First off, a little background on myself. I've been a "hobby" detailer for several years and was even a Zaino distributor at one time. I like to get that out of the way to hopefully eliminate some of the basic questions some may ask regarding application techniques, preperation, etc. I'm not trying to be a wise guy or anything, just trying save some time to eliminate a few possible causes. I got the new Z2 Pro from my Z distributor (lives 3 blocks away, I gave up my distributorship to him when I decided the time committment was more than I wanted while retired). I started using it and thought that it was OK, however, it seemed a bit more "sticky" when applying and a little harder to remove from the vehicle. I finally took the time tonight to apply a coat of the old Z2 to the same car, and sure enough, the old stuff when on much smoother and after an hour, came off with way less effort, and I honestly feel the old stuff looks better, or at least as good as the new Pro. Has anyone had this result, or did I maybe get some early Pro that wasn't just right? Any thought on mixing the old & new Z2 together ( I have a full bottle of each of the old and new Z2 pro)?
Z2 Pro apply/remove issues
- Thread starter dlw
- Start date
imported_Burlyq
New member
Use Z6 as an aid to remove Pro. I have some of the same issues, for me it's a little harder to remove than the old stuff, but it's still a lot easier than most products. Let Pro sit on surface for a while, then squirt with Z6, Boom done.
As far as old stuff looking better, never IMO. Z2Pro is as wet and deep as anything, the old z2 was lacking depth. You cannot mix them, they do not have the same base. Hope that helped:xyxthumbs
As far as old stuff looking better, never IMO. Z2Pro is as wet and deep as anything, the old z2 was lacking depth. You cannot mix them, they do not have the same base. Hope that helped:xyxthumbs
Glossmaster
New member
Sorry to hear of your Zaino problems. I've found the Z2 Pro to be a little more fussy in terms of applying it until I used a dampened applicator. As for the removal of the Z2 Pro, it's one of the easiest products I've ever used. In fact, I find just as easy to remove as Souveran. The Z2 Pro just about falls off my truck using a Concours Buffing Towel with a feather lite touch.
General Lee
New member
I too have removal issues with both the old and the Pro IMO. Thats really my only complaint with it.
General Lee
New member
BlkTac05 said:
From my experience w/ it, I would love to see that.
Glossmaster
New member
The key to the Zaino is applying it micro thin. When applying it, work it in to the paint until there's not much left on the surface. There's no need to go "old school" & slop a thick layer on. The other tip i have is to make sure your paint is oil & wax free prior to applying Zaino. When I'm prepping for Zaino I always include an alcohol wipe after wash/clay/polish. After the alcohol wipe, I QD with some Z6 before & between Z5/Z2 Pro layers. It takes some practice, but with experience your applications & removals will become easier.
imported_Intermezzo
New member
The very old Z, back in the days when ZFX was just coming out and before Sal made an upgrade to his products (resulting in a thinner liquid and different scent) was easier to use than anything being offered today.
Some veteran users of Z may remember this, but Sal made a few upgrades to his product since his release of ZFX and the before the advent of Z-2 Pro. In one of the upgrades (when the formula suddenly became very thin), I remember the product suddenly become very difficult to remove. Although the shine did seem to be a little better and the thinness of the product allowed for easier spreading, the product was so difficult to buff out.
Z-2 Pro represents a substantial improvement in terms of ease of use to the previous upgrade, but still isn't as easy as the Z-2 and Z-5 I first used about 4 years ago. As much as I'm happy with Z-2 Pro, it still isn't as user-friendly as the very old stuff, which I thought was as user-friendly as a product could get.
Some veteran users of Z may remember this, but Sal made a few upgrades to his product since his release of ZFX and the before the advent of Z-2 Pro. In one of the upgrades (when the formula suddenly became very thin), I remember the product suddenly become very difficult to remove. Although the shine did seem to be a little better and the thinness of the product allowed for easier spreading, the product was so difficult to buff out.
