#7 Polish

[GTP-40ANNIV]

Does a pure polish like #7 have to be applied to a clean wax free paint surface ? I have read on this site that the polish oils have to penatrate into the paint surface. I have also read that many of you apply #7 over an old layer of wax. Can the polish penetrate the wax layer to enhance the paint ? I do the complete 5 step program every 4 mo. and every mo. I apply 2 coats of NXT wax. My question is-(finally): prior to my monthly waxing can I apply the #7 polish over my old NXT wax layer. Will I be able to see a visible benefit ? Or am I just wasting my time (and #7) and should wait to use #7 when I do the 5 step routine and apply #7 after claying & scratchX when the paint surface is clean and wax free ?

[Mike Phillips]

Hi GTP-40ANNIV,

I've seen this question come up over the last 15 years and I'll do my best to shed some light on this topic.

A quality wax or paint protectant will coat over and seal the surface by filling into all of the microscopic surface imperfections. To the degree it seals the surface depends on the type of wax, how well the surface was prepared to accept the wax, and numerous other factors, but in the end, we probably never reach 100% completely sealed surface. Maybe we come close, but as time goes by, and as you touch the cars, (for example washing the car), the wax tends to begin to wear off as it's supposed to. You see wax is a sacrificial barrier, your coating of wax sacrifices itself, so your paint doesn't have to sacrifice itself. Does that make sense?

So yes, you can apply a pure polish like the #7 Show Car Glaze over the top of a wax, but to varying degrees, the wax will be in the way of the oils penetrating into the finish and thus will tend to sit on top of the wax. Sometimes, this can make removal more difficult, it depends on the paint and your skill level.

If you want to get real detailed oriented, just the act of applying a rich, creamy polish like the #7 Show Car Glaze with a foam applicator pad can have a polishing, and sometimes a cleaning effect. It's not that the #7 Show Car Glaze has any abrasives or chemical cleaners in it, it doesn't, it's the act itself, i.e. pushing the foam pad over the surface. By this I mean pushing a foam pad or even a piece of terry cloth towel over your car's finish has more effect on the paint than say doing nothing to the paint at all, it's the action of touching, i.e. polishing..

So it's possible that applying a coating of a pure polish, whether it's #7 Show Car Glaze, Deep Crystal Polish, or #81 Hand Polish, over a coating of any type of wax, may in fact remove some of the wax. Combine this with the fact that's it's possible that your surface isn't completely, 100% sealed, and now were talking about some of the polishing oils penetrating into the finish and in fact resulting in a a rich, clear reflective look to your car's paint.

You never know what you can do until you try. If your interested int trying this, then just do one section about 2 feet by 2 feet and then inspect in different lighting conditions. Then decide if you want to continue, or try something else.

Did this help?

Mike

p.s.

Here's something kind of related,

Topping NXT or other products

[GTP-40ANNIV]

Thanx for replying Mike.
Now correct me if I`m wrong; the benifits of a polish are two-fold , cosmetic & remedial (enhances gloss & restores oils to paint). When a polish is applied over wax you get the full cosmetic benefits but diminishing returns on the remedial end depending on the thickness of the wax layer. If the paint is cleaned & wax removed then you get the full benefits of both restoring your paint & obtainig a high gloss finish.
My plans are to #7 & NXT wax once a month and every 3 mo. I will : nxt wash
clay
scratchX or milder cleaner
#7
nxt wax x 2

Sound good ?
Thanx again

John

[Mike Phillips]

I think you got it, and your plan sounds good!

Whether or not you use a clay bar or a paint cleaner will of course depend upon your surface evaluation after washing. Depending upon the environment the car is exposed to, you may or may not have to do either or both, or only one.

Mike