Zaino

[steve20]

I've been using Zaino Z5, Z2, and gloss enhancer for about a year and a half on a black 02 Vette garage queen. Probably has about 8 total coats of Z2 on it now. I thought this was the greatest stuff on earth until I applied the Z2 over the weekend and have now lost that 5 mile deep shine. Kind of looks smokey-almost like an unwaxed black car would look if you washed it with Dawn. (no I didn't use Dawn-I use a safe soap)
This was by chance the only time I didn't use the FX 2 drop additive because it was 88 degrees out.
Any ideas what went wrong?
Steve

 

[XS650]

Email Zaino, I've gotten a reply form Sal, the owner, in under an hour on a Sunday. YMMV

 

[bretfraz]

Is it smeary/streaky? If you swipe your finger along the paint do you see smears (assuming your finger is clean)? Zaino will haze if applied too heavily or in humid conditions. Try a squirt of Z6 and see if the haze will go away.

 

[kkreit01]

Too many coats? This would be the case with some products, but I thought Zaino could be layered/coated a zillion times?

 

[steve20]

No smeary/streaky just smokey--I finished up with Z6 and it did not make it any better.........

 

[dkryan]

Originally Posted By: bretfraz
Is it smeary/streaky? If you swipe your finger along the paint do you see smears (assuming your finger is clean)? Zaino will haze if applied too heavily or in humid conditions. Try a squirt of Z6 and see if the haze will go away.


So with our 94 degree heat and 82% humidity, I should forget about Zaino and continue to use Rejex or Collinite 845?

 

[bretfraz]

Originally Posted By: dkryan
Originally Posted By: bretfraz
Is it smeary/streaky? If you swipe your finger along the paint do you see smears (assuming your finger is clean)? Zaino will haze if applied too heavily or in humid conditions. Try a squirt of Z6 and see if the haze will go away.


So with our 94 degree heat and 82% humidity, I should forget about Zaino and continue to use Rejex or Collinite 845?


Use whatever works best for you. If Zaino is working OK, great. If not, try something else. That's why having a couple different products of each type on hand is a good thing.

 

[JHZR2]

I definitely had a bad batch of Z2... Z5 is perfect. Did you get a graininess or almost tiny spots when applying Z2, like it was congealed and wouldnt spread smoothly?

 

[badtlc]

Make sure to shake it well. I had some AIO that i couldn't get off w/out using a wet towel, letting it redry, and buffing again with a damp towel. Contacted Sal, he said try shaking it real good and do a test spot. Seemed to work OK after that.

 

[dkryan]

Originally Posted By: bretfraz
Originally Posted By: dkryan
Originally Posted By: bretfraz
Is it smeary/streaky? If you swipe your finger along the paint do you see smears (assuming your finger is clean)? Zaino will haze if applied too heavily or in humid conditions. Try a squirt of Z6 and see if the haze will go away.


So with our 94 degree heat and 82% humidity, I should forget about Zaino and continue to use Rejex or Collinite 845?


Use whatever works best for you. If Zaino is working OK, great. If not, try something else. That's why having a couple different products of each type on hand is a good thing.


Where does one learn the "inside" but much needed information about the quirks of detailing products? For instance, I would not have a clue that Zaino isn't the best to apply to my cars in high humidity. Is that written somewhere (other than BITOG) or is it based on experience?

And what are the caveats for other premium products that we might use (Collinite, Meguiar's, Mother's, etc.)?

No shot at Zaino. But I would have written a "high humidity" detailing of Zaino off to my not using a PC buffer to apply/remove the product and not the weather and relative humidity.

 

[bretfraz]

Originally Posted By: dkryan
Originally Posted By: bretfraz
Originally Posted By: dkryan
Originally Posted By: bretfraz
Is it smeary/streaky? If you swipe your finger along the paint do you see smears (assuming your finger is clean)? Zaino will haze if applied too heavily or in humid conditions. Try a squirt of Z6 and see if the haze will go away.


So with our 94 degree heat and 82% humidity, I should forget about Zaino and continue to use Rejex or Collinite 845?


Use whatever works best for you. If Zaino is working OK, great. If not, try something else. That's why having a couple different products of each type on hand is a good thing.


