Zaino problem

[globey]

Ok, I was going to detail out my vehicle today...I started by washing the vehicle, then I used a quality clay bar and lube to clean off the contaminants. So far, no problem...I then washed the vehicle and dried it again to remove the clay and lube residue.

I decided to dip into the Zaino products since my paint was contaminant free. I first went to the Zaino swirl mark remover and paint cleaner. I wanted to pre-clean the paint before I put down a nice coat of wax. It went on a little thick and was difficult to remove, but I eventually got it off. I decided only to do the hood because i had problems removing the cleaner from the hood. I then took out the Z-AIO because I didn't think I had enough time (due to it starting to heat up) to go with a couple layers of Showtime polish. Well, I applied the Z-AIO on the hood and it went on nice and light...it wasn't more than probably two minutes before I attempted to remove it. I got the residue up off the paint but there are swirls of the Z-AIO still down on the hood. The hood is smooth, but I can see residue still left and it looks like sh1t. I'm very disgusted right now...I didn't even do the rest of the car for fear of the same thing. In fact, because of the clay and the couple of washes, my paint and clear doesn't have a coat of wax on it right now...I'm kind of at a loss at what to do. Whatever I do i'm going to do later in the day when the sun goes down.

Any suggestions? What is up with this? So far, I'm not impressed with Z-AIO or the paint cleaner. It's my first time using those two products.

 

[harrydog]

I've never used any Zaino products other than Z-AIO and CS.
Both of them worked very well for me.
Maybe you should give Zaino a call...

 

[bretfraz]

True to the Zaino product line, all products must be used very sparingly. Apply them like they cost $100 an ounce. When I polish a car using ZPC, I only apply a few drops onto the pad and work small sections at a time. If you use too much product or try to polish a large section, the polish will smear and be hard to work with.

Same with the AIO. Just a few drops and work a small section. I detailed a BMW in the direct sun last weekend and AIO smeared a little bit for me, too. A couple squirts of Z6 and it came off. The problem is the heat is causing the product to react too quickly and it never has a chance to set up. Park the car in the shade and let it cool off, then try again.

Zaino has a steep but short learning curve. It's not hard to get the hang of but it does take some patience and willingness to learn a new technique on your part. It's no big deal, just go slow, work on small sections until you get the technique down pat.

 

[globey]

bretfraz, thanks...I'm going to wait until late in the afternoon and try again on the hood. I don't have any Z-6, but I have the Z-8. I do have other spray detailers, I suppose I'll use them on the hood to remove the smearing and then start again.

I planned on using the Z-AIO and then putting on the CS.

 

[bretfraz]

No problem. You can also use a little water to "flash cure" the product and remove the smearing.

Good luck with your detail.

 

[Ryan]

While we are on this subject I have a question about the Clear Seal stuff... I put that on my car the other day and I guess I put it on way too thick because I had to use Z6 afterwards to get a lot of the smudged up spots off after I let it dry for a day. The spots that were too much I guess were the only spots where I could actually see the stuff going onto the paint. I guess I am not supposed to see anything when I wipe the stuff on? Its either that or it is too thick. It just feels like I am wiping a dry applicator pad across the paint unless I can see something going on it.

 

[bretfraz]

Quote:

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While we are on this subject I have a question about the Clear Seal stuff... I put that on my car the other day and I guess I put it on way too thick because I had to use Z6 afterwards to get a lot of the smudged up spots off after I let it dry for a day. The spots that were too much I guess were the only spots where I could actually see the stuff going onto the paint. I guess I am not supposed to see anything when I wipe the stuff on? Its either that or it is too thick. It just feels like I am wiping a dry applicator pad across the paint unless I can see something going on it.

---

It sounds like you used a little too much product or it was very humid the day you used it. Either way the product never completely cured. ZCS is very different than most anything on the market. All it takes is one spritz on the app, one on the panel and light back and forth motions. There are times it will feel like nothing is being applied but you should see a very light streaking appearance. In 5-10 mins that will be gone. If it's not, a light buffing with a clean MF towel will do the trick.

If you see ZCS building up as you're applying it, polish the area using a motion that is 90 degrees the opposite of your application. For example, if you are applying ZCS to a fender using a back and forth motion and notice a little build up at the ends of your polishing motion, lightly go over those areas using an up and down motion to help spread the product further.

Also, focus on working a small section at a time before going on to the next one. It's not a race or competition so take your time and do the best job you can. With a little practice you should be able to go over your entire car in 10 minutes using around 7-8 spritzes of ZCS.

 

[globey]

bret, I went on real light this time. I found the Z-AIO very difficult to spread, but I used your instructions and it came off easily with no streaking or smearing. I followed it up with CS (I'm learning that one too...probably used a 1/2 ounce instead of 1/4 ounce...I'll get that one too). When all was said and done, I used the Grand Finale spray and it turned out great...thanks for your help.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb148/globey_bucket/P62303022.jpg

 

[bretfraz]

The car looks great! Well done.

I haven't found ZAIO to be any more difficult than other AIO's but maybe its just I'm used to it. It does have some "grab" to it as there is no oils or solvents in it to make it spread easier.

