I thinks it's always good to see thought provoking topics on the forum. I try to think outside the box, read the post, and remain objective. I have been very pleased with Zaino over the years, but felt something was lacking when I used it on the black 'vert. I'd applied 7 coats over the last year.
Needless to say, I have been somewhat leary of removing the Z and going in another direction. The performance of the Z has been great. However, trying to be objective, I purchased some Meguiar's Professional line products a couple of weeks ago with the intent of seeing if they could cure the 'vert's sterility. And they just sat there on the work bench. The shine from the Z has been so brilliant, that I've had a hard time taking action.
However, last night, I bit a small bullet and did the door jambs. I started with Medallion Premium Paint Cleaner, followed by #9 Swirl Mark, then by #7 Show Car Glaze. I haven't gotten to the wax step yet.
The results? I was floored. The door jambs became black again. They have a smoothness and depth I've not seen on this car before. Excellent clarity and extreme color depth. Smooth, deep, and sweet! All of the "edgyness" is gone. It just looks liquid.
I realize that this look may be degraded with the application of the wax top coat. And I know the look will not last without periodic attention and reapplication. And it will probably attract dust like a magnet. And the bugs I splatter won't simply rinse off the nose. But, for me, the work involved will be worth the investment. I enjoy doing this - it's good therapy for my twisted mind.
( I am in no way affiliated with Meguiar's, or any other surface care product manufacturer, distributor, or retailer. I'm sure there are lots of products out there that can deliver. We just have to find the one(s) that deliver the look we want. )
Re: UPDATE: Zaino too "sterile" for Black C5 (ThumbsUp)
Hey Thumbs,
Thanks for the report. I have to say though that your comparison is not really fair.
The main difference between the 2 is you used the Paint cleaner, #9 and #7 all of which contain abrasives (from harshest to mildest) and some fillers. This will remove a small layer of clear and expose new clean clearcoat as well as remove or hide some of the swirls and imperfections. Honestly unless your paint was in poor condition I'd lay off the paint cleaner and stick with the #9/#7 and a good orbital like the Porter Cable. The pain tcleaner is pretty harsh and unless you really know what you're doing you could end up with a big problem. I think if you used the swirl remover and prepared the finish better you may be happier with Zaino. There are different shines though between sealants and carnaubas. I use the latter and am very happy but you can't expect to put Zaino on a poor surface and end up with spectacular results.
I'd say you should start from scratch using a good clay first followed by a swirl remover then follow with either Zaino or another product. You need to have a good foundation to experience the benefits these products have to offer. Like my Dad always told me you can't make chicken soup out of chicken sheet. Good luck!
Re: UPDATE: Zaino too "sterile" for Black C5 (BAD 99)
You have to use whatever products works best for your needs, I like the fact that a synthetic product (Zaino) allows me to polish/wax my car when I want to, every month or so, not because I have to, but because I want to, that is the biggest difference between carnauba's and synthetic's. :)
Re: UPDATE: Zaino too "sterile" for Black C5 (fourthrail)
Quote:
BAD99, I noticed that the Z-5/ZFX left a much nicer finished look to my black vette than with the Z-2. Any idea why?
Z-5 will slightly darken or deepen your paint. A lot of this is due to the filling agents in Z-5 which have less perfect optics than Z-2. Also, as your swirls get filled more and more, there is less light-refraction from the swirls in your paint which will also have the effect of slightly darkening your finish. This effect is highly desirable on a black car.
Re: UPDATE: Zaino too "sterile" for Black C5 (Intermezzo)
Quote:
BAD99, I noticed that the Z-5/ZFX left a much nicer finished look to my black vette than with the Z-2. Any idea why?
Z-5 will slightly darken or deepen your paint. A lot of this is due to the filling agents in Z-5 which have less perfect optics than Z-2. Also, as your swirls get filled more and more, there is less light-refraction from the swirls in your paint which will also have the effect of slightly darkening your finish. This effect is highly desirable on a black car.
