Zaino questions

[Patman]

After using a few different products (mostly Meguiar's stuff) for the past few years, for various reasons I think I'm going to switch back to Zaino again.

I've got two bottles of the stuff, one is a bottle of the original Z2 formula that I bought in 2002 or 2003 and the other is a bottle of Z5Pro that I bought in 2007. Are these still ok to use? (I figure the Z5 is still ok, but the Z2 might be iffy) I know that the Z2 has been reformulated since then since it's now called Z2Pro, but has the Z5Pro changed at all since 2007 or is it still the same?

My plan is to first do some paint correction with my UDM buffer (using Scratch X 2.0, as I've found that does a great job of removing minor scratches and swirls!) and then whatever minor defects are left behind should be filled in with Z5Pro. Is it true that multiple applications of Z5Pro will fill in the scratches better than just one coat will?

My other question is about Z2 (or the new Z2Pro), will the Z2 produce a better shine than Z5 does? Or should I just stick with the Z5 only?

 

[buster]

Not sure about the bottle life. I'm using their "All in one" polish. I like it a lot.

 

[drewjp]

I used to give Sal a call every once in awhile and chat about his products. He told me the polish shelf life is approx. 3 years (although this was the old formula). If I were you, I'd get a new bottle of Z2Pro if you're planning on getting maximum durability out of it.

Z2Pro has a higher gloss and less hiding ability than Z5. Z5 should be used as a filler coat, with the Z2 on top.

Do you have any Z6? Scratch-X would be fine to use to remove the swirls, but you would want to clay the car afterwards to remove the residual product.

Do you still have the Z1 from your 2002 leftovers? You need that or the new Z-AIO as your basecoat for proper bonding of the Z2 or Z5.

I hope I haven't confused you with too many Z's and numbers...visit their website for complete info.

 

[Patman]

I started using Zaino back in 1996, so I'm pretty familiar with all the numbers.

Back in 1998 I won an entire Zaino kit and that's the only time I've ever had any Z1, but I never tried to use it until around 2001 or 2002 and when I opened the bottle I could see it had already gone bad (it was all flaky, not a liquid at all) I talked to Sal and he offered to send me a fresh bottle with my next Zaino order but I never ended up taking him up on that offer (I've always been too lazy to do all the steps with Zaino, I always just went straight with one product: either the Z2 or the Z5, I'm the type that just prefers to get the waxing done quickly and get back to driving the car!)

I have some of the original formula of Z6, but that's from 1998 so it's definitely no good now! I use Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer exclusively right now, but also have some Mother's California Gold too.

If you guys think the Z2Pro is going to help my paint shine better than just Z5Pro alone, then my plan is to do a bunch of Z5 coats to be sure a lot of the remaining defects in the paint get hidden, and then top it off with Z2, I'm just wondering if the Z2 that I currently have is still ok to use just for now until I get a new bottle, or will it just result in problems? In other words, will I get streaking because it's so old or just less durability? (the streaking is the main reason why I want to switch back to Zaino from NXT 2.0) I don't mind the durability aspect since I typically add a fresh coat every 3 or 4 weeks during the warm months here, and by the time next winter rolls around I should have a few coats with a new bottle of Z2Pro anyhow.

 

[bretfraz]

Pat,

I would replace the Z2 if you want to use it. Sal has told me 5 years is about the maximum shelf life of the products. Besides, there have been many improvements to Z2 and Z5 that would make a fresh bottle worth the investment.

Personally, I do not see the need for Z2 if you have Z5. Both look great and durability is about the same. Z2Pro has a brighter shine while Z5Pro has a more wax-like look, but the diffs are very hard to tell. Unless you just want it, I would pass on the Z2Pro and stick with the Z5.

Definitely polish the car before applying Z5. If you are happy with Scratch X, then use it, but I find that with the Corvette's rock-hard clearcoat, it needs something like Ultimate Compound to really make a dent in swirls and paint flaws. It's your call as to how perfect you want the paint to be, but if you are willing to do some polishing now, I'd suggest doing a little more and really get the paint looking great.

As for depending on Z5 filling swirls, I would not count on it too much. Yes, it is formulated to fill in minor swirls with several applications, but the effect is not dramatic. Focus your swirl-removal efforts by using the UDM and the polishes.