Using Zaino very sparingly is one of the hardest things to learn, especially if new users are coming from store bought waxes which aren't as finicky in their application. You'll get the hang of it in no time. Keep up the good work!

 

[globey]

One more:

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb148/globey_bucket/P6230287.jpg

Thanks again!

 

[Ryan]

Quote:

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Quote:

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While we are on this subject I have a question about the Clear Seal stuff... I put that on my car the other day and I guess I put it on way too thick because I had to use Z6 afterwards to get a lot of the smudged up spots off after I let it dry for a day. The spots that were too much I guess were the only spots where I could actually see the stuff going onto the paint. I guess I am not supposed to see anything when I wipe the stuff on? Its either that or it is too thick. It just feels like I am wiping a dry applicator pad across the paint unless I can see something going on it.

---

It sounds like you used a little too much product or it was very humid the day you used it. Either way the product never completely cured. ZCS is very different than most anything on the market. All it takes is one spritz on the app, one on the panel and light back and forth motions. There are times it will feel like nothing is being applied but you should see a very light streaking appearance. In 5-10 mins that will be gone. If it's not, a light buffing with a clean MF towel will do the trick.

If you see ZCS building up as you're applying it, polish the area using a motion that is 90 degrees the opposite of your application. For example, if you are applying ZCS to a fender using a back and forth motion and notice a little build up at the ends of your polishing motion, lightly go over those areas using an up and down motion to help spread the product further.

Also, focus on working a small section at a time before going on to the next one. It's not a race or competition so take your time and do the best job you can. With a little practice you should be able to go over your entire car in 10 minutes using around 7-8 spritzes of ZCS.

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Thanks for the info... I will have to give that a shot. I'm just used to clearly being able to see whatever I put on go onto the paint. I will just do it real thin this time and even if not enough goes on, I think I will be ok. I put a coat of ZAIO, then 1 coat of Z5, then 2 coats of Z2. If the CS doesn't go on like it should, I should still see some long lasting results.

 

[Colt]

Too much product applied caused your problems.
Like mentioned,you must use Zaino products sparingly which makes them economical and no problems..
Zaino is the best stuff out there.
The new ZCS clear seal is a fantastic product.
Nothing on the market is easier and has a better shine and protection.
Wipe on and walk away.
Can't beat that.

 

[harrydog]

Since we're on the subject, I have a question regarding the application of CS.
Do you only wipe it on only enough to lightly coat the surface with a wet film? If you look at it in the right light at the right angle you can see the wet film on the surface.
Or do you continue wiping it on until it dries? I don't think you wipe until dry but I want to be certain.

 

[Ryan]

I just applied CS to my other car and took the advice of others on this board since I used way too much on the first car. I used about 10 sprays total like they said they used on a Corvette on the Zaino website and I really couldn't see jack when applying it, but they said to use it sparingly and I did, so if it went on it went on, if not oh well. If I used any more I would get the streaking like I did on the other car and I had to buff that stuff off with the Z6. PITA.

 

[bretfraz]

Quote:

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Since we're on the subject, I have a question regarding the application of CS.
Do you only wipe it on only enough to lightly coat the surface with a wet film? If you look at it in the right light at the right angle you can see the wet film on the surface.
Or do you continue wiping it on until it dries? I don't think you wipe until dry but I want to be certain.

---

Your first assumption is correct. Wipe only until the product is evenly spread on the panel, then leave it. Blotchy spots where excess product shows can be buffed a little more to even it out. No need to work it and work it, it will dry and set up on its own.

 

[bretfraz]

Quote:

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I just applied CS to my other car and took the advice of others on this board since I used way too much on the first car. I used about 10 sprays total like they said they used on a Corvette on the Zaino website and I really couldn't see jack when applying it, but they said to use it sparingly and I did, so if it went on it went on, if not oh well. If I used any more I would get the streaking like I did on the other car and I had to buff that stuff off with the Z6. PITA.

---

ZCS is different than not only other Zaino products but pretty much everything else on the market. It requires a new application process and, for some. a new mental outlook on how car care products are supposed to be used. Can't use the same ol' techniques and habits when working with ZCS. Don't worry, its working, you're just going to have to learn a new process and trust that its working properly.

 

[Ryan]

Good, it should be fine, I think I used enough, but still sparingly... if it didn't work, then I have a total of 4 coats of the polish under that so I should be fine either way.

 

[harrydog]

I'm very pleased with the ZAINO/CS combination so far. I applied it about 2 months ago.
The shine is really good and it doesn't seem to attract dust the way carnauba waxes do. The car looks clean for longer periods of time between washings.
The water beading, while not quite as good as Collinite (nothing is, that I'm aware of) is still quite good. If it holds up like this until October, I'll be a sold on it.

 

[LexAtlanta]

I have used Zaino for several years and found that Sal's stuff is the best on the market, no matter what. It is counter intuitive in that the less you use the better the results. CS is amazing stuff. It shines like no other product on the market. Stick with Zaino, work through the learning curve and you will never go back to anything else.

I still have problems sometimes with the "less is more" aspect of Zaino....but Sal's system works.

 

[JValdez]

I went through the motions and put a couple of coats of Z2 on a car but ran out of time for the CS. Is it ok to put the CS on a week later after a good wash?