Where does one learn the "inside" but much needed information about the quirks of detailing products? For instance, I would not have a clue that Zaino isn't the best to apply to my cars in high humidity. Is that written somewhere (other than BITOG) or is it based on experience?

And what are the caveats for other premium products that we might use (Collinite, Meguiar's, Mother's, etc.)?

No shot at Zaino. But I would have written a "high humidity" detailing of Zaino off to my not using a PC buffer to apply/remove the product and not the weather and relative humidity.


Personal experience is the best teacher. There are discussion forums about car detailing but the knowledge level and expertise of forum members is all over the place (just like here). Ultimately it only matters what works for you.

I can't really tell you caveats of other products. Any experience I would share could easily be negated by someone else. Gotta try them for yourself and see how they work for you.

When it comes to Zaino, I have had many conversations with Sal Zaino and dozens of experienced users. That, plus my own experience, helps me decide what product(s) to use and when. One of the great things about Zaino is the large group of experienced users out there, many of whom are willing to help with tips and tricks.

 

[badtlc]

I have used z2pro for 4 years now with humidity levels above 80% with zero problems. I have found the only thing I have to do is make sure I apply it in the shade. Nothing else seems to bother applying the product.

 

[steve20]

I shake em all up before using-went on fine like before-but the 6 mile deep shine is gone for sure. Still looks smokey. Car only comes out of the garage once or twice a week, so there is nothing that 'got on it' to cause the problem-still glass smooth, but no depth.
Guess I'm going to have to get the Dawn out to remove it all-any suggestions on what to try instead of Zaino? keep in mind it's a black car
Steve

 

[SatinSilver]

Sounds similiar to what happens with Duragloss Aquawax when used too much(more than 2-3 per month). This product is a spray sealant. If it is applied too often the finish will become "cloudy". Sounds like the finish is well protected.

You could leave it alone(wait for it to wear out) or apply a carnauba wax as a topper to restore the deep shine. Check out this link:
http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/p21s-100-carnauba-paste-wax-review/

For a cheaper wax theres always some of the Poorboys waxes.

http://www.detailedimage.com/Poorboys-World-M1/Nattys-Blue-Paste-Wax-P30/8-oz-S1/

 

[SatinSilver]

Here's one more thats very good in a small tin:

http://www.detailedimage.com/Dodo-Juice-M35/Supernatural-Wax-P249/30-ml-S2/

 

[steve20]

thanks for the suggestions SS

I gave the Z2 another shot this weekend, this time adding 2 drops of the FX which speeds up cure time. Most of the depth came back, but considering the cold shoulder I got from Zaino Customer "Service" in the past, there is absolutely no loyalty to this brand.
Considering I now have 10 coats of Zaino Z2 on it, does that all have to be removed before trying any of the other products you mentioned?
Steve

Ever hear of a company losing a customer for life? Now you have.

 

[SatinSilver]

I didn't care for the cold response I received either. But at least I did get a response back and it was quick.

From what I gather the Z2 is a sealant which provides good durability. The negative is the lack of depth. Carnauba waxes lack durability but provide exceptional depth and gloss. Carnauba waxes can be topped on sealant's after they have cured(24 hrs). Now you get the best of both world's. The sealant must always be applied before the carnauba and not the other way around. Otherwise there is bonding and durability issues.

I'm a big fan of Duragloss. Prices are decent and the customer service is excellent. For example, they put their money where their mouth is. The company was started because of the inferior products in the marketplace. They don't make a carnauba wax though.

 

[steve20]

Thanks very much-appreciate it ---I would have done the opposite, and applied the sealer over the wax

Thanks again
Steve

 

[wannafbody]

Originally Posted By: kkreit01
Too many coats? This would be the case with some products, but I thought Zaino could be layered/coated a zillion times?


Sal won't recommend an insane amount of layering. After 3 coats using anything other than Z8 for a gloss boost is a waste.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: wannafbody
Originally Posted By: kkreit01
Too many coats? This would be the case with some products, but I thought Zaino could be layered/coated a zillion times?


Sal won't recommend an insane amount of layering. After 3 coats using anything other than Z8 for a gloss boost is a waste.


I think layering Z2 on z2 is not a big deal. But if you apply stuff on top of z2, then you should probably strip it before using z2 again.