Once cleaned and polished, painted
surfaces then require protection against various environmental damage if the
long-term quality of the finish is to be preserved.
Protection comes in many forms; natural
carnauba waxes, synthetic sealants as well as polymer or silica coatings. They
can all be defined as an invisible barrier that adheres to the surface of your
paint and shields it against every day environmental damage such as dust and
grime, industrial fallout, honeydew, bug splatter, bird droppings and ultra
violet (UV) radiation, in other words the damaging effects of the sun.
Some applied protection i.e. a synthetic
sealant or a wax or even some polymer-based coatings are subject to chemical
and physical erosion by the weather. As such, it will be gradually worn away
over time, necessitating periodical reapplication if a high level of protection
is to be maintained.
However some specialized polymer-based
and many silica-based coatings will last for upwards of three years.
Probably the greatest impact has come
from the use of coatings, which have completely changed the landscape of the
detailing industry. Products like Swissvax, Zaino, Collinite, and etc. used to
be the best protection available but a reactive polymer resin coatings
(Opti-Coat™) has greatly extended the available protection, they offer a
coating thickness of 2-3 ยต (microns) and a scratch resistant hardness of 9H
(the same hardness as a urethane paint), greatly extended durability, scratch
resistance and protection from the elements that can be measured in years.
Does
paint density (hardness) affect its scratch resistance?
Many coating products claim an obtained
surface hardness of 9H but this has little if anything to do with scratch
resistance. Scratch resistance can be related to higher cross-link density and
elasticity of the polymer network.
So how can a dense (hard) clear coat be
so easily scratched?
Force acts through a body that has a
surface area; if the surface area is really small while maintaining an equal
force, the pressure becomes astronomical and the object under pressure capable
of penetrating the surface of an otherwise tough material. (Newton's third law
of motion)
That’s why a micro fine thread that is
twice as fine as silk and a 100 times finer than a human hair, in an otherwise
soft towel will scratch your paint. And the same reason a mosquito can
penetrate a rhino hide with its proboscis (stinger).
This can best be summed up as: your
car’s paint finish, though it may feel hard, is actually rather soft. Nearly
everything else that comes in contact with it, though it may feel soft, is
harder by comparison and will scratch it with enough pressure – sometimes just
the slightest of pressure.
The latest coating technology products
(Modesto) use Silica (micro-glass particulates) the manufactures claim
durability of 5-10 years (dependent upon product used)
Coatings are self-cleaning, that is to
say there ultra-smooth surface exhibit something known as the ‘Lotus effect’ a
(self-cleaning) surface. Liquid drops, and in particular water drops, form a
very high contact angle, are virtually spherical and roll off the surface with
just a small inclination (roll-off angle). In doing so, they carry particles
which are present on the surface with them. This is the basis of the
self-cleaning action of surfaces, such as the lotus blossom, which gave the
effect its name.
It does not wear off over time like a
wax or a polymer sealant, which can be removed by using highly alkaline car
wash soaps or detergents, isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or paint cleaners similar to
Prep Sol.
To remove a silica coating (or Opti-Coat) you would need to use an
abrasive polish or wet-sand the surface.
These coatings can also be used to on
both glass and wheel surfaces making them much easier to keep clean as well as
providing protection.
When a coating is applied to a clean
surface, that surface takes on properties that are virtually identical to
hardened glass, they also exhibit a measurable film thickness. It is chemically
inert and will not react with the base material. In other words, dirt will not
bond to the treated surface, thereby reducing soiling and organic staining.
Acid rain and other chemical compounds easily wash off, significantly reducing
the hydroscopic nature of surfaces exposed to industrial or environmental
pollution.
Properly educating the customer so they
understand a coatings possibilities and its limitations, while they offer
better protection than waxes or sealants, as well as greater durability they
still need to be taken care of properly. Using the proper washing techniques
can keep their paint surface swirl free indefinitely.
Teaching them how to use Optimum
Technologies (ONR) correctly would go a long way in avoiding paint surface
damage (scratches, marring, swirls, and etc.)Similar to paint protection film
(PPF), it may show some damage from road grit hits but these are within the
coating paint underneath is fine. This is also true if the vehicle has been
subjected to a damaging wash, the swirls and marring are mostly in the coating
itself so the damage comes out more quickly.
Another option to protect your vehicle
is the installation of a paint protection film (PPF) from the damage caused by
small stone chips, insects, and other kinds of road debris. They are virtually
invisible and will not detract from a vehicle's appearance.
Final thoughts
Go to Kelly Blue Book or Edmunds and check out
the difference in the trade-in and resale values of an Excellent condition
vehicle versus Good or Fair condition; it’s usually several hundred, if not
thousands of dollars.
I would like to think that these articles become an
asset to anyone who is new to detailing and to professionals alike, as well as
industry experts who seek to advance their knowledge.
I hope the above article was informative. By having some
understanding of the ‘What’ and ‘Why’ as well as the ‘How’ along with a little
science to help you understand how the chemicals we use react, you can achieve
the results you desire.
I would appreciate it if you would share this article as
it helps other detailers further their knowledge.
Questions and/ or constructive comments are always
appreciated.
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1980) all rights reserved
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