[JWadle]

I did my own prep on my new 335xi using all Zaino products as suggested by others on this forum. Car looks great, but I'm not sure how many coats of Z5Pro is best and how often it should be redone. At this point I've done 3 coats of Z5 Pro after claying.

Any reason to do more now? When should it be redone and at that point do I take it down to bare paint with Dawn and re-clay?

[skim7x]

3-5 coats is good for about 6 months. Then do it all over again

and of course...

[jfulcher]

The more the better - You should never dawn it again. Every now and then re-clay it and maybe use some Z-AIO on it and start over. Maybe once a year.

[ejazbmw]

i usually do 2-3 depends on what kinda mood im in b/c it takes forever!!!!

[fragadellic]

Originally Posted by ejazbmw

i usually do 2-3 depends on what kinda mood im in b/c it takes forever!!!!

LOL, in that humidity I am sure it does!!!

In AZ where the humidity is single digits and the temp is high, the Z5 dries in a matter of minutes and it's a breeze to remove!!! Of course, it's hot as hell here too, so that's the price we pay...

P.S. I went to HS in NJ and moved to AZ for college after that - got sick of the winters... but I don't love the summers here! I understand humidity...

[UncleWede]

Use the Z5 until you're satisfied with the lack of swirls, then go with the Z2, if you got the kit. Z2 has more of the optical brighteners (or some such sheet) while the Z5 has more "fillers" to cover the swirls.

[AM335]

Use Z5 with ZFX and apply as many coats as you are physically able, protect that car.

[eleven11]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Use the Z5 until you're satisfied with the lack of swirls, then go with the Z2, if you got the kit. Z2 has more of the optical brighteners (or some such sheet) while the Z5 has more "fillers" to cover the swirls.

+1

Then cover with CS.

[rtjones]

Originally Posted by jfulcher

The more the better - You should never dawn it again. Every now and then re-clay it and maybe use some Z-AIO on it and start over. Maybe once a year.

Why so infrequently? Zaino recommends 3-4 times a year for daily driven cars, and I've dropped it down to twice yearly. I don't believe the Zaino sealants (Z2 and Z5) last 12 months.

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by rtjones

Why so infrequently? Zaino recommends 3-4 times a year for daily driven cars, and I've dropped it down to twice yearly. I don't believe the Zaino sealants (Z2 and Z5) last 12 months.

When I detailed my car back in May, it was 9 months sionce the previous detail in August. Believe it or not, My Zaino was repelling water like a champ. It could have easily gone another 3 months, no problem.

[rtjones]

Originally Posted by DavidN

When I detailed my car back in May, it was 9 months sionce the previous detail in August. Believe it or not, My Zaino was repelling water like a champ. It could have easily gone another 3 months, no problem.

Really. Well, I think I'll change my planned schedule to every 9 months, then. Honestly, I've put at least 12 hours into this detailing, and it took a lot out of me (bad headaches each morning after). Every 9 months would be nice.

[BMWCali]

Originally Posted by skim7x

3-5 coats is good for about 6 months. Then do it all over again

and of course...

I hear that Zaino recommends no more than 3 coats (e.g. 2 coats of Z5 and 1 coat of Z2 Pro) in a 24 hour period.

[Lucid4000]

3 coats is good but now do 3 coats of z2 pro on top. And I like to apply z5 than z2 every so often to regain that shine.

[picus]

If you're using ZFX you can do max 3 coats in 24 hours. If not, one coat. I personally only recommend one coat, maybe two for coverage. Realistically, we're talking about the thickness of 1/100th of a dollar bill; more coats isn't going to add more protection. I get 5-6 months out of one coat and 5-6 months out of 3.

[BMWCali]

Originally Posted by picus

If you're using ZFX you can do max 3 coats in 24 hours. If not, one coat. I personally only recommend one coat, maybe two for coverage. Realistically, we're talking about the thickness of 1/100th of a dollar bill; more coats isn't going to add more protection. I get 5-6 months out of one coat and 5-6 months out of 3.

Picus, one coat of which product? I do 2 coats of Z5 and then 1 coat of Z2 Pro with ZFX.

[rtjones]

Originally Posted by picus

If you're using ZFX you can do max 3 coats in 24 hours. If not, one coat. I personally only recommend one coat, maybe two for coverage. Realistically, we're talking about the thickness of 1/100th of a dollar bill; more coats isn't going to add more protection. I get 5-6 months out of one coat and 5-6 months out of 3.

Picus, you're saying that 3 coats of Z2 is no better than 1? Protection aside, don't more coats look better than fewer coats? I'm pretty sure my 2nd coat of Z2 looks better than the first.

[BK]

They say "1 oz of Z-2 PRO can do the average sized vehicle 1 to 2 times including the rims. Less is better. Use as little product as possible." Similar instructions for Z-5.

Stupid question, but about how much is 1 ounce in those little clear plastic bottles they give you? 1/4 of a bottle or so?

[rtjones]

Originally Posted by BK

They say "1 oz of Z-2 PRO can do the average sized vehicle 1 to 2 times including the rims. Less is better. Use as little product as possible." Similar instructions for Z-5.

Stupid question, but about how much is 1 ounce in those little clear plastic bottles they give you? 1/4 of a bottle or so?

The bottles measure 2oz.

[picus]

Originally Posted by BMWCali

Picus, one coat of which product? I do 2 coats of Z5 and then 1 coat of Z2 Pro with ZFX.

I like Z5pro on darker colors, Z2pro on lighter colors. If you're happy with your results keep doing what you're doing.

Originally Posted by rtjones

Picus, you're saying that 3 coats of Z2 is no better than 1? Protection aside, don't more coats look better than fewer coats? I'm pretty sure my 2nd coat of Z2 looks better than the first.

That is what I am saying. On a properly prepped car I find no difference between the 1st and 400th coat. "layering" is a new thing in detailing, I've never seen it's benefit. When I do customer cars I do two coats for coverage, but even that is unnecessary, imo. Like I said above though, if you like the look of more layers, go for it.

[BK]

Originally Posted by rtjones

The bottles measure 2oz.

Thanks!

[OC Guy]

Originally Posted by picus

I like Z5pro on darker colors, Z2pro on lighter colors. If you're happy with your results keep doing what you're doing.



That is what I am saying. On a properly prepped car I find no difference between the 1st and 400th coat. "layering" is a new thing in detailing, I've never seen it's benefit. When I do customer cars I do two coats for coverage, but even that is unnecessary, imo. Like I said above though, if you like the look of more layers, go for it.

I agree. It's more of an obsession more than anything. But hey, if you like it, go for it.

[rtjones]

Yeah, if someone as experienced as picus says 2 coats are sufficient, that's good enough for me! I've changed my personal maintenance program for our 2 cars to include only 2 coats of sealant.