Polishes.... The "Filler" Question

One of the things we always strive to do through einszett is to debunk misinformation and myths relating to car care. For instance, one common example is that silicone is bad for a car's paint finish and that you shouldn't use polishes that have silicone in them. The truth is, this statement is only partly true but has still managed to cause concern with numerous car enthusiasts. The ‘silicone is bad’ idea originates from the fact that polishes and waxes with silicone should not be used on a car with fresh paint (defined as paint applied in the past 30-90 days). The only time you’ll experience a fresh paint job is if you’ve had your car repaired at a body shop or you chose to repaint your car. New cars at the dealership don’t apply because they are force dried (dried in an oven) at the factory which speeds up the complete drying time to 30 days. The time it takes for a car to be painted at the factory and ultimately delivered to the dealership is approximately 30 days which makes the concern irrelevant. 

Even if you’re still concerned about your paint being exposed to the elements after its visit to the body shop or if you just took delivery of your car, keep in mind that whenever a car is painted, it is treated with special silicone-free polishes that contain some protective properties. While not as durable as aftermarket polishes and waxes, they will last long enough to provide protection until you can safely polish and wax your car. 

I used this example of silicone to highlight how a fact can be used to fuel the false spread of bad information and ultimately create a myth. 

 

Fillers 

Now there is another question we're hearing more often  because it’s not as specific as the silicone question. Customers want to know if einszett polishes correct paint or if they contain  "fillers" that fill in scratches and other paint flaws instead of fixing them. Typically the term "fillers" evokes thoughts of fillers used in food that give bulk but have no nutritional value. A filler tends to be associated with lower quality food. 

So in essence, the question is whether or not our polishes have ingredients that are fixing the solution or just masking the issue with product that doesn't offer any benefit. Our philosophy at einszett is that  every ingredient we use in all of our products, including our polishes, serves a purpose.  

Now the next question which has to be asked is this: have you used a polish that claimed to correct the paint finish or was it assumed it was supposed to correct the paint finish simply because it was a polish? 

Let me explain. You’ll find that there are several types of polishes designed to do different things. Some polishes correct paint flaws, like einszett Extra Polish and einszett Paint Polish,  while einszett PolishWax won’t since its meant to be used on flawless finishes but still clean and condition the paint. In other words, polishes come in different levels depending on whether they are to be used on really weathered and old paint or a flawless paint finish. 

What Makes a Car Polish?  

Let's shed some light on what goes into a polish. A chief reason why many people ask if the polish has fillers is because most people don’t really know what goes into the making of a polish. Some of you may know there is water, petroleum solvents and abrasives. But that only makes so much of the product and there has to be other ingredients that differentiate one brand of polish from another and that ingredient is not called a “filler”. To give you insight on what it takes to make a car polish, included is an excerpt from einszett’s Professional Restoration manual that discusses in detail about the making of a car polish (translated from the original German):  

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Basics of Polish Manufacturing  

The manufacturing of polishes is straightforward: The correct composition of the product is very important regarding the required polish properties. For this purpose, each manufacturer depends on expert knowledge from the respective fields of application. This practical knowledge and experience is indispensable. A high market share of Germany (and Europe as well) is dependent on extensive experience allowing a remarkable competitive advantage regarding the manufacturing of polishes.  

Properties of Polishes  

Polishes are products which smooth a surface and add brilliant gloss to it. So, the original appearance of the surface is restored. Important Properties of Polishes: > easy to apply > easy processing > high resistance against water > good corrosion resistance > short drying times > good preservation longevity in case of storage > frost resistance> easy to apply and to remove > good wetting properties > good resistive properties against dust and dirt > dust free processing > no electrostatic charging of the paintwork > UV- resistance and high temperature stability > good color restoration > high gloss effect > suitable for various surfaces > good cleaning effect etc. To meet all those requirements, there is no all around polish fulfilling all aspects perfectly. The composition of polishes always varies depending on the required properties.  

