The sky is falling, the sky is falling - Chicken Little
Pollen (Microgametophytes) Grains
[: a fine to coarse powder containing
the microgametophytes of seed plants, which produce the male gametes]
In
the US, oak pollen starts to cause problems in February and is gone by the end
of April. Most late summer and fall pollen is usually ragweed,
The
yellow fines to coarse powders you see in the air is made up of small sperm
cells from blooming plants and are one of the most common allergy triggers. The smallest pollen grain is approximately 6 µ
(micron) wind-borne pollen grains can be as large as 90–100 µ (micron) diameter
The pollen from trees are the main concern, vehicles get hit
with pollen laced trees that include: oak, western red cedar, elm, birch, ash,
hickory, polar, sycamore, maple, cypress and walnut (which also leaves an oily
residue). Pollen grains of pines, firs, and spruces are winged.
Pollen must be strong to protect the male gametes on their
journey. The outer wall of the pollen grain, called the exine, is composed of a
very unusual substance called sporopollenin which is very tough.
The inner layer is made of cellulose and is similar in
construction to an ordinary plant cell wall; pollen will literally ‘wear’ away
wax or polymer sealants. Pollen isn't removed by air friction as you drive because
it adheres to a surface with microscopic barbs that can attach to even a very
slightly uneven surface, and adheres to a natural wax better than a synthetic
polymer
As well as being allergic pollen is also very abrasive (due to
its exine or barbs) and slightly acidic dust, although its inert until its
mixed with moisture and should therefore be removed from paint surfaces as soon
as is practicable.
Heavy Dust
To
remove heavy pollen dust (do not use a California
Duster as the pollen exine (barbs) will cause surface marring) instead
use Optimum (OPT) No Rinse Wash™ & Shine New Formula (ONR) a quick ‘wash’; formulated with surfactants to keep dirt
in suspension, avoiding surface contact, it also provides surface lubrication,
thereby avoiding surface marring. Alternatively use Optimum
Instant Detailer - this formulation penetrates and
encapsulates light dust (pollen) dirt, and grime, allowing for their removal
without scratching or dulling the surface. As soon as is practical, thoroughly
rinse the vehicle with a hose and clean water to ensure all the pollen is
removed.
Light Surface Dust
To remove light, dry surface pollen dust or pollen without causing
scratches by applying very little surface pressure, dusting with long strokes
in one direction only, use a product that contains a surfactant; this will
lessen surface scratching as they ‘lift’ dust etc. into the media used avoiding
surface friction (use a solution of Optimum™ no-rinse (ONR) diluted 1:20 / distilled water in a
fine mist spray bottle) or Optimum ™ Instant Detailer. Do not use on a hot paint surface (soon after driving)
as this will cause streaking?
Use a long nap micro fibre towel to ensure the dust lifted from the paint
surface will remain in the nap and not on the towel surface thereby causing
surface marring. Shake the towel occasionally to ensure any particles picked up
will drop out rather than come to the surface while you’re using it.
Notes: Dust
build-up-with low humidity conditions and friction on the paint surface will
cause static electricity (this is exacerbated by the use of polyester (nylon)
Micro fibre) resulting in dust attraction to the paint surface.
It important to use this methodology only for the removal of dry surface
dust, don’t use if surface has condensation or dew, or if the vehicle has oily
road film, road tar, damp pollen or dust, etc. in these instances the vehicle
surface should be subjected to a conventional or Optimum
(OPT) No Rinse Wash™ & Shine New Formula
(ONR) car washing process
No wax or polymer sealant can provide a permanent shield against: Micro
gametophytes (pollen) an acrylic polymer like Klasse or Jeff Werkstat resist acid attack better than most. Collinite 845 Insulator Wax is
probably the most durable Carnauba wax product and / or Finish Kare FK425 Detailing Spray; are very good sacrificial protections, but these may
only provide enough of a barrier to enable it to be removed quickly before
causing too much damage to the paint film surface
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. Questions and/
or constructive comments are always appreciated
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