Next Generation Zaino Z2 and Z5 are here!

ALB,



I'm gonna have to try the 50/50 distilled H2O! I'm going through this stuff as if it were Makers Mark!



My current Z2 is pink, but it was B4 when Sal said he changed it. Odd, but anyway still works damn good! The SC is nice and shiny!



It's going to hurt removing it so I can really get ALL the swirls out. Maybe I'll give Glue-Zerna a try again this time with the "finger" pads and now I changed the weight on the PC from 5 to 6. New backing plate too, I think the Meg's backing plate was too small to put even pressure on the finish. If the FP Glue-Zerna blows, back to DACP!



Just ordered more Z! Of course the new Z2/Z5 and MORE Z6. Gotta see what a case costs of Z6!



Regards,

Deanski
 
Dean, Yep the Menzerna FP left some spots that were PIA to get off on the Corolla. I had to use 50/50 alcohol water to remove those spots.



Good Luck, I used Zaino and Klasse today. Which do I prefer? Klasse for a wash and wax (AIO with Rotary at 700-900 RPM's rock!) and Zaino when I want to get "personal" with the finish (ie lots of time spent caressing the finish.)
 
Deanski said:
ALB,



I'm gonna have to try the 50/50 distilled H2O! I'm going through this stuff as if it were Makers Mark!



My current Z2 is pink, but it was B4 when Sal said he changed it. Odd, but anyway still works damn good! The SC is nice and shiny!



It's going to hurt removing it so I can really get ALL the swirls out. Maybe I'll give Glue-Zerna a try again this time with the "finger" pads and now I changed the weight on the PC from 5 to 6. New backing plate too, I think the Meg's backing plate was too small to put even pressure on the finish. If the FP Glue-Zerna blows, back to DACP!



Just ordered more Z! Of course the new Z2/Z5 and MORE Z6. Gotta see what a case costs of Z6!



Regards,

Deanski
Click to expand...



deanski, someone earlier in the thread showed a pic side by side, new to old stuff. The new stuff is light pink and has a white cap.
 
Yes I did see the pic, but mine do not have the white cap, if that really means anything. My Z2 is pink. Anyway, I ordered some more anyway, what the hell, it's only money..



Deanski
 
they have so many products



ive been using meg swirl free polish,van. moose, then s100





what combination of their products would be best for me? its just kind of overwhelming
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
the guideline on Zaino has always been that darker colors will look good with Z5, and lighter colors with Z2. Now this guideline may be different with the new products, but thats what it always used to be/has been.
Click to expand...



This site has such a wealth of knowledge it is amazing. I have learned incredible amounts of invaluable information about things I knew nothing about. Thank you all. :xyxthumbs



However, it amazes me the number of times I do searches and read misinformation about Z5 vs. Z2 and Z3.



Z5 is not a protectant. Z5 is the Zaino version of a swirl mark remover/hider that works by filling (hiding) the marks (it contains some optical enhancers, gloss additives and UV blockers).



The real power in the Zaino product line is Z2 and Z3. These are the protectants. This is why the final coat of any Zaino process (other than the Z6 gloss enhancer) should be Z2 or Z3. You can not expect to use only Z5 and have the protection against water spots, bird droppings, etc. as you do using Z2 and Z3. If you read the Zaino site the description of Z2 and Z3 goes into great detail about paint and finish protection, whereas the Z5 does not. This was the same with the old products also.



I think some of confusion about which is better for darker colored cars comes from Zaino’s comment that Z5 is a great base for dark colored cars, which show imperfections in the finish more than light color cars. Notice the word “base�. This means it has to be finished up with a protection layer of Z2 or Z3. The reason Z5 is recommended as a base is because in theory it should hide the imperfections more easily seen in the dark colored cars, thereby improving the final look. Like has been said many times it is the preparation of the surface that yields the best final results.
 
bet993 said:
This site has such a wealth of knowledge it is amazing. I have learned incredible amounts of invaluable information about things I knew nothing about. Thank you all. :xyxthumbs



However, it amazes me the number of times I do searches and read misinformation about Z5 vs. Z2 and Z3.