Any questions, feel free to hit me up.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: buster
Not sure about the bottle life. I'm using their "All in one" polish. I like it a lot.


I have a bottle of the AIO, but IMO, Duragolss 101 (which is their AIO) kicks the snot out of the Zaino. For some reason, the Zaino just doesn't finish as nice as the DG.

 

[JHZR2]

On the zaino site they give a listing of the shelf life of all their products - may want to look that up.

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: bretfraz


I would replace the Z2 if you want to use it. Sal has told me 5 years is about the maximum shelf life of the products. Besides, there have been many improvements to Z2 and Z5 that would make a fresh bottle worth the investment.


I kinda figured that old bottle of Z2 was beyond it's lifespan, but the Z5 should probably still be ok. Have they reformulated the Z5Pro in the last couple of years too?

Quote:

Personally, I do not see the need for Z2 if you have Z5. Both look great and durability is about the same. Z2Pro has a brighter shine while Z5Pro has a more wax-like look, but the diffs are very hard to tell. Unless you just want it, I would pass on the Z2Pro and stick with the Z5.


If the Z2 isn't really going to be much different than the Z5 then I'd rather just stick with the Z5 to keep things simple.

Quote:

Definitely polish the car before applying Z5. If you are happy with Scratch X, then use it, but I find that with the Corvette's rock-hard clearcoat, it needs something like Ultimate Compound to really make a dent in swirls and paint flaws. It's your call as to how perfect you want the paint to be, but if you are willing to do some polishing now, I'd suggest doing a little more and really get the paint looking great.

As for depending on Z5 filling swirls, I would not count on it too much. Yes, it is formulated to fill in minor swirls with several applications, but the effect is not dramatic. Focus your swirl-removal efforts by using the UDM and the polishes.



I don't want to go too crazy with trying to remove every last mark off the paint since I've already had a guy go over it with a rotary buffer back in 2007 and I've put at least 40 hours into the paint myself with the UDM, so I'm worried that if I do too much correction work too often I'm going to have no clearcoat left! That's why I prefer to just do one quick once over of the paint each year with Scratch X, and then try to keep the paint looking it's best by using something that fills in the swirls/scratches (such as NXT 2.0, which I find does a great job of that, but I'm just tired of how it shows streaks in the paint on cloudy days-even though I do super thin coats) And also, my car is a daily driver so I'm not trying to get it to show car perfection, but just to the point where the swirls don't stand out like a sore thumb everytime the bright sun hits the paint. (I will NEVER buy a black car again, at least not one that's used as a daily driver!)

With the bottle of Z5Pro I have now I found it didn't do as good of a job as NXT 2.0 at hiding imperfections, but I was hoping they had reformulated it since then and perhaps that is improved. Or that perhaps after multiple coats of Z5Pro the imperfections would get closer to disappearing (on the Zaino site they claim that each application of Z5 covers a little bit more of the flaws)

 

[Nitrox]

I think Z2 has higher optical properties, and may provide a longer lasting finish than the Z5. You can use just the Z5, but you'll need some Z1 or AIO for the initial application. I have a bottle Z1 if you want it. It's perhaps 6 years old. It has probably lost some of its properties through age, but I was told it may still be used. I recently redid my car with a claybar and AIO. I was extremely impressed in how the AIO performed. I used to use 3M scratch remover before Zaino, but the AIO worked much better from my recollection. I then applied 3 coats of Z5, one each day, and a spritz of Z6 before each coat since the car accumulated dust from the previous day. I still have to do the Z2 applications, so I'll probably wash the car before doing it.

 

[bretfraz]

Pat,

I think you'll be fine with Z5. I would not count on it to hide swirls. Consider that feature an extra bonus instead of standard equipment, if you get my meaning. Use your UDM and the polish to remove or reduce swirls as much as possible before Z5 application.

If you do polish, I suggest washing your car before applying Z5 to ensure max durability and shine. I don't know the ingredients list to Scratch X so make sure your paint is perfectly clean, just to be sure.

I would also suggest buying a bottle of Z8 spray sealant. It will extend the durability of Z5 and noticeably add gloss. Just wash, dry, and Z8, and you are good to go.

Post a few pics when you are done.

