Is it okay to wax over Zaino Z2??

[kyriian]

I have just spent a day letting my second coat of Z2 to cure... (after buffing it off as per their website's instruction to wait 24 hrs before applying next coat under 70 degrees, and it's been around 65s over here)

anyways, i want to know if it's possible to add a layer of wax on top of 2 coats of zaino... would it work? i need to seal in the car for the winter, at least until i get the chance to redo this work ( about christmas), so is it okay to lay a layer of carnuba wax on top of zaino (i want to try california gold original formula since autopia said it is durable)

any detailers can tell me?

many thanks

[BradB]

You can apply a carnauba over Zaino if you are looking to experiment with a different "look". Zaino is optically clear and the Carnauba will tint the paint color since it has pigments and fillers in it. Depends what you want.

But if you want to layer any more Zaino you will have to strip off the carnauba as the next layer of Zaino will not "bond" until you do so.

And just so you know, Zaino is FAR, FAR more durable than ANY carnauba. So don't think putting a carnauba on top of Zaino is adding any sort of protection. It's not. You would only do this for some sort of visually effect if that's what strikes your fancy.

[agranger]

Brad, as usual, is spot on with his answer.

My wife's car, a dark metalic blue Nissan Murano, has 3 coats of Zaino on (Z5, Z2, Z2). I thought that the finish was a bit sterile... very highly reflective but not very deep. I put on a coat of pure carnuba wax and it seemed to make the color a bit more rich. I've heard that the effect is more dramatic on darker colors (esp blues and reds).

It wasn't that dramatic on her dark blue, but why not give it a shot... After a few coats of Zaino, the wax will apply quickly and you just do a Dawn wash before you want to apply any more Zaino coats.

If you are nuts enough to do the whole Zaino thing, whats another hour? ;)

[kyriian]

Originally Posted by agranger

If you are nuts enough to do the whole Zaino thing, whats another hour? ;)

let's just say i spent about 34 hrs waiting for the dam thing to cure (as per instruction on zaino's website!); and all this time my car is looking at me going 'why aren't you driving me!!!'

then i got a second question.. can zaino be subsitute for wax? or do i still need to work on waxing after zaino... im a bit perplexed at this idea, since i hear i need to z1, then z2 the car, and if necessary use z5 (which i'll be getting for my ma's 6 month old very scratched up a4)... according to zaino's website i need to wait 24 hrs if under 70 degrees for z2 to fully cure before laying down another coat...

[BradB]

1. Zaino is a synthetic polymer sealant. As opposed to a carnauba wax which is a natural based product.The answer to your question is YES, you can use a sealant or a wax.

In fact, you can get fancy and use a sealant as a base (because they are durable and long lasting) and lay a coat of carnauba wax on top to get different looking effects or feels. But you can't do it the other way around because sealants need pure surface to bond properly.

2. You do not have to wax with a carnauba after using Zaino. I don't. I simply like adding multiple layers of Zaino one after the other.

3. Z1 is a quick step needed to help prime the surface to aid the bonding for the very first coat of Zaino. (Z2 or Z5..whichever you put on first)

4. Z2 is optically clear and the best and most popular product they sell.

5. You mention getting Z5 because you have a car with many swirls and scratches. Z5 does have very limited filling capabilities to disguise some really light mars or swirls but I do not think it is very effective. I am a huge Zaino fan, (I have it on three of my cars) but I don't think Z5 is that effective. It is best to remove the swirls before you apply the sealant and just use the Z2. (Trying to save you some cash, here!)

6. 24 hours is really a bit extreme. It all depends on the humidity as well. They are just having you play it safe. Consider getting the additive ZFX which lets the Z2 cure immediately and allows you to add coat after coat immediately. That's what I do. Since you don't need the Z5, apply the money toward the ZFX.

7. Be sure to get the Z6 quick detailer. Fantastic stuff! Love it!!!

Uhhh, did I already mention I love Zaino?

[olYeller]

Great info as always Brad.

so Kyriian, the short answer is more Z2 not wax.

It will last all winter then you can put pretty shiny wax (that only lasts about 3 to 4 weeks) on for the summer, when people can appreciate it

[agranger]

Definately get the ZFX. With that, you don't need Z1 at all (though I've heard that some folks still use it before the 1st coat and every 5 to 10 coats to 'tighten up' the finish).

With ZFX, you just have to wait for the Zaino coat to dry thoroughly. On a warmish dry day (70+ degrees), it's ready in an hour or less. On a cooler, humid day I leave it overnight (garaged) and buff off the next morning.

[kyriian]

Originally Posted by agranger

With ZFX, you just have to wait for the Zaino coat to dry thoroughly. On a warmish dry day (70+ degrees), it's ready in an hour or less. On a cooler, humid day I leave it overnight (garaged) and buff off the next morning.

thanks for the great info guys!

i got one final question... you mentioned about buffing off... does that mean i need to wait to buff off, then it is okay? it says i need to buff off about 4 hrs after i laid the coat down (in the weather im having right now) then wait 24 hrs for it to cure (again, base on the weather i have right now, which is about 65 and varies between 35% in teh middle of the day to about 80% at night humidity)...

is it lay it down, and wait 24 hrs to buff off and it's fine to lay the next coat? or wait 4 hrs after laying down the layer, then buff, then wait 24 hrs, then lay the next coat?

sorry if this is real confusing

[apexer]

With ZFX you'll not have to wait between coats. By the time your done applying a coat, take a short break, have a cup of coffee or ice tea and, your ready to start to remove (buff). Actually, you don't need to "BUFF" as with a power buffer. I just use 100% cotton towel by hand. It comes off real easy. As soon as your done removing the haze (if applied correctly, there is actually very little haze to remove), if your up to it, you can start to apply another coat, and another, and another I have about 8 coats total and most recent just added 2 coats of z-2. I'm done until spring.
Funny note: The other day a guy commented on how good the paint looked. I told him it was a little dirty (Put over 150 miles on since last wash). He laughed and said "Hell, my glasses are dirtier than that"

[agranger]

Buff = When the Zaino is dry (30 min to 4 hours) knock off the excess with a white, 100% cotton towel

Don't forget to do a wipedown with Z6 and a microfiber after the buff. It supposedly deepens the shine but it definately helps remove any Zaino excess you missed with the buff.

Somewhere on the Zaino site they recommend that you dont' apply more than 2 or 3 coats of Zaino per day. I keep it to 2 or under. Now that I've got a good base coat on, I'll probably just wash, Z6 and apply Z2/ZFX on a Saturday and use the other car until I buff off the Z2 the next morning (Sunday).

Z6 is a great detailing spray. I use it mid-week to remove fingerprints and bug/bird splatter after dusting with the OXO car duster.