Characteristics of Polishes: The mechanical effect depends on the quantity of abrasive particles (distinguished by quantity, shape, material, hardness). Clay, waxes, resins or Teflon are used for sealing, filling and/or covering bumps. Combination products exhibit numerous properties. Polishes are distinguished by their physical shape. They are formulated with solvents or as an emulsion. They are distinguished by their preservability and the cleaning effect. The requirements for the polish depend on the surface to be treated. Concerning their physical shape, polishes should be capable of flowing, pre-plasticized, half-solid, solid, a paste or a spray. Polishes without cleaning effect are gloss polishes which are applied mainly to dirt-free, non-oxidized surfaces. In order to obtain the cleaning effect, the polish should contain abrasive particles, solvents and detergents. Abrasives are used to remove the weathered paintwork layers (and paintwork defects). Solvents are used for cleaning and for loosening tar, resins and oil films. Detergents are used to remove ordinary dirt and insects. Polishes with solvents can be produced much easier, but they are flammable and expensive. Emulsion-based polishes are cheaper and contain fewer solvents. 

Composition and Ingredients: Users judge polishes according to their preservation properties, their appearance and the hydrophobic effect. These are criteria which are already considered during production of the polishes. Amino-functional silicones influence the preservability (long-lasting polishes). 531 and 536 Fluid are amino-functional polydimethylsiloxane co-polymers which make a polish wear-resistant.  

Composition and Ingredients: If the polish should provide a protective film (hydrophilic or hydrophobic), the composition depends on solvents or emulsion. The polish must not leave any smears. Dust-free removal of the polish should be possible.  

Abrasives: Clay, siliceous (containing silica) earth and chalk are used as abrasives. The number of grains, the hardness as well as the grain size determine the purpose of use.  

Preservatives: Waxes, resins and Teflon are used for preservation. For filling purposes, fine particles of clay and/or chalk are added. Synthetic waxes (polymers) show better properties for use than natural waxes. The latter are subject to large variations due to natural reasons. Wettable amino-functional silicones ensure very good ‘slippery’ properties of the polish and increase the gloss film. Due to added silicones, the polish partly is provided with resistance against cleaning agents. For car polishes, waxes often are replaced by indifferent silicone resins. The polish is provided with preservability and high quality and can be produced at room temperature (waxes have to be melted). These resins provide the polish with a brilliant shine and good hydrophobic properties. The surface is hydrophobic and exhibits a long-lasting effect.  

Production: Polishes are produced in large containers with a powerful stirring machine. For bottling, stable receptacles are used which should be transparent as well. Otherwise, in case of colored receptacles, you can see that the polish is not stable in the emulsion and deposits. Polishes should be slightly dyed for better immediate recognition during the working process. It seems to make sense to add agents which prevent bacteriological mixing. The same is valid for aromatics in low concentration.  

Completion: Finally, all legislative requirements have to be observed. For health and operational safety reasons, not all ingredients can be used. These guidelines are periodically updated and amended. Numerous other legislative requirements are valid for creating labels and documents (material safety data sheets, operating instructions, product information). The automobile industry also demands constant developmental work due to new types of paintwork, new materials and guidelines.Did you know that the production of polishes is so complex?  

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As you can see, there’s more to a polish than one probably expects. Several ingredients and factors go into making a polish. And not all polishes have the same purpose. Some are designed to correct severe paint flaws, some minor corrective properties and some are meant to be used on finishes that are flawless but can be enhanced.Yes, some polishes out there will simply disguise paint flaws but one can’t make a blanket statement and assume that all polishes within a brand merely conceal flaws without correcting. It's important to ask if the polish you plan on using is meant to correct paint or if it's meant to just be used on flawless finishes.  

At einszett, we put nothing in our products that is unnecessary.  In the case of our polishes, using the right polish will yield the best results for you.

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