Hi Scottwax, and Aurora40 too, (Aurora40, you posted before I could finish typing this up)
This is still a very new polymer technology. What it
can, and
cannot do will have to be seen.
(How's that for a fluff answer?)
Seriously,
I asked the chemist in the early stages of this project if the polymers in this product could bond to one another. His response was "yes".
I read into this as to mean you can layer it, but the chemists, all of them), believe in the
"Law of Diminishing Returns". That is to say, your car's paint, (or in Scottwax's case, his customers car's paint), can only
hold so much wax, (or synthetic paint protectant, whatever word/term you choose to describe your protective coating, such as "Polish"). After the microscopic pores, fissures, cracks, and miscellaneous surface imperfections are completely filled with product, then any further application of product, for the most part, becomes
excess and is wiped-off.
The goal is to fill the surface imperfections as thoroughly as possible in order to leave behind as much protection as possible. While polymers and such can and will bond to the surface, (areas above surface imperfections), this layer you leave behind is measured in microns, not inches, or even millimeters.
Two thin coats of any company's product, maybe three, is better than one sloppily applied thick coat. It insures easy wipe-off and thorough penetration and deposit of product.
Then, until these coatings have worn away to some degree, further application merely waste product.
That's not to say you can't enjoy applying a product and then admiring the results, you can. but are you actually leaving behind
more and more film-build, chances are greater that you're not, versus chances are that your are.
In the old days with #7 Sealer Reseal Glaze, and today with #81 Hand Polish, because these products
don't build-up, that is to say they do not have any
Lasting Characteristics, Meguiar's has historically said you can apply them
often.
Many owners of street rods and aniques cars have never done anything to their car's finish except to apply,
* Deep Crystal Polish
* #3 Machine Glaze, (by hand)
* #7 Show Car Glaze, (used to be called Sealer Reseal}Glaze
* #5 New Car Glaze
and now even newer products like,
* #9 Swirl Remover 2.0, (by hand)
* #81 Hand Polish
And that's all. These products are oily and they make paint look deep, dark, reflective and yes, even wet. Because cars like these tend not to be,
Daily Drivers, they don't need
protection, as in a protective coating to protect against the things, substances and elements that would attack the finish if these things could come into direct contact with the finish.
(Hey Forrest... could you back me up on this? i.e. polish only, no need for wax on a Show Car).
If you apply a pure polish often, then you don't need to apply wax. For the most part this is true. But for most of us who use are cars as
daily drivers, and... don't have the time to polish often... wax extends the amount of time between polishing by acting as a sacrificial-barrier coating. As this sacrificial barrier coating wears away, then you can re-apply either polish, or re-apply wax, or both.
Your aesthetic choice.
Two more comments on the topic of Layering,
1) I have tried applying multiple layers after time has gone by, (sometimes an hour, sometimes a day), and I see no difference or increase in results after two thin coats. Actually, I would say it's really hard to see any difference after one well applied coat but, in my head, I
know I think I've done my best work by applying two thin coats.
You know, typical Joe Six-pack frame of mind,
"If a little is good, then more must be better?
2) My other thoughts on the theory of
"Layering" as the word/term is used by serious enthusiasts on detailing discussion forums, can be read here.
Mike, care to comment on the debate over putting 20 over 7?
Because some of what I wrote in this thread may rile up some feathers, I will not post my responses in this thread here on Autopia.
But, if you're interested, you can click over there and read it yourself.
Mike
p.s.
What’s that
Beatles lyric from the Revolver Album….
My fingers are bleeding….