I keep seeing various products, mainly mild cutting, that state this. So what does it actually mean? A cutting agent obviously removes a minute amount of clearcoat., so what are they getting at? Can you go through the clearcoat with a clearcoat safe product? logic says given time you must be able too, therefore manking the product non clearcoat safe? Im i missing something here? Hope someone can shed some light on this, its been bugging me!
clearcoat safe?
- Thread starter 21.04
- Start date
forrest@mothers
Serious no BS kinda guy
"Clear Coat Safe" has to do with the type of media used as the mechanical cleaner.
Usually, it means aluminum oxide or a buffered ceramic, instead of a clay or silica based one.
It's all about consistency in size of the particulate, so it works uniformly.
Usually, it means aluminum oxide or a buffered ceramic, instead of a clay or silica based one.
It's all about consistency in size of the particulate, so it works uniformly.
forrest@mothers
Serious no BS kinda guy
No, actually it refers to the suitability of the cleaner type to remove/polish the paint surface at a consistent rate. With particles of differing size, it won't work the same, leading to damage.
In addition, the new media type works SLOWER than the old types, so there is less chance of damage.
In addition, the new media type works SLOWER than the old types, so there is less chance of damage.
I have found the semantics of "clearcoat safe" used by the manufacturers of these products interesting, because they can be misleading to the layman. Many polishes (even compounds which is even more curious ) are labled as 'clearcoat safe' even though they obviously contain abrasives, which, if used improperly CAN damage clearcoat paint, at least to the point of requiring additional abrasives and techniques to straighten out, which maybe leads to a false sense of security for the inexperienced that think it won't dull or cut paint. Abrasives are abrasives to some degree, albiet perhaps not as harsh as what our grandfathers used in the 50's etc. Paint and technology has indeed changed.
Also, as Forrest stated, it has to to with engineered particle size and material composition, that is "safe" and effective when used per lable instructions. "Safe' is where the semantics get nebulous though, because we all know people can mess up paint with even the finest grit polishes if used the wrong way.
Some of it is also for marketing and sales, because, when automakers switched over from single-stage finishes to base/clear, the store shelves started seeing waxes and products labled as 'clearcoat safe' (even though most waxes etc. ostensibly were prior) in order to convince the public that buying their product was allright. It is true that rubbing compounds and some polishes were engineered differently prior to clearcoat, so there's a basis of truth to seeing that lable as well as some marketing reassurance to keep skeptical people from looking at another product that maybe states it. Of course, I'm only theorizing on that part though.
That's my take on it anyhoo.
Also, as Forrest stated, it has to to with engineered particle size and material composition, that is "safe" and effective when used per lable instructions. "Safe' is where the semantics get nebulous though, because we all know people can mess up paint with even the finest grit polishes if used the wrong way.
Some of it is also for marketing and sales, because, when automakers switched over from single-stage finishes to base/clear, the store shelves started seeing waxes and products labled as 'clearcoat safe' (even though most waxes etc. ostensibly were prior) in order to convince the public that buying their product was allright. It is true that rubbing compounds and some polishes were engineered differently prior to clearcoat, so there's a basis of truth to seeing that lable as well as some marketing reassurance to keep skeptical people from looking at another product that maybe states it. Of course, I'm only theorizing on that part though.
That's my take on it anyhoo.
Guitarman, thanks for the reply...... im with you on this one......."clearcoatsafe" is for numpty newbies that are scared off by stories of idiots going through to bare metal with harsh products. Replace "clearcoat safe" with "idiot proof". Thanks again, i just couldn't see the logic of an abrasive "safe" product.