Z2 or Z5? What happens if you don't Z1?

G

Glossy McGlosserton

New member
I've been lurking for a while, so rest assured that I have been sopping up the wisdom of forum members. I've decided to take the plunge and "invest" in the Zaino system. But I need some advice.



I've got a dark green '98 Accord. Been using Mequire's Show Car Glaze and #26. I have some swirls. Before applying the Zaino's, I thought I'd use the Z clay, then to get rid of swirls, etc., the Show Car Glaze and, for areas needing more 'grit', some Fine Cut cleaner. (I know the Show Car Glaze is not supposed to be abrasive, but I do find that it smooths the paint.) Then rewash, and apply the Z.



I'm resistant to buying so many Z products. A friend bought some Z2 at Costco, just applied it not knowing about Z1, and had great results. Is the Z1 really necessary?



Also, I'd rather buy just one of either the Z2 or Z5. Someone suggested that on a dark car, going exclusively with just Z5 was his recommendation. What do y'all think?



Thanks in advance.--Sherri
 
I don't know enough about Zaino to answer your question, but I would recommend you order Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner/Polish instead of Fine Cut #2. It starts off as strong as Fine Cut, but the abrasives quickly break down and fine polishes the paint, leaving it much smoother than Fine Cut.
 
Hello Sherri,

Welcome to the forum!

Your friend must be confused. You can't buy Zaino at Costco or any stores for that matter. It's strictly mail order or buy from an individual (distributor). Maybe he bought some Zymol and confused it with Zaino.

Anyhow, yes Z2/Z5 requires Z1 unless you mix it with ZFX. You don't remove Z1, just apply Z2/Z5 over it and then buff it all off after it's dry.

Check out www.zainobros.com for all the info.
 
Yeah, and Sal says he's got to be wrong. But the fellow swears it was Zaino, 2 for $20, and he was raving about it in a way that only the Zaino brothers inspire!



And I've read the Zaino site a few times.



FWIW, Sal says if only using one of Z2 or Z5, to go with Z5. But the brilliance of Z2! The optics! Sigh...maybe I'll actually have to spend the money and have a raft of Z products.
 
Why isn't the Z1 neccessary? Isn't it a cleaner? Isn't the ZFX a cure time accelerator? What do they have to do with eachother that makes it unneccesary to use the other?





Also, can the Z2 and Z5 be layered interchangably, or does one have to be first and the other as layers on top?
 
Sherri,



Yeah, I agree with Sal, if you want to start out with just one product, get Z5, since it will help fill in your swirls and give an outstanding shine at the same time. I've found Z5 will shine every bit as good as Z2 for the most part. If you can spare it, I'd highly recommend both products.



Chuckmotor,

Z1's primary purpose isn't a cleaner. It helps Z2/Z5 bond to the paint upon initial application. ZFX eliminates the need for Z1. I don't know the chemistry behind it, but if Sal says so, then I believe him. And, yes, you can use Z2/Z5 interchangably in any order you like. For instance, a good initial application might be: Z1, Z5, Z2, Z5, .....or an order you think would be best.
 
Ooooh! Thanks, Mike, that clears things up for me.



...now if I can just decide between buying Klasse or Zaino... but we don't need to get into that!
 
Sherri:

A good option is for you and your friend to share either one bottle of Z1 OR ZFX.

For Z1 it will last you a life time since you use it once every 5-10 coat. For ZFX it will last 2 bottles of Z2(or Z5) which means ~20 coats for each of you.



Remind your friend about the refund policy of Costco too and hope he saved the receipt.
 
No, I'm pretty sure he/she confused Zymol with Zaino. FYI Costco sells a two-pack of their Cleaner/Wax for about $20 too.



Ask him what color the bottle is. Z-2 comes in cheap white 8 oz. bottles with "homemade" labels. If its the blue-ish 16 oz. nice looking bottle with a black oval in the middle, its Zymol.



As with the Z1, it is needed for proper bonding and some prep unless you use ZFX.



~bw
 
Hello. Welcome. Glad to have you aboard.



Do not just use the Z2 or Z5. It can look nice, but it will not bond as well as it can with a Z1 base or ZFX additive.



If you have not Zed the car before, I would definitely go with the ZFX and skip the Z1. ZFXed Z2 or Z5 bonds better on itself than on on a Z1/Z2ed base.



Also, the ZFX is not just a substitue for the Z1. It improves the Z2/Z5 in many ways, such as increasing the "crystal" look of the Z.



If you have to chose between the Z2 and the Z5, go with the Z5. Do not fret about the relative optical purity. The 5 looks great and some PREFER its' look, even if they have no swirls to hide.
 
Yup, the ZFX will make your Z-2/Z-5 coats have the following improvements over using Z-1:



Shine

Slickness

Initial hardness

Can layer up to 3 coats at a time (not sure if that's imp to you)

10 minute dry time (my favorite attribute)
 
Z2 comes in CLEAR bottles, not white ones. The product is PINK, and shows through the clear bottle.....



DARBH is right on. Z1 is required for the first coat of zaino to BOND it to the clear coat. You apply Z2 or Z5 right over it, but then additional coats aer applied with no Z1. ZFX eliminates the need for Z1 and much more user friendly. I would get ZFX, Z5 and Z6 and Z7 to start out. These product should last you a while. The whole system works together. Z5 will provide great results. In the lab, Z2 has higher optics. In the real world, some people prefer the Z5 shine, and some people prefer the Z2 shine. They are very close and it takes a trained eye to distinguish. Make sure you get the car wash though....its awesome and adds slickness and gloss with each wash.



Good luck
 
I keep hearing about the subtle differences between the shines of the Z2 and Z5 product. Can folks take a stab at describing? I liked the way Blackfire was descibed as like a solid state amp in durability, but with tube-like depth. Anyone care to wax poetic? (So to speak...)
 
Well I have only used Z2 so can't comment on Z5.



Regarding amplifier I would say good quality tube amp last a looooong time too (except tube replacement of course)...... Now if anyone has an original Marantz 7+9 for sale .......
 
I'd say Z5 gives a slightly deeper/darker shine. Nothing drastic, of course, but after using both for a while that's the way I see it on my car. Z2 gives a clearer, brighter shine IMO. Perfect for a final coat. Some people actually like the shine characteristics of Z5 over Z2 or vice versa. Try both and see which you prefer!



Sorry, I'm no poet....

;)
 
I like to use Z5 after I have applied a couple of coats of Z2 as a base coat. It tends to bring out a "redder red" on my vette and other vehicles, and also does a great job of keeping swirls that get made in the existing layers of Z do to normal washing and QDing.



The best way to describe the difference that with Z5 there is a subtle change in shade with a slight hint of softness. However, I still will sometimes layer Z2 over Z5 just for the hell of it (because I have some Z2 left, or maybe I plan on doing the glass with Z2 anyway.)



The Z5 bottle is cooler, also. I am anxious to try the ZFX this spring when I start back getting shiny again. BTW, the vette is still looking great and I haven't put any Z on for 3-1/2 months. I have washed it about 8 times though, always with Z7. It just blows me away how nice it looks.
 
I'm trying to get in on a group buy, and plan to get ZFX and Z5. Sounds like on the dark green, this may be best. Maybe I can cadge some Z2 from a friend after I've layered on a few coats of Z5 to see the difference. We've just had about 4 days of 70 degree weather here, and I'm exasperated that I didn't already have the Z!:rolleyes:
 
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