Z16 - disappointed

[AndyC_1]

I decided to try Z16 after seeing GSRStilez's recent post. I followed his suggested method - ie EO A2Z to clean tyres, dry, apply Z16, leave for 30 minutes minimum and remove any residue.



I also applied UPP gel to my GF's car at the same time.



Z16 was done within 3 days No sheen, tyres covered in layer of salt and grime and no evidence of Z16 left. GF's car holding up well at this point.



Both cars wear Dunlop rubber albeit my tyres are almost twice the diameter and width and I did cover more miles but even so I was massively disappointed with Z16 - in no small way due to the price (£16 - around $28-30) which is twice what I'd usually pay for UPP, B&B etc.



Not impressed

 

[SilverLexus]

I think durability is reall a function of weather conditions. I get 2-3 weeks here in Atlanta with Z-16. I find a second layer after a few minutes helps in terms of durability. Try that.

 

[01bluecls]

Its funny, on my tires Yokohama Avid V4s Z16 and rain dont get a long. They last for my mom's michelins and my dad's bridgestones and dunlops he has now even through a couple fo rain storms. Weird, they seem to work better on different tires. But I do have to agree with you for the most part as it seems after the first rain storm, my tires are back to the "non-dressed" look. If there is no rain the Z16 stays on there for a long time.

 

[Accumulator]

AndyC_1- Sorry, and surprised, to hear the Z-16 didn't last longer. I haven't had to redo it on our winter tires yet this season, and we've had a fairly bad winter here.



When I applied it, I did two-three applications, but I felt I was really doing more "evening it out" than really applying much *more*. This was before I mounted the winter wheels/tires, back in December.



They do get coated with winter crap and they can look pretty bad, depending on what the weather has been like. But when I wash them (diluted wheel cleaner on the tires with both a plastic-bristle tire brush and a BHB), they look good as new again. I won't have had to reapply the Z-16 all season.

 

[General Lee]

They do get coated with winter crap and they can look pretty bad, depending on what the weather has been like. But when I wash them (diluted wheel cleaner on the tires with both a plastic-bristle tire brush and a BHB), they look good as new again. I won't have had to reapply the Z-16 all season.

WOW! Thats impressive. Even in Ohio winters too.:shocked

 

[Accumulator]

Yeah, nobody could be more surprised than I was. FWIW, the tires are Bridgestone Blizzaks. I've noticed that certain tire/dressing combos work a *lot* better than others. Also, I had the tires *clean* before I applied the Z-16, much more so than usual.

 

[imported_Burlyq]

Z16 is great because it dry's and has no sling which many products don't dry and leave sling on your car. It will last very long, months not weeks or days, but I agree after three days it looks like crude because of conditions. I call it the dirty bead. It isn't the shiniest product out there but I haven't found anything that lasts longer. Because tires get dirty quickly I usually use Stnoners for ease of use and follow up with wiping extra off. Why go to the trouble for tires, nothing looks good IMO for the long term. I personally prefer using z16 on my moldings and ABS, and details where people pay the extra charge.

 

[imported_RIC]

I have never had good durability with any water based tire dressings including Z16. Once they are touched by water any sheen usually disappears but they do seem to stay black when cleaned.

 

[stilez]

I would give it another go.





I found the longer you let it dry, the longer is lasts. Also, this weather doesn't help much. It's not much of a surprise a gel would last a bit longer to the salt/dirt/snow.

 

[Bobby G]

A note about water-based vinyl/rubber protectants. Most of these products contain silicone polymers. If you don't completely wet the surface being treated and allow the formula to soak-in and dry, it will not cross-link and bond with the surface.



Apply with a sponge and get the surface wet with product. Allow 3-5 minutes dry time (minimum) before wiping.

 

[ZaneO]

I apply mine with an EO Tire Swipe, and I never buff. The blackness and sheen last for a few weeks.



Even without buffing, the appearance is matte.

 

[RedondoV6]

I was testing several tire dressings side by side over the past month or so. We had some very wet weather for the first week or so, six days of intermittent medium to heavy rain and all of the water based dressings I tested suffered badly (as you might expect).



AA (three types), BNB, 303, Sonus Total Eclipse and Z16 all died in a little over a week under sustained heavy rain. BNB and the AA Matte died first, followed by the others, with Z16 lasting the longest (darkened rubber, slight sheen compared to undressed tires, not the moderate shine it displayed on application).



Give Z16 a try again, applying two layers with a foam applicator and without buffing off. This is how I apply Z16 with good success. If this does not work for you, it may be time to move on to another dressing.



Good luck!

 

[wannafbody]

try cleaning the tires again-it might help

 

[Lowejackson]

Andy



It is interesting that you mention Dunlop tyres. I consistently had problems with these tyres and maintaining a decent shine. I wonder if they have some additional protective layer.



Also, all this snow etc would take its toll on any dressing. I am experimenting with Car Plan dressing which is cheap and seems to last for a reasonable amount of time

 

[imported_pugoman]

I've recently been using Autoglym Instant Tyre Dressing which I've found to be pretty decent so far.

 

[Lowejackson]

I've recently been using Autoglym Instant Tyre Dressing which I've found to be pretty decent so far.

I am very tempted to buy a 5L bottle as I am rarely disappointed with it.

 

[imported_agentf11]

I have no problems with durability and like the fact that it does not sling like all the others, especially gel.

 

[imported_garyo]

I think comparing the durability of a tire product is more difficult than comparing LSP durability. Paint/clear coats are not asked to do as much as what tires are. A tire is designed to flex, dissipate heat, act as a suspension component, etc. and changes in accordance to the conditions more so than a painted body panel. Tire compounds vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer and even from model to model within the same manufacturer. It would seem the variables are almost impossible to control. Considering there are also, driving styles, inflation levels, brake dust type, temperature, duration of temperature variations, etc to consider, it would seem what works for someone will not necessarily correlate to work the same for everyone else. This also doesnâ€â„¢t even consider the condition of the tire when the product is applied (i.e. cleanliness, UV degradation, residual brake dust, etc.).

 

[01bluecls]

Just to add a note to this discussion. I just tried out Meg's NXT insane tire shine the other day. Instead of caking the product on by spraying the tire, I applied it using a tire wipe. The initial shine was very glossy but after a day the gloss died down to my own liking. I had just drove the car yesterday through snow and slush and this morning I went out and saw the tires still looks good. There isnt much "shine" but they arent faded looking like I get with Z16 after I drive through the same conditions. Right now they look almost perfect to be honest. I used them on my mothers tires on her car and after a week they are still a nice deep black but not really shiney. She hasnt drove her car through the messy roads yet. Overall, if this product provides the durability I will continue to use it. Z16 is still my favorite look, but NXT is available OTC and I havent gotten any sling using the tire wipe method. I can see sling would be a problem if you just spray the tire with the can.

 

[01bluecls]

Here is a pic with the tire, just after application of the NXT tire shine...

Not the best pic, but it gives you an idea somewhat.