| xcel |
Hi All:
___My wife took the oldest boy back to U of I yesterday so the X came back absolutely filthy with bug splatter. In other words, the X needed some serious cleaning …
___I just finished up with the 6-1/2 hour ordeal of Dawn - total wash, Claybar w/ a spray of Z7, Z7 - total wash, Z2 w/ZFX, Z6, Z2 w/ZFX, Z6 on all surfaces but the front windshield.
___The Claybar really works like magic as I have never used one before. It was pulling off debris that would be almost impossible any other way. The Z7 produced quite a bit of sudsing action which I was pleasantly surprised by. It beat the Armor All Car wash I used to use apparently.
___With all of the prep, the X looked almost show room ready without applying any polish … After all of the polish, the X looks very shiny but my real question comes from the fact that it is not very slippery? Anytime I have used wax on a vehicle, the car is as slick as hard plastic in the rain. After all the work above, the X is not as slick as I thought it would be. Is this normal? I was using just 1 oz. of Z2 w/ 4 drops of ZFX and the same quantities again for the second application. The Z6 was a simple spray on sparingly and wipe off after each Z2/ZFX combo. Should I have used more Z2/ZFX? I had a thin but good and complete coverage with the 1 oz. + 4 drop mixture I used so I didn’t think that was a problem but I could be wrong? I guess the important item is that it lasts and that is what Zaino is supposed to do but I thought I had better ask before the wife takes it out and screws it up all over again :(
___Thanks in advance for any and all replies.
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| jswift2000 |
| Nice detailing job. Zaino rules and I also thought the car wasnt as slick as a normal wax after I applied it but the shine is unreal. |
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| DEZRVIT |
| Sounds like how I spent my weekend, two coats of Zaino. Same feeling, not as slick as wax, but very wet looking, I guess that is how Zaino is. :8: |
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| Blackura |
This was the first good Zaino weekend of the year for most of us in the north. I too tackled my very first Z-job on Sunday afternoon. The MDX looks really good in black.
Impressions: For me, the clay bar didn't feel as if it was doing anything. Others have reported "feeling" debris being "scraped" off. I felt like I was wiping the surface with wet yellow Play Doh for no apparent reason. I did the hood and both front fenders with clay anyway. It did not take off the bug splatter remnants, but my fingernail did (used gently). Yes, I did wash the car. First at a car wash to get *lots* of dirt off, and then again with Dawn before even thinking of touching the Zaino. At first, I don't think I used enough Z7/water mix Zaino lubricant, so the bar was leaving dull yellow streaks and smudges on black paint. With lots of lube (meaning it was dripping off the car onto the garage floor), it went smoother.
Then I pulled it out of the garage and washed it again (the 3rd wash in an hour!) with water and Z7 and hosed it all off.
Since I have black, I just mixed one ounce of Z5 (not Z2) with five drops of ZFX. It didn't take off any small swirly scratches as I had hoped. I had no illusions of more prominent little scratches coming off, but I thought the extremely light ones might (which is why I was told to go with Z5 rather than Z2). Oh well.
I let it dry while I tackled more landscaping for about an hour, and then wiped if off with a 100% cotton made-in-the-USA white bath sheet.
I used the clay bar on the front of the car only (hood and both front fenders). The whole vehicle looks really good, but I can't say I notice any difference for all the extra work with the clay bar on the front.
By this time, it was 8pm, the sun was going down and I hadn't eaten since noon. I'll do the second (and possibly third) coat(s) the next nice weekend we get.
My final score: Not the 10 I had hoped for, but a solid 9.
PS--- Somewhere else on this forum, someone had mentioned liking the smell of the Zaino. I agree. :) |
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| yolk |
After reading all the good stuff about Zaino on this board, I too took the plunge and did my first Zaino job last weekend.
I certainly echo the feelings about Zaino not feeling as slippery but I'm hoping that with more coats, it will get better. Even if this is not the case, the promise of a longer lasting shine will do for me.
I clayed my older Integra as an experiment first and found that while it didn't get rid of all the tough old stains, it did help to get rid of a good deal of the grime and the surface certainly felt much smoother after that. My question is will I need to clay again in the future and if so, will all the coats of Zaino be removed and I have to start from scratch again ?
