Describing Paint look after wax/sealant

[topnotchtouch]

Sometimes I just laugh when I hear terms that people use to describe how their paint looks after applying their product of choice. I guess we all probably define words like wet, gloss, reflectivity, etc differently.



I thought it would be interesting if people posted pics of or just describe what they thought best represented the following terms.



"wet"

"reflective"

"gloss"



Feel free to add any terms as I am sure I missed some...



I will start with my definition of "wet" with my own Mustang :woot2:

Oddly enough these are pics of the 'Stang after using 2x Klass AIO and 2x Klasse SG, products not really known for wetness but, rather hard relfectivity.



To me the best description of "wet" is like the whole car has just been dipped in candy or like a lolly pop after those first few licks. The finish looks like it could just run off the car at any time. There is a depth to the look, not necessarily depth when we talk about reflectivity but, a depth of gloss that is typically attributed to carnauba. I think it is rather hard to achieve with any sealant.

 

[BobD]

I find one persons wet is another persons deep. LOL I consider these two pics to both be glossy but I am sure others will call them wet and some will call them deep. LOL

The ZX2 is with Four Star 4-54 Sealant and I can not remember what is on the Civic (my reflection).

 

[topnotchtouch]

I find one persons wet is another persons deep. LOL I consider these two pics to both be glossy but I am sure others will call them wet and some will call them deep. LOL

The ZX2 is with Four Star 4-54 Sealant and I can not remember what is on the Civic (my reflection).

These pics stink, they were scanned from pictures. Anyway, I almost mistook your ZX2 for a Contour as the rear lights are similar and is that paint Midnight Blue? Anyway, this was my '98 Ford Contour SE Sport. If I recall I used Zymol (Zurtle Wax) on it Those were very early Autopian days. Actually I still believe it is a great product but, there are many much better products out there.

 

[wannafbody]

I think of WET as in a shimmering, jetting liquid pool of paint(Tropicare XP) however their can be degrees of wetness. Glossy reflective wet(Zaino) is different than deep, dark wet(Megs 26). All products have varying degrees of these and other charactarisitics. I think of depth as the 3D look down the side of the vehicle.

 

[BobD]

Anyway, I almost mistook your ZX2 for a Contour as the rear lights are similar and is that paint Midnight Blue?

I can not remember the paint name, we traded it in last year. It was a midnight blueish color though.

 

[White95Max]

Sometimes I just laugh when I hear terms that people use to describe how their paint looks after applying their product of choice.

I totally agree with you. I'm still confused with the term "warmth".



This is what I'd consider reflective: (SSR2/green, GEPC/blue, UPP)

Wet: (AIO/blue/WG/Nattys)

 

[EBPcivicsi]

Wet and glossy are sort of one in the same to me. IMO, it is really hard to tell the difference between glossy, deep, reflective, etc. It always depends on the lighting, angle, etc. While there a few minor differences in the look of most products, I tend to focus on getting cars swirl free, after that everything else is gravy.



This is wet to me:

This is relective, or is it wet?

 

[Puropuro]

For mine, I get WET but not what I'd call "glossy" due to paint quality. Darn Orangepeel doesn't give quite the "gloss" that a good smooth paint gives....I think smooth paint is a must for a "gloss" moniker. I got dang shiny and dang deep Orangepeel-y new paint.

 

[Scottwax]

I'd say this is glossy and reflective:

Wet and glossy:

Liquid and deep: