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wax on headlights?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by lenjack, Jul 9, 2008.

  1. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    Getting ready to wax my "07 with HID headlights. Is it OK to wax the headlight covers?
     
  2. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    Yep, go right ahead it won't hurt the headlights.
     
  3. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    It makes it easier to wash bugs off the lights, especially if you use the right polish, such as Zaino. ;)
     
  4. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    Zaino is not a polish, its a paint sealant.

    Sal Zaino likes to make up terms for his products, Zaino has no properties whatsoever that would classify it as a polish.
     
  5. ravenmaniac

    ravenmaniac Senior Executive VP of Nothing

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    Really? Can you elaborate on this? I was not aware of Zaino being inferior...I always thought it was the best stuff available. What product do you suggest? I always found Zaino to be easy to use compared to many other products.
     
  6. SparrowHawk60

    SparrowHawk60 Happy to be green!

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    Yes, you can put a coat of wax on the headlight covers.
    Buff it off well, and you'll have no problems.
     
  7. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    Zaino isn't an inferior product at all, its simply not a polish. A polish is something that mechanically (I.e. with oils or abrasives) or chemically cleans or restores the surface of the paint through abrasion. Swirl mark removers are polishes, Zaino does sell polishes, but the Zaino Z2 & Z5 sealants he was talking about are not polishes, even if Zaino calls them that. They are polymer sealants.

    Just like wax is not a polish, Zaino is not a polish. Its a very minor thing, but its one of the things that irks me about Zaino.
     
  8. Sheepdog

    Sheepdog C'Mere Sheepie!

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    it's also just about the finest product for your paint that I have ever found. In the florida sun and heat it is almost the onlyn thing that will stay with you more than a day.
     
  9. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    Zaino is a very good product, but it isn't the finest product out there (no such thing) nor is it the only product that will stay on your paint in the Florida sun.

    Thats one of the other things that irks me about Zaino, the zealotry that comes along with its users, most of whom have never used other comparable quality products.
     
  10. priusenvy

    priusenvy Senior Member

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    Optimum, Finish Kare, and Duragloss are just a few of the other vendors who sell products comparable to those in Zaino's line. I have personal experience with Optimum, and people who I trust have positive things to say about Finish Kare and Duragloss.

    Optimum Car Products
    Finish Kare, Automotive, Marine, Aerospace, Mold Release Agents, Paint Contamination
    Duragloss Car Care Products

    Note that just as with Zaino, not every product from each of these vendors is best in class. For instance, I have yet to find a polish from any other mfgr that would make me switch from Menzerna.
     
  11. ravenmaniac

    ravenmaniac Senior Executive VP of Nothing

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    Who manufactures comparably quality products to Zaino and where do you get them? Zaino is pretty expensive stuff, but that doesn't mean that it's the best. I do enjoy using their products though because of their ease of use.
     
  12. bac

    bac Active Member

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    Wax on .... wax off:

    [​IMG]

    No problem.

    ... Brad
     
  13. Larry David

    Larry David New Member

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    Read the bottle of wax/polish/whatever. Generally you never want to put polish or wax on non metal parts, non painted parts of the car.
     
  14. GatorJZ

    GatorJZ Member

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    Ultima. It is ridiculously to apply (wipe on, walk away.....no buffing) and looks better than Zaino with most of Zaino's durability.
     
  15. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    I've been detailing for over a decade, did it professionally for a while. Trust me, wax will not damage your headlights. In fact you can polish the headlights with a mild polish and a buffer. The headlights are coated in a clearcoat.

    As for who makes products of the same quality level as Zaino, answer: PLENTY of people:

    Ultima, Clearkote, Optimum, P21S, Klasse, the list goes on and on. As for sites, Car Detailing Supplies, Car Wax, Car Polishers, Car Care Products, Aloha & Welcome to Our Oasis for All Your Auto Detailing, Auto Detailing Supplies, Auto Detailing Equipment, Auto Detailing Products, & Auto Detailing Accessories for all your Automobile Detailing, Detailers Paradise: Premium Car Care Products, Auto Detailing

    Zaino is a good product, but here are my issues with it:

    1. I don't like the plasticy look on dark cars, but thats a sealant thing.
    2. The hype surrounding it which is generated by the manufacturer, all these crazy things you have to do to apply is like Dawn washes, fear about using products from other manufacturers along with the Zaino sealants (like carwash and Quick Detailer), all lies. Ask me this, if it will sit on the paint for 6 months outside in polluted air (which it won't) do you really think using Meguiars carwash instead of Zaino will take it off or keep additional coats from bonding? Please. Can only use terry cloth towels, microfiber ruins Zaino? Huh?
    3. Layering. You can layer sealants, but 35 coats does nothing but make you have to buy more Zaino sooner.
    4. Making up terminology and calling it something its not to reinforce the lie that its something unlike anything else on the market (calling it a polish when its not a polish)
    5. Rediculous mixing of Z1 or ZFX like a chemist with tubes and mixing plates.

    Actually cost per application is fairly low since you use so little. Thats a plus.

    They have some excellent products, Z-AIO is supposed to be a very good one step (A'la Klasse AIO), I've heard good things about Zaino CS. The Z2/Z3/Z5 sealants are also very good. But there are other good products out there too.
     
  16. ravenmaniac

    ravenmaniac Senior Executive VP of Nothing

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    Great, thanks for the info. FYI...I'm not the OP who asked about waxing headlights though. I always wax mine. I will look into the Ultima since a couple of people have suggested it.
     
  17. greylar

    greylar New Member

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