I just Zainoed my car and I noticed that the color seems a little "flatter" than it did before. It seems to be missing that "dark sparkle" that i love so much in Silverstone.

Has anyone else noticed this, or am I just being paranoid as usual?

Is there an alternative to Zaino that doesn't have this effect?

Thanks,
JasZ

 

I've never heard anyone say that Zaino made their car look "worse". I've seen other SS owners use it and they seemed to really like it.

Did you buff it all off? How think did you put it on? Z-2 or Z-5? Did you also use the Z-6? Did you clay the car first?

 

I'm probably just being paranoid.
Here's what I did:

z-7, dawn, clay, z-7, z-2, z-5, z-2

Are those microfiber towels ok to use on the car?

Thanks

 

If I had to guess, you may have applied it too thick and then did not get all of it off. I did not see the Z-6 step in your process, and that step, can help remove the small amount of residue left on after the initial polish removal. Your color is difficult at best to get a thin coat on because it is difficult to see coverage. If you put it on thick enough to see solid coverage, then it probably was too thick. I have a silver Vette and it is difficult to do. I have to have very good light and constantly have to look at the area I covered at different angles to make sure I got it.
At this point, you can wash it with Z-7 and after a few washes it should come alive, or worst case you can strip it and start over. I would wash it a few times before you strip. You can use a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water to remove Zaino. It sounds horrible, but it really is harmless and will not hurt your paint. I have stripped my Silver Vette about 7 times in the last year, and the paint is still perfect. FYI, I strip it to experiment with different combinations of polish and to test different towels.

Microfiber towels are great to use, just be very careful of the inexpensive ones from the big warehouses, and discount stores. They can cause swirls.

 

Didn't need to do the initial Z-7 since the Dawn is alkaline and is designed to strip off old stuff. The Z-7 is pH balanced and mild. It cleans while not stripping anything.

You should do the Z-7 AFTER the Dawn however.

 

I see Z2 - Z5 - Z2. Not seeing ZFX, I am assuming those applications were applied over three or fours days? How many ounces did you apply with each application? If you used ZFX, the mixing bottles are 2 ounce, 1 ounce is more than enough per application. Z6 is a GREAT product. I use it after Z7 and then again after applying Z2 and Z5. Make polish FUN and easier. Assuming you have a garage available, I might suggest applying Z2 without ZFX and let it sit for 8 - 10 hours then buff and apply Z6.

 

I guess I should have been more clear. I did use the ZFX wax. I just added it to the z-2 and z-5, but I did use about 2 ounces of wax on the last two coats.

Crap. Is there a problem with the fact that I did Dawn and then clay barred and then z-7 instead of Dawn then z-7?

What about those microfiber type towels. Should I use those for washing?

Thanks for all the great information, by the way.

 

Dawn Vs Z7 is not the issue. As Doc said you didn't need to use it before you started the process. You just used way too much Z2 and Z5 without using Z6.

Lets go ahead and wash with Z7, dry and apply Z6. A little Z6 goes a long ways. Go to the Zaino site and refresh yourself with Z6 application.

Now, if you have that garage, apply a 1 ounce coat of Z2 WITHOUT "ZFX". Use the mixing bottle and only fill it half full. Let it remain on the "Z" for at least 8-10 hours. Then buff/polish and finish it off with Z6.

 

Ok, damn. I can't seem to get this right. I did actually use z-6 between each layer of z-2/z-5 with zfx and after the whold job.

Sorry, I'm not being clear. I can barely remember that far back.

What is the real difference between using the zfx in the wax and not?

 

I bet the "dark sparkle" you are missing is due to the wax that was stripped off with dawn. Since Zaino is 99% optically clear you are now seeing the real color of the paint.

 

Well, I washed it again and I think it is looking better. Maybe I didn't get all the wax buffed off before or something.

 

As SungNamZ said, your problem was simply too much polish per layer. Use Zaino like it cost $1000 an ounce. If you think you are putting it on too thin, PUT IT ON THINNER! This is the key to great results with Zaino. More is NOT better when it comes to using Zaino.

 

So do I need to do something like what he suggested or should I just put it on thineer next time?


Thanks

 

Nevermind. I washed it again with the z-7 and it looks really good now. I'll use it sparingly from now on.

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

Sounds like you are now on track! As Doc said...think of it as costing $1000's of dollars or liquid gold. Less is best! Apply a coat of Z5 with ZFX now and then. Assuming you have that garage, apply Z2 without ZFX and let it sit all night. Why, I don't know, ask Doc, but the shine is remarkable. Do the Z5 with and Z2 without on the same day.

 

Sweet. Thanks. I'll do that next time. I'm a total noob to all this stuff so thanks for the help.

 

Another satisfied Zainoite!

 

2 ounces, daamn!! You could zaino a bus with that much!

 

So I figured out that my car just looks different under the crappy florescent lights in my garage, but I went out tonight and came back to my carin the parking lot under a light and damn! That bad boy looks great. I think a guy parked near me had a liquid aluminum or chrome silver Z.

Thanks again for the help.

 

I ALWAYS Zaino MY bus: