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WHAT
IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A POLISH AND A WAX?
Polishes contain compounds designed to remove scratches from the
surface of your paint,while waxes protect your car with a clear,
hard coating. Waxes can be either synthetic or natural, though high-grade
carnauba wax delivers the best combination of lasting protection
and deep gloss. Polishes provide the "shine" for your
paint, whiles waxes provide the "protection."
WHAT IS A CLEARCOAT?
"Clearcoat" is a name given to the multistage paints used
today. A "base coat" (frequently water based) is applied
with a pigment (color). Then, a top layer of clear paint is applied
over the top of the base coat to add depth, brilliance and provide
protection for the base coat.
Clearcoats still require the same care as the old single stage paints.
Just because the top coat of paint has no pigment in it doesn't
make it impervious to environmental conditions.
Top coats of clear paint still oxidize, and the softer paints used
today also allow contaminants to easily embed in the surface. These
softer paints require modern formulations and technology to protect
them against damage.
In short, the need for proper care and maintenance of clearcoat
paints is just as important as years ago. Actually, because of their
softer, fragile nature, they really should be maintained BETTER
than the older single stage paints.
WHAT IS A SEALER AND GLAZE?
When applied before waxing, a Sealer and Glaze helps hide minor
scratches,
spiderwebbing, swirl marks and other surface imperfections. It enhances
clarity and shine, while giving darker colored paints that deep,
wet look. If left unprotected, a Sealer and Glaze will not last
long. It therefore needs an immediate coating of protective wax
to truly have long lasting benefit.
WHAT IS
CARNAUBA WAX?
Carnauba wax is a resin produced from the leaves of a South American
palm tree called
Copernicia Cerifera. These trees are only found throughout South
America. The trees of the northeastern Brazilian rain forest are
found to produce the highest quality number one grade carnauba wax.
Carnauba is available in various grades of purity and clarity. Starting
with premium grade number one yellow, then going down to number
two yellow, number three yellow, and into the commercial grades.
Because of Carnuaba's strong grain structure it is the hardest natural
wax known to man. Carnauba wax is found in other products besides
automobile waxes, such as, high gloss polishes for wood, pharmaceutical
and cosmetic industries. Carnauba is far and away the preferred
wax for automobile painted surfaces because of its incredible durability
and deep shine, unlike beeswax, paraffin, and synthetic waxes, which
sometimes have a tendency to cloud. There are some wax manufacturers
that advertise the use of only white carnauba in their products.
There is no such thing as an albino carnauba tree (the power of
advertising). Number one grade yellow carnauba wax has been repeatedly
tested and shown to produce, by far, the deepest shine and the best
clarity.
Several homemade and lower quality waxes are advertised to contain
carnauba wax. If it
doesn't say number one yellow grade carnauba wax, you can bet it's
a lesser grade quality. Mothers uses only number one grade
premium yellow carnauba in both their liquid and paste waxes. This
is why most premium showcar owners and demanding car enthusiasts
will let only Mothers touch their paint.
ARE PASTE
WAXES HARDER TO USE THAN LIQUIDS?
Not only are paste waxes as easy to use as liquid waxes, but you
will find that they are much more economical. Sixteen ounces of
liquid wax will usually last four to five applications. A can of
paste wax can easily do ten to twelve applications. Personally,
I prefer paste waxes over liquid waxes. I believe the longevity
of a paste wax to be better than that of a liquid. Because of the
new formulas used in paste waxes, you will see far less dust, which
was so prominent in paste waxes of the past.
ARE APPLICATORS
REALLY NECESSARY?
This is one of the most overlooked areas in car care. Applicators
are one of the cheapest accessories that one can purchase, yet,
in my opinion, one of the most important. Notice that I use the
word applicator(s). Good quality applicators can go a long way in
preventing common swirl marks found in so many paints. Never use
one applicator to do an entire vehicle. On the average car or truck,
use at least two or three applicators, using both sides.
By using only one, as it becomes contaminated, you are enhancing
the possibilities of
scratching and adding swirl marks to the paint. Always apply product
to the center of the
applicator, then fold the applicator in half and blot. By doing
this you will be applying a more even application of the product
to the paint. By pouring the product onto the paint I can almost
guarantee you will get an uneven application. When finished, wash
the applicators in household detergent to remove the old wax and
cleaner. Be sure to rinse extremely well, then allow to air dry.
When dry, place them in a plastic sandwich bag. For a few dollars
and proper care, the applicators will last several uses and become
one of the best investments you can make.
mail@waxstation.com
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