falcon

Ok, I've read here a bit on people using zaino products. I'm interested in using the product but at the same time I am a bit confused. There is the manufactures' side, the more you use, the better for us as we can sell you more products(I know, not as simple as that). Then, there is an average user. What can I use that won't take me 6 hours and what zaino products are really necessary?

I have few questions and few items to clarify when using the product.

From my reading, it seems that you only really need z7(car wash), and z2(polish). I'm a bit confused. It seems that the z2 polish lasts few months and you would apply it only, say every 3 months. What do you do in between? Just wash the car with z7 or do you use the deailer like z6 or z8.

Few issues:
1) Zaino recommends mixing zfx product with z2 twice a year and on the first treatment. Necessary, good idea?
2) z6 or z8? Zaino says they are different products. Which one should I use?

To sum up:
1) wash the car with z7
2) use z2 every few months, z6/z8 in between

Please demystify this process for me. I know some people use the whole system, but I can't imagine myself spending 6 hours on my car. I hope to wash the car every week or every other week.

Thanks.

Raptor2k

ZFX, Z-2, and Z-6 are the only requirements IMO. Also, you want to claybar every once in a while (twice annually would be good).

You can use any carwash you feel like, something like Eagle 1 from Autozone would be fine. The purpose of soap is to wash off dirt, Z-7 isn't a big deal. Claybars also don't have to be from Zaino.

I just use ZFX every time I use Z-2, which is usually once every 2-3 months.

Z8 is the better spray and more expensive. Depends on your wallet.

Pattern:
Claybar, if necessary to remove contaminants
Z2+ZFX with a good microfiber applicator
Allow to dry for at least half hour, buff with a microfiber buffing towel, Z6
Z2+ZFX
dry, buff, z6

And then a third coat if you want.

Yea, you just wash your car like normal, and use Z6/Z8 to help smoothness if you want.

hedgecore

Remember, claybar removes fine dust and particles...the ones that lodge themselves into the paint.

If you claybar, then Z6/Z2+ZFX/Z6 a few times, and do it regularly, the paint will not need a claybar again, as the zaino prevents these small particles from getting into the paint. Only use it the first time after you dawn the car to strip the wax/zaino.

hedgecore

ZFX just makes Z2 dry faster.

Without it, you wait hour(s) plus.

With it, 20 mins.

So yeah, use it.

When you use Z2, do:

Wash, rinse, dry, Z6, Z2+ZFX, Z6, Z2+ZFX, Z6
P.S. One two ounce mixing bottle of Z2+Zfx does the car 2x!

Other days just wash, rinse, dry, Z6.

Z8 is Z6, only better...if you can afford it, use it.

loco4rx8

According to Zaino's site, you have to use either ZFX or Z1 for the Z2 to bond to the paint. I always just mix ZFX with my Z2 and give it 2 or 3 layers, using Z6 in between each layer. I have gotten a good six months out of a Zaino application. The longevity of the stuff is incredible.

Raptor2k

Synthetics don't protect the paint from contaminants 100%. And the chances of contaminants building up increases as the Zaino wears off. Claybarring every once in a while will keep the paint pure.

falcon

Thanks a lot guys.

One more question. What about exterior plastics and rubber? I think I've read that it is ok to use z2 and z6 on them? Especially for z6, it would be rather difficult to spray the pain without getting an overspray onto plastics.

I've started using 303 protectant on plastics and rubber.

hedgecore

Good point! It all depends on how you keep the car...if your car is new, you get a good clay and a few zaino z2's and maintain with 6 in between, while garage parking it, you'll be fine to not claybar again...maybe ever.

But if you are commonly exposed to rain/rail dust/suit/keep it outside at night/ect and don't frequently give it a good wash/z6, then yeah, you should clay that thing each spring!

falcon

I'm hesitant to clay bar the vehicle. The vehicle is is brand new, two weeks old and I had the paint protection done to it. Not sure which one it is, but it is guaranteed for life for certain things and they re-apply it every two years. The car was chemically washed before it was applied. Don't know... I just don't want to take off any protection that they have applied. When I was the car, the water is still beading off the vehicle.

I'm thinking just z2+zfx every 2-3 months and z6 in between. Sound right, or would someone do something different?

Thanks again.

hedgecore

ICK!

Well, bad news, you wasted a lot of money

The clay bar is a physical process, not just some chemical application. Applying a liquid cannot remove the stuff calying does.

You are supposed to clay a new car, mine had very little contamination...mazda apparently has a great manu-to-end user transport system!

I felt little if any friction on the clay bar(Unlike my fathers ford).

You should still dawn the car and start from scratch...that chemical they sprayed your car with is already gone(as soon as it got wet)...the dawn will get what might be there there.

Then clay, just like we've already outlined.

You didn't buy a chemical application that actually does anything...you paid up fornt for a paint insurance policy.

No worries, now you know for next time!

falcon

Hedgecore, maybe I didn't make it clear. They chemically washed the car to remove any contamination and then applied the paint protection. When I run my hand over paint, it appears to be smooth and almost silky.

Don't know, haven't had much experience with paint protection, but there are places like Zebart and vehicle dealers that do apply it and speak very highly of if. It seems that online, paint protection is not regarded very highly.

Myabe I should try and find out what they have applied. I'm thinking that even if the chemical wash did not remove all the contaminants, when they applied the paint protection, it would've sealed it and form a protective shell??? Don't know, that's my thinking...

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind claying, it's just that I had something done to protect the paint and I would hate to remove something if it is working.

Is there some articles that talk about paint protectants?

hedgecore

It's all smoke and mirrors. At least, they sprayed your car with soap, like a carwash does...at most, they waxed it...lame.

1) No "Chemical wash" removes contaminants...hell, dawn is a "Chemical wash"...so is zaino Z7! Clay removes more than their process.

