Pure Polishes - Comments, Questions, Suggestions?

[Bama]

If we are talking about Meguiar's polishes....

like a lot of others, I would want to know what polish is best for what finish or the look that you will get from each type of polish.

Different scenarios for a specific type of polish?

Most of us understand what a pure polish is designed for, but what are the pros and cons of using the different available polishes? (ie: #7 v. DC2)

Most people have their own opinions on these products, but I would like to hear what an expert has to say on each product.

Hope this makes sense.

[Accumulator]

Why use them? They add shine and depth and hide (very light) marring. They're also fresh-paint-safe, something to use on repainted areas while the paint cures.

Nourish paint? Well, maybe ss lacquer, but IMO modern b/c paint (in good-excellent condition) isn't porous enough to absorb much of these products and that type of paint doesn't "rehydrate". It's either OK or it's oxidized and if the latter you just polish off the oxidized part. Pure polishes can make b/c look better, but IMO it's purely cosmetic.

Which one to use? Pretty much personal preference and availability, functionally speaking they all do about the same thing. IMO people oughta do like j333_76484 and try a few of them to see which one they like best (note Meguiar's has a generous return policy ).

The Deep Crystal #2 and #7 are the only ones I ever see in stores these days Plus, people think that #3 *must* be used by machine (it works fine by hand) and that #5 is *only* for new cars (not true). With #81 (and maybe the others), some people expect it to (mechanically) remove marring and when they discover its nonabrasive nature they quit (mis)using it.

The only *real* advice I can give is to use #5 if you're working in high humidity or if you're worried about ease of use and to use #7 if you're working with ss paint, especially lacquer. Other than that the differences always seem pretty subtle. Well, #3 can be worked longer by machine but it's still easy to overdo it.

[Snowman]

I love this topic!! Okay Mike, I have another question for you that I would say does pertain to Polish but other products as well and that is when we say that a polish makes the color of the vehicle look richer and deeper, are we actually doing something to the color (actual paint) or are we all just under that belief when really we just are constantly cleaning and polishing the clear coat? I mean since clear coat is layered on top of the actual paint, how does say a polish even affect how the actual paint and color would appear?? Would it not be just like cleaning a window over and over again?? You make it clearer and easier to see outside but you in a sense really aren't make the actual things you see out the window cleaner since you aren't touching them, just the barrier between you and the outdoors. Hopefully you follow me here...LOL Just seems to me that we basically are polishing the clear coat and maintaining it year after year instead of actually helping out the actual "paint" of the vehicle.

[Murr1525]

Snowman,

You are quite right that only the top ocat is recieving the polishing oils. However, it is also only the top that loses oils. If the top loses all its oils, then the middle will start to, then the bottm will. If all oils stay in the top, the others have no where to go.

The other part of your question, it is keeping the clearcoat in top shape that lets the true color of the vehicle through. A polish or wax may have slight optical properties themselves, but for the most part it is the actual color finaly showing through.

Remember, dirt isnt actualy black. Dirt is often tan, brown, etc. So on dark cars, surface dirt and scratches actualy lighten the paint color.

[RyanB]

Mike, congrats on getting an article published, where can we read it when you are done?

[Larry A]

I have a booklet dated 1986 from Emgee Marketing which at the time was a distributor for Meguiars in the Chicagoland area titled Fine Paint Finishing that explanes all about Meguiars glazes especially #7 and on how to remove scratches and swirls. It is very interesting reading.

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by Snowman
....Just seems to me that we basically are polishing the clear coat and maintaining it year after year instead of actually helping out the actual "paint" of the vehicle.

This is just my personal opinion here, but I believe that the trade secret oils in Meguiar's polishes do penetrate on down to the softer base coat of a 2 stage finish.

If those oils can penetrate the clear, then I don't see what can stop them from entering into the base coat either......It won't happen right away, but in a few days time the oils will creep on down into the depths of the 2 paints......This is what I refer to (in my own words) as, "curing out into the paint".

