The first question is about Z7. I washed my car today with Z7. I applied the last coat of Z2 I did a couple of weeks ago. Today was the first time I washed the car since then. Z7 is not supposed to strip the polish off right? It seemed to me that water was beading substantially less on the sides of the car and wheels after washing today. I used about 2 1/2 capfuls to the gallon. The car looks great, but I have many coats of Z2 of my 'bird. I am kind of puzzled by this.

Now this worries me even more. After washing my car today, I went out of town and got caught in a rainshower. So I washed it again. This is the first time I've driven the car in the rain since I've started using Zaino. I drove about 30 miles in off and on rain that really wasn't coming down that hard. Well, I sprayed the car off and it seemed to bead less on the top. The sides and wheels bore the brunt of the road film of course. Water barely beaded when I sprayed the sides. It didn't get any better after a Z7 bath. I used 3 capfuls this time becuase the car was dirtier than usual. The shine is still good, but the lack of water beading bothers me. Where the road film sprayed up on the car is exactly where it is not beading before and after washing.

I thought this stuff was supposed to be extremely durable? I have at least 7 coats of z2 on the car. I mean this was only a relatively short trip in the rain too! I hear everyone giving reports of one coat beading water for a year, but I can't get it to last this long? What's the deal? I'm the type who will probably add another coat soon anyway, but I'd like to think it would last longer than this. I've been extremely (sp) happy with the big Z until now.

 

You are using WAY too much Z-7. I only put about 1 capful of Z-7 for the whole bucket of water and I use a large bucket. I wouldn't think using too much Z-7 would hurt though.

You said it isn't beading on the sides and wheels. On mine there generally is even very little water to bead when I've washed the car, it all just runs right off because the Zaino is so slick.

In the rain you will pick up alot of dirt from the air and the road, spraying it off won't necessarily get the dirt off, which would obviously limit the beading, due to the dirt.

You don't mention anything about using Z-6. This is a great product and helps keep the surface clean, shiny and slick between washes.

I've driven my car all winter and then when I washed it right when weather permitted it was always still beading.

You may want to try and get your local distributor or another experienced Zaino user near you to help check it and see what they think. It would be better to see it in person to know what is really happening.

 

Zaino is the most durable longest lasting product you can use, The Wax Test found nothing could equal how long it lasts, my daily drivers M5 and Grand Cherokee's get 3 applications per year, in between applications they bead water like the first day Zaino is applied. Z-7 will not strip Zaino polish, in fact the opposite is true, Z-7 has some Z-2 polish in it and will add protection when using it. I do not know how you prepped your car before using Zaino the first time, but if you clayed your car and the paint was in good shape I can not understand why your not getting the performance that other users are.

 

Sometimes I have noticed that after driving on wet roads my cars tend to pick up a motor oil like film from all the oil on the roads that car leave behind. This type of film will prevent water from beading. You might want to clay a few spots to see if the water beading will come back to remove the film. Also try hitting the areas where the road spray built up with some Z-6, that should remove whatever is on top of the Zaino preventing water beading.

You have to realize when you drive in the rain, it is much more than water reacting with the surface of the car, it can be oil, chemicals, pesticides, all kinds of nasty stuff can be laying on the road waiting for the water to make a nasty soup mixture.

The sides of my cars also do not really bead water, it just runs off after a wash for the most part.

 

Have you clayed the car recently or at all? How did you prep the car before you used Zaino?

I get very tight beading on my car everywhere, but a little less on the lower side panels. Like the others mentioned, water usually just rolls off the sides instead of beads. What's left after the roll off beads I guess. But even during rain showers, the rain and road slosh even beads on my car and when spraying it with a hose afterwards before washing. I'd suggest you clay those areas that are most suceptable to being exposed to the weather, rain, dirt, etc...then apply another coat(s). I have not applied a coat in over 2 months as well, but it's performing like it was applied yesterday.

 

I did clay the car the first time,but I haven't since. It has always sat under a carport, and I kept it under a cover for a long time also. It's only been driven in the rain maybe a half dozen times. That was when I got caught out in it too. I'd say the paint was in pretty good shape.

Regarding the Z7, it says use 2 to 3 capfuls per gallon of water on the bottle. I'll try using a little less next time,but I really like those suds!!
I was having tight beading of water all over until yesterday.

I always use Z6. I applied Z6 yesterday after the first wash. However,I did not have time to Z6 after the 2nd wash. I was going to try and do the car this morning. Should I try that before claying? Maybe it's just me.

You guys have been really helpful! I appreciate it. I knew I would get a response pretty quick. Zaino users are realy loyal! I buy my stuff from Sal. The nearest ditributor is probably 200 miles or so away at least.