| KenK |
Quoted by a Zaino distributor in Corvetteforum
"New Z-5 has been out about 2 months now, it is an orange color, it shines better than the "old" Z-5 and protects better"
I wonder if the shine from the new Z5 will be equal to that from Z2 or not.
Worm, can you check this out with Zainobros. |
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| BaldEagle |
Just received Zaino last week and the Z5 is in a different shaped bottle than Z1 or Z2. Does that mean it is the "new Z5"?
I also recall a post by someone that stated they liked the shine better on Black with Z5 rather than Z2. Is that a popular opinion? |
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| TheWorm |
The z5 bottle always has been a different shape than z1/2/3. It's black and looks quite professional -- like 3M products. The z1/2/3 bottles look more like "homemade" packaging and are clear or just slightly opaque.
I haven't heard/read about a new formulation but I've seen occasional mention of reformulated products (without announcement) in the spirit of continuous improvement. I tried a search on a couple of zaino-intensive sites re: z5, but the software won't allow searches for stuff with < 3 letters :)
The "original" z5 is white. What color is yours? BTW, distributors frequently get improved (or new) products for testing well before they're mass-produced and released.
Finally, I think I'm one of the main proponents of z5 on black (instead of z2). Deeper/wetter and a "purer" black shine. z2 gives a muddy look on the Acura black...kinda like the outgassing film you get on the interior glass (not a z2 film, just looks kinda like it -- sort of a grayish hue). I tried z2 (again) for a second time a few months ago just to reconfirm my earlier impressions from over a year ago...and immediately switched back to a z5-exclusive regimen...
As always, YMMV. |
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| Maik |
"The "original" z5 is white. What color is yours? BTW, distributors frequently get improved (or new) products for testing well before they're mass-produced and released"
FYI, the Z5 that I have been using for the past two months is a light orange color. It still is packed in the black bottle. |
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| TheWorm |
Just asked Sal Zaino.
Yes, z5 has been reformulated. "Higher gloss factor". It is a different color -- slightly orange. Sounds like Maik's got it :) |
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| Homer2 |
Yup - new stuff is up here in Canada also.
Sometimes, these improvements are just incorporated into products - and not "broadcasted".
:cool: |
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| octavian |
Yup, I have had the new formula for several weeks now.
I noticed the color change and smell too. Funny, I thought the original Z5 I had was old or the Texas heat got to it, never thinking the new stuff was reformulated.....since no publicity was given.
Like the Wormster, I am sold on Z5 on black.
As far as whether the new Z5 has a higher gloss than the old Z5, I have not noticed any demonstrable difference, but, then again, my X was already pretty glossy.:cool: |
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| Homer2 |
| I was the opposite . .. at the time of my discovery, i was filling up a mix bottle for some zfx 'ing . . used the last of my z5, went and grabbed another from stock - poured it in - and immediately thought "Damn, something wrong here! " I should have remembered . . .:rolleyes: |
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| TheWorm |
Well, which of you characters is gonna offer me a sample so I can do an official test ;)
I've got 3.5 bottles of the "old stuff" :( |
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| Homer2 |
i would in a heartbeat my friend . . .
but alas . . . you are out of my trading territory, and the penalty for breeching that territory is having to use turtle wax for one month (that means at least 4 applications to get a month out of it) :D :2: |
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| texrb |
| I can't see how Z-5 can be more "glossy" - since I only have 4 coats of Z-5 on my "X" and it looks pretty darn good :cool: I am sticking with what works!! :2: |
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| octavian |
OK, did a comparison with old Z5 and new Z5.
The new Z5 smells better (a bit less solventy), is more orangy in color and is much less viscous than the old Z5, which means it is easier to apply and spread.
Drying time seems to be about the same. Did not ZFX accelerate it, due to the temp being in the 90's here.
As far as gloss is concerned, I simply cannot tell the difference....keep in mind that I am up to about 20 coats of Z, so incrementally one coat of the new stuff ain't gonna mean much.
BTW, the GuruReports evaluation of Zaino used Z2/Z1 and Z6 over an 8 week trial period. It was the only one wax/syn whose performance did not deteriorate after being affected by snow and ice. |
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| octavian |
I must amend my statement above.....I have noticed a significant increase in drying times for both the new Z5 and Z5/ZFX combo.
After yesterday's buffing, I saw some streaking which never has happened since the first time I put on Zaino last year. Hmmm, I thought, maybe I did not wait long enuff this time.
