What does "protection" really mean?

[imported_Kevin Brown]

Surface area.
If we take any smooth item and then dig gouges into its surface, we increase its surface area.

If by increasing surface area we expose more of that item to potentially damaging environments or chemicals, then we most certainly must agree that scratches are a bad thing for items that are supposed to be smooth.

If the item is a paint job, and no "sacrificial wax barrier" lies atop the paint surface, then the paint job will accept any and all damage, as there is nothing present to protect it.

If we agree that scratches are indicators that the paint surface has been damaged, then we agree that we need to avoid scratching the paint!

If we still choose not to wax the paint after we've realized that the scratches in the paint surface are exposing a larger portion of the paint to potential damage, the paint between the void areas (the scratches) will dry out, too.

Now, one could argue that oxidation itself is a protective element, and it's a pretty good argument! Although the oxidation layer could protect the paint from future damage because it is hard, it is also brittle in comparison to paint that is in good condition. So eventually, mechanical action will wear the oxidation away (car washing, people leaning on or brushing against the paint, car covers, car dusters, etc.) The cycle repeats and eventually, the paint job degrades. In some cases, the paint degrades to the point that we identify it as being dry, or dead. Game over.

There are all sorts of ways to cause oxidation. Heat, air, and chemicals can cause things to oxidize. So, if we plan to wax our paint in hopes of protecting it, we have to be sure that the ingredients used to make our waxes don't accelerate oxidation, too! It's a crazy world.

Just some thoughts.

 

[Nth Degree]

Surface area.
There are all sorts of ways to cause oxidation. Heat, air, and chemicals can cause things to oxidize. So, if we plan to wax our paint in hopes of protecting it, we have to be sure that the ingredients used to make our waxes don't accelerate oxidation, too!

By definition oxidation is a chemical reaction between a particular element with an oxygen molecule. Environmental conditions, such as heat, sun, etc. can accelerate the process, but reducing the amount of the reagent (oxygen) with the element (paint) will retard or prevent the reaction from taking place. Just as paint over iron or steal prevents rusting, wax should also do the same for our paint.

 

[BIOLINK]

So, if we plan to wax our paint in hopes of protecting it, we have to be sure that the ingredients used to make our waxes don't accelerate oxidation, too!

I have never seen a well cared for car (waxed regularly) oxidize faster than a neglected car. Just a thought.

 

[imported_Kevin Brown]

I have never seen a well cared for car (waxed regularly) oxidize faster than a neglected car...

Consider yourself lucky, I have! Some of the most popular products in the '80's were LOADED with solvents that made the paint look super wet and ultra slick. "Use it in the sun, no streaks!"... "Removes hardened tar with ease!"...

Yup. I can do the same thing with WD40, but it certainly isn't good for the paint in the long run. I'll bet I coulda' fired up my lawn mower using some of those "waxes" in place of gasoline.

Luckily, I think we're past all that now. \m/

 

[BIOLINK]

Consider yourself lucky, I have! Some of the most popular products in the '80's were LOADED with solvents that made the paint look super wet and ultra slick. "Use it in the sun, no streaks!"... "Removes hardened tar with ease!"...

Yup. I can do the same thing with WD40, but it certainly isn't good for the paint in the long run. I'll bet I coulda' fired up my lawn mower using some of those "waxes" in place of gasoline.

Luckily, I think we're past all that now. \m/

I hope we're past that....I do remember seeing commercials in the 80'S for "polishes" and "waxes" that made a lot of claims. I never tried any of them.

You mention WD40....I had a friend (he moved away) who used to flip cars and his trick was to wipe the car with WD40. It shined like no other. What a cheap, low-life, dishonest thing to do. I was never in on any of those shenanigans.

I bought some Autoglym wax at Walmart that seemed to have a lot of solvents. The wax sat on the shelf long enough for them to gas off and start eating the jar. I posted about it right after I bought it. I never returned it and quite frankly I am afraid to use it. Not sure what the wax will do if my paint has any urethane in it. It is still on my shelf (probably eating the rest of the jar).