[tech] Waxes and Compounds and Sealants
 

With so many types of products available it is easy for a new enthusiast to get confused with product type terminology. Below is a list of product types and their characteristics.


Swirl Remover/ Compound Type

Swirl Removers (often called compounds) are formulas of lubricants, solvents, water and abrasive minerals in either a liquid or paste designed to permanently remove paint defects such as scratches, spider-webs, and swirls. They do this by removing a thin layer of paint that contains the damage and expose a new layer of defect-free paint. Once this is obtained the painted surface will be uniformly flat and reflect light in one direction only. Often several steps are required to speed up the process. It is best to use a compound type swirl remover by machine.

Swirl Remover/ Filler Type

Another type of Swirl Remover is one which uses fillers instead of compounds. These fillers fill in and scratches with special resins. These type of Swirl removers only work on slight damage and do not permanently repair the damage unlike a compound would. These types of swirl removers can be applied by hand or machine.

Polish

Polishes are products of oils, solvents, water, clays and minerals designed to improve surface gloss and clean the surface of any old waxes, oxidization and compound haze. They may or may not contain Abrasives but they are extremely mild compared to compounds. Many modern polishes contain cleaners which aid in surface cleaning while the abrasives or fillers aid in surface gloss.

Sealants (Synthetic Waxes)

Sealants (Also called Synthetic Wax) are mad made protective polymer barriers that get applied over a freshly polished surface. Sealants offer many advantages over organic waxes such as easy of application, 6+ Months of protection, UV protection and an outstanding shine. Sealants can be layered multiple times which will create an even deeper shine. They form a protective barrier which resists Acid Rain, Bug stains, bird bombs and will last through many many washes. Although sealant lack in depth slightly over organic waxes such as Carnauba waxes, they can easily be topped with an organic wax to product a both bright and deeeep finish.

Waxes/ Cleaner Waxes

Waxes are blends of Brazilian Carnauba Wax (in most cases), oils, polymers and gloss agents in a petroleum solvent base. Waxes are used for their deep, wet shine and easy of application. Nothing matches the warmth of nature’s beauty! The downside to natural waxes are their very short lived durability. They typically last only a couple months at best and even less when washed. Carnauba waxes make great topper for synthetic sealants.