Product Penetration

[tguil]

I didn’t know whether to post this here of in the “break room’ section. It’s a rainy day on the Nebraska prairie and I have way too much time on my retired hands and brain. A question on product penetration.

I am not an “interior guy”. In the past I simply took a damp terry towel to the hard plastic in the interior and vacuumed the seats, floor and whatever at every wash. I thoroughly cleaned and Scotch Guarded the cloth fabric twice a year. I never used a protectant on the vinyl or hard plastic. A scuff in the hard plastic on my new Hemi sort of changed that.

Do the various interior protectants actually penetrate the hard plastic dash and door panel? Frequently folks write, “Let the product penetrate for 3- 5 minutes and then buff to get a matt finish.” I do not think the product penetrates this plastic at all. It dries for 3-5 minutes and in reality is still pretty darn wet at the end of this time. I think that you are wiping off most of the product when you wipe it off after this short period of time.

The directions on most protectants suggest that you wipe of the “excess”. I still haven’t figured that out. For example, I applied NXT Tec Protect with a microfiber covered foam pad. When I was finished the dash surface was wet but there was no excessive product on the dash. If I would have followed up with a dry microfiber cloth, I would have taken off most of the product.

I know the purpose of wiping the product off when it is still wet is to leave a matt finish, but if the product does not “penetrate” how does it leave any protection?

Tom

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Product Penetration

Do you see any visual difference in an area you've applied product as compared to an area where you have not applied any product?

For example, does the surface look darker, or more rich in color after applying and wiping off a dressing?

[tguil]

Re: Product Penetration

Do you see any visual difference in an area you've applied product as compared to an area where you have not applied any product?

For example, does the surface look darker, or more rich in color after applying and wiping off a dressing?

When I applied the NXT Tec Protect with the microfiber covered foam pad I let it sit unil it was dry (a couple of hours). Then I gave it a quick light wipe with a microfiber cloth. Yep, it appeared slightly darker and more rich. It also had a bit of sheen. Earier when I wiped the NXT Tec Protect after allowing 5-10 minutes, it was not as dark and had more of a matt finish.

But does the stuff actually penetrate the surface of the plastic or does it just lay on top and dry? What is the "excess" product that the directions say to remove? Bring on the chemists.

I also find that I have better control with pad application when I use a microfiber covered rectangular foam pad rather than when I use a regular uncovererd round foam pad. I can better control the thickness of the applcation with the microfiber pad.

Dog-gone, I appear to be on my way to becoming a Meguiar's field tester.

Tom

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Product Penetration

Why are you letting it dry for hours?


As to penetration, depends on what the material looks like at the microscopic level, thus the reason we asked if you see a difference in before and after application of appearance. You see if you're wiping off any excess and you still see a difference, then apparently some of the product penetrated into the material otherwise when you wiped-off the excess it would have reverted back to the original look.

Don't have much more information on this...

[tguil]

Re: Product Penetration

Why are you letting it dry for hours?


As to penetration, depends on what the material looks like at the microscopic level, thus the reason we asked if you see a difference in before and after application of appearance. You see if you're wiping off any excess and you still see a difference, then apparently some of the product penetrated into the material otherwise when you wiped-off the excess it would have reverted back to the original look.

Don't have much more information on this...

Thanks, Mike.

I left it on because I thought that I might get better results by letting the product dry. Yes, there was a difference after I wiped the product off regardless of how long it was left on -- three minutes or two hours. It must be doing something.

So "excess" product is what doesn't penetrate of whatever after a short period of time, right? This should be removed with a microfiber cloth?

Tom

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Product Penetration

So "excess" product is what doesn't penetrate of whatever after a short period of time, right? This should be removed with a microfiber cloth?

Tom

Yes and yes.

[tguil]

Re: Product Penetration

Mike,

Thanks again. A good lesson -- you flat out can't completely hide scuffs and scratches on hard plastic. I know you pointed this out before, but I'm a slow learner. Any idea of how much a new dash costs? I do. I'll live with the minor imperfection seen only under certain light conditons wearing reading glasses.

Tom

[bene vita]

Re: Product Penetration

Hi Tom,

From one "Old Guy" to another... do not put on the reading glasses and it will be like the imperfection was never there in the first place.

Please don't ask how I know this...

Have a great Holiday.

[tguil]

Re: Product Penetration

Hi Tom,

From one "Old Guy" to another... do not put on the reading glasses and it will be like the imperfection was never there in the first place.

Please don't ask how I know this...

Have a great Holiday.

Not only that, my ophthalmologist told me that I have the beginning of a cataract in one eye. Nothing to worry about -- a "piece of cake" surgery in three or four years. However, I may just not have it done. What scuffs, swirls, micromarring, scratches, rock chips......

And I will have a great Holiday. Thank you.

Tom

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Product Penetration

Any idea of how much a new dash costs?

Yes, sadly...