Z-2 Pro represents a substantial improvement in terms of ease of use to the previous upgrade, but still isn't as easy as the Z-2 and Z-5 I first used about 4 years ago. As much as I'm happy with Z-2 Pro, it still isn't as user-friendly as the very old stuff, which I thought was as user-friendly as a product could get.
imported_Jinba ittai
New member
Intermezzo said:
So it wasn't my imagination! I've been using Zaino for 4 years. When I first bought it, ZFX wasn't out yet and Z2 was different color (more tan I recall). It's since gone through a few different upgrades since then. I have a full bottle of the version before Pro that I use for touch-ups in between full coats.
I also found the Z2 Pro more difficult to take off. Applying it was about the same, no problem and I do put it on in thin coats.
However taking it off though required lightly spritzing the surface with distilled water and wiping to get the Z2 Pro off smoothly and streak free. With the "old" Z2 I could just wipe it off without any effort at all so there definitely is a difference.
However, the Z2 Pro seems to look deeper and more reflective and combined with Z8 it's incredible. Super slick and very, very durable. The old Z2/Z6 combination didn't seem to last as long, especially after washing the car, it being rained on, etc. After awhile the paint wouldn't feel slick and it was harder to take bugs off.
This trip, my car was rained on and I washed it many times on my last road trip (10 days/3000 miles) and the paint surface was as slick and durable as when I first applied it. The bugs just slid right off even 2 weeks after applying the Zaino. IMO that's well worth a bit more effort in taking it off. Perhaps it's toughter to take off because it's tougher in general! :think:
Thanks for the replies. As in most cases, the responses seem to indicate that there are my different experiences out there, and I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has had some small issues. As for using a spritz of Z6 to aid in removal of the Z2 Pro, that is exactly what I've been doing, I just was hoping that I wouldn't need to use the Z6 up that way, but it'll work. As for thin applications, I maintain 4 cars, usually detailing all 4 at least twice a month (used to do 5 cars every week till the Vette moved to Canada about a month ago - boy, do I miss it!), and a bottle of the Z lasts me forever. As I mentioned, having been a Zaino distributor, I think my technique is about as solid as any out there. BTW, Z8 is one of the reasons I ended back using Zaino, after some side trips with NXT, Souveran, etc, etc. Z8 seems to be quite the product, very pleased with the look!
imported_DetailGirl1
New member
Out of curiosity, what kind of money did you make off being a distrubutor?
I had absolutely no application or removal issues with Z2 Pro (with ZFX) on a cool, humid December day. I was able to apply it thinly to an Odyssey and by the time I finished applying it (maybe 10-15 minutes or so), it passed the finger swipe test and it removed with no streaking at all. Did 3 successive layers in maybe an hour time total. Wiped off as easily as anything else I have used.
The only issue I could see causing a problem is not laying it down thin enough. :nixweiss
I haven't used the original version of Z2 so I can't comment on how it compares with regards to appearance or ease of use.
The only issue I could see causing a problem is not laying it down thin enough. :nixweiss
I haven't used the original version of Z2 so I can't comment on how it compares with regards to appearance or ease of use.
imported_Jinba ittai
New member
dlw said:
Distilled water should work fine. That's what I use. I find that spraying Z6 on will sometimes promote streaking. The distilled water has the desired effect without streaking and you aren't using Z6 up either.
imported_Burlyq
New member
Jinba ittai said:
I have never gotten streaking, I always dilute Z6 one to one with distilled water when I get the bottle per Zaino intructions. Are you using the Z6 full strength? Anyhow, maybe I will have to try the water thing too, but I do like using that Z6.
Mochamanz1
Sun Blinded Detailer
These posts are interesting. I must really be living right. I have never had any problems with application or removal. I have applied Z2 and Z2Pro in low temperatures, slightly below 50F,( highest application temperarure so far this year has been under 70F )and in humid conditions. The only problem in removal is when I didn't let the Zaino sit long enough. And that was my error. Other than that, all my experiences with Zaino products have been positive both in application and result. The Zaino system is really the easiest set of product/s/ to apply and maintain I have used to date.:xyxthumbs
SilverBelle04
New member
I havn't had any issues with the application or removal of either Z2 or Z2Pro. I'm still debating whether i like more.... the look of the Z5/Z2 combo (what i used last summer on my silver Max) or Z5/Z2Pro (which is what is on my Max now).
I'm not debating the points or qualities that others have raised on the new Z2PPro versus the old Z2 in the past or in this thread, but for me the jury is still out.
