Nanolex Pro v Zaino Z2 v G-techniq C1

[amiller]

This is the big one!



1. G-Techniq C1
2. Nanolex Professional Sealant (new sample)
3. Zaino Z2

With the new age of so called 'super sealants' I thought it was time to test them all together.

1. G-Techniq's C1 is for professional use only at the moment and is used by the Subaru rally team among others. C1 is now on its 7 or 8th formula and this is supposed to be its best.

2. Nanolex is quite new to the UK market and has been gaining great review and a reputation to match. It's latest sealant is for use on both paintwork and wheels.

3. Zaino Z2 is the raining champion in the sealant market. Everybody knows Zaino for a very good reason.


Test Conditions:
- air temperature 16degrees
- test panel: freshly polished, swirl free and an IPA wipedown.

On to the application:

1. G-techniq C1

-application is very easy and is infact identicle to the Nanolex. Applicator is a lint free 100% cotton applicator. A quick dab from the bottle on the pad and that is enough for a whole panel, or half a big panel. Once applied, wait circa 60seconds (instant is fine too) and buff off. It is VITAL that no product residue is left over. G-techniq suggest you throw away any buffing towels after due to the C1 setting as a crystal.












2. Nanolex Professional Sealant (sample)

Application is identical to the G-techniq. Nanolex do suggest you shake the bottle well though before pouring the product. Make-up pad again used for application as per instructions. Residue removed immediately after application.











3. Zaino Z2

Application is very easy too. Simply squirt a few peas size amounts onto a microfiber and apply thinly. Leave for 15 minutes and buff. To give the Z2 the best possible base, Z-AIO was used instead of an IPA wipedown. This ensures all products can perform at their best. (Z-AIO sample provided by Whizzer. Many thanks for that. Have now bought a full bottle! ) A second layer will be added 24 hours later.





Z-AIO first....












Some beading photos...

1. G-Techniq
- very uniform and very tight.





2. Nanolex
- not so uniform and slightly further apart than both Zaino and G-Techniq




3. Zaino
- Very uniform and tight. (not as tight as G-Tecniq)





Sheeting Results:

- open ended hose used to test the sheeting properties. As with most sealants, the sheeting was slow with the exception of G-tecnhiq which was 'wax-like quick'. The Z2 left the most water on the panel ( about 20 ml) . Nanolex some water (about 10ml) and G-Tecnhiq left almost no water at all.


Early Conclusions

All look the same to be honest. The sheeting of the G-Tecnhiq does appear to be superior to the other two though. Will be doing bi-monthly updates.


From left to right:
1. G-Techniq
2. Zaino Z2
3. Nanolex




Pins stripes Removed...




Future Plans:

1. More panels will be added when I get time. I'm thinking a door each and 1/3 of the boot as per the bonnet.

2. Bi-Monthly updates on durability.

3. Testing the coatings on wheels.

C&C welcome

Andrew


__________________
Update- Sunday 4 July 2010- 4 month update.

So here is an update almost 4 months after intial application.

A couple of reasons for the delay:
- no real differnce was noticable until recently in beading and sheeting
- becasue i used a flat panel, the dirt repellancy couldnt be measured (should really have done test on a vertical door panel to tst this)
- I'm confused as to what i am supposed to be looking for- thus, all comments very welcome and appreciated.

RECAP: C1 on left, Z2 in centre, Nanolex on right.


Beading

- all three bead equally poorly. All beads are a about the size of a 5 pence piece, spaced quite far apart. This is to be expected as they are sealants and beading isn't one of their characteristics as it is with carnuba based products. I have to say I am slightly surprised how the C1 stopped beading. It was only a couple of weeks after application that those lovely beads you see above disapeared.

Sheeting

- here is where my own confusion comes in. Because sealants are not know for their beading, in the past I have tested their competence on their sheting ability. To me, this signifies their ability to repel water, and thus dirt. However, with the introduciton of AQartz and JJ's testing, manufactures (Mr AQartz and Mr G|techniq mainly) have come out stating that sheetings and beading are not the main characterisitics of 'protection.' This, leads me to my next heading...

Ease of Cleaning

- ah, not the best test for this with hindsight. The bonnet, a vertical panel, never really gets very dirty, so all 2 priducts are equally easy to clean, with just a quick wipe with a mitt required.

Scratch Resistance

- the G|techniq in particlurat boasts scratch resistance properties. unfortunately, due to DW, my (an my father's) wash technique is near perfect and there is not a single swirl on the paint.



Photos describing my only real finding on the particular disparities in the product's characteristics.

- as is clearly seen, is is the sheeting that seperates the products.
- C1 sheets 10 times quicker than the others, with Z2 slowly behind and the Nanolex last. (the Nanolex was previously close behind the C1).
















- an interesting observation is that after 5 minutes or so, the C1 sections had a few droplets left on the bonnet, as did the Z2, but the Nanolex section was alomst compeltly spot free. So yes, it sheeted the slowest, but it also ultimately repelled water the best. Thoughts on this?










All comments welcome, and infact, are much appreciated.

	Z2 Zaino Z-2 PRO Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Car Finishes.

	Z-AIO Zaino Z-AIO ALL-IN-ONE One Step Cleaner, Polish & Protectant

	C1 Crystal Lacquer C1 Crystal Lacquer

[chillly]

Thanks for this Andrew, Will look forward to your updates, my money is on the zaino but i will be interested if it gets beat. Thanks again for the test

[amiller]

Originally Posted by chillly

Thanks for this Andrew, Will look forward to your updates, my money is on the zaino but i will be interested if it gets beat. Thanks again for the test

Thanks mate. Was going to ZFX the Z2. Perhaps with hindsight I should have but I think most people just use Z2 so that was my reasoning behind that.

	Z2 Zaino Z-2 PRO Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Car Finishes.

	ZFX Zaino ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator Additive

[Prism Detailing]

Good test will be interesting to see which is best in performance.....

[ads2k]

Thanks for taking the time to do this test

which will come out top ??

Place your bets .

[amiller]

Originally Posted by Prism Detailing

Good test will be interesting to see which is best in performance.....

Sure will. Looking to get a pea sized amount of Swissvax Divine or Zymol Vintage/Royale so I can do a side by side with one of the above in a true WAX v SEALANT test. Might try is with Migliore and take the car to the meet on the 28th.

[maggi112]

Originally Posted by amiller

Sure will. Looking to get a pea sized amount of Swissvax Divine or Zymol Vintage/Royale so I can do a side by side with one of the above in a true WAX v SEALANT test. Might try is with Migliore and take the car to the meet on the 28th.

Have you already got some migliore? I would be interested to see how the sheeting compares to the zaino, as I'm too lazy to do it myself

[Prism Detailing]

Originally Posted by amiller

Sure will. Looking to get a pea sized amount of Swissvax Divine or Zymol Vintage/Royale so I can do a side by side with one of the above in a true WAX v SEALANT test. Might try is with Migliore and take the car to the meet on the 28th.

Well this is the best way to find out whats best for you (any anyone else interested)

[amiller]

Originally Posted by maggi112

Have you already got some migliore? I would be interested to see how the sheeting compares to the zaino, as I'm too lazy to do it myself

I've only got the Migliore Frutta. Was really looking to do the best wax v the best sealant. Not sure Frutta is that however good it may be. Could try Collinite as this is a firm favourite, but not really what I was aiming for.

Robert, you not bought some Divine yet?

[DIESEL DAVE]

Interesting test but I think Z2 is a different type of sealant to the other 2, ZCS is the closest Zaino product.

	Z2 Zaino Z-2 PRO Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Car Finishes.