However this AM, to celebrate Father's Day, I put on another coat of Z5, this time primed with ZFX. 90 minutes later, the stuff still does not pass my "finger" test. :(
I have NEVER had to wait this long before.....temp is about 85 in my garage with a large fan blowing as well.
In checking Autopia, there were other posts about this phenomenon as well. With old Z5, I was always ready to buff no later than 30 minutes after application.
Anyway, would be curious to see if others share this protraction in drying times.
:confused: |
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| BaldEagle |
quote:
Originally posted by octavian
After yesterday's buffing, I saw some streaking which never has happened since the first time I put on Zaino last year.
I have had the same problem (streaking) and have the new Z5. Just received it and have no experience with the old Z5 so I can't compare the two.
Per "worm" I have easily removed the streaking by wiping with a slightly damp towel. Actually I used a spray bottle with distilled water and sprayed directly on the X and wiped with a towel, like using Z6. Reminds me of the old "shoe spit shine" days in the military.
Worm said I was probably applying too much Z, and would get better results with less. I used slightly less than 1 oz the last time I applied Z5, will try to use about 1/3 oz next time. |
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| octavian |
eagle, no, I thought of most everything, including quantity applied. I put on roughly .75 oz, which is a normal amount for me.
something else is at work here.....wormster, don't throw away your old Z5 yet!;)
well, I am done now.....Z6ed it and I am tired.....now I will go enjoy my Father's Day......hmmm, I wonder which one of my kids will futher ingratiate themselves with me by bringing me my slippers and a nice cool glass of orange juice?:D |
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| octavian |
| Thanks, Worm, for the reference. Verrrrrrry interesting. I'll try it again in a few weeks and report back. |
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| KenK |
I did not realize that Z2 have also been reformulated. Here are couple of quotes from Autopia forum:
"The new Z2 has been out for a while now, the newer Z5 formula began shipping this Spring. The Z2 is now pinker than before and the Z5 is almost orange or tan, compared to the previous cream color. As far as results go, well, I've used Z for a few years and I can tell a difference between formulas, but it is very slight. The newer Z5 applies easier than before and has a fantastic shine, more similar to the older Z2. On the other hand, the new Z2 seems to really bump up the gloss when used in multiple coats, i.e. with ZFX. If you're still using the older formulas, don't worry, the changes are so slight, most wouldn't even notice, other than the change in color. The durability and gloss does seem to last even longer, if that's possible, but it's hard to tell really. Just use up your current supply, then look forward to ordering the "newer" stuff. I've still got both versions, and regardless of which you use, you in for a fantastic shine with unsurpassed protection! "
"I've heard that the new Z5 tends to darken the paint color a little more which gives it more of a "carnuba" (warm) look. Have you found that to be true?" |
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| BaldEagle |
This weekend I put 2 more coats of Zaino on my X. (5 total now).
Because I have had problems with Z5 smearing I did a test comparing Z2 to the new Z5.
Put one coat of Z2, about 1/2 oz, on Saturday afternoon. I purchased some foam applicators and it was easier to apply a very light coat with them than the cotton applicators I have previously used. Sprayed a light film of Z6 occasionally on the applicator to help application. It dried in less than 1/2 hour although I waited 2 hours before buffing off. No smearing noticed.
Today I applied a coat of the new Z5, using less than 1/2 oz. It was about 15 hours since I applied the Z2. Waited about 4 hours (temp in garage was 85+) and buffed off. It seemed like the Z2 was slightly easier to remove than the Z5. I also still had a smearing problem with the Z5 although not as bad as the last time I applied it. (applied about 1 oz last time)
With the Z2 I did a test on one section of the X and applied it a lot thicker. That section buffed off with no extra effort and no smearing.
Something is wrong with the new Z5 and although the old Z5 may be better on Black I'm going to stick with the Z2 for now.
One additional comment. The bugs from my trip to California sure were easy to remove from my Zainoed MDX. Hope the Oregon bugs are the same. |
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| TheWorm |
quote:
Originally posted by BaldEagle
Something is wrong with the new Z5 and although the old Z5 may be better on Black I'm going to stick with the Z2 for now.
Thanks for the update. The mystery continues, I guess. I'd be sticking w/the z2, too, since that's not smearing. I'd also suggest either calling Sal himself (his # is on their website) or if you bought from a local distributor, call him/her.