In my experience with detailing neglected finishes, I noticed that the vehicle's paint actually looks better after a few days than it did the day after I removed the last coat of wax.....So that in itself lends me to believe that the paint as a whole benefits from Meguiar's trade secret oils, and "that" is what separates Meguiars from the rest of the competition.

[Ranger72]

Rusty Bumper, I have to disagree. I just dont see the oils penetrating that far into the clear. The way I see it is, the oils will fill (temporarilly) the microscopic cracks, holes, etc... on the surface of the clear.
To do what you described means that he oils seaped through the clear on a molecular level to the base coat. To have the basecoat recieve the oils and look uniform, the oils would have to be dissperese evenly and completely. I just cant see that happening. Rusty, I am not trying to flame you it just my opinion that I disagree with your opinion which I respect very much so. And also what is my opinon worth! lol I always enjoy reading what it is you have to say and this was no exception.
-Mike

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by Ranger72
Rusty Bumper, I have to disagree. I just dont see the oils penetrating that far into the clear. The way I see it is, the oils will fill (temporarilly) the microscopic cracks, holes, etc... on the surface of the clear.
To do what you described means that he oils seaped through the clear on a molecular level to the base coat. To have the basecoat recieve the oils and look uniform, the oils would have to be dissperese evenly and completely. I just cant see that happening. Rusty, I am not trying to flame you it just my opinion that I disagree with your opinion which I respect very much so. And also what is my opinon worth! lol I always enjoy reading what it is you have to say and this was no exception.
-Mike

Well, you could be right.

I have no scientific evidence to back me up here, so it was just an opinion on my part......It would be a good topic to bring up before Meguiar's chemists though, as I'd like to hear what they would have to say about it, one way or the other.

Thanks for kind words too.

[Ranger72]

Yes, would be interesting to hear.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Rusty Bumper
This is just my personal opinion here, but I believe that the trade secret oils in Meguiar's polishes do penetrate on down to the softer base coat of a 2 stage finish.

Time to step in here and point out this is absolutely wrong and how misinformation starts.

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
Time to step in here and point out this is absolutely wrong and how misinformation starts.

But surely Meguiar's T.S. oils would have to have some penetrating ability wouldn't they (At least the clear coat)?......Or how else would they nourish the paint?

For example, the pro catalog explains that #81 Hand Polish "replenishes essential oils lost through oxidation".

Meguiar's has also said in their consumer catalogs that applying polish was akin to applying lotion to your skin, except that it can only absorb so much.

Not trying arguing with you of course.

[Jeff Smith]

I have been using #7 Topped with #20 and love the wet look. I have been considering topping the #20 with #7 and leavingthe glaze on as my top coat between washes then refreshing.

I have been hesitant to do this as the stuff is so oily that I am scared dust will be a monster to get off.

How about putting in some thought on using these glazes as toppers. Pro/Cons Dos/Don'ts How long the look will last etc.

[Snowman]

But surely Meguiar's T.S. oils would have to have some penetrating ability wouldn't they (At least the clear coat)?......Or how else would they nourish the paint?

This is what I was trying to point out earlier is that I don't believe that the products actually come in contact with the actual paint for nourishing but like Ranger has said just sort of tend to the needs of the clear coat and give it a better appearance making it seem that the paint has been nourished. But again what I don't understand if all we are doing is nourishing the clear coat and keeping it clear and clean how you would need so many products such as the five polishes instead of just one or two that might be abe to get the job done, or is this just human nature to believe as we do other things that every product does in fact make some sort of significance to the appearance of the clear coat. I love debate...LOL

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Rusty Bumper
But surely Meguiar's T.S. oils would have to have some penetrating ability wouldn't they (At least the clear coat)?......Or how else would they nourish the paint?

Go back and read the things I've written on this topic.

For example, the pro catalog explains that #81 Hand Polish "replenishes essential oils lost through oxidation".

Meguiar's has also said in their consumer catalogs that applying polish was akin to applying lotion to your skin, except that it can only absorb so much.

Not trying arguing with you of course.

None of the Meguiar's statements you've referred to say that polishing oils penetrate past the clear coat and get to the base coat.