Southsider

I keep mine in my garage with all the other cleaning supplies. My ZFX is a year old and just fine. Maybe you got a bad batch or didn't screw the cap on tight.

Genesis

It could be either and thx for your post, but I guess a "cool dark place" is perhaps the best way to store ZFX (like your garage) and mine was in the kitchen open to the intense humidity here. Lessons learned for those of us in the heat.

MDRX8

The other day a mechanic was putting freon in my A/C and the can bust and the oil got on my RX8. So I took it to the local car wash automatic(dozenz of cars a hour) and ask for a hand wash at the mechanics expense. So the owner came over and looked at the car and ask me if my red RX8 came that shiney from the factory. I proceeded to tell him I used Zanio on it. He could not beleive the shine. My formula
1 coat Menzena P085 for cleaning
2 coats of Z5 w ZFX
2 coats of Z2 w ZFX.

By the way the oil came of with no problem, shine on.

REMillers

Just got some of the new Z-8 detailer spray and it is more amazing that the Z6. It gave my sunlight silver a little hint of purple in its color, almost like the gray.

Also used the Tire shine (Z-16) and it is without a doubt the best tire shine. Gives it just a right amount of gloss without any greasey look. After 1 week still looks just as shiney.

8Goats-in-a-Duffelbag

Just a tip for you that don't know or haven't tried...I've been using Zaino since '99 on my W-Body, my F-Body, GTO, and have used it on my new 8. Technically, Zaino is not a wax (it's like calling every Camaro a Z28 or every Firebird or TA a WS-6 ). Zaino is a polymer coating essentially. It WILL NOT form a white residue on black plastics, nor will it form a residue around car badging, in seams, or creases as it dries clear. It does work on windows, and as a matter of fact, it works well on windows. The only thing that doesn't work well on the windows is the gloss enhancer spray.....use it everywhere with no fear...the glass polishing agent is one of Zaino's products that could use some "improvement" but works OK. I use Eagle One never dull on all my exhaust tips and 303 on my tires and dash as well...couldn't ask for a better combination of products, and I don't work for Zaino either, I just now what works.

The congealing of the ZFX is not unusual if not used for months at a time. Zaino products, especially things like the Z1 and Z2, and the like do have a definite shelf life, and if you don't use them enough throughout a year, you will have to throw them away...never buy more than you'll need for a six month to one year period.

REMillers

Just to chime in on the plastic residue.

The Zaino does not leave any reside, I put some on my trucks bed liner top which is just plastic. let it set for about 30 minutes and it wiped right off with no residue. Fantastic stuff.

That doesn't mean go smearing it all over your car, but you don't have to really worry about the residue.

Jeager76

Great thread, out of curiosity how many waxings will the kit give you? 1 years worth? (average)?

UFGator12

I was looking just for a good shine. I also don't want anything that I could screw up my paint with. What about just getting Z-7 and Z-6. So, I would use Z-7 and then use the finishing gloss Z-6? That sounds pretty good to me. And, if it still is not good enough I will buy the Z-5 and see how that goes. Would my plan of just getting Z-6 and Z-7 work? Also, what order would I need to apply these 2 things?

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

Once the car gets dirty after zaion polishing the car... i will use Z-7 followed by Z-6 for the regular washes... than about 6 months later.. polish it again with the full zaino polishes

Jaeger76,
Alot longer than a year.
The first time i used it, me and 2 friends polished our cars. Now 5 months later i did my car again.
So that is 4 polishes... and i still have enough left for 2 more.

Raptor2k

Why? The Z-7 is just soap and the Z-6 is just a gloss spray. If you want some shine, you need Z-2 along with ZFX.

Z-5 is a polish for swirls...probably a waste of time. But coats of ZFX mixed with Z-2 followed by Z-6 in between will give you a good look.

Brice-RX8

I have found that Z-5 doesn't do much if anything to swirls and scratchs If the paint on your car is smooth and how you want it just use Z-2 mixed with ZFX and you will love the shine and protection. If you have swirls and scratchs I suggest using the Z-PC, it seemed to help my black car out some and then put a couple coats of Z-2 with ZFX on there.

map

I just ordered myself a bunch of Zaino. Planning on doing a Dawn wash, then claybar, and 3 coats of Z2 Pro. Never used any of this stuff before but everyone makes it sound so good that I had to do it. Anyway, this thread is awesome and was a huge help to me to figure out what I wanted. It deserves a bump! Thanks!

Raptor2k

It's worth it. And it'll last you a long time. Always fun to work on your car too.

MrSuicideDoor

awesome thread, great information... but... which ones do i buy/need?

TiGrey, CF hood, stock wheels.

map

I did my car today. Spent 4 hours of hard labor making it shine, and I'm pretty sure my neighbor thinks I'm a mental patient now. The car is looking great though, very glossy, and the surface is so smooth it feels wet. The sun was down by the time I finished, so I can't wait to see it tomorrow morning in all its glory. It really seemed to bring out a purple hue in the Galaxy Grey, very dark and nice, but like I said, still haven't seen it in the bright sun yet. I'm a Zaino convert.

This was the first time I ever used clay bar. It's neat how you can feel the surface become smooth as you go. I think this was the worst part though, not something I want to do too often (or ever again if I didn't have to!).

eug

iTrader: (2)

Unless you only drive your 8 on the weekends, you probably will need to clay again at some point in the future. It is a cool process though, isn't it? You get that half satisfied, half disgusted feeling when you examine the clay bar afterwards with all the micro-crap stuck to it, kinda like looking at Biore strips after you rip 'em off your nose.

Blacknoir

How many ounces do you guys usually use for 1 coat? I mixed up 4 ounces yesterday but ended up only using 2. I did it at dusk though so it was getting hard to see. Not sure if I used enough.. or too much. It all came off 30 minutes later and it looks good so I think 2 is good.

eug

iTrader: (2)

I use one ounce per coat (with 3-5 drops of ZFX additive). The thinner the better.

Blacknoir

Really.. wow.. ok, I'll try that next time.

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Same here. Mixed up a full bottle of Z-5/ZFX (2 ounces), thought I was using too much because I was adding more polish every 10 seconds, finished the first coat and had half left. Went at it again with a seconds coat and had a tiny bit left over. So I use just under an ounce for every coat that covered every inch of the 8. The funny thing is that their website claims:

As you become more familiar with Z-5™ PRO Show Car Polish application, one eight ounce bottle will do a Corvette 20 times. The key is even and thin layers.

I don't know about all that... a corvette has more body area than the 8 and he uses half the amount I used. Think that's stretching it a little bit.

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

love the look of zaino but there's so much stuff and not sure what order or what all I'd actually want to use... I know I have some spots with swirls (seems really obvious with BB). can anyone just give me an idea for an entire wash, start to finish of what to use/how many times? Thanks

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Read their website application section.

staticlag

start with the dawn wash, then claybar, then z5 for 3 coats, let it dry for 24 hours, then put on at least 2 coats of z2. If you still see swirls you will probably need to polish your car. Its not hard, it just costs a bit to get started.

krnxdoughboi

i'm on my last layer of Z-2. do i just buff it off or buff it off and then wipe with Z-6?

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Z-6 last. I use it to kinda help me buff off the last layer of polish. It DOES make a difference and smells awesome.