Maybe Homer can chime in here w/his experience w/the new z5 on Honda/Acura paints...:confused:
I have such a stockpile of the "old" z5 that I'm gonna be of little help w/this one. I will mention as an aside (based on our earlier conversations re: zfx and dry time) that I did 3 coats of z5/zfx on the Lexus today; it dried in 10 minutes and came off easy w/o smears. Pretty much the opposite of zfx/z5 on the MDX. Gonna give the X another whirl in the next week to see what happens. Might add 1 xtra drop of ZFX while I'm at it. |
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| BaldEagle |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Thanks for the update. The mystery continues, I guess. I'd be sticking w/the z2, too, since that's not smearing. .
Thank you for your help worm. This is a great forum for MDX owners.
I was just reading the Autopia discussion on this problem and a couple of the posters speculated on the way the new Z5 reacted to different types of paint. Some used it even on Black and had no problems, others did. Most of the problems mentioned were on darker colors. I think it (smearing) my also be on the lighter colors but is not noticeable.
From my limited experience I don't think the type of paint has anything to do with the problem (except more visible on dark) because I had the smearing problem on the windows also with Z5. I wonder if those with lighter colors and no problems tried it on the windows?
I was able to correct the smearing relatively easy by buffing with 1/2 water and 1/2 Z6 this time.
I'm going to email Sam to get his input. |
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| octavian |
The mystery continues with the new Z5. Previously, when I applied the last 2 coats of Z5 w/ and w/o ZFX, I had serious streaking, particularly on the hood. :3:
Today, with similar environmentals - 85 degrees/80% humidity, no streaking.:D
The only difference is that I used a previously UNused vial to do my mixing and added 6 vs. 5 drops of ZFX to the mix. I also thoroughly shook the Z5 bottle prior to pouring it into the vial.
Theory 1: In the first go around I had not shaken my Z5 sufficiently and got a higher percentage of the yellow/orange stuff which floats on top into my mix, causing some weird chemical things to happen.
Theory 2: My previously well used vials, while cleaned thoroughly, may have had some residue that the new Z5/ZFX found incompatible. However, I used the new Z5/ZFX in an previously used vial on my beige Ody with no problems.
:confused: |
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| Homer2 |
sorry not to reply in such a long time - ive been inbetween houses and am just now getting back to the computer (the one at home isnt even hooked up yet - and im not sure what box it is in either)
anyways - as for the Z5 smearing debate . ..
ive used the new formula - on my own 2000 SSEi (black) and a customers 01 vette (black).
three coats each - -done in decent weather (80) ish - and did not notice any smearing or extended dry time.
i did use a new zfx mix vial each time - it was one day for each car.
i did notice the cars where shinier than i expected - especially the vette which had its firts zaino applications with me - it turned out better than i thought it would . .. damn Im good :)
ill be using it tonight on a darl metallic blue paint - and temps are going to be in the mid 70's - low humidity - i'll let you know how it works out . . .
cheers
dennis |
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| texaspilot |
I am a new user and would like some input from the experts in the group.
I am going to purchase Z2 for my Starlight Silver. I also wish to beutify the wife's Passat, which is a dark blue, not quite a Navy blue.
Do I use Z5 on the Passat? Or will Z2 work on the blue as well as my silver.
Any thoughts/experiences are greatly appreciated.
Darren
:2: |
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| Maik |
quote:
Originally posted by texaspilot
I am a new user and would like some input from the experts in the group.
I am going to purchase Z2 for my Starlight Silver. I also wish to beutify the wife's Passat, which is a dark blue, not quite a Navy blue.
Do I use Z5 on the Passat? Or will Z2 work on the blue as well as my silver.
Any thoughts/experiences are greatly appreciated.
Darren
:2:
general consensis seems to be to use Z5 on the dark colors and Z2 on the lighter cars. I use Z5 exclusively on my black MDX and Z2 on my wife's silver BMW. Both look great. |
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| BaldEagle |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
I'd also suggest either calling Sal himself .........
Gonna give the X another whirl in the next week to see what happens.
Might add 1 xtra drop of ZFX while I'm at it.
How did it go Worm with your latest application of Z5?
I have discussed this problem with Sal since my last post and he said my problem with smearing was caused by using too much product. Some of his comments: "Smearing is caused by using too much", "less is more", "my product is highly concentrated, I could apply more than 30 coats on a car with one bottle of Z5".
After talking to Sal I put an initial coat of Z5 on the wife's new Lincoln LSE (after Z1) and another coat on the MDX and had almost no smearing. I used only 1 oz for both cars, about 2/3 on the LSE and 1/3 on the MDX.
I just received ZFX on the group buy and next time I'm going to do 2 coats on the wife's rig and one more on the X.
What applicators are best for applying Zaino? I have had better results applying it thin with a foam applicator pad than the cotton one supplied with the Zaino. |
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| TheWorm |
BaldEagle,
I haven't done another round on the X since my last post. Time flies :) Will update, tho...
