Removing Zaino Z-5

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hulksdaddy

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Need to remove it to do some correction. Should I just let the polish remove it(fear gunking up the pads) or would a spray down of 50/50 IPA/water help? Don't want to go a paint cleaner route.

Thanks for your help!
 
Dawn dish soap should remove it pretty easily. I had to remove 4 layers of it, and after a single wash with dish soap it wasn't beading at all. It's Zaino's recommended removal method.
 
IMO just polish right through it, there isn't enough on there to gunk up the pads.
 
It can be difficult to see the true condition of the paint if there are several layers of wax/sealant still on, IMO.
 
LuxuryMobile said:
It can be difficult to see the true condition of the paint if there are several layers of wax/sealant still on, IMO.
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Are there going to be several layers of wax/sealant still on there after he polishes it? Dawn is going to remove it but polishing won't?
 
He is saying you don't know what polish/compounds to use if you can't see the true condition. So yes, polish might remove it, but you might be using a compound/polish that is too aggressive.

It would be better to start with a bare car so you can see the true condition of the paint before you reach for a compound in order to remove the least amount of clear while still correcting the paint as possible.
 
Ok, so my LSP is masking my defects, so it looks better than it is...so I start with a compound?? You guys aren't making any sense.
 
Pre-soak the car with Optimum Power Clean straight, then wash with a mix of OPC (1oz./gallon) and Dawn or CG Citrus Wash & Gloss. Sometimes a wipe down with a body solvent is required. IPA is not going to cut it so don't waste your time. Z5 is not as durable as Z2 but I still wouldn't waste time.
 
I always strip any layer of protection (i.e. wax or sealant) prior to doing any paint correction. I usually use dish soap or diluted APC to remove the prior protection.

Now that the surface is free is protection, I feel like I am dealing with the true condition of the paint and can make sure all visible swirls/defects are being corrected.
 
I have fouled many pads when using them to remove a LSP especially Zaino. So like the others I highly recommend removing first via a washing step unless you want to clean a lot of pads.
 
wildjyoung said:
I have fouled many pads when using them to remove a LSP especially Zaino.
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Man, you guys are a lot better than me, I've never been able to get the molecules-thick layer of LSP that's on my car to build up on my pad and "foul" it.
 
I may be wrong, but, is not "correcting light imperfections" one of the functions of Z-5?

No matter what else may be tendered here, may I be bold enough to suggest that you shoot an e-mail to Sal @ Zaino HQ---he's the one that will have answers to all your concerns regarding his products!!
 
You guys are answering your own questions instead of the OP's and saying things that are contradictory. The OP asked if polishing will remove his LSP (my answer is YES) and whether it will gunk up his pad (my answer is NO).

Does it matter if Z-5 is supposed to fill/hide light swirls (if you've actually used Z-5 you know it really doesn't do that)? No, it doesn't, because the OP has already said he's going to do correction.

You guys are making the argument that the reason he needs/wants to strip the LSP is so he can see the true condition of the paint so that he doesn't start with too aggressive a polish/compound--but if he's doesn't strip and doesn't see the full extent of the defects...how/why would he start with TOO aggressive a product...he would start with a not aggressive ENOUGH product. But since he is already seeing defects which are apparently too deep to be filled--by the time he removes them he will certainly have removed any shallower ones that might be masked by the LSP and revealed by stripping.

IMO the OP asked some specific questions which should be answered first, then you gentlemen can add in the "here's what I do" and why. Remember, the OP isn't a pro detailer trying to assess a customer vehicle, this is just a member trying to clean up his ride.
 
As before: OP should contact the 'gentleman' known as Sal Zanio, of the Zaino brothers' fame, for he has, (since it's his products), IMHO, the definitive answers---all other opinions (including mine) are just that---opinions.
 
hulksdaddy said:
Need to remove it to do some correction. Should I just let the polish remove it(fear gunking up the pads) or would a spray down of 50/50 IPA/water help? Don't want to go a paint cleaner route.

Thanks for your help!
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From the paper you get when you order Zaino product (Yes I ordered the whole Zaino Ultimate Protection Show Car kit)..

Zaino Application Tips said:
2.I would definitely recommend removing any wax buildup on your paint. Just use Liquid Dawn (hand dishwashing liquid) as a car wash. It has high alkaline content, which cuts right through carnauba wax, paraffin, cilicone oils etc. This will get your paint finish squeaky-clean and wax free.

I don't advise making a habit of washing your car with Dawn. But for this scenario it's fine. High alkaline products like Dawn are tough on polishes. It will never harm the paint finish though. A car wash is made specifically to clean without removing durable polishes. ALSO, make sure you remove any water spots, before you apply my products. Because Zaino Z-2 PRO or Z-5 PRO have no abrasives or harsh solvents it will not remove water spots or stains. Z-18 ClayBAr is great for removing any paint surface contaminants that normal washing can not.
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Dawn wont dent well cured Zaino ... use a dedicated paint cleanser or abrasive polish.
 
I just pulled this off of the Zaino site under the Z-PC Fusion page:


Will Z-PC remove Zaino Z-2 PRO, Z-3, or Z-5?​

Yes. By it's very nature as a diminishing abrasive, Z-PC breaks down the finish including Zaino polishes.
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Therefore base on this, it appears that any mild abrasive should do the trick. Others with more experience can correct me if I'm wrong!
​
 
Setec Astronomy said:
You guys are answering your own questions instead of the OP's and saying things that are contradictory. The OP asked if polishing will remove his LSP (my answer is YES) and whether it will gunk up his pad (my answer is NO).

Does it matter if Z-5 is supposed to fill/hide light swirls (if you've actually used Z-5 you know it really doesn't do that)? No, it doesn't, because the OP has already said he's going to do correction.

You guys are making the argument that the reason he needs/wants to strip the LSP is so he can see the true condition of the paint so that he doesn't start with too aggressive a polish/compound--but if he's doesn't strip and doesn't see the full extent of the defects...how/why would he start with TOO aggressive a product...he would start with a not aggressive ENOUGH product. But since he is already seeing defects which are apparently too deep to be filled--by the time he removes them he will certainly have removed any shallower ones that might be masked by the LSP and revealed by stripping.

IMO the OP asked some specific questions which should be answered first, then you gentlemen can add in the "here's what I do" and why. Remember, the OP isn't a pro detailer trying to assess a customer vehicle, this is just a member trying to clean up his ride.
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I think your right, If the Z-5 was applied correctly it should come off with a polish without much effort. (I've seen people put it on thicker than wax) I've hand polished through zaino using scratch-X. It's not a magical shield, just synthetic sealant..lol Anything abrasive will cut through it.

However, Since I always was my car before polishing, I would just go ahead and use dawn instead of a normal car wash, then go polish. It won't take any extra time, and its what the manufacturer suggests, so why not.
 
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