Z5 is not a protectant. Z5 is the Zaino version of a swirl mark remover/hider that works by filling (hiding) the marks (it contains some optical enhancers, gloss additives and UV blockers).



The real power in the Zaino product line is Z2 and Z3. These are the protectants. This is why the final coat of any Zaino process (other than the Z6 gloss enhancer) should be Z2 or Z3. You can not expect to use only Z5 and have the protection against water spots, bird droppings, etc. as you do using Z2 and Z3. If you read the Zaino site the description of Z2 and Z3 goes into great detail about paint and finish protection, whereas the Z5 does not. This was the same with the old products also.



I think some of confusion about which is better for darker colored cars comes from Zaino’s comment that Z5 is a great base for dark colored cars, which show imperfections in the finish more than light color cars. Notice the word “base�. This means it has to be finished up with a protection layer of Z2 or Z3. The reason Z5 is recommended as a base is because in theory it should hide the imperfections more easily seen in the dark colored cars, thereby improving the final look. Like has been said many times it is the preparation of the surface that yields the best final results.
Click to expand...



obviously you have not learned enough :rolleyes:. Z5 IS a protectant, and a damn good one. Only reason to follow up with Z2 is for higher gloss, slickness, and optical clarity. I have a lot of experience with zaino and detailing cars, I know this for a fact. I applied 3 coats of Z5 on my ML last july (in 2002) and did a coat of z5 in august, and it beaded water very well up until about late february.
 
Ok, I can admit when I am wrong and I might be in this case. However, the Zaino web site is confusing at best when it comes to the protection issue. The Z2 & Z3 description ramble on about polymer technologies, special flex-additives and optical clarity, whereas the Z5 description starts out mentioning that removing swirls can be costly and will remove some of your finish and then proceeds to describe the swirl removing capabilities of the Z5 and its UV protection and gloss enhancers and finishes with a statement about it being a base coat for darker cars and how it should be followed by Z2.



The application sections always talk about Z2 and Z5 being “100% compatible and interchangeable� but it always mentions the last coat should be Z2. I have always interpreted this to be a note on compatibility because as we know some products inhibit the bonding capabilities of the Z products (oils, fillers, etc.) and have always thought this statement was to inform users that they could switch back and forth between the products without effecting ability of the other to bond (basically like once you top zaino with a carnauba you have to remove the carnauba before anymore zaino layers can be applied). Based on the descriptions of the products and the always last coat being Z2 statements I formulated the basis that Z2 was more a protectant. Maybe this was wrong. After rereading everything with a critical eye towards Z2, Z3 and Z5 all being protectants I can understand that also.



Which leads me to a question.



Assuming Z2 and Z5 each offer equal protection, then what’s up with Z2 being the last coat? I know it says for optical clarity but this optical clarity argument seems flawed (unless I misinterpreting again :rolleyes: ). It would seem logical that once a coat of a product (any product) that offered less optical clarity than another was applied then the total optical clarity of all applications would be limited by the clarity of the least optically clear product.



For example: Hypothetically if you have a perfect optically clear piece of glass and place a perfectly clear coating on it to protect the glass, you still have perfect optical clarity. Now take a perfectly clear piece of glass and place a less than perfectly clear optical coating on it, then place a perfectly clear coating on top that coating…the result would be optical clarity that is limited by clarity of the less than perfect coating. It would seem that once the optical clarity is compromised by a less than optically clear coating then no amount of an optically clear coating is going to improve optics unless it does something to modify, remover or improve the optical characteristics of the optically inferior coating. Shouldn’t the same principal apply to the Zaino process? In other words once Z5 is used the clarity and optics of all other layers are limited by the clarity optics of the Z5? It doesn’t makes sense that Z2 would be necessary if they have the same protection if the only difference is the optical clarity. Can any one explain this?



Oh by the way I am Zaino user and I don’t mean any of this to be a negative on the product.
 
bet993,



Yes, the optical clarity of the Zaino layers will not be any clearer than the least optically clear layer. I think the benefit to applying Z-2 as your final coat is that it has a higher level of gloss than Z-5.



But all this goes way beyond what I can see on my car. I currently use Z-5 exclusively on my black car and I couldn't tell any difference when "topping" my Z-5 layers with Z-2. My eyes aren't as fine-tuned as some of the other detailers here.



EDIT::



BTW, I just checked the website and you're right. Someone who first reads about Z-5 could very well think of it as more of a prep product that acts as a base for the real protectant.
 
Z5 was ment to "Fills swirl marks & fine scratches" which means that there is some type of "filler" for a lack of a better word in Z5.



Z2 is void of any "fillers" therefore can create a more dramatic shine/clearer or more optically brilliant.



For more info, and to be as accurate, contact Zaino directly for the full info. Otherwise, enjoy!



Regards,

Deanski
 
OK, Now that I should get the NEW Zaino by tomorrow or Tuesday, I'm gonna try something different.



I'm going to apply the NEW Z5 via PC with white or grey pad to see if the swirl hiding works any better with the PC as opposed to hand MF applicator.



Yea, I've yet to spend the time to REMOVE the light swirls applied by the "Swirl and Marring Application Specialist" at the dealer. I know, I know... Just got to get the time to DACP it and or Menzerna (Glue-Zerna) IP it B4 the Zaino. Lexus paint seems so brittle and easy to mark up, at least on this model year and color (Absolutly Red).



Everyone seems to love the way it shines now! People where I live think I'm obsessed cleaning it just about daily, but then again, they don't subscribe to Autopia do they?



Now if Sal could come up with a REAL polish to precede Z5/Z2, kind of a DACP or IP type that REALLY brings up the shine while removing swirls and other defects, then I think he may have the complete package! I can dream can't I?



I'll do a fender with the PC and Z5 and see results. If it still not as good in "hiding" swirls, then hell, it's time to strip off all Zaino and start again!



Anyone else try out the new Z5/Z2 lately? How much better?



Now, if I can only get the scratches off that Armorglove! IP looked like it may do the trick, but by hand it wasn't too good. Plastix did not do it as well.



Going to use Z5/Z2 on the wood trim (birds eye maple) in the Lexus as it is also clearcoated.



I'll report back as soon as I get the time to try my test.



Regards,

Deanski
 
Deanski said:
Anyone else try out the new Z5/Z2 lately? How much better?

Click to expand...

I have had the new Zaino formula on my car for about a week now and I must tell you that I notice it every day. I wouldn't have believed it, but this new stuff is just so much shinier, glossier, more reflective than before. I'm seeing many more true-color reflections than I ever saw before. It's like it turned the surface into a mirror!



(As a scientist I'm a lttle concerned that you're changing two things at once: New Z5 and PC. If you get a dramatically different result, which will get the praise/blame?)
 
OH YEA! Now I can't wait for the new Zaino to arrive!



Your right on the PC application, but I gotta use that grey pad for something. I'll do one fender area W+ PC and other w/o and see what I get.



I know I really must get rid of the light swirls dealer installed for free! Hate to see Zaino coats go bye-bye, but if the new Z2 is that intense, I better get the finish perfect! I guess I now get to try my PC with the "6" weight in it now as opposed to the "5" I had before. I also changed backing plate from Megs to the CMA one. Now maybe I'll have more consistant results with the PC.



The red should look really nice now! Thanks!!



Regards,

Deanski
 
detailbarn said:
I second the Z6 in gallons too. I hate buying the small bottles they go way to fast.
Click to expand...



I spoke twice in the last week with Sal. I mentioned this and he stated that they are not going to sell it in gallons for various reasons as they once did. So sadly I had to let it go too.
 
You can order a case of it at a little cheaper than $9.95 a bottle I think.



Whoops not much $9.83 or so a bottle with shipping for a case of 11.
 
I still think Sal is silly to not offer Z6 in gallons. Even if he didn't offer a volume discount on the product itself, but just passed the savings of the cost of a single gallon container vs. 8 x 16 oz. spray bottles, it would be more than worth it to a lot of his customers (IMNSHO, of course).



Tort
 
If you use Z5 to fill the swirls and leave it like that, will the swirls become more visable faster than if you topped the Z5 with Z2? My logic is that the Z2 layor would protect the Z5 fillers. Anyone know?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top