How to keep a white car white???

[Mauskar]

Hi guys,

I recently purchased a white BMW. I've had a white car before and noticed that it began to fade to a slight yellowish/ off-white color over the years.

I wanted to know what type of product (paint cleaner/polish/ protectant) can I use to keep my exterior white paint as bright as the day i first bought the car.

Thanks

[akimel]

Re: How to keep a white car white???

First take a look at an older article by Mike ******* titled "A Lesson from White Paint." Then read Mosca's article "In Praise of Cleaner Wax." And then read "Your Daily Driver: A Simple Wash & Wax Regimen."

[Tuck91]

Re: How to keep a white car white???

First take a look at an older article by Mike ******* titled "A Lesson from White Paint." Then read Mosca's article "In Praise of Cleaner Wax." And then read "Your Daily Driver: A Simple Wash & Wax Regimen."

Thats some good reading for you.

Are you working by hand?

[Mauskar]

Re: How to keep a white car white???

Thats some good reading for you.

Are you working by hand?

No. I do have a buffer. Nothing professional likea DA polisher. I normally used NXT and other hand products before...

Thanks

[Murr1525]

Re: How to keep a white car white???

Lessons from White Paint

[TOGWT]

Re: How to keep a white car white???

Paint Surface Cleaning

Vehicle manufacturer studies have shown that failure to remove environmental contaminants, like imbedded rail dust, acid rain, industrial fallout and other environmental contaminants from paint film can cause premature degradation of the paint system.

Schedule: annually, dependent upon environmental conditions and vehicle exposure but more often on light coloured paint. To optimize the reflective properties and appearance of the paint surface, it is best to regularly remove both imbedded and surface contaminants and dirt.

There are three distinct type; Abrasive, Chemical (solvent) and Chemical (acid)

a) Detailer’s clay -Automotive clay is not a replacement for polish or a compound; it is a pliable, petroleum resin product, containing a mild abrasive(s) i.e. kaolin, silica sand, calcium carbonate, alumina, ceramics quartz and also silicon carbide that polishes and exfoliates bonded surface contaminants.

These abrasives are extremely small with an average particle size of 1- µ (micron) dependent on the aggressiveness required, mixed in with a powdered synthetic detergent. The abrasives 'shear' the surface contaminates, the sheared particles are then encapsulated by the clay (i.e. the top of the metallic particle leaving the rest embedded in the paint, which acts as a conduit for moisture to the various paint layers, allowing it to continue generating corrosion damage) While clay products are useful for overspray and cleaning surface contaminants, it cannot permeate and deep clean the pores of the paint.

Zaino Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner - a water-based formula with tri-particulate, diminishing abrasive system (no fillers or oils) that removes minor scratches, swirls, oxidation, wax build-up and other surface blemishes

b) Formulated with solvents and / or very fine abrasives (Kaolin or China Clay) to remove old wax, embedded dirt and light stains from paint; they help to restore gloss and remove light surface imperfection. They are designed to be used as often as required without measurably reducing paint thickness. Some paintwork cleaner’s act as 'All in One' products, so not only do they clean and polish, but also provide limited protection

P21S Paintwork Cleanse, a gloss-enhancing chemical cleanser that contains fillers (Kaolin or China clay) will remove old wax, light swirls and oxidation. It can be applied by hand or with an orbital polisher. Paint cleaners are designed to remove old wax, oxidation, embedded dirt and light stains from your paint surface. They can remove micro-marring of the surface (i.e. light towel marks) but typically will not remove imperfections that require levelling the clear coat, but can remove some oxidation and mineral deposits.

Chemical solvents paint cleaners are good to use if you want to prep the paint surface prior to applying a wax (without polishing). My preference would be to use an IPA or DuPont’s PrepSol as they don’t leave any (silicone / mineral) oils or etc behind, as these can cause problems when polishing if they are not removed

c) ValuGard’s decontamination and acid neutralization system is the most recognized and OEM approved chemical neutralization system in the industry. If your goal is to remove paint contamination why would you only remove part of it? Detailer’s clay is an abrasive, contrary to popular belief it doesn’t pull the metal particles from the paint surface it shears it, leaving a metal particle that will become a conduit for rust compromising the paint system and leaving surface rust ‘spots’ While clay and chemical cleaners are useful for cleaning the paint surface they cannot deep clean the pores of the paint, or neutralize rust spots. This can be accomplished with a chemical cleaning acid and neutralization system.

Acid wash and neutraliser rinse - by using an acid solution on the paint surface the micro-fissures (‘pores’) are expanded, as the acid / water is subjected to an exothermic reaction (heat is evolved when water and acid mix together) This means it agitates and loosens any polis aluminium particles or other debris and will also flush out any solvents. Then use an alkaline neutralising wash; using a clean dry sponge or wax applicator pad, apply the alkaline neutraliser to the paint surface paint surfaces and allow to dwell, but do not allow solution to dry on vehicle

An extract from one of a series of unbiased Detailing Technical Papers, a library of educational materials that has become the #1 reference for car care on the Internet

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