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Zaino Z2 Pro vs #16 - Take II

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  • Zaino Z2 Pro vs #16 - Take II

    My first experiment wasn't too well received on some forums. So I decided to try it out again with all the "proper" Zaino steps.

    Zaino replaced my solid vial of ZFX which prevented me from using it last time, and I also ordered up some ZPC to try out. So I decided to redo my hood experiment. Today I cleaned the hood of the Nissan. Then I polished it with ZPC via Cyclo with polishing pads. I wiped it off, taped the hood down the middle, and went to it.

    This time I reversed sides. I put #16 on the driver's half of the hood. It went on easy enough, didn't even have to put the applicator in the tin more than once.

    I mixed up one drop of ZFX with a little less than 1/4 of an ounce of Z2 Pro. Then I shook it up and applied it to the other side of the hood. This also illustrates one of the things I dislike about ZFX. There was more product wasted stuck on the side of the sample bottle than there was used on the paint.

    I let both sides sit for about 10 minutes before buffing them off. They both came off nice and easy, and both sides feel nice and smooth. I wouldn't know there was a different product on each half.

    I decided against doing multiple coats of Z2 Pro. We'll see how they hold up against the elements.

    As an aside, the ZPC is nice. It was very easy to use, spread really well, and buffed off easily. The only thing I can't speak to is it's defect correction ability. The Nissan's paint didn't look different before or after in terms of minor scratches and such. But it helped the dull look of the paint, as does just about anything applied to it. I will say, though the bottle says it leaves no "fillers or oils" behind, it certainly seems to leave something behind. The paint is left feeling rather smooth. I debated wiping a side down with some 50/50 water/alcohol but decided not to mess with the experiment. I suspect it would remove that smooth feeling, though. I'll try that some other time. I definitely want to try the ZPC out on the Corvette.
    1990 Corvette ZR-1 Bright Red with Red interior Hear it!
    2002 Aurora 4.0 Cherry Metallic with Neutral interior Hear it!
    1997.5 Regal GS Jasper Green Pearl with Medium Gray interior

  • #2
    OK, let's see how the test works out this time. How did the two products hold up on the mirror housings? Did the #16 one stay richer looking?
    Practical Perfectionist

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    • #3
      Re: Z2 Pro vs #16 - Take II

      Originally posted by Aurora40
      This also illustrates one of the things I dislike about ZFX. There was more product wasted stuck on the side of the sample bottle than there was used on the paint.

      Bob, one of the tricks that I use for situations like this is a syringe. You can get 2-4 ounce sizes from pet stores and mix the product in there and you get 99.9% of all the product out for use.
      Quadruple Honda Owner
      Black cars are easy!

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      • #4
        Originally posted by Accumulator
        OK, let's see how the test works out this time. How did the two products hold up on the mirror housings? Did the #16 one stay richer looking?
        Hmm, good question. I haven't actually washed the car since I washed it for the last test and noticed the Z2 was gone. I'll check that out next time I wash it, though. I only washed the hood today (in the garage) for the purpose of this test.

        If the ZFX provides longer durability, I'll look into the syringe. Otherwise I'll just leave it on the shelf probably until this vial crusts up too.
        1990 Corvette ZR-1 Bright Red with Red interior Hear it!
        2002 Aurora 4.0 Cherry Metallic with Neutral interior Hear it!
        1997.5 Regal GS Jasper Green Pearl with Medium Gray interior

        Comment


        • #5
          Bob, I also notice that you mention that the paint has a "dull" look to it. Is it possible that the paint is beginning to fail? From my experience, nothing lasts on failing paint.
          Quadruple Honda Owner
          Black cars are easy!

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          • #6
            Originally posted by SpoiledMan
            Bob, I also notice that you mention that the paint has a "dull" look to it. Is it possible that the paint is beginning to fail? From my experience, nothing lasts on failing paint.
            It's been beginning to fail for about 5+ years now. You can see clear bubbling in a few small spots mostly on the roof. It has not gotten any worse since I've owned it, though.

            I have no problem getting 3 months out of carnauba waxes on this car. But yes, I agree, the condition of the paint is likely what causes sealants to fare so poorly. My point being that the "right" product depends on more than the typically discussed factors (like color, effort you'll put up with, cost). There are, surprisingly, people who don't think that is true, that what works for them should work for everyone bar-none. I'm merely providing a counter-point to that. I've tried sealants on the Nissan countless times, so I'm fairly confident of what the result in this case will be, though maybe ZFX will really do the trick.

            In my opinion, carnauba waxes seem to have more consistent results. They seem to last decently on great finishes, poorly prepped finishes, failing finishes, etc. That's not to say they are the best product out there, but they certainly have uses. I'd take a carnauba if I could only have one LSP, even though I rarely use them when I can have more than one.

            I should note it doesn't have to be Zaino. Klasse does poorly, Autoglym is ok, not great longevity, but more than a month. NXT did poorly, but it also lasted poorly on every car I've tried it on. MPPP is also pretty mediocre on the Nissan, not unlike Autoglym. It hangs in ok but not amazingly long, maybe a month or two.
            1990 Corvette ZR-1 Bright Red with Red interior Hear it!
            2002 Aurora 4.0 Cherry Metallic with Neutral interior Hear it!
            1997.5 Regal GS Jasper Green Pearl with Medium Gray interior

            Comment


            • #7
              I'll agree that carnauba does seem to do better than sealants on failing paint. I'd really like to see what results you get by doing the same on some "good" paint.
              Quadruple Honda Owner
              Black cars are easy!

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              • #8
                Well, this weekend was cold... But today it got up to about 38-39F, and more importantly the air was very calm. So I washed the Nissan. I used Gold Class instead of #00 because it was just really dirty. I tend to think #00 is pretty mild.

                Anyway, here's the photo results after washing the car. The picts are probably about 10-15 seconds apart:







                The Z2Pro w/ ZFX side definitely sheeted water a lot more slowly than the #16 side. The #16 side also was the only part of the car where the wash mitt glided across the surface.

                After drying, the #16 side feels much slicker than the Z2Pro side. But the Z2Pro side felt noticeably less grabby than the surrounding panels. It feels like it's still there, though on its last legs.

                The car probably wasn't exposed to salt for as long this time as last time, since last time it snowed shortly after waxing the car. So it's hard to say if the ZFX helped the Z2Pro to last any longer than it did without it. Maybe that would be an interesting half and half?
                1990 Corvette ZR-1 Bright Red with Red interior Hear it!
                2002 Aurora 4.0 Cherry Metallic with Neutral interior Hear it!
                1997.5 Regal GS Jasper Green Pearl with Medium Gray interior

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                • #9
                  so when was the last time you applied the waxes?
                  Patrick Yu
                  2003 Honda Accord
                  2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by sneek
                    so when was the last time you applied the waxes?
                    At the start of the thread: Jan 22, 2006.
                    1990 Corvette ZR-1 Bright Red with Red interior Hear it!
                    2002 Aurora 4.0 Cherry Metallic with Neutral interior Hear it!
                    1997.5 Regal GS Jasper Green Pearl with Medium Gray interior

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      ahh i thought you had applyed it once more between the posts
                      Patrick Yu
                      2003 Honda Accord
                      2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6

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