I hear ya, and that was me until it happened ONCE. Once was more than enough. I don't know why the difference that one time, but it made a believer out of me. If you check their website, it mentions the water advantage for the Gold +
From their website:
The Gold Plus compound is our latest advancement in high performance friction materials. This racing formula offers extreme stopping power in both wet and dry conditions. Dust and rotor wear are eliminated. This proprietary blend of organics and trace iron requires no break-in and can see over 18,000 miles.
(the wet & dry is exactly like that on their website: bold & red)
For the Z+
Our Z Plus compound is a softened version of the Gold Plus compound. It is excellent for general purpose riding and offers a high coefficient of friction. This is the most rotor friendly pad in the industry. It produces no dust, and no noise. The service life generally averages about 18,000 miles.
They're the same price. Why not go for the Gold Plus pads?
I have no physical proof of how rotors are affected by the Gold Plus, but I have read here.....contrary to that which you post above from Paul's website.......that Glod Plus pads tend be hard on rotors, will turn them black, etc.
I live in Alabama, and ride all over the southeast. Needless to say, more often than not, I get caught in some bad clouds. The Z plus pads work fine......for me, and my rotors are in great shape.
What I don't know is if Paul is making that rotor wear claim based on testing with one of his rotors. Regardless of all of this, Paul clearly tells everyone who purchases his products for the first time that "you bought a brake company, not brakes." He WILL make things right. All you gotta do is call him. He's a stand up guy.................VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY few of those left today.