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: bretfraz



I would also suggest buying a bottle of Z8 spray sealant. It will extend the durability of Z5 and noticeably add gloss. Just wash, dry, and Z8, and you are good to go.



I've still got a full bottle of Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer that I'd hate to waste, so would the Z8 really make any noticeable difference in comparison to UQD?

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: Nitrox
I think Z2 has higher optical properties, and may provide a longer lasting finish than the Z5. You can use just the Z5, but you'll need some Z1 or AIO for the initial application. I have a bottle Z1 if you want it. It's perhaps 6 years old.


Thanks for the offer, but I don't want to bother with the Z1 as I don't want to add any more steps to the process. I like to keep things simple, which is why I never used the Z1 even during all that time when I did have it!

For now I'm just going to stick with the Z5 for a while, see how things go, and perhaps try out the Z2 on top of that later on to see if I notice any improvement in the shine.

One more question, I know Meguiar's claims that you really only need to do two coats with NXT 2.0 and anything more than that is just a waste of product as it won't really layer up. But is this true of Zaino? I hear a lot of people out there that have put 8-10 coats or more of Zaino on their car and wonder at what point are they just wasting their time (and precious Zaino!)

 

[bretfraz]

Originally Posted By: Patman
Originally Posted By: bretfraz



I would also suggest buying a bottle of Z8 spray sealant. It will extend the durability of Z5 and noticeably add gloss. Just wash, dry, and Z8, and you are good to go.



I've still got a full bottle of Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer that I'd hate to waste, so would the Z8 really make any noticeable difference in comparison to UQD?


Since I don't know how UQD works with Z5, and Zaino products are designed to work together as a system, I'd suggest using the Z8 instead. It's your call, though.


Quote:
One more question, I know Meguiar's claims that you really only need to do two coats with NXT 2.0 and anything more than that is just a waste of product as it won't really layer up. But is this true of Zaino? I hear a lot of people out there that have put 8-10 coats or more of Zaino on their car and wonder at what point are they just wasting their time (and precious Zaino!)


For the most part, anything more than three coats leads to diminishing returns. Yeah, there might be some additional gloss to be had, but it's hard to say for sure. You may just want to try it yourself and see, maybe just on one part of the car.

 

[wannafbody]

Megs QD's are pretty oily so I'd get some Z6 and Z8 for the extra bling. Remember to use a IPA wipedown after polishing. Megs UC is a great polish but Swirlx may do it if your car is in pretty good shape. ZAIO or ZFX will be needed.

 

[Nitrox]

You can combine the Z1 and Z5 on the same applicator, and apply it on the car. It takes a bit longer to dry. Then you can apply Z5 by itself. Sal told me to do it that way years ago.

 

[grampi]

I wouldn't touch Meguiar's NXT 2.0 with a stick. It looks like you've smeared your paint with vegetable oil when you're done using it.

 

[xlt4me]

I think I'll snitch and tell Da Dawg....

Just kidding! Good luck with the Zaino!

 

[wannafbody]

Originally Posted By: grampi
I wouldn't touch Meguiar's NXT 2.0 with a stick. It looks like you've smeared your paint with vegetable oil when you're done using it.


That's all Megs products-they are all loaded with oils that wash away.

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: bretfraz


Post a few pics when you are done.


Here are some pics!

I kept things simple, I just washed the car first with some Palmolive (didn't have any Dawn, but I figured any dish detergent should strip off the old wax, which was Mother's FX Synwax that I applied last week actually) and then put on one single coat of Z5Pro. So far so good! I've decided to buy some Z6 and give that a try over the UQD for a while and see how much better it shines, and I think I've also convinced myself to buy a fresh bottle of Z2 and give that a try after I've done a few more coats of Z5 first. And since I already have almost a full bottle of Z7 wash I might as well start using that as well.

So I'm not going to go out and spend megabucks on all kinds of different Zaino products, but do intend on using a few more of them than I originally planned on.

I must say that after a few years of trying other products, I'm happy to come back to Zaino as I found it so super easy to use! It makes me wonder why I ever stopped using their stuff in the first place. Years ago it made the Blue Green Chameleon paint on my 98 Formula shine like crazy!

 

[wannafbody]

That Zaino sure looks like cheap plastic saran wrap

Great Job.