Depth - What does it mean to you?

G35stilez

G35stilez

Ari Gold
This form of judgin a paint characteristic has been irking me for a while. It seems that its meaning is unclear and many people might be using it differently then it really should be.

Anyways, these are the two ways in which I have seen it used.


#1 - Depth is the distance of how far you can see the reflections into the paint. For instance, objects that are far away that can still be seen through a reflection. In other words, depth is a reflection, just one far away.

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#2 - Depth is how thick the paint looks. In other words, when looking at the paint, depth makes the paint looks like it has thick texture.

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I just want this to be clarified so that I, as well as others, can use this term more precisely.


Thanks in advance.
 
So when your talking about depth your talking about the third dimension. When I say it adds "depth" then I'm referencing how much of that third dimension a product adds to a finish. Your right on both counts, but they go hand in hand.

Soo..depth is that..adding the third dimension..not to be confused with deepening :) as in making a color appear darker and richer :lol
 
I think that "depth" is another word for "wet". For instance, your Acura has depth. This is probably best achieved on dark colored cars by adding a carnauba topper which in your case I'm sure you have done.
 
I would consider my car to be extremely reflective, more or less like a black mirror, as for it having depth, I don't really know, you could see the reflection of distant objects though :dunno
 
Depth isn't something that light colored cars usually have. I define it as more of a way to describe how far the reflections go and how clear they are. The wet look and gloss is seperate from the depth. If I can see the other end of the block in the reflection then I would call that good depth.

This is reflection:

Underhood.jpg



This is depth:

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This is wet:

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This is glossy:

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Anyway, that is how I define them. Its all in the eye of the beholder I guess. I think they all look great. The important thing is to know what is possible with the color you are working on. If you are trying to get depth like you do in a black car on a white car then you should quit early. You'll just get frustrated because it never looks good enough. Every color has an effect that you will like best. The fun part about our hobby is to find out what that best look is. That's why some of us have 20 different waxes. They all do something different on the car.
 
I think everyone has a different definition. I usually just describe it. Gloss for me is the other tint of color or change of color on the paint. Depth is how reflective or deep you can go. Etc.
 
I personally think depth is more the wet look . Like when the paint looks like it was just sprayed out of the paint gun and they put like thirty coats on !!Ok maybe like 5 or 6 but, the reflection part that everyone is talking about I think would tend to be reffered to as the reflection your paint gives off but, most people use depth to mean a little of both I think .OHH and by the way your acura has ALOT of both looks great!!!
 
My 2 cents -

My interpretation of "depth" is the perceived distance of the reflections. Look at the reflection of a sign, tree, or building in the distance. How far away does the image appear to be?

Reflections don't have to be sharp or colorful to look deep. A product that's very reflective says to me that it produces a mirror like reflection that is very crisp and true to life in color. I will often take a newspaper advertisement insert (like the glossy coupon pages) and hold it up next to the paint to see how easily I can read the text. I also look to see if the advertisement's colors are washed out or more saturated.

I describe wetness as a surface that looks like it has a sheet of water on it. Glossy looks like it has a sheet of cooking oil on it.
 
awd330 said:
My 2 cents -

My interpretation of "depth" is the perceived distance of the reflections. Look at the reflection of a sign, tree, or building in the distance. How far away does the image appear to be?

Reflections don't have to be sharp or colorful to look deep. A product that's very reflective says to me that it produces a mirror like reflection that is very crisp and true to life in color. I will often take a newspaper advertisement insert (like the glossy coupon pages) and hold it up next to the paint to see how easily I can read the text. I also look to see if the advertisement's colors are washed out or more saturated.

I describe wetness as a surface that looks like it has a sheet of water on it. Glossy looks like it has a sheet of cooking oil on it.
Click to expand...

:yeah

Nicely put Marj! :bigups
 
i would say depth to me means the paint is clear like after claying then deep gloss obtained with a good carnuba .. to me polymer sealers dont give depth but they are very bright and glossy
 
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what would you call this? this is black done with clay then P&S ULTRACOAT POLISH & P&S CREME CARNUBA WAX. i dont really like sealers on black . i like black cars to look dark not real bright
 
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to me this is glossy , wet , P&S CLEARCUT 2 COMPOUND WITH ROTARY , EDGE 2000 YELLOW PAD , THEN P&S POLISH THEN P&S POLYMER SEALER DONE WITH A PC WITH GREY FINISH PADS AT SPEED 5. THEY HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT LOOK
 
Gloss - smooth and shiney
Depth - Apperance of the third dimension
Wet - the apperance that something is acutally wet
Deepen - to intensify color


So with that - if I say "it adds gloss" then I mean it makes the surface appear smooth and shiney. If it were to also deepen the color (say a cobalt blue made a bit darker) and add gloss then it would also add depth as a darker smoother and shiney surface is sure to reflect more. Wet is subjective but with all the others on board I am thinking it would look wet as well.

To use in practice - :) - Wolfgang's Sealant in my experience - deepens the paint color and makes the finish appear very glossy. With those two on board it's safe to assume that it adds depth to paint.

:lol - there is a pop quiz on wednesday.
 
I like to call the first picture "depth" because it looks like it has extra clear coat (thus depth to the paint). I've always wonder about "warmth" and "wet" too... Can anyone post a picture that describe "warmth"?
 
I just call it all incredible and money in the bank....lol

My pockets have great depth....lol

Here is my hood..please classify it for me:
 
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