Category Archives: Automotive Detail

Wax on…wax off

Posted on by

There are more detail products on the market than ever before.  It can be difficult to navigate through all the different marketing tactics. It all basically breaks down to two main ingredients, carnauba or polymers.  So what is the real difference between carnauba and polymers?

Carnauba comes from the carnauba palm and grows only in Northeastern Brazil. There are two types of carnauba,  white and yellow. White is from the younger plants and is more brilliant and more expensive. Polymers are synthetic and are created in a lab. There are specifically engineered to bond to paint. Carnauba provides a little bit deeper shine but it has a very low melting point of 180°F where polymers melt at 350°F. Cars in the sun can range from 200°F – 250°F. So why carnauba provides a deeper shine it simply cannot provide adequate protection….for long. Polymers are much easier to apply and remove. I am very partial to polymers and will only recommend carnauba for show cars.

 

Submitted by

 

Jeff Scordino

www.concours-exteriors.com

 

 

Soap Operas

Posted on by

Are all the soaps the same? Why even use soap? Here are the most common myths:

1.       Soap is used to add lubricity to water and prevent spider web scratches from forming. FALSE. Water provides lubricity and that combined with the proper towel or sponge will prevent spider web scratches. Concours Exteriors recommends using only microfiber or a non-silicone sponge to wash your vehicles painted surfaces. Rinse often to remove debris and use a grit guard for the bottom of your bucket.

2.       Suds and foam help clean better. FALSE. Only friction cleans. Suds provide nothing but visual stimulus. Suds are produce when air is introduced to soap, whether through vigorously adding water or by simply agitating the water and soap mixture.  If suds did have cleaning power then how does your dishwasher or washing machine work? They do not have suds at all.

3.       The more soap the better. FALSE. The only reason for using soap is to reduce the ph of the water. The quality of your water depends on where you live. Some areas have hard water (high mineral content) and some have soft water (low mineral content). Whichever soap you choose make sure that it is ph7 (neutral). If it does not state the ph7 then stay away from it. If you would like to test your favorite soap, make a bucket following the manufacturer’s directions and use a pool tester kit to find the ph. Concours Exteriors auto bath, Fresh, is ph 7.

submitted by Jeff Scordino

http://www.concours-exteriors.com/