Are silicones bad for paint?

GlossyTundra

Tractor Detailer
I am using alot of products from my local detail supply store, and they work great, but contain silicones. I want to know if they arent good for paint or if they are an indication of cheaper products.
 
A lot of detailing products contain different types of silicones.

If your doing work for body shops you may want to change to BS safe products.
 
silicones aren't an issue- if you are in a body shop/painting environment they can pose some risks. What is more debatable is wether they are advantageous or simply product fillers.
 
I've gone over this in some detail with Bence, who has an admirable understanding of the subject.



Short version as I understand it (and I gotta confess I didn't assimilate all the info as well as I coulda/shoulda :o ):



-No, silicones aren't bad for paint, or for most anything else except the environment of a bodyshop (and shops can simply clean them off with stuff like PrepSol; it's never been a problem for me). They're a favorite bete noire of some people, but they aren't *really* something awful after all.



-Silicones generally make products easy to use and offer "slick and shiny" results, but at the expense of long-term durability.



FWIW, one of my favorite paste waxes is the old, discontinued, *original* version of 3M Showcar Paste Wax. Heavy silicone content (says so right on the can) but great looks, beading, and slickness, easy to use, and surprisingly durable IME. I've used it a *lot* on my wife's A8, and it never caused any problems, even when I had areas treated with it repainted (yeah, I warned the bodyshop to be extra-diligent about cleaning it).
 
remember there is a difference between silicone polymers and silicone oils. Silicone oils in QD's add slickness and gloss but are short lived.
 
As I understand it, silicones can be either water based, or petroleum based. They are both just fine for painted surfaces, however the differences are clearly noticeable when it comes to plastics or vinyls and rubber trim peices. The petroleum based silicones will stain, last quite some time, and are super slick. Water based on the other hand, wont stain, are initially super slick, and have better then average durability.
 
wannafbody said:
remember there is a difference between silicone polymers and silicone oils. Silicone oils in QD's add slickness and gloss but are short lived.



Ha! Interesting fact. Thanks! thought its main purpose is for breast enlargement :)
 
Thanks guys ....I just woke up and asked is silicone bad for paint? I then used the search button and this thread came up ....Thank you autopia!!
 
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