I really liked the look of Z5/old Z2 on my car and i might just go back to it.
Bob
I'm not debating the points or qualities that others have raised on the new Z2PPro versus the old Z2 in the past or in this thread, but for me the jury is still out.
I really liked the look of Z5/old Z2 on my car and i might just go back to it.
Bob
imported_memnuts
New member
Has anyone tried topping their Z5/ Z2-PRO with a finishing layer of the last version of Z2? If you love the appearance of the last version of Z2 and the additional qualities of the the Z2-PRO (depth and wetness), you will love the combo finalized with Z8 24 hrs later.:xyxthumbs
For easiest removal the Z2-PRO must be completely dry. If left on long enough it will almost evaporate itself off the surface.
Application is best achieved with a Z6 moistened "cotton" pad supplied by Zaino. I fell in love with MF pads but started using the cotton pads and found a significant differences in application effort and spreadibility between the 2. This difference may have nothing to do with the material used but maybe the size of the applicator. The cotton Zaino pad is quite a bit larger and thicker and this may lead to a mechanical advantage over the smaller MF pads. :nixweiss
A Z6 wipedown of the surface prior to application also greatly aids in application spreadibility.
After practice the Z2-PRO will approach the old Z2 in application ease. Then again, I really never had much problem using KSG. May be my scale or measure of difficulty is different? :nixweiss
:wavey
For easiest removal the Z2-PRO must be completely dry. If left on long enough it will almost evaporate itself off the surface.
Application is best achieved with a Z6 moistened "cotton" pad supplied by Zaino. I fell in love with MF pads but started using the cotton pads and found a significant differences in application effort and spreadibility between the 2. This difference may have nothing to do with the material used but maybe the size of the applicator. The cotton Zaino pad is quite a bit larger and thicker and this may lead to a mechanical advantage over the smaller MF pads. :nixweiss
A Z6 wipedown of the surface prior to application also greatly aids in application spreadibility.
After practice the Z2-PRO will approach the old Z2 in application ease. Then again, I really never had much problem using KSG. May be my scale or measure of difficulty is different? :nixweiss
:wavey
SilverBelle04
New member
blkZ28Conv said:
I'm on a 1 week vacation...so i'll be trying that this week (if it ever stops raining around here) and let you know of the results.
Thanks Bob
imported_Jinba ittai
New member
Burlyq said:
I tend to use the Z6 full strength but have on occasion diluted it and it works fine so I'm inclined to do this in the future.
I put an application of Z6 on before applying a coat of Zaino and in between coats. Z8 goes over the final coat.
I only use the distilled water for spritzing the coated paint surface before wiping it down as it often makes wiping the Zaino off a bit easier. Less smears/streaks that way.
I have a dark colored car and maybe I'm applying it too thick, hence the streaks. :nixweiss Unfortunately it hasn't been very warm around here so things may improve once we get some 70 degree and over days.
imported_animes2k
New member
Oddly enough, I got my order of Z2Pro about 6 weeks ago and it is THICK. So thick that it sticks to the mixing bottles, doesn't wash out, I have to use more in the bottle to even have enough to apply and application is a PITA because it doesn't spread very well (being thick and all). Removal is pretty easy, I suppose.
I think I got a bad batch and called Zaino on it, but Sal shrugged it off, saying he'd made it thicker (I just don't think he understood HOW thick mine was). When I've managed to get it down, it certainly does look fantastic with the Z8 topper, but my last client car I put it on without ZFX because I didn't want to waste another mixing bottle and that much product.
I guess I'll order another bottle and hope for the best. Or send the rest of this back to Sal and have him send me a new one. The new order of Z5 is great, easy to apply and remove... This Z2Pro, on the other hand...
I think I got a bad batch and called Zaino on it, but Sal shrugged it off, saying he'd made it thicker (I just don't think he understood HOW thick mine was). When I've managed to get it down, it certainly does look fantastic with the Z8 topper, but my last client car I put it on without ZFX because I didn't want to waste another mixing bottle and that much product.
I guess I'll order another bottle and hope for the best. Or send the rest of this back to Sal and have him send me a new one. The new order of Z5 is great, easy to apply and remove... This Z2Pro, on the other hand...