Re: applicators. I use the Zaino applicators, but a LOT of folks prefer foam to get a more even application/coat. I just haven't had time to hunt some good foam applicators down... |
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| texaspilot |
I would like to know what the group suggests for a first time buyers kit.
I would also like to hear suggestions as to where you purchase the foam that you use.
Thanks for all of the great advice/information!
Darren
:4: |
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| BaldEagle |
quote:
Originally posted by texaspilot
I would like to know what the group suggests for a first time buyers kit.
Darren
:4:
From the C5Forum.com web site:
"You need minimally Z-1, Z-2, Z-6 and a cotton applicator pad. Z-1 Polish Lok is the foundation to the Zaino process.. it's the "primer" coat. Z-2 is the polish that gives your car deep and lasting shine and protection. Z-6 is the Gloss Enhancer Spray that you use to keep your car dust free and looking beautiful, kind of like a quick detail spray. Z-6 is used between coats of Z-2 to provide enhanced gloss."
I'd also add the Z7 car wash. Z6 and Z7 gets used quite a bit, Z2 (and Z5) go a long way, one bottle will last a long time. Order more than one Z6 and Z7 if your budget allows. |
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| ericp |
quote:
Originally posted by BaldEagle
I have discussed this problem with Sal since my last post and he said my problem with smearing was caused by using too much product. Some of his comments: "Smearing is caused by using too much", "less is more", "my product is highly concentrated, I could apply more than 30 coats on a car with one bottle of Z5".
That makes sense. I applied new Z5 with ZFX this weekend. I had read about the smearing problems and was concerned. I used 1 oz. Z5 and 3 drops ZFX in a new vial. I did shake the Z5 very well before pouring into the vial and mixing with ZFX.
With the first two coats, there was no smearing at all. With the third coat, I noticed smearing. I didn't know what was causing the smearing. It was getting more humid outside (I was in the garage) and started raining just after the 3rd coat, so that's what I blamed it on.
Now that I think about it, though, on the third coat I was thinking, I'll either have to throw the leftover mixture away or apply it with this coat. So the third coat was thicker, thus smearing.
FWIW, a Z7 wash took the smears right away, and boy, she shines!! :cool:
E |
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| Maik |
quote:
Originally posted by ericp
FWIW, a Z7 wash took the smears right away, and boy, she shines!! :cool:
E
I must have been using to little Z7, but last weekend I was coming down to the end of a bottle, and rather than try to stretch out two washings, I used the remainder of the bottle. Lots and lots of suds.
End result was an incredible shine. For the first time, I was not even tempted to put on another layer of Z5! |
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| BaldEagle |
quote:
Originally posted by BaldEagle
How did it go Worm with your latest application of Z5?
I have discussed this problem with Sal since my last post and he said my problem with smearing was caused by using too much product. Some of his comments: "Smearing is caused by using too much", "less is more", "my product is highly concentrated, I could apply more than 30 coats on a car with one bottle of Z5".
After talking to Sal I put an initial coat of Z5 on the wife's new Lincoln LSE (after Z1) and another coat on the MDX and had almost no smearing. I used only 1 oz for both cars, about 2/3 on the LSE and 1/3 on the MDX.
I just received ZFX on the group buy and next time I'm going to do 2 coats on the wife's rig and one more on the X.
What applicators are best for applying Zaino? I have had better results applying it thin with a foam applicator pad than the cotton one supplied with the Zaino.
Update on my experience with the new Z5 smearing.
A few weeks ago I tried the ZFX, 4 drops with about slightly less than one Oz. of Z5, and put one coat on three cars. Per Sal's recommendation I actually used only about 1/4 oz. on the MDX. Although it was minor I still experience smearing, hard to see but in the bright sunlight looking at certain angles it was there. Was relatively easy to remove with a water spray and wipe. Temperature was in the 80's when I started and low 90's by the time I was finished.
A few days ago I opened my new bottle of Z5 (received in the group buy at different time than original bottle of Z5) and tried it on the rear of the Lincoln and front of the MDX. The temperature was in the mid 60's and it was raining lightly outside (high humidity). I did not use ZFX this time. I waited about 2 hours before trying to remove and Results----NO SMEARING, and better shine!
I have come to the conclusion that something was wrong with the first bottle of Z5 I received. Either it was a bad batch or was exposed to excessive heat or cold, but something is definitely wrong with it.
I plan on calling Sal again next week and will report back on his comments. |
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