Why use #5 or #7 over clearcoat?

[11sallygt]

I read on another forum that :
1. #5 and #7 were designed for single stage paint without clearcoat.
2. These compounds have oils that are supposed to soak into the paint in order to work and that they just sit on top of clearcoat.
3. There is no benefit to using these over using a syntheic selant (M21) or wax like #26
As this was stated by Mike Phillips a former Megs employee, I take it with more then just a grain of salt. So, is there any reason to use one of these at all on a clearcoated vehicle?

[John Keeling]

Re: Why use #5 or #7 over clearcoat?

Those products are both fine for clear coat paint. Clear coat is just paint with no pigment and the oils will soak into it as well. You would not use them after a wax or sealant though. They need to go directly on the paint.

[11sallygt]

Re: Why use #5 or #7 over clearcoat?

That makes sense. Can M21 or #26 go over them?

[Murr1525]

Re: Why use #5 or #7 over clearcoat?

1. #5 and #7 were designed for single stage paint without clearcoat.

Well, yes... Back in 1920 or so when #7 was made, that is all there was. But paint is still paint.

Any product designed before 1980ish would have been for single stage paint...

2. These compounds have oils that are supposed to soak into the paint in order to work and that they just sit on top of clear coat.

As mentioned, clear coat paint is still paint, so keeping it healthy with polishing oils is still good. However a new clear-coat in good shape doesn't need as much polishing oil, and when brand new, will not absorb much, so a cleaner/polish, polish/wax, type of product will do the trick for health. For looks, a person still may like a pure polish.

3. There is no benefit to using these over using a synthetic sealant (M21) or wax like #26

As mentioned, this is not how they are used, so there would be no benefit.

As this was stated by Mike Phillips a former Megs employee, I take it with more then just a grain of salt. So, is there any reason to use one of these at all on a clearcoated vehicle?

So yes of course Mike is right, but could be misinterpreted.

[Murr1525]

Re: Why use #5 or #7 over clearcoat?

That makes sense. Can M21 or #26 go over them?

Yes, wax over polish.

[11sallygt]

Re: Why use #5 or #7 over clearcoat?

So yes of course Mike is right, but could be misinterpreted.

I understood everything you said up until this. According to what you are saying, #5 and #7 are useful with clearcoat. That is the opposite of what Mike Phillips said.

[Murr1525]

Re: Why use #5 or #7 over clearcoat?

The key is in #2, new clear coat does not absorb much. As it ages, it opens up a bit more.

So using a pure polish is not important on clear coat, unless you like the look of it. A cleaner/polish has enough oils for the paint health. You dont need a product that is pure oil.

[11sallygt]

Re: Why use #5 or #7 over clearcoat?

Thanks alot. Makes sense.

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Why use #5 or #7 over clearcoat?

My truck is 11 years old and has a CC.....I can DEFINATELY see a difference everytime I use #7.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Why use #5 or #7 over clearcoat?

Unless Mike has dramatically changed his tune, and from having kept in touch with him since his departure from Meguiar's I don't see any evidence of that, I know what he always used to say about pure polishes - it's the same thing we say today and every day.

The use of a pure polish is an optional step. This is even stated in the 5 Step Paint Care Cycle. It's considered optional because the effects and benefits of using such product can vary quite a bit. Darker single stage paints will show the most dramatic change when a pure polish is applied, while lighter clear coat finishes will show the least difference. On a silver clear coat finish you'd be hard pressed to find a large group of people who would notice any change in the finish at all after applying a pure polish.

But on dark clear coat finishes you can still see a darkening of the finish and an increase in gloss. It's still not as noticeable as it is on single stage paint, but it is there.

[BillE]

Re: Why use #5 or #7 over clearcoat?

As Michael said above, on dark colors...it really helps the 'pop' (my term). On my white truck, I see little, if any improvement. On the 10 year old Subaru (black), it is a definite deepening of the color.

Just my thoughts.

Bill

[jfelbab]

Re: Why use #5 or #7 over clearcoat?

Don't overlook the filling ability of #7. If you have light swirls, #7 will make them vanish, albeit temporarily. No matter what type of paint or age of paint, I find #7 to be good at hiding minor blemishes. Also, as noted, you may not see much difference on lighter colored cars, just as you will also find swirls harder to detect on those.

I also use #7 OVER my sealant just prior to showing my MR2. It doesn't last long when used in this manner but it leaves the (red) paint looking like it was just sprayed and is still wet.