Z2 without Z1 or ZFX -- what to expect?

K

KWANG-SEOK

New member
I've been using Z2/Z5 by themselves (i.e. without Z1) for quite a while now. Of course, I applied Z1 when I first Zainoed the car but now, since I do periodic "touch-ups" on my finish with my PC and 3M 39009, I usually just spot-wash the car and re-apply Z2/Z5 as necessary. Since my car is not a daily driver (I believe "garage queen" would be the appropriate description), never sees rain, and only gets washed with Z7, what am I sacrificing by not using Z1? Will the Z2 on my car simply "evaporate" after a period of time, or am I just sacrificing a small measure of durability (which is okay in my book) by forgoing the Z1 step?



FWIW, except for the initial Z1 application, I used Z2 sans Z1 on my old, red Pontiac Grand Prix GTP (which was a daily driver) for three years and the durability of the polish was quite good).
 
The question should be why not use Z1 or ZFX? There is no good reason to avoid this important steps even after SMR which possibly did not remove all the Z2/5 coat. Why take a chance. I doubt cash is a problem if your are driving a Vette. Get some Z1 or better yet some ZFX and start receiving the full effect of the Zaino system. My garage queen gets the pampering it desires (Z2,Z5,ZFX, and Z7). :wavey
 
Z1 is a quick step and only required once a year on show cars. It should be used on the first coat to increase bonding of zaino to the clear coat.



ZFX eliminates Z1 and makes zaino a one step process. On some colors, ZFX and Z1 seem to increase shine to a noticeable extent......usually lighter colors in my opinion.



You are not hurting anything by not using Z1 or ZFX, just not getting the full effects of what the zaino system is capable of.



Do you use Z6?
 
From my understanding, which may be limited, the ZFX just helps with the cure time. You don't have to use it if you already did your Z1. However, I guess if you want to add more than one coat of Zaino on your next application you'll probably want to use ZFX. Unless of course you don't mind waiting 24 hours in between coats.



Eric
 
blkZ28conv, it's not about money, it's about convenience. In fact, I have two almost-full bottles of Z1 in my garage. Having to apply Z1 every time I SMR and spot-wash the car before re-applying Z2 is a pain.



Detailking, I'd use ZFX religiously except for the fact that I rarely Z2/Z5 the entire car at once. I usually Zaino a panel at a time over the course of several days. I use my PC and a black pad to apply the Zaino and the PC and an MF bonnet to remove it, so it usually takes me longer to do the whole car. Since I almost never Z the entire car at once, I'd waste the ZFX-mixed product. I do use Z6 and I always wait at least 24 hours between coats of Z. For example, whenever I SMR a section of the car, I spot-wash that section and then reapply three coats of Z2 to the section over the next three days. Z1 is just one more step I'd rather not have to mess with.



Eboller, I've probably removed a good majority of the Z1 through the SMR process, so I would, in theory, need to reapply Z1/ZFX to get the full benefits of the Zaino system.



I guess the real question I'm asking is what exactly I'm giving up by skipping the Z1 step. If it's a bit of durability, I can live with that since my car is a garage queen and is rarely subjected to the elements. If it's a bit of shine, I'd think I'd more than make up for that through my meticulous paint prep and layered Z2. What do you think?
 
Schwa, you bring up an interesting question. As a suggestion, (and I know I'm not answering your original question) why not layer 3 coats of ZFX/Z-2 in one day on areas you SMR instead of layering three coats of unmixed Z-2 over the course of three days? Sure, you'll probably waste a little product, but you say that you're asking about this Z-1 issue more out of convenience than out of money, right? I would think that using ZFX'd Z-2 in your situation would much more convenient than layering 3 coats over the course of three days...plus you no longer have to worry about the Z-1 issue.
 
Schwa72,

I still do not see why you are hesistant about applying a thin layer of Z1 prior to applying the Z2/Z5 when necessary ( after SMR or 8-10 coats) . I also only do portions of the car at one setting because of the fact I may only drive it once every 6-7 days . When did I use Z1 I would apply and than follow with Z2/5 and forget until the next day or several hours later. I do not see any benefit in not using the Z1. I could understand if the Vette was your daily driver and drying time is a factor. But in your case there is only positives ( better adhersion to clearcoat, ? durability) gained by using the complete Zaino system. Also you can avoid wasting ZFX by mixing the amount that you plan to use. I have mixed as little as 0.25oz with one drop of ZFX which works out to one coat on the Z28 convertible.
 
How often do u use SMR? On a garage queen that is not even washed that often if you use it more than once a year something is wrong!!!!



I would do the whole car in Z1 and then apply Z2. This is a fast and quick process. Buff off, and then apply additional coats as you wish, panel by panel if need be, with no Z1. When you wash the car, I would wash the whole car with Z7. Z7 helps the zaino system and adds slickness and gloss over time....a great product. Always finish up with Z6 after every wash or coat of zaino................
 
Send an email to Sal and see what he says. If you already have a layer of Z1 on the car I guess I don't see any reason why Z2 alone wouldn't suit you fine. Especially the way you apply (one day per panel).



Eric
 
Detailking, I use SMR as needed to remove swirls and scratches. My car was chock full of them upon delivery. Z5 as a swirl/scratch filler never worked for me. Just like the Zaino, I apply SMR by PC one spot, one panel at a time. For example, my cat recently jumped on the hood of the car. I had to SMR the affected areas to get the minor scratches she left out. In fact, many of the areas on the car that I SMR even now had their swirls when I took delivery last October...it's just taken me this long to find and correct them all. As it stands now, I've probably finally SMRed the entire car in bits and pieces. I rarely, if ever, set aside an entire day to do the WHOLE car...I prefer to do it little by little in the evenings after work. As for the rest of the procedure you recommend (wash with Z7, follow up with Z6), I follow it to the tee.



If you knew how anal I am about my car and the procedures I use to inspect it you'd better understand why I'm so meticulous with it, wny it takes me so long, and why a once-a-year SMR-fest wouldn't have worked. ;)



I've never been pleased with the application or removal of Z1, maybe that's why I hesistate to use it.



I suppose once I start to apply the next "full" coat of Z2, I'll use the Z1 again. My results have been awesome using my current methodology, though, so I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything.
 
Use the ZFX instead of Z1. I just applied Z2+ZFX this weekend in my first waxing experience. Was easy as hell. I have nothing to compare to, but I think Z is typically easier than most waxes (assuming you use thin coats--I used a Viking foam applicator to help with this).



I figure if I can do it, anyone can.



Eric
 
Hey..If your happy with it, stick with it...

I z1 then z2 on top, next day took it off...and am z2 now...and that works for me...

As for the CAT, Kill it and send it to Sal, for some reason he needs them for his z6..

jeff
 
Thanks for the replies, guys. I'll probably order a bottle of ZFX to have handy for the next time I do a full Zaino job. Until then, I'll stick to the procedure I've been using. :xyxthumbs
 
Z-1 is an activator for the Zaino polishes the same way as ZFX is an activator. Z-1 does not create a coat of polish in and of itself, the Z-1 or ZFX just needs to come into contact with the polishes to activate them, kinda like part A and B epoxy.



Using Zaino without the Z-1 or ZFX is Ok, it just make the lasting power on the paint less.



If you are doing work on the paint with a product like 3M Swirl Mark Remover, it being an abrasive will of course remove the Zaino or any other paint protectant that may be on the paint. For best results, after using the SMR you need to wash the paint with Dawn to remove the oils left by the SMR and reapply the Z-1 or ZFX activated Zaino polish.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top