BTW, I thought I detected the smell of blueberry in the Z-7 and bubblegum in the Z-6. Then again, maybe I was just high from all that sun, washing, wiping and fumes... :20: |
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| shootist |
Yolk,
First post and it's about Zaino. I have high hopes for you on this board. |
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| rjmitche |
quote:
Originally posted by xcel
___I just finished up with the 6-1/2 hour ordeal of Dawn - total wash, Claybar w/ a spray of Z7, Z7 - total wash, Z2 w/ZFX, Z6, Z2 w/ZFX, Z6 on all surfaces but the front windshield.
:eek: 6-1/2 hours!?!?! :eek: That's quite the project. I think I'd be in real trouble with the wife if I spent that much time with the X (not to mention my right arm would probably fall off :)).
And... where are the pictures? :confused:
I managed to sneak in a little less than three hours this weekend washing and waxing the X (using Meguiar's car wash, and Gold Class Liquid wax). Got up early to get the wash done... pulled it in the garage and took care of the usual weekend business. Did the waxing in the early evening when it was a little cooler (and the shade had creeped far enough down the driveway). |
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| octavian |
xcel, hmmm, that is strange. I just put another coat of Z2 on today (26 and counting) and ever since the first coat, I was always amazed at how slippery the surface is.....slicker than a pig's behind in a tub of silicone.
My favorite test is my upper lip test on the "A" pillar.....it feels sooo smooth when I run my lip up and down it. Of course, I do this in the privacy of my garage...no telling what the neighbors, let alone the local police would think of this action.
Zaino effects are cumulative, so don't give up hope....the next coat might just be the one that will do it for you. |
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| xcel |
Hi Octavian:
___I won’t give up on this yet. Another one or two coats goes on this weekend … Damn X sure looks good right now as it didn’t rain at the wife’s work or here until after she got home and the X was parked in its little cocoon called the garage! I would like the X’s surface to be a bit more slick though. Did you use ZFX with your Z2 by chance? While I was cleaning out the remnants of Z2/ZFX mixture in the 2 oz. mixing bottle on early Monday morning, I noticed the mixture had a tacky feel to it and I wonder if ZFX is actually causing the surface to be less slick than it could be?
___I remember seeing one of the many Zaino shootouts sometime late last year where Zaino ate up everything out there except for the dust test. The reviewer somehow drove the test vehicle through a dusty area and the Zaino’ed side of the vehicle looked like it was painted w/ dust vs. the other whatever polish/wax was still relatively clean. Maybe I will go without the ZFX and let the Z2 dry overnight before wiping down (if it will dry?) and see what happens?
___Rjmitche, no pics until the interior accessories are installed ;) I am still awaiting the Panavise before the Blitzsafe goes in and the Axim/i.Trek are setup for their final temporary resting place … Than the Amp and such but those are going to have to wait. If Xenon Depot would ever offer a Hid GB for $479.00 or thereabouts, I would add that to the list as well :(
___As for the 6-1/2 hours, 3 hours of that was the Dawn, Claybar w/ Z7, Z7 prep. Adding Z2/ZFX and Z6 to the Chromed rims, Chrome Side Steps, roof, and roof rack took a heck of a long time as well …
___Yolk, welcome to the AcuraMDX.org neighborhood. Hopefully you will find everything you need to know about the X in a very short period of time.
___Blackura, I think the reason you may have been disappointed with the clay bar is that either your X was super clean to begin with or its black and you don’t see the specks of whatever coming off. I just cleaned the Corolla w/ Dawn in total, Z7 in total, Claybar w/ Z7, Z7 in total again in the rain tonight and the amount of junk the Claybar removed after the 2 washes was amazing.
___And to all, I like the smell of the various Zaino concoctions as well :D
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| Blackura |
A few days have passed now, and I think I've gotta raise my 9 to a 9.5
It rained on and off all day today and the water beads up very small with the Zaino. Still looks pretty good, much better than it would have in this weather w/o the Zaino.
