Z5/Z2 Vs. AJT

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BMW335i

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From a durability AND optics standpoint. What do you think. I am about to make a purchase and want to know what will give me better protection through the winter while still having that reflective, glassy/glossy look. Since Zaino is coming out with some new products, I decided to wait for them and buy JW, but if they won't be here for a while, I am considering Zaino. The Zaino will run me about $80 (Z2, Z5, Z6, Z8, ZFX), whereas the JW (Prime, AJT) will run me about $40-50. Thanks. Also, is it better to go with Prime Strong than Prime? Car is silver.
 
I think you have narrowed it down to two good choices, either would work fine. Both look good and are very durable. I'd give Zaino a try for sure, especially if you have leather. If you want to save money go the other way, you probably be just as happy.
 
I haven't used AJT but have a selection of Zaino stuff ( Z2, Z6, Z8, Z10, and ZFX).



I really like the Z10 on my leather.



Z2 with ZFX goes on so easy and thin and I use so little of it I wonder how much "protection" I am actually putting on my car. But the shine, with Z8, is really nice.



The only problem with it is I almost don't use it just because it cost so much. Z8 is great but at $20.00 a bottle I feel a pain in my wallet with each trigger pull. To be fair, it doesn't take much to do the entire car so a bottle will last quite a while. Also, with the Z2 and ZFX you can do one coat right after the next without the normal 24 hour wait you will have to do with Prime/AJT. I have a light colored car so I always do two coats to make sure I have good coverage. I can do my car with two coats with only 2 ounces.



I have looked at the AJT and Prime stuff myself and have thought of giving it a try but I think I'll wait until my Zaino stuff is gone first. But, I will be re-ordering Z10 for my leather, great stuff.
 
I get 5 to 6 months typically out of AJT. I have not used Zaino since...well I brought it from an area distributor. So I am not sure how long it has been since Sal had that program. Point is I cannot compare the two based on that. I know I get good results from AJT and the Z guys are getting good results. I would not rush out and duplicate products. Run out of one then try another.
 
AJ lasted every bit as long as Z2 Pro on my brother's van under very similar conditions and we both thought it looked better-but that doesn't mean everyone would since appearance is subjective.
 
honestly, durability isn't a major factor to me because I top with a product like Aquawax every other wash anyways.



If that's not the case for you, Zaino is the popular go to. I've used AJT and loved the look but never gave it the time to see how long it lasted (see first sentence)
 
The answer for me is both. I like Z5pro on darker cars, it looks deeper than AJT to me and I get 5-6 months out of it with ZFX. On lighter cars I prefer Prime/AJT to both Z2pro and Z5pro, and get similar durability. Is your car Titanium Silver or Space Grey? I can't remember. If it's TiAG I'd go with Prime Strong and AJT. If it's Space Grey it's a toss up.



If it's TiAG one more quick note; you may want to grab some carnauba jett while you're shopping from JW (if you go that route). Why? Well, CJ mixed 50:50 with OCW looks, to me, awesome on silver. The durability is not as good as AJT, but in the summer you'll still get 3 months and it adds a really nice kick to the finish. All imo, of course.
 
Picus said:
The answer for me is both. I like Z5pro on darker cars, it looks deeper than AJT to me and I get 5-6 months out of it with ZFX. On lighter cars I prefer Prime/AJT to both Z2pro and Z5pro, and get similar durability. Is your car Titanium Silver or Space Grey? I can't remember. If it's TiAG I'd go with Prime Strong and AJT. If it's Space Grey it's a toss up.



If it's TiAG one more quick note; you may want to grab some carnauba jett while you're shopping from JW (if you go that route). Why? Well, CJ mixed 50:50 with OCW looks, to me, awesome on silver. The durability is not as good as AJT, but in the summer you'll still get 3 months and it adds a really nice kick to the finish. All imo, of course.
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Very good advice! Thanks! It is TiAg, btw. Guess its gonna be the Prime/AJT!



How long do I need to wait with AJT to apply a second coat? Is one coat for PS sufficient?
 
If you go the JW route, I'd spring for the Prime Strong..a little better cleaning and only a few bucks more.
 
Picus said:
The answer for me is both. I like Z5pro on darker cars, it looks deeper than AJT to me and I get 5-6 months out of it with ZFX. On lighter cars I prefer Prime/AJT to both Z2pro and Z5pro, and get similar durability. Is your car Titanium Silver or Space Grey? I can't remember. If it's TiAG I'd go with Prime Strong and AJT. If it's Space Grey it's a toss up.



If it's TiAG one more quick note; you may want to grab some carnauba jett while you're shopping from JW (if you go that route). Why? Well, CJ mixed 50:50 with OCW looks, to me, awesome on silver. The durability is not as good as AJT, but in the summer you'll still get 3 months and it adds a really nice kick to the finish. All imo, of course.
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wow i didnt know that.ill have to try that.does it efect the durability/protection of the OCW tho?
 
Just one last question. Is Prime more abrasive than AIO (or is prime not abrasive at all)? Or are they nearly identical in their defect removing/swirl diminishing power?
 
BMW335i said:
Very good advice! Thanks! It is TiAg, btw. Guess its gonna be the Prime/AJT!



How long do I need to wait with AJT to apply a second coat? Is one coat for PS sufficient?
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I haven't used Prime Strong myself, just the regular Prime. It seems to have at least the cleaning power of AIO, plus it leaves a slicker and wetter looking finish. In fact, since I got Prime, my 2/3rds full 32 oz bottle of AIO has rarely been used.



You use Prime Strong as your final polish and acrylic base, then you can layer (if you are into layering) AJT 20 minutes apart. You might just want to do 2 layers to ensure complete coverage.
 
Carlack uses a finer, nano-composition in the Prime. Still lightly abrasive, but less than the original AIO. But there is Prime Strong which has a hair more bite than the original AIO. They are intended primarily for cleaning, not for defect removal.



BTW, your towel is abrasive too...





Ah, and you still have your bottle of Collinite 845 right?
 
Bence said:
Carlack uses a finer, nano-composition in the Prime. Still lightly abrasive, but less than the original AIO. But there is Prime Strong which has a hair more bite than the original AIO. They are intended primarily for cleaning, not for defect removal.



BTW, your towel is abrasive too...





Ah, and you still have your bottle of Collinite 845 right?
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:lol



Still have the 845. Decided to use it on the wheels, or even top the AJT with it...we will see. Thanks for the info! :2thumbs:
 
PS is about as abrasive as the original AIO, so not much. I normally do two "passes" with AJT one after the other just to make sure I got everything.



socommathews - CJ and OCW have similar durability, so they don't really negatively impact eachother either way. OCW makes CJ easier to apply (it's tacky on it's own), and CJ gives OCW a wetter look.
 
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