Paint Protection Explained
There are many car care products out in the market that claim to protect your car's paint work. However, not all car products are the same, just as not all cars are the same. Every car will get you form A to B, but as we know there is a big difference between models. Paint protection, car wax, and polishes are no different. They all give some sort of shine, but that's where the similarities endThis article is designed to educate new and not-so-new car owners on the different paint protection products in the market today - so you can make an informed decision in choosing the right one for your car.
Here a few facts you need to know. These simple facts will save you time, money and your paintwork in the long term.
- Not all paint protection products are the same.
- Prevention is better than cure, but it is not too late for older cars.
- Car waxing may not be the best solution - new technology may be better for you.
- A simple bird dropping can damage your paintwork.
- There are good reasons why prestigious car dealers use certain paint protection products.
- Professional paint protection is possible at home, without the huge expense dealers charge.
- A car's paintwork and appearance will assist in maintaining its value and resale value.
Let's look at the facts in more detail.
1. Not all paint protection products are the same
There are may paint protection products out there varying in price, and of course quality. However, price alone should not be the deciding factorwhen buying a product to improve your car's appearance. What you want to achieve, should be the deciding factor. A product that protects from bird droppings, UV Rays, acid rain, road salt, bug residue is obviously worth a few pounds more to you, then one that just gives a temporary shine.
Furthermore, different products offer different degrees of lasting shine. A product that offers a long shine, and requires less maintenance, will also be worth a few pounds more to you, we are sure.
Most protections on the market today offer only some or limited amount of protection from the above mentioned elements and most do not offer lasting shine without reapplication. *(more than 6 months)
2. Prevention is better than cure
Like most things, prevention is better than cure. A good paint protection system should protect your car for a long-term. However, if you haven't protected your car from day one - a good system should be able to improve you car considerably, with a notable difference and also continue to further protect you car the from the day you have applied the paint protection product.
3. Car waxing may not be the best solution
Car wax can be great to offer great instant shine, but there are a few drawbacks the average consumer may not be aware of. Firstly, car wax is called car wax, because it is simply, and predominantly made of "wax" - there is no disputing that. Everybody knows that wax also melts with heat. Car wax used on our cars is no different. Excess heat on paintwork that has been waxed, results in the wax softening, therefore loosing shine and more prone to entrapping contaminants. Waxing is great for show cars, but show cars rarely sit in the hot sun all day, day after day.
Wax, by its very natural state, does not adhere well to the car (in fact there is little that can adhere well to wax). Have you ever tried to stick anything to waxy surface? Similarly wax will eventually wash off your car and leave you with little protection.
Some car waxes can also take a top layer of paint off your car giving it a newer look. Do you actually want to take a layer of paint off your car? After all it has a limited number of layers.
4. A simple bird dropping can damage your paintwork
You car is being damaged now, and probably don't even realise it. Many people know that UV rays can damage cars paintwork but this can take years. More immediate danger are bird droppings - which can damage paint work within a few days.
Bird droppings come from the digestive system of birds, and without going into too much biological detail, droppings can contain high levels of acid - acid of course damages paintwork.
Many people are surprised at damage a bird dropping can do. It often goes unnoticed, but it is clearly seen once pointed out by a trained eye who knows what to look for.
5. The reasons why prestigious car dealers use certain products
Simply because it adds true value to the buyer (and to the vehicle), we are not talking about just a better shine. A good paint protection application gives an incredible glass shine and maintains the value of your new car. These are the reasons why people are simply prepared to pay an average of a 350 for good paint protection. It also means no waxing and easier cleaning of your car when it gets dirty, a superior paint protection means more savings in the long run.
6. Professional Paint protection is possible at home
Proper paint protection is a little more complicated that simply applying wax, but not too complicated that an average person cannot do at home. A combination of the right products, and technique is what makes it a good paint protection application a "superior" one. Yes, it is possible to do you own premium paint protection.
7. A car's paintwork and appearance will assist in maintaining its value and resale value.
A well-maintained car, with mirror finish paint, will undoubtedly increase its resale value. You will also save time and money now. A good paint protection on you can means you will save time washing your car, as dirt and grime should wash away easily..... and of course no waxing is required, to maintain its appearance.
How much should you pay? To a certain extent – you get what you pay for. One simply cannot have a product that one simply wipes on within 30 minutes and is expected to protect the paint effectively. Paint Protection is a professional application and surfaces to be protected have to be prepared, hence the reason for attention to detail and know how, correct use of tools and products.
What are the difference between the products out there?
More than 80% of protections on the market today are of a limited basic Compound/core ingredient, be it wax, teflon, polymer or silicone and is just relabeled, repacked or marketed differently. Most of these products are water soluble, that means they attract water.
The most superior product known through trial and testing, are products with Glassplexin®, it has the properties of glass. It electromagnetically blends with the paint molecules and becomes part of the paint unlike other products which simply lie on top. It is a silicate ion which has a negative charge and the properties of liquid glass, and is exclusively formulated to prepare, polish, seal and protect the paint finishes. Glassplexin® repels water, and therefore repels grime and contaminants.
Glassplexin® will provide a barrier between the elements and the paint surface, protecting against harmful elements as well as making washing easier. A mirror finish is maintained for years, without waxing. It is easier to reverse/repair damage to our paint protected surface than it is to paint without cutting into the paint.
Misconceptions
The Beading Water Myth
Regular wax and virtually all other paint protection products on the market produce large water beads (i.e. droplets) on the surface of the paint. Glare Polish produces tiny water beads instead. Droplets can only form on surfaces with strong adhesion to water. (i.e. the water sticks to the surface). Tiny water beads means the water cannot stick to the car as readily. Droplets contain much more water than tiny beads. This is important for two reasons:
Rainwater is acidic. While the acid in rainwater does not affect GLARE® Polish, it does affect virtually every other paint protection system. The better the water sticks to the car, the more damage to the paint.
Rainwater contains dust and other impurities. Larger droplets means there is more dirt left on the car as the water dries off. With GLARE® Polish, your car will usually be cleaner after a heavy rainfall. Waxed cars usually get very dirty in the rain.
Cannot be applied after Sale
The aftermarket lady is trained to tell customers that paint protection cannot be applied after the vehicle leaves the dealership. Somehow, it’s ”too late”. This is not true regardless of which paint protection system you choose. The advantage of doing the paint protection to a new vehicle, is that you only have to polish it and you are doing it before any damage has happened to your paint. With a used vehicle you most often will need to repair scratches to your clear coat and reverse some oxidation before you polish it.
“Our System Removes Scratches”
There is only one-way to remove scratches in the paint: Repaint the vehicle. There are a couple of things to note, though:<br />
Scratches in the clear coat can be filled and completely repaired with GLARE® Spider. It is the ideal filler as it is clear as glass - unlike other paint protection systems.
For in-paint scratches: When you apply GLARE® Polish, the paint surrounding the scratch becomes very shiny. This tends to take the eye off the scratch, even though it is still there. Someone who does not know the scratch is there may be “blinded by the shine” and not see the scratch. This is very common with GLARE® Polish.
Car Make X does not need Paint Protection
Not true. All currently used UV absorbers and HALS (hindered amine light stabilisers) volatilise and are lost from the coating over time and migrate into the basecoat or even into the substrate. This leaves the paint unprotected against fading and oxidation. Automotive paint manufacturers have been working on this problem for decades and have found no economical solution to date.
Light coloured cars do not need Paint Protection
Acid and fall out marks are less noticeable on light cars. You will notice after only about 3-4 years that the paint becomes much duller over time. GLARE® Polish does not just protect the paint against acid attacks. It also makes your car easier to clean, and less prone to becoming dirty in the first place. Also, if your car has “orange peel”, GLARE® Polish will repair it. Orange peel is highly noticeable regardless of colour as it causes the paint to look dull.
GLARE® with Glassplexin® is distributed to car dealers, professional detailers and now to the public.
