Tuesday 5 July 2016

Special Waxes (Marque specific)


An organic wax, unlike a polymer, has no chemical interaction with paint; it forms a thin hard ‘shell’ as opposed to some coatings or a polymer, which forms a molecular bond. A wax when it’s correctly applied as a thin translucent layer, this renewable barrier is probably less than 0.1 µ which is a barely visible film.
The clear coat is the final original equipment manufacturers coating applied to a vehicle to protect the (base) colour coat from environmental damage, while providing both depth and a durable, glossy appearance, originally designed to protect and enhance metallic paints, but is now applied to all colours.
Claims that certain waxes are formulated and / or manufactured for specific paint types, paint colours or made specifically for a certain vehicle marquee or that they are matched to particular characteristics of individual paint systems has absolutely no factual chemical basis, it’s merely marketing hype.
Any product applied on top of the clear coat needs to be transparent otherwise both the paint colour and its depth of shine will be muted.
For example both Porsche and Ferrari (amongst others) use Glasurit as their paint supplier, very different vehicle manufacturers. How would a wax especially made for Italian paint (Zymöl Ital) not work on a German Porsche?
Paint specifications
There have been several advancements and changes to clear coat technology as well as the overall OEM, not to mention changes in environmental regulations for chemical compositions used by the factory’s paint suppliers.

It is important to note that manufacturer-approved paint suppliers vary by country as each country (and even province/state) has their own environmental laws that collision centres must adhere to. For example, in the UK, Standox, Spies Hecker, and BASF are the approved paint suppliers for Mercedes-Benz collision centres; in the US, it is PPG, BASF, and Standox. In Canada, only BASF and Standox are the approved paint suppliers and you will find only one or the other at any authorized Mercedes-Benz collision centre.

• Each vehicle assembly plant uses different clear coat paint from one of three major paint suppliers; PPG, DuPont, and BASF products and each of these companies have a range of several differing paints
• Most vehicle manufacturers will issue a painting specification that denotes amongst other things; a paint to hardener ratio, dependent upon quality control this spec may or may not be strictly adhered to
• Some vehicle manufacturers have more than one plant assembling the same model of a vehicle; each plant will often use a different supplier for the clear coat paints.
• Each assembly plant may elect to use one of several OEM paints from PPG, DuPont or BASF clear coat product lines.

This is also true of imports assembled in the US; usually one paint supplier is approved for all plants; however, each plant may modify the application/bake process in order to meet production demand. 
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There are other factors that will have an effect; the composition of the clear coat used (single, duel component, or powder) this generally reflects the trade-off the OEM is prepared to accept between scratch resistance and gloss level considered acceptable, oven drying time and its temperature, quality of the quality of the isocyanates used, relevant age (i.e. how long ago was the paint applied) spot panel repairs (refinish) that are carried out either at the assembly plant or the rail head or port of entry

I will concede that some waxes look better when used on light or dark coloured paints.
A wax that is formulated with high oil content produces jetting or ripple effect (the so-called ‘wet-look) by diffuse reflection and seems to enhance dark colours, whereas higher polymer content will enhance light colours due to spatial reflection, similar to water on a mirrored surface

An applied wax protection is less than 0.1 µ; so the suggestion that a coating this thin could change or even enhance a colour doesn’t sound very plausible to me.


Although waxes and polymers do have differing light reflectance properties and differing paint colours will reflect light differently in according with their Light Reflective Value (LRV) (See Light Reflection article)
I would like to think that these articles become an asset to anyone who is new to detailing and to professional’s 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 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. No one can know it all, no matter how long they have been detailing; share experience and knowledge so that we learn from each other. Each one Teach one.

Choose carefully whose advice you listen to, and more importantly what advice you act upon. I would strongly suggest that you verify any information that I or anyone else shares with you. The misinformation and myths that are so prevalent in the detail industry is the reason that detailers need to do research on their own. 

Treat all marketing claims as being just biased marketing claims.
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.


Copyright © 2010 - 2016 TOGWT® (Established 1980) all rights reserve

Friday 1 July 2016

Layering Carnauba Wax


 Victoria Wax


Products:

Victoria Wax Pre-Wax Cleaner - for optimum results, this product must be used before applying this paste waxes for the first time. A unique non-abrasive formulation for regular and clear-coated paint finishes. Use as a foundation paint preparation, it gently cleans the paintwork and helps to create a perfect bond between the finish and the wax and create depth of shine.

            Victoria Concours Wax -  apply a thin coat, gently work it in and let it sit until tacky, then using a 100% cotton micro fibre towel gently remove everything to expose a finish ready for the wax. If needed, repeat cleaning action until all contaminates, grime and foreign products are removed. Remember, the cleansing and prepping process should only be done before the wax is applied for the first time and there after only when needed.

Concours wax - especially designed for black and red to add extra warmest wettest finish
Chaos - designed for extra gloss and suitable for all colours especially metallic colours
Mayhem - gives natural look - prepped look suitable for all colours.
Collectors - yellow wax is to similar mayhem but contains fewer polymers.