it took me a long time to get it down NOW it looks KILLER
but if i had any other color on my c-5 i would be all over Z-2 :lol:
in one month i wash off Z-2 ,,2 tmes , and was going back to wax , till i gave Z-5 a try :cool: and it looks even better after 2-3 washes :smash:
so if you have BLACK vette ,,,,,,,,,,only z-5 and not alot of coats , i know some of these guys saying they have 15-25 coats at the end of the year ,
IF any of them are black i BET they dont LOOK any better [if not worse] than
my 6 coats per year!!! :cheers:
Re: UPDATE: Zaino too "sterile" for Black C5 (BAD 99)
Quote:
so if you have BLACK vette ,,,,,,,,,,only z-5 and not alot of coats , i know some of these guys saying they have 15-25 coats at the end of the year ,
IF any of them are black i BET they dont LOOK any better [if not worse] than
my 6 coats per year!!! :cheers:
TRY it
:smash:
i will show you the exception... i usually put MORE than 10 coats per year.. because my black car is pareked OUTSIDE... it definitely could use a LOT more.. not at the same time.. but at least one more coat per month... :yesnod: scratches and swirls come out a LOT more when your car sits in the atmosphere all of its life :(. so putting extra coats will help fill in the NEW scratches that pretty much come in everyday :mad
but hey..i love black.. and will probably get another :cheers:
Re: UPDATE: Zaino too "sterile" for Black C5 (Gixxer)
Quote:
I am a litte confused now. When I was looking to buy Zaino everyone including Sal said I needed 'all' of the steps for my black 92.
I haven't used it on my Vette yet, but it sounds like I didn't need the Z2. What about the Z6 spray? Should I use that or just the Z5?
So, when I am ready to Zaino my car I should:
Wash with Dawn
Claybar
Wash again with Dawn
Z1
Z5
Z6
Sorry, just a little
:confused:
Z-2 offers the best shine in the Zaino polish line, some people will tell you that their dark cars look better with Z-5, rather than Z-2, you may feel different on your car. Your process is correct, remember very thin coats.
Re: UPDATE: Zaino too "sterile" for Black C5 (hcvone)
I haven't tried putting Z-2 over the Z-5 yet. Anyone with a black car tried this one yet? I have two WHOLE bottles of Z-2, that I'd hate to let just sit there. And no, I'm not putting it on my wife's car.
Re: UPDATE: Zaino too "sterile" for Black C5 (fourthrail)
I have put many (about 10) coats of Z-5 on my black C5. I can still see very small scratches in the paint, especially in direct sunlight. I have been told that this is "spiderwebbing" and not swirl marks, and that they will never be invisible. Has anyone else with a black car experienced the same thing? If you have been able to remove/hide the scratches, even in direct sunlight, please le the rest of us in on your secret.
I have not noticed much of a difference between Z5 and Z2 as far as shine is concerned.
Re: UPDATE: Zaino too "sterile" for Black C5 (fourthrail)
Quote:
I haven't tried putting Z-2 over the Z-5 yet. Anyone with a black car tried this one yet? I have two WHOLE bottles of Z-2, that I'd hate to let just sit there. And no, I'm not putting it on my wife's car.
That is exactly what I did. After the clay bar, a coat of Z1, then two of Z5, followed by 5 of Z2. Maybe if I had stayed with the Z5, I could have saved myself some grief (and $$$).
Until I made these post, I had never considered a Z5 only solution. I still have not done anything beyond the door jambs, so maybe it's not too late. But I have to admit that the scent of the Meguiars brought back a lot of fond memories of hours spent rubbing on a 911. :)
Re: UPDATE: Zaino too "sterile" for Black C5 (ThumbsUp)
Well I'm gonna throw on a second coat of Z-5/ZFX this weekend, and hopefully have enough time to follow it up with a coat of Z-2/ZFX. Can't see that the Z-2 will make it shine less than with only Z-5. We'll see... Will post the results...
Re: UPDATE: Zaino too "sterile" for Black C5 (fourthrail)
Quote:
Well I'm gonna throw on a second coat of Z-5/ZFX this weekend, and hopefully have enough time to follow it up with a coat of Z-2/ZFX. Can't see that the Z-2 will make it shine less than with only Z-5. We'll see... Will post the results...
NO it will shine more ,but that not what you want
SEE its TO SHINNY to the point that it not as black as its should BE,
and turns a little gray in the sun
:smash:
try this Z-5 thin one coat then wash Z-? and spray with Z-6
dont even do the Z-2 :smash: and see how it comes out
good luck :cheers:
Re: UPDATE: Zaino too "sterile" for Black C5 (BAD 99)
Quote:
Well I'm gonna throw on a second coat of Z-5/ZFX this weekend, and hopefully have enough time to follow it up with a coat of Z-2/ZFX. Can't see that the Z-2 will make it shine less than with only Z-5. We'll see... Will post the results...
NO it will shine more ,but that not what you want
SEE its TO SHINNY to the point that it not as black as its should BE,
and turns a little gray in the sun
:smash:
try this Z-5 thin one coat then wash Z-? and spray with Z-6
dont even do the Z-2 :smash: and see how it comes out
good luck :cheers:
99, I used the new Z-2 with ZFX for the first time today, try that on black, I know it made my blue Z06 look great.
Corvette Store
UPDATE: Zaino too "sterile" for Black C5