As for the "slippery" factor, I saw an old friend yesterday and stopped to talk with her for about a half hour (yes, the motor was running all that time... so much for MPG this time out!).
She hadn't seen my new MDX before and thought it was beautiful in black. She also wanted to know if I could sell drugs from it. I told her "sorry, I only do my pimping from this car." :) Anyway, I mistakenly leaned up against the hood and not very gracefully slid off the finish and damn near fell on my pasty white ass in the street. So I guess my days as a super fly pimp are severely numbered, huh.
Hopefully, there will be time and temperature for another coat or three of Zaino this weekend! |
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| xcel |
Hi Blackura:
___Thank you for the reply. After reading your post, I went out to check the X’s skin to see if it was any slipperier than on early Monday morning. It wasn’t :( I asked my wife again about driving home in the rain and again she said, “No, I didn’t drive home in the rain but it was raining while I was at work”. I expected to see water spots and a mess of some kind all over the X when I arrived home so that is why I thought it hadn’t rained on the X. I just now only found a few droplets under the rear window wiper blade and a few splatters of dirt on the rear side steps. Not bad for a 7 mile drive home. This Zaino stuff works as far as keeping the mess off during this first post Zaino rain that I can tell. I only wish I had the chance to see it in action for myself.
___Anyone want to add a comment or two about using Z2 without ZFX to achieve a more slippery feel?
___Thanks again.
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| jswift2000 |
Wayne,
I used Z2 w/o zfx a few weeks ago and i cant remember it feeling any more slippery. Then it occured to - why do I car if its slick? As long as it shines, beeds water and looks damn good, that what matters to me. I know how we all feel and the old school taught us that the car was slippery after waxing. Oh well. Its supposed to be nice this sunday in the North East and I'll be applying two coats of zaino - on z5 and one z2. 6 1/2 hours is about right, maybe a little long. The first full detail of my x was about 4.5 - 5 hours (I started at 6:00am) and most of the time is the 30 mins to 1 hour of letting each coat of zaino dry. I didnt clay so thats why it took me a little less time.
Yolk,
Welcome. Where in CT are you? |
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| octavian |
js, slickness is important because the slicker the finish, the less likely you will have dust and dirt and grime attach itself to your X. The slickness of Z2/Z5 coupled with the antistatic properties of Z6 is remarkable.
Plus you can go thru the air a lot faster....;) |
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| yolk |
Guys,
Thanks for the warm welcome. This is a great board and really informative.
Zaino worked really well in the rain for me. It beaded well and by the time I got home, the rain had stopped and all the surfaces were dry and clean. :)
BTW, does anyone know where to get extra supplies of those mixing bottles that come with the ZFX ?
jswift2000,
I live in Hamden, but work in Shelton... which is right next to you ! |
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| DEZRVIT |
quote:
Originally posted by yolk:
BTW, does anyone know where to get extra supplies of those mixing bottles that come with the ZFX ?
yolk, try a craft store. My wife shops at a craft store called Michaels, I found some there the same size for about .50 each. |
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| jswift2000 |
| Nice yolk. Our disaster recovery site is in Shelton. Im not sure about the whole slickness and dust thing. One fault of Zaino is attracts dust like a son-of-a-b!tch. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by jswift2000
Nice yolk. Our disaster recovery site is in Shelton. Im not sure about the whole slickness and dust thing. One fault of Zaino is attracts dust like a son-of-a-b!tch.
Yup, doesn't seem to come off, no matter how fast I drive. :2: |
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| TheWorm |
quote:
Originally posted by yolk
BTW, does anyone know where to get extra supplies of those mixing
I get mine @ Longs Drugs. Don't think you've got 'em there, but a decent-sized drug/variety store should have them. They're usually in the "sample size" aisle, and are labeled as travel containers for shampoo and such. 25 cents or so. |
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| amazent |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
I get mine @ Longs Drugs. Don't think you've got 'em there, but a decent-sized drug/variety store should have them. They're usually in the "sample size" aisle, and are labeled as travel containers for shampoo and such. 25 cents or so.