2) When your car is new, it should feel smooth! And silky! It's NEW!

3) Yes, lots of places will speak highly of this process...and they all hapen to profit from it!

They didn't do anything that was anything. You, zainoing is 100x more than they did. No worries, live and learn, it's how they make their money.

You have your 8, get the zaino...start with clay, and make it more bueatiful!

Here are a couple quick links...if you really care, google it! Lots of info online about these scams!
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/strate...7/article.html
https://www.rx8club.com/sitemap/t-11335.html

falcon

Thanks a lot hedgecore.

falcon

Ok, contacted the dealer today to inquire what sort of paint protection they put on. I was told that it is teflon based and it is like a wax. After inquiring a bit more, I was told that really, I bought the warranty. I mean, unless I keep the car for 20 years, nothing will really show up. So it looks like it was a waste.

I have also tried to research it on the net, but there is nothing but product promotion. Teflon is supposed to be durable but for it to bond to paint or metal, it has to be fired at 600 degrees. Oh well... Also, in small cracks, I started seeing white film which is an indication of wax.

I still think that the protection is there, at least for now. I'm thinking to wash, z2+zfx, z6, z2+zfx, z6. Protection on top of protection(teflon) can't be bad. Will do the claybar next spring.

I'm still not sold on using Dawn, though. Some sites vote against it as it is pretty harsh. Here is a reply one guy got from P&G:

I sent an email to Proctor and Gamble inquiring about the wax stripping characteristics of Dawn dish detergent. (Before anyone jumps on me, I admit, I did use Dawn, once, to take the wax off. I rinsed quickly and followed with Zymol auto-wash, but the fact remains, my paint was exposed to Dawn. I repent! I ordered Zymol HD-Cleanse yesterday). Here is their reply:

Thanks for your message, Steve.

I'm sorry to disappoint you but we don't recommend using Cascade or Ivory on your automobile. Mr. Clean All-Purpose Liquid is safe for washing cars, however, we would not expect it to strip the wax. We'd suggest using a product specifically designed for that purpose to avoid possible damage to the paint.

Sincerely,

Mary Lou
USA Consumer Correspondence Team

Raptor2k

There are certain alcohols that can strip wax.

Try posting at autopia.org, you'll get much more help from a variety of people.

hedgecore

It's not suggested for REPEATED use...one time, you'll be fine. Your clear coat is really tough, it can withstand a dawning...if you used it each week for the life of the car...that's bad. One time, to strip wax...no prob!

BTW, you NEED to clay now, not later.

Clay before zaino and you'll never need it again. It's mostly for things that are on the paint before you spend a year working them into the paint...things that come from the manufacturing process and transport. Claying is a physical process...it can remove what no chemical washing can do. Get the Z7 for lube and clay.

Then do the zaino...maintain it and you'll probably not have to clay again.

*EDIT* BTW, sorry about the $600...sucks, right? No matter, you have a great car, and zaino will make it look even greater!

hedgecore

Also, you can buy exactly what they squirted on your car from an online shop...it's cheap(Less than $600 tho)

You can get it in a "Wipe off" form, or a "Touchless Dry" form...it's nothing anyone serious uses...serious guys use zaino, or a few other select products.

falcon

Thanks, no I didn't spend that much.

I paid 700CAD for (undercoat/soundproofing, surface rust protection, paint protection, and leather protection). I know, some of these products are questionable. I have always done rustproofing on my cars. Some through rust check where they drill into the vehicle. Didn't want it here, though. Initially, I was just getting rust proofing and then I asked them to throw the paint protection in. Leather came in after they forgot to do something. All in all, 700 in not that bad.

falcon

Well, used the clay bar on my vehicle yesterday - very long and tiring process. Some areas were pretty clean then some had a lot of contamination. Had to wait for the sun to move behind the house so I had shade to wash the car. Finishined claying in the garage around 9:30 in the evening.

I used the detailing spray as lubricant that came with the clay bar so I wasn't as concerned with washing the car immediately after claying. Got up 7 this morning but the sun is already up. Waiting to see if I can get some shade to wash the vehicle once the sun moves around a bit.

I've got a couple of questions. Can you use Z2 and Z6 in the sun? I think I have read somewhere that z2 is fine to use in the sun. Not sure about z6. Second, do you have to dry the car to use clay bar? Next time I will use car soap and water in a spray bottle as my lubricant - seems kind of pointless to dry if you're going to spray it with soap again.

Question on drying - for me it is a long process. I use one of those absorbent towels that comes in a plastic tube and I dry the car in one pass. Then go over it 2 or 3 more times. It still has signs of wetness in some spots by dries on clear. I started to think that maybe all you need is one or two passes at the most to get rid of standing water drops, as these are what cause water spots, and the rest will dry on clear. Or should one go over the same area until pretty much it is dry, with no wetness?

Thanks.

Imidazole

You guys are crazy... I just soap up and rinse my car like once every 3 months... I've had it for a bit over a year now, and it looks/feels as gorgeous as the first day... minus dings.

I'll get it 'professionally detailed' sometime soon, and just do that once every year and a half or so.

Call me lazy.

falcon

Well, unless you pay $400 for a detailing job, I can do it better. That's one of the reasons. Another is that I won't pay $400 someone else. If I'm Bill Gates, why not.

Well, doing my second coat of z2. It is a pretty intensive job. To wash the car, z2, z6, z2, z6, I figure about 3 hours of intensive labour. Factor in wait time, now you're looking about 6 hours. Don't think I will be doing this too often, maybe every 3-4 mths.

Claying is another project on its own. Now, I'm debating whether to do claying each spring or spring and fall. Obviously the less the better while still maintaining a good finish and good protection.

What do you guys think? Any input?

Thanks.