1st Time Z Usage - My Trek and Impressions

[docker]

(part of this was posted in another thread, but read on for new stuff)

Day 1 - Objective=Prep and apply 3 coats of Z5Pro

So far here is my feedback after 3 coats of Z5Pro. Tomorrow I will be applying 3 coats of Z2Pro and will throw some more feedback in this thread.

-Love the ZFX! What a concept! Get 3 coats on in a matter of a few hours instead of a few days.
*** Has anyone ever tried using the ZFX with other sealants. Hmmmm?
-To answer your question blkZ28Conv - Yes! Overall, much easier than I expected.
-So far the Z finish is looking good, really good. Can't wait to get lots more coats on!
-so far it reminds me alot of FMJ. Really does.
-After Day 1, the slickness does not seem up to FMJ, but I'll reserve judgement till I finish with the Z2Pro
-Application - after the first coat I ditched the Z applicator and went with a yellow foam pad applicator and found it to be much easier to work with.
-I'm not real hip on the Z wash - why do we need to use it anyway?
-I'm using Z8 inbetween layers today. This too reminds me of another Menzerna product, HGAS.
-Only used about 2/3 oz today. Killed me to throw some away, ugh.

Overall, I'm liking it so far. I will admit something I am disappointed with, and it's my own darn fault - when I was claying I must of got careless and caused a number of small, minute scratches. However, it looks like Z5Pro is filling them in. Tomorrow when I finish and get the car out in bright natural light I'll inspect and let you know how well they were filled in.

This is the first time I've ever washed with Dawn, WOW!, it really takes off the sealants and waxes. My honda had tons of WG, WG sealant spray, HGAS and the Dawn just stripped it away effortlessly. I put it in my foam gun, then followed up with a bucket/mitt wash of the stuff. The Dawn really foamed big time! I do have the Dawn foam gun piece on my camcorder, as I get some time I'll convert and post.

Day 2 - Objective = Apply 3 coats of Z2Pro, finish for the weekend

-Surface was slicker this morning than yesterday when I finished. Anyone else notice this the day after their Z application?
-Z2Pro is thinner and easier to use than Z5Pro. Using a yellow foam pad so the stuff went on pretty easily today. Came off pretty easy as well. blkZ28Conv gets my Z pads.
-Used Z6 between all layers and after completing today. Used Z8 on the hood one time and it streaked very badly for me. Much prefer HGAS so far, but, in all fairness to the Z gods I will give Z8 another chance. Yesterday over Z5Pro I did not have any problems with Z8. Hmmm... anyone?
-In the sun, I really do like the look! As I noted yesterday, it still reminds me of FMJ, but Z has a deeper gloss.
-The clay scratches I referred to yesterday are pretty much gone. Z5Pro did a pretty good job filling them in.
-Used about 2/3 oz today for the 3 coats, and thats even after forcing a thick coat on the 3rd application. On this 3rd application I let it sit an extra 45 minutes and the stuff came off exceptionally easily (still reminding me of FMJ).

Overall impressions after the 2 days...

- Like it and glad I got it, although some minor reservations. On my Honda I prefer a deepening look, like what you get from WG or BF, but if the durability is like I expect, and Z looks good on my daughters silver car, then its a keeper (My wife has already warned me not to remove WG from her Liberty). Otherwise, I'll be posting a F/S within a couple weeks.

- Applying and removing 6 coats by hand over 2 days, especially considering you only have 6 hour windows each day, is TUFF for an old man like me (45 feels old right now). I've always enjoyed applying a couple coats on my autos each week, but, cramming them into such time windows can be difficult.

Next weekend I'll add some more coats of Z2Pro then takes some pics. Hopefully.

Good day.

[jmsc]

subscribing to thread.

[hadboosttroy]

for me, with z2pro, I notice it always a lot slicker after a day or two. I think others find this as well.

[docker]

Originally Posted by hadboosttroy

for me, with z2pro, I notice it always a lot slicker after a day or two. I think others find this as well.

Yep, and I am finding the same thing. Today it is very slick.

[ZaneO]

Very interesting write-up. I'm sure you'll be very pleased in the long run, too.

[docker]

Originally Posted by ZaneO

Very interesting write-up. I'm sure you'll be very pleased in the long run, too.

Thanks! I read in another thread that Z5Pro gives a more carnauba look, and Z2Pro is a clearer finish...if that level of flexibility is there, I am really excited about how tons of Z5Pro will look on my car and my wife's car (if she will give up WG to let me try Z), and do the Z2Pro on my daughter's silver (should look sweet!)

[docker]

Yesterday upon further inspection in the daylight I noticed considerable streaking on the hood, and minor streaking on the trunk. So, last night I proceeded to try to remove the streaking via S&W, then reapplication of Z8 on the hood and Z6 on the trunk. The trunk looks fine, however, there is still a bunch of streaking on the hood.

Frustrating. I had had only minor problems streaking in the past, and that was a long time ago (way back in my super noob days) by applying too much product. I am very confident I did not use too much Z8. The vertical panels seem to be fine w/no streaking.

Can there be any other explaination besides applying too much Z8? The hood was pretty cool to the touch.

I'm hoping the streaking will wear off this week with some rain, then this weekend I'll wash the car and have hopes of adding more Z coats (probably Z2Pro cuz it's supposed to give a carnauba look). What do you think the odds are of the rain and a wash getting rid of the streaking?

?? HGAS compatibility with Z2 or Z5 Pros?? If I can't lick the Z8 streaking prob, do you think there would be any problem using HGAS instead and layering Z5 or Z2 on top?

[ZaneO]

Has the car been washed since the initial application?

[SpoiledMan]

Originally Posted by docker

Can there be any other explaination besides applying too much Z8? The hood was pretty cool to the touch.

Try applying it to smaller areas.

[docker]

ZaneO - Nope, it has not been washed yet. Did the 3x Sat, 3x Sun, Z8 Sun.... what 'ya thinking?

SpoiledMan - Dah! Man, I should have had a V8! Do like a 1/3 of the hood at a time, consequently a lot less product on the surface to potentially streak-up. BRILLIANT!


OK... Will Z6 get rid of the Z8 streaking? I've read about distilled water, etc. What's the best approach?

[blkZ28Conv]

Z8 should be use in very small amounts. This stuff is pretty concentrated and 1/4 oz should be the max amount to do an entire vehicle (full-size SUV (Escalade). You might want to try a misting sprayer (2 oz size). I can do my C5 coupe with less than an 1/8 oz including glass and rims.

By the way docker, excellent write-up and thanks for the Z pads.

[SpoiledMan]

Originally Posted by docker

SpoiledMan - Dah! Man, I should have had a V8! Do like a 1/3 of the hood at a time, consequently a lot less product on the surface to potentially streak-up. BRILLIANT!


OK... Will Z6 get rid of the Z8 streaking? I've read about distilled water, etc. What's the best approach?

Always remember that like removes like. A light spray in the affected area should take care of it. After you've finished the rest of the car, you may be able to just go over the area with the towel that you've been using after it's damp with Z8.