They are available at Long's and Walgreen's. but more like $1. |
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| DaleB |
Just did a total clean up, a coat of Z2, Z6 and Glass Wax on the Maniks..zowee! just before I installed the new Colgan bra...
film at 11 !
or, pictures tomorrow.... |
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| mdxxxx |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
Just did a total clean up, a coat of Z2, Z6 and Glass Wax on the Maniks..zowee! just before I installed the new Colgan bra...
film at 11 !
or, pictures tomorrow....
Dont' forget! ;) |
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| TheWorm |
quote:
Originally posted by amazent
They are available at Long's and Walgreen's. but more like $1.
Don't buy the ones with the fliptop cap...you've already got those...or maybe it's the higher rent on the Penninsula ;) |
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| amazent |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Don't buy the ones with the fliptop cap...you've already got those...or maybe it's the higher rent on the Penninsula ;)
I do notice prices vary at different Walgreen's. SF being highest.
Maybe a group buy from the East Bay? |
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| xcel |
Hi All:
___I gave the Corolla another Z7 wash w/ single app of Z2/ZFX and Z6 tonight. Its color is known as Moonshadow Metallic which is a type of glossy dark brown. The TW X still looks as wet as it did Monday morning which is excellent but the Corolla now looks so shiny and reflective. There can’t be a Corolla as shiny as this in all of Illinois! Well at least within 7 miles of the Wisconsin border anyway ;) Damn this stuff is good … If you have a darker color, just do it. You will not regret your Zaino purchase and application.
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| mdxxxx |
quote:
Originally posted by amazent
I do notice prices vary at different Walgreen's. SF being highest.
Maybe a group buy from the East Bay?
Actually, the North Bay may be the best bet... Vallejo, Benicia, ect... |
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| jswift2000 |
Wayne,
Do you throw this stuff on the mowers? I bet you would have the cleanest and shiniest mowers out there (you use an exmark, right?) :D |
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| yolk |
Thanks for the various tips on where to get the mixing bottles. I finally got mine at Walmart in the pharmacy/comestics area. They only had the flip top type but I managed to get 4 for $1.50 which isn't too bad.
Had the same problem with dust too, so I got myself one of those California Car Duster thingy and it seems to be working pretty well... |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by mdxxxx
Dont' forget! ;)
Ok, you asked for it! |
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| mdxxxx |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
Ok, you asked for it!
Beautiful as always... I think its the first time I've seen the rear deflector... nice!... :29: |
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| BklynMDX |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
Ok, you asked for it!
Gorgeous view, gorgeous car!
BTW, is there possibly an accessory that you don't have and want to put on your X?!? |
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| hockeyplayer |
| Looks awesome DaleB...There is just something about the X that looks so good when the rims are shiney and the wheels are dressed. It looks like a completely different vehicle. I am sure most will agree with me. |
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| Happy_MDX |
| Sweeeeet Ride :claphead: |
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| TheWorm |
Nice pics, DaleB. Effective demonstration of your offroad prowess, too ;)
Spoiler and BSMs look good. Can't remember if your deflector is OEM or the Texas Dar...From the pics, it actually appears to be a bit higher than the roof (rather than same-height on the OEM)...slightly different shape. Like it... |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Nice pics, DaleB. Effective demonstration of your offroad prowess, too ;)
Spoiler and BSMs look good. Can't remember if your deflector is OEM or the Texas Dar...From the pics, it actually appears to be a bit higher than the roof (rather than same-height on the OEM)...slightly different shape. Like it...
It's TexasDar..but I don't remember a height difference. Have to find another and compare...or take measurements. |
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| TheWorm |
Could just be the angle of your pics, combined w/the fact that I'm used to looking @ black-on-black (masking the "lines") on ours...
Back to the Zaino part. Whew, I'm pooped -- and haven't even gotten to the X yet. The GS needed a full stripdown and claybar. Then hit it with the Porter Cable and 3M swirl remover. 1 coat z1/z5 yesterday and 3 coats zfx/z5 today. I actually did a 3M wax topper on the hood (tommyleon sent me a sample). We were running late so I haven't even seen it in its full glory outdoors; just sittin' in the garage. |
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