & Linen shops in the

bigger stores in the mall. I pay anywhere from $10 to $20 per towel.



You can also try Linens and Things or Bed, Bath and Beyond...



If you cannot find the Cannon or Filedcrest line.. , then any high quality substitute towel from the above stores is acceptable...

These are the real deal. I buy about 3 or 4 towels and they usually last

me about a year.
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So I've been following his advice without any problems until I applied the Z2-Pro/Z-8. I'm curious if it's something I did or if that is something that's inherent with these products. Both are new products that I've never use before. As I said, the Z1/Z5 application and a second coat of Z5 was fine.
 
Alot of Sal's advice is from the old school of detailing. Nowdays there are much more efficient processes to getting results. Just my $0.02, but take what Sal says with a grain of salt and play around to find what works for YOU.
 
DETAILKING said:
Easy fix....wash the car with Z7 wash.....you should be fine....
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That was my next step. The weather is supposed to be lousy the next 5 days so I'll have to wait. As I recall washing the car was the key the last time I had a problem like this.



What I was most interested in was if anyone else who has used the Z2 Pro/Z8 combo has had this problem.



I'll have to give MFs a second look. Seems to get mixed results. Some love them while others don't seem to like them.
 
DETAILKING said:
Easy fix....wash the car with Z7 wash.....you should be fine....
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Thank you DK. A voice of reason.



Z2-PRO is not perfect and is little sensitive to application technique, especially on dark colored vehicles. Each coat must be thin and even. This is aided by spritzing the applicator with water, Z6 or Z8. After I completely apply Z polishes I always check and frequently re-wipe applied polish with the saturated applicator pad to insure complete coverage and even layer of polish. This is not necessary for my light colored vehicles.

Your present problem is strictly due to this. Been there - done that.

Hope this helps.:wavey
 
Hello, I just applied my first ap of Z2 PRO. (I've been doing the Zaino thing for three years now, but new to PRO), and added two coats of Z8. All done with MF towels, and the Zaino cotton applicator. No streaks or problems. Also used ZFX.

Just my $02 worth. Zaino and good quality MF towels can't be beat! Wouldn't use any thing else on my old goat!
 
I suspect the Z8 is the cause of the streaking, it should be put on very sparingly and I would use a plush microfiber to buff it. If you are spraying Z8 directly from the stock bottle, I would suggest getting some small fine mist spray bottles and using them instead. Another thing to do is work in very small sections when using Z8.



I highly doubt the Z2 Pro would cause streaks as I've used it on windows in fairly hot sun and after removing there were no streaks.
 
Well, I can answer my own questions now! I talked to Sal about this. I like the fact that he's very accessible, informative and easy to talk to. The first time I had the streaking problem I had a similar conversation with him so you'd think I would've learned by now. Turns out my instincts were correct. I used too much all at once. You'd think after 4 years of using Zaino I'd know that by now.



Basically the problem is that I "overloaded" the system by putting 3 coats of Zaino and the Z8 in such a short period of time. That explains why the first 2 coats of Z5 looked so phenomenal. By the time I put the Z2 Pro and Z8 on I was just glopping it on and moving it around. A 3rd coat didn't need to be on there. Then on top of that I kept applying the Z8! I should've waited more time before putting on that final coat but I was trying to put as much protection on my new paint as I could so I overdid it. I tend to do this sort of thing. :rolleyes: Sometimes too much is just that..too much. Less is more.



Sal told me to wipe the car down with a damp towel and it should be fine. The Z8 will still be on there even if it's wiped down. The weather is awful now but as soon as it clears a bit I'm going to hose the car off and wipe it down. That should do it.



So it is a case of it NOT being a problem with the product itself but with the application...as is so often the case. :o :o :o
 
Maybe you are either putting too much Z8 down and not removing it completely. I just did that, I had a phone call, and ran inside, in my haste, I didnt remove all the Z8, and it dried, leaving what appeared to be a series of streaks, just mist over them and they should vanish after you wipe the area down completely. Also, I bought a 2 Oz. spray bottle which puts out a very fine mist. It is very useful for (1) appplying the Z8 sparingly, And (2) metering the amount used on a vehicle. Waste not !
 
mochamanz said:
Maybe you are either putting too much Z8 down and not removing it completely. I just did that, I had a phone call, and ran inside, in my haste, I didnt remove all the Z8, and it dried, leaving what appeared to be a series of streaks, just mist over them and they should vanish after you wipe the area down completely.
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I put too much Zaino polish down and now the Z8 is just sliding and streaking on it. I talked to Sal and he knew exactly what I was talking about. If I put more Z8 on it makes it worse. I overdid my application of the Zaino itself. It was the detailing equivalent of stuffing oneself at Thanksgiving. I overindulged on Zaino *Burp!* :D



Tomorrow morning I'm going to hose the car down and wipe it with a damp towel as instructed by Sal. Should be OK. I'll post the results.



The idea of the smaller bottle is a good one. I'll have to pick something up.
 
Got the car out this morning and hosed it down and wiped with a damp towel per Sal's instructions. Still some minor streaking but much better. Then I QDed with some distilled water and it's gone. Perfect finish! :bounce I was assured by Sal that I was not washing the Z8 off. It is retained even if you wipe with water afterwards so I'm not going to put any more on for now.



The pollen is a PITA though. As soon as I wipe the car clean it gets "stuff" on it again so I don't want to fool around with it anymore but the streaks are gone and now I can really appreciate the beauty of the Z2Pro/Z8 combo. The finish is ultra slick, very deep and better-than-new. I'm impressed.



Thumbs up! :xyxthumbs :woot:



Thanks to Sal and all of you for your help and advice. :)
 
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