What exactly is it? i saw it when i picked up another bottle of Z6 and Z7... just wondering... is it replacement for Z5? is it a new thing you put in between coats? it looked like a polish of some sort

 

It's Zainos paint polish. Here's their writeup about it.

 

I've never undestood why, but Zaino calls its' regular products (Z5 and Z2) polishes as well, eventhough they contain no abrasives. PC is an honest-to-God polish where Z5 and Z2 are really polymer sealants.

 

The name came about because when it was first made car care products were either called a "wax" or a "polish". The general consensus was that a wax had carnauba in it so it was more logical to call it a polish. "Sealants" were often associated with dealership scams and fly by night products that come and go. Not a good connotation.

Now the general consensus is that a "polish" contains abrasives and we are more used to hearing the term sealants in a better light, and "polymers" has become a more familiar word to enthusiests.

I agree, it's very confusing. I would love for it to be labeled a polymer.

 

That's why I've always refered to zaino (z2) as a polymer wax, never a polish. I guess it's the one thing I would want zaino to change.

 

I usually think in terms of wax, polymer, and polish.

Wax = carnuba. Nice shine, not as long lasting, could turn yellow. Zaino does not, to my knowledge, make anything with carnuba.

Polymer = sealant. Yes, there is an unpleasant connotation to the dealer option sealant. I remember being taken in in 1976 by a VW dealers $100+ Polyglycoat. Today, I refer to any non-carnuba finish protectant like Z-2 as a polymer sealant.

Polish = Any paint restorer/scratch remover that contains an abrassive...used with or without a mechanical buffer.

BTW, do most people use Zaino PC with a buffer or by hand?