The use of silicones as used in certain types of liquid polishes are much more durable than wax base polishes. The solar convection heat will melt the wax that lays on the painted surfaces. Because waxes are hard and viscous, they plate over the surface and do not penetrate into the pores. Waxes have very little resistance to detergents and are easily washed off with each car wash. When left out in the sun, the exposed surfaces quickly heat up. The waxes melt and while in a molten state, dust, industrial fallout, exhaust fumes and any other pollutants floating in the air are absorbed into the molten wax. The end result is that the paint is washed more often which will then expose the surface to much more destructive elements such as ultraviolet and infrared rays, photolysis, acid rains, etc.

The best-known waxes (carnuba) widely used over beexwax are no match for the degradation of the natural elements and man-made pollutants. Waxes must be constantly applied to maintain a good protection. Silicones were first introduced in a liquid polish for autos, plans and boats in the mid 1950’s. They were easy to apply, had a greater depth of shine and endured many times longer than waxes. Silicones had a lot going for them, but like all things, they had drawbacks that created nightmares for the paint shops. Silicones “crosslink” and “drift” onto the painted surfaces and penetrate into the pores. It is this penetration that has given pain shops so much trouble. Every time the surface is washed, it will drive the silicone deeper into the paint. It will continue to “drift” down into the prior coats and eventually into the body metal. As the silicones penetrate or drift further into the painted surfaces, they leave the surface exposed to elements just as waxes do when they melt or are washed off with detergent.

Depending upon the season, waxes will endure in the summer months for about 5 to 8 weeks whereas silicones will hold the protection for approximately 6 to 12 months, depending upon the quality of the silicones and how they are formulated. Their demise eventually comes from the ability to drift. They will drift all the way to the metal. Once silicones have permeated the paint, the primer and the metal, a painter cannot get his paint to properly adhere. The silicones make the new paint “foam” which causes minute pockets of air in the newly applied paint. This is known as “entrapment”. As the paint is curing and the solvents are flashing off, the tiny pockets of air will slowly work their way to the surface and create what is called a “pin hole”. Sometimes these entrapped air pockets cannot reach the surface before the surface has cured, and they become entrapped. Hence, 3 months later, the vehicle is left out in the sun and… bingo! The air bubble expands from the heat; the paint softens, and out comes the entrapped air, creating more pinholes.

The Solution - 3mendouz Shine!

Many car-grooming companies do not eliminate swirl marks and fine scratches found on the paintwork before proceeding to groom the car. Some who even worsen the condition of the paintwork by creating additional blemishes such as swirl marks and fine scratches after they have completed the grooming process. Unfortunately, many car owners are not aware of this and assumed or misinformed by the grooming companies that these blemishes cannot be avoided. This is definitely not true as these blemishes are actually created by the usage of inferior quality waxes or polishing compounds and poor application techniques.

At 3mendouz, we have helped many of our customers remove these unsightly blemishes and restore the smoothness and shine of the paintwork using the PPS system. In the worst-case situation where the paintwork has deteriorated badly, we are still able to groom the paintwork and improve its condition tremendously.

Check out Our Gallery for more evidence!