You need to use the Z-1 every six months on a daily driver (one year, if a garage queen) or after every 10 applications of the Z-2 (or Z-5), whichever comes first. And you're limited to one coat per day if using the Z-1/Z-2 or the Z-2 alone if the temp is below 70 degrees.

 

I put on coat 4 yesterday after a Z7 wash and Z6. Since I had used ZFX on all previous coats, it was above 60 degrees and I wasn't in a hurry, I decided I didn't need ZFX this time. Then on a whim I put in a half-dose of ZFX, two drops for a little more than an ounce of Z2.

It seemed like this coat was more difficult to remove than previous coats; not a major effort, but it just seemed like I needed to rub harder. I'm wondering if the half-dose of ZFX is responsible? I figure there are three possibilities:

1) It's all in my head; it's totally subjective, there really was no difference.

2) It is typical for Z2 to be a little harder to remove when you don't use ZFX

3) Z2 is normally easy to remove whether you use ZFX or not, but what I experienced was a freaky chemical thing caused by the fact that I used half as much ZFX as I should have.

I'd be interested in your experience and/or opinion on this.

 

Put on my 2nd coat of Z2 today. Was harder to remove than first coat. Used Z1 and not ZFX the first time. Right now can't tell any difference having 2 coats againt only 1. Yes I'm using Z6 before and after 2nd coat. Looks great but I really don't think putting more "coats" of Z2 on is going to make any difference and I'm sure eveyone will disagree but hey, go ahead. After saying that. his Zanio stuff is great. Also did my 2 Harleys today for the 1st time and they never looked better.

 

You're of course entitled to your own opinion. I could tell the difference between three coats & four.

 

Here's a demo. Now, I understand that lighting, etc. can fool you in pictures, but here it is for what it's worth. After I put on the 4th coat I put my car back in the same spot & re-shot my signature pic. I'll attach my 3-coat sig pic, then you'll see my 4-coat sig pic just below that:

 

Did you use ZFX for the second coat?

 

Hi, my first post here, I've been reading ALOT of my350z.com forums lately. Quick question: when I put on the Z-6, dont I need to take it off very soon after it's on? Or do I just apply the next coat of Zaino? Hey AudioPat, what part of SoCal do you live in?

 

Hi guys...

Hope you don't mind if the girls play too! Just got my new Redline (Touring) on Monday and I have been studying your forums to become enlightened in the ways of preserving the beauty of the 'Z. I am so glad to find all this info so easily! I have the Zaino ordered and searched today for white 100% cotton towels. I found Fieldcrest/Cannon and those are now 80% cotton/20% poly...so I passed. Had an idea that maybe the fabric store would carry 100% cotton terry cloth...which would be considerably less expensive. And they do....so you guys might want to skip on using your wife's towels and go buy white 100% cotton terry cloth (made in the USA) at your local fabric store. I got 4 yards at $5.99 per yard..this was not a sale price, but I need it now. Each yard is 60 inches wide by 36 inches long, so I will get approximately 3 "towels" per yard. So...for $25, I will have 12 good sized towels...and I don't even have to cut off the hemmed edges! Hey...gotta save money where ya can to justify that Zaino!!


Later,
mamasZ

 

Thanks for the hint, mamasz; good idea! You aren't the only lady at my350z.com, though. We have at least one female moderator and several regulars!

I know Zaino recommends 100% cotton, and I use that for washing and applying and removing the polish, but for drying and Z6'ing I have gone to microfiber towels. The cotton left so much lint!

 

I'll bet Sal Zaino is laughing all the way to the bank!!

 

Are you sure the hemmed edges are 100% cotton. What are you using to hem the newly cut edges?

 

Correct, you apply and then immediately wipe off the Z-6. After this is done THEN you apply your next layer or Z-2 or Z-5.

 

My question with Zaino is that with every extra layer beyond 2 layers, is there truely a difference in shine quality.

My hypothesis is that Zaino is a mixture of a solvent and solute. When the solvent dries off, yhou are left with the solute (layer of Zaino). The problem arises when you apply more Zaino to a car already Zaino'd, the solvent in Zaino will dissolve the layer of Zaino already on the car. Thus you truly only have "one" layer and all this work of apllying multiple layers of Zaino is for nothing.

To be accurate, one has to have a "blinded" test with one car having one or two layers of Zaino and other with multiple "layers" and see if there is a difference without telling the observer.

My thought - there probably is no difference.

 

Zaino DOES stack, it does NOT remove the previous layers. As far as shine, it gets better up to about 5 or 6 coats and then gets difficult to see any increase in shine after that. BUT, the more layers, the better the protection it provides from bugs, birds, etc. Additional coats occassionally also are filling in those pesky micro swirls that all cars get and shows the worst on black.

Zaino isn't like a cleaner wax or any kind of wax. It is a synthetic polymer. It doesn't wash off either.

 

Do you guys wash and apply the wax in a shaded area or direct sunlight? These seems like a lot of work and I purchased a black G35 coupe so I know it's going to be a PITA.

 

Zaino isn't wax, get your mind set on that fact. Benefits are that you can apply it in sun or shade, and (I love this one!) it doesn't look crappy on rubber & plastic.

Although you still have to go through the motions, Zaino is easier than any wax I've ever used to apply. The original application takes a while, if you choose to claybar, just because there's a few steps. (The return on your effort invested is well worth it IMHO.) Additional coats go on real easy, especially if you Z6 first.

 

Of course the surface prep, including claying, is NOT a Zaino thing. It should be done on occassion regardless of the product you plan to use.

 

How many layers to achieve this?

 

Gosh, that's beautiful! I was going to respond "You tell us!" until I notice it's a link from zainobros.com

A lot can be done with just lighting, and black is naturally very reflective. It could just be a few coats, but I'd guess that bad boy has 5 or more. I'm not the leading Zaino master here. Is there a doctor in the house?

 

I can't tell you how many that car has on it but I do know that a lot of the old Zaino gurus have like 30-35 layers on their cars. I am holding at 20 right now. My car has been garaged for the last 5-6 weeks and with the temps almost always under 25-30 degrees for the last few weeks (it's 3 degrees as I write this), I haven't been able to add any.