Using a damp applicator and cold (almost ice) distilled water in a fine mist spray bottle neutralizes any solvents in the newly applied layer; the water should be cold, using ice cold water after applying a wax will harden the wax quicker making the shine deeper and help the new wax adhere to the finish, working until the water/ wax solution disappears.

The reason for using a damp applicator is to neutralize the solvents as much as possible, and to avoid the thin coats of wax sticking to the applicator, this enables the wax to build thin, fine coats. Spray fine mists of cold (almost ice) distilled water to a single panel and then apply a light Carnauba wax to the paint surface.

 Always apply extremely thin layers using a very light pressure when spit shining, Wipe it onto a small work area and continue wiping until most of the wax disappears. Mist lightly as needed, keeping a few water droplets on the surface. Move to the next work area and repeat. After you do the final area you’ll have a surface with many spots of hazed wax. Lightly mist an area with the very cold distilled water - 1/2 hood or door - and lightly buff with a MF towel.

Turn the towel frequently, when the towel becomes too damp switch to a new towel.
When you spray very cold water on a Carnauba wax layer that has been allowed to outgas (i.e. the solvents that make up its carrier system have evaporated) it reduces the wax surface temperature to the point that the next applied waxes carrier solvents do not dilute the previously applied wax and it forms a semi-hard coat.

·         Allow each subsequent Carnauba waxes solvents to outgas before applying more layers. Spit shining allows definitive layers, as opposed to a thick coat of wax that would result if the solvents dissolve the wax layer that they are applied to.

·         After 24 hours you can repeat the procedure, using cold (almost ice) distilled water and Pinnacle Crystal Mist (a low solvent quick detail (QD) each coat applied will increase the surface depth of shine with five or six coats being optimal

·         Allow the radiation heat to ‘sweat’ the wax and then buff with a 100% cotton micro fibre towel.
Also be aware that the both the product and the foam pad may be non-abrasive, but application pressure if not kept to an absolute minimum and using use a very light and even pressure, may re-introduce surface marring and/or removal of the previously applied product by friction

Carnauba Wax Flakes 

Application of wax with Bare Hands

Zymöl and Swissvax DO NOT endorse the use of an applicator for use with their Estate waxes and glazes for optimum results. Once you get used to applying soft waxes with the tips of your fingers, I’ve found I used less product as was able to spread it thinly and evenly.

This application method has a lot to do with personal preference and individual experience really. David Wyllie Sr. (owner of Victoria Wax) is a great proponent of this application method
Apply wax thinner than any other waxes you have applied. The surface should not be too cold or too hot. And out of direct sunlight. Work in small sections and don't let the wax completely dry before buffing.

Take your tub of soft wax (Victoria Concours Red Wax, Swissvax, Zymol, etc.) and gently rub the surface with your fingertips but don't stick your fingers all the way in. Using small overlapping circles apply to one panel at a time. When you’ve done the second panel and remove the wax from the first panel with a 100% cotton towel and move on to the third panel and so on

Applying to small sections and massaging in the wax will quickly start the cure process and exposure to the air will allow a full wax set-up. Allow the radiation heat to ‘sweat’ the wax and then buff with a 100% cotton micro fibre towel.

Bibliography
1.                  Relevant Material Data Sheet (MSDS) – http://bit.ly/7uM4QA
2.                  Zymöl- (http://www.Zymöl.com/carnauba.htm)
3.                  Swissvax - SWISSVAX - the ultimate car care products hand-made in Switzerland
4.                  Wikipedia - Carnauba wax - Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
5.                  Strahl & Pitsch (Brasilia Carnauba) - Carnauba Wax
6.                  Abstracts from articles related to Auto Appearance Chemicals – Dow Corning
7.                  Why apply wax with bare hands? by David Wyllie
8.                  The Chemistry and Technology of Waxes, by Albin H. Warth; Second Edition 1956
9.                  The Chemical Formulary, by H. Bennett
10.              Propolis-Research Review, by La Rocco, Mike Vespa 2001

Information resource -
1.                  Zymöl and Swissvax Internet websites
2.                  The Basics of Silicon Chemistry - Dow Corning
3.                  Dow Chemical Manufacturing (Auto appearance chemicals) - Chemical Manufacturing - Auto Appearance Chemicals - Formulations - Dow Corning
4.         The Royal Society of Chemistry; Cambridge, 1995 Silicon-Containing Polymers Jones, Richard, G

I would like to think that these articles become an asset to anyone who is new to detailing and to professional’s 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.

No one can know it all, no matter how long they have been detailing; share experience and knowledge so that we learn from each other. Each one Teach one.

Choose carefully whose advice you listen to, and more importantly what advice you act upon. I would strongly suggest that you verify any information that I or anyone else shares with you. The misinformation and myths that are so prevalent in the detail industry is the reason that detailers need to do research on their own. 

Treat all marketing claims as being just biased marketing claims.

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.


Copyright © 2010 - 2016 TOGWT® (Established 1980) all rights reserve