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By
Dogged
on
05-09-2007, 09:06 AM
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Product Description.
Zaino Clear Seal (Z-CS) is a new product released to the public in February 2007. Z-CS is a synthetic polymer sealant. It is a clear liquid that has a consistency like water. It feels a little oily, and has a slight petroleum like odor. The bottle looks like this:  Manufacturer Claims. Zaino’s website as of this writing on May 9, 2007 states “There simply is not another product like Z-CS in the industry.” “Z-CS shares the gloss and wet look qualities of Z-2 or Z-5 PRO, but the primary innovative difference is in extended durability, as well as an application technique that merely requires simple wipe on application.” Z-CS can be used on paint, glass, wheels, plastic, or trim. It has a “UV inhibitor” that protects against exposure to the sun and ultra-violet light. "Z-CS extends the gloss and durability of any previously applied products," including wax, as long as the product over which it is applied has fully cured. "[i]t typically takes 15-30 minutes for a properly applied layer of Z-CS to dry, but can take up to several hours with low ambient temperatures, moisture, and high humidity. [Curing] generally takes anywhere from 2-6 hours . . . ." Z-CS can be layered over itself "as long as the product is fully dried and cured prior to applying additional layers." Z-CS can provide "up to 9 months protection [if used] to top coat Zaino Show Car Polish," although 3 to 4 applications per year is recommended if Z-CS is used by itself. The shelf life for Z-CS is "5+ years." "Somewhere between 1/8 to 1/4 oz of Z-CS is all it takes to complete an average vehicle including paint, wheels, trim, and glass. A new user typically will use closer to 1/4 oz. With one bottle of Z-CS, you should be able to get at least 24 coats per bottle, while some more experienced users will see up to 48 coats per bottle." Price of the Product and Per Application Zaino currently is available only from the Zaino website. It costs $29.95 for a 6-oz. bottle, or $5 per once. It comes with a Zaino cotton applicator pad, product number 314. The cost per application depends on the quantity used, which can vary with the user. According to Zaino, less than ¼ of an once is needed for an average size car. Since a bottle contains six ounces, that would mean one bottle would be good for 24 coats ($1.25 per coat). A more experienced user reportedly may get up to 48 coats from a 6 oz. bottle ($ .65¢ per coat). My cost, based on how am I using the product, is working out to about 85¢ per coat. Product Instructions, and How I Used the Product. The instructions on the bottle state: “Clean and dry all surfaces. Mist a new cotton applicator pad 1 time. Holding sprayer about 4 inches from surface, lightly spray Z-CS once, directly onto panel, avoiding overspray. Apply with applicator pad, working into the paint, evenly with overlapping motions one section at a time. Allow product to fully dry. Do not buff or wipe off.” Like most product labels, there is no information on the label about cure time, whether the product will layer, shelf life, durability, or how best to store the product. However, credit should be given to Zaino for providing cure time, layerability and shelf life information for Z-CS on its website. I applied the product as instructed. I misted the applicator pad first, sprayed the product on the paint surface, and rubbed the pad on the surface with overlapping motions. I have also applied the product instead by spraying it on the applicator pad, and then applying it with the pad. I have tried both the supplied cotton pad, and a foam pad. I applied Z-CS originally as part of a sealant comparison test that focuses primarily on durability, and then again to focus on gloss. I have also applied Z-CS to the paint on my wife’s car several times following a wash and dry. I have not yet tried Z-CS on glass, wheels, plastic, or trim; nor have I applied it over other sealants or wax. I will update this review as I use the product more. Comments on the Product. Z-CS is a true wipe and dry product for an experience user. As advertised, it leaves no residue or haze. It does require a learning curve, however. If too much product is used, it can leave some streaking that needs to be removed after the product dries and cures. The streak marks are removed easily with a Quick Detailer (QD). I applied both OS and Z-CS to different door panels using the foam applicator pads supplied with the OS product in part to compare the ease of application of the products. I applied more product than recommended on the label. Both products left some streak marks, although Z-CS streaked quite a bit more than OS. This is a close up photo of a Z-CS streak mark about three hours after the product was applied.  At derek80's suggestion, I then tried using the Zaino #314 applicator supplied with the product. The pads greater absorbency than the foam pad did help to avoid streaking. The need to buff out the streaks if more product is applied than recommended does to some extent offset the advantage of the simplicity of the wipe and dry technique as compared with traditional sealants for inexperienced users. I still found Z-CS and OS easier to apply than sealants that leave a haze. As I have used the product more, I can now apply it without streaking. A little does go a long way, and it is fairly easy to coat an average size passenger car with ¼ oz of product (about 10 sprays). Although Z-CS is a sealant, not a QD, it applies as easily as a QD. I was able to apply a coat in about five minutes, as advertised. Z-CS has a nice gloss. Protection and durability are essential qualities for a good sealant. I cannot yet comment on how Z-CS performs in those areas. I am currently testing Z-CS both with and without Polycharger, and will edit this review when I have reached a conclusion. Since Z-CS is so easy to use, one approach for the weekend detailer is simply to apply it once a month, which makes the long term durability of the product less important. If two coats are applied once a month, at 24-coats per bottle it would result in using one bottle per year, or at 36-coats per bottle, which is about what I am getting, it would result in useing about 2/3 of a bottle per year. When Z-CS was released, it probably was true that “There simply is not another product like Z-CS in the industry.” However, with the more recent release of Optimum’s Opti-Seal (OS) that no longer is true. OS looks and feels similar to Z-CS and shares the same wipe and dry application technique. OS has a much stronger odor when sniffed from the bottle, and not a pleasant one, although I do not think the odor of a sealant really makes much of a difference. Comparing Z-CS with OS is beyond the scope of this review. If Z-CS and OS provide protection and durability comparable to more traditional sealants, then they really do represent a welcome innovation. Spray, wipe and dry is fast and easy, and a little goes a long way. |
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Last edited by Dogged : 06-24-2007 at 11:45 PM.
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By
Joyriide1113
on
05-11-2007, 04:19 PM
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I tried clearseal when it came out...The product basically amplified w/e look my car already had. It also added a lot of gloss to my sisters car which receives a wash once every 2-3 weeks. I had issues and still remain to have them. For one, I can't for the life of me apply it with the supplied cottom applicator. Its too grappy and soaks too much product. When used with it I can also see trails where the product was applied... I ahd much better luck with a foam applicator. Durabilty thus far is great.
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By
Dogged
on
05-12-2007, 03:11 PM
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Quote:
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By
derek80
on
05-12-2007, 05:00 PM
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I've used #314 cotton applicator, DFT applicator, foam and regular MF applicator, and prefer the first two products.
I've used ZCS for about 2 months now, and I'm getting familiar/better with application. You need to use very little to take advantage of WOWA (wipe on, walk away) products. I probably use 1 full spray to cover my door panel. Like mentioned above, a simple QD wipe down will take care of any streak/haze. |
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By
Dogged
on
05-15-2007, 12:40 AM
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Quote:
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By
derek80
on
05-30-2007, 05:12 PM
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Quote:
How's your experience with ZCS these days? | |
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By
derek80
on
06-17-2007, 03:06 AM
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ok, so for few weeks, I've been using yellow foam applicators and got great results, no streaks.
When it feels grabby, that's when I apply more....I try to use as little product as possible....will try to measure how much I use on different vehicles. |
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By
agentf1
on
12-18-2007, 11:51 AM
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Love It
There was a small learning curve like with most Zainp products where using less is better but once you get past that it is super easy to apply. Once I had my application technique down (move bottle while spraying to spread it thin over a larger area and make sure it is spread as far and thin as possible) I basically got no streaking even on black. When applied over Z-AIO, Z2p or Z5p it takes your finish to the next level in depth and wetness especially when you top it with Z6 or Z8 after it is dried. I also found that it has outstanding durability especially for a WOWA product. Truly a innovative product.
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