The Benefits of Polishing Your Car

Featured Products: einszett PolishWax, einszett Paint Polish, Extra Paint Polish Polishing is often neglected and overshadowed by waxing, but is by far the most beneficial step in maintaining the pristine appearance of your car's paint finish. Although polishing produces the majority of tangible results in car paint maintenance, it is often neglected because its intended purpose is not understood or it’s seen as an unnecessary step. Because polishes produce the most dramatic results, we feel it’s worth discussing their importance in the process of proper car paint maintenance. What Are Polishes? Unlike car wax, which act as a temporary shield designed to take the abuse of environmental elements so the paint surface below doesn’t have to, polishes are the real labor force in the process of paintwork care maintenance and enhancing appearance. Polishes maintain and extend the life of paint by one, removing dirt too stubborn for general washing; two, removing oxidized paint (‘aged paint’); three, smoothing out surface scratches and swirl marks (which are circular surface scratches); and four, conditioning the paintwork so that it doesn't dry, crack and peel. Knowing this, it's easy to see why polishing should be given considerable consideration as part of your overall car detailing regimen. 

Put Away the Elbow Grease

Think polishing and you usually think hard labor. Unless your vehicle is heavily oxidized due to many years of neglect, there is a lot less effort involved than you would expect. But let's add a disclaimer and state that the amount of effort required, regardless of the condition of the paint finish, is very much dependent on the product you use. einszett formulates its polishes to produce the best results with the least amount of effort. einszett polishes contain, on average, 30 percent less water than other brands. A more concentrated solution requires less product to achieve the desired results. Another benefit of having less water is that the polish is easier to work with in hotter temperatures. Instead of drying quickly and turning into powder, the polish remains wet longer allowing the user to polish longer and get the desired results. So, if the fear of hard labor prevented you from taking care of your car's paint finish, it’s time to put that to rest and give the einszett polishes a try.

Types Of Polishes  

The first step in polishing is choosing the right polish. Contrary to popular belief, you do not choose a polish based on the color of your paint finish. Practically all paint finishes are coated with a top layer of clear paint also known as clear coat. So, regardless of the color beneath, you're always treating the clear coat layer. So, you want to choose a polish based on the condition of the paint surface which we have categorized in three different levels: new/well-maintained, dull, and weathered.  

New and Well-Maintained  

For paint finishes that are brand new or very well-maintained there is einszett PolishWax. PolishWax is a mild paint cleaner. PolishWax removes stubborn dirt, hides minor surface defects, removes light oxidation, and conditions the paintwork enhancing the depth and finish. 

Like all of our polishes, PolishWax contain oils that condition the paint finish, adding gloss and depth, and reducing the appearance of very fine surface scratches and swirl marks. In addition, PolishWax contains carnauba wax which helps protect the surface against pollutants such as road grime, hard water, acid rain, bird droppings, sap, brake dust and the effects of UV (Ultra Violet) rays. It is also formulated with concealers that disguise the appearance of holograms and clouding that appear under certain lighting conditions. PolishWax is not formulated to remedy swirl marks, which are fine circular scratches in the paint finish, and oxidation. To address this concern, we move to the next step up in polishes.

Dull Paintwork 

The average paint finish fits in this category. The finish no longer looks as pristine as the day you bought it. It may have light scratches and swirl marks (or spider-webbing as some call it). einszett Paint Polish is a mild cutting polish and was created to address this type of dull finish. While many cars today have clear coat applied to the paintwork, which is designed to inhibit the detrimental effects of Ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun, it is not enough protection for the paintwork alone and in itself requires maintenance. Clear coat, which is simply non-pigmented paint with UV ray inhibