Car Wax :: essays research papers

ALL ABOUT CAR WAX A waxed painted surface protects the paint from many contaminants including minor abrasions, along with protection from UV rays and infra-red light. Waxes which supposedly clean and wax in one application compromise both processes. Brazilian Carnauba (car-NOW-ba) wax is wax of choice for automotive paints. Wax provides an invisible barrier to protect the paint. Since carnauba is hydroscopic, meaning that it naturally absorbs water, it expands upon application to a car's painted surface and protects it from the elements. Pure carnauba is impossible to apply in such form -- it is rock-hard. Pure high grade carnauba, when mixed with natural oils in ranges from 25 to 50 percent produce the deepest and richest shine to a painted surface. There are compromises in achieving such a result. Ease of application durability, and speed in getting the job done often require a greater mix of silicones and polymers and less carnauba. Those types of waxes often sacrifice depth of gloss and shine to t he paint. Your needs may be suited by specific products which balance the ease of application, depth of shine, and durability of the end result. With pure waxes with natural oils as the carrying agent, wax will adhere to the paint immediately without white residue or deposits left. Wax is applied in straight strokes in either direction and taken up with a clean terry cloth towel before it dries at the point where it becomes tacky. If wax is applied in high humidity it may streak. It may also streak due to uneven application if you apply the wax in a circular motion. Small areas should be waxed at one time. Constantly rotate the cleaning towel to apply a fresh area of the towel for proper wax removal. Use a foam applicator for the wax application rather than a cloth. The closed cell foam will not absorb wax into the material -- all you want to do is apply a thin film onto the paint for a proper application. Only a microscopic portion of wax adheres to the surface of the paint. Excess wax will only be wiped off and wasted in the process if too much wax is applied at one time. An eight ounce container of wax should enable you to do ten to twenty applications of your car's finish. The Facts Behind Wax For many detailers, nothing finishes off a well-detailed car like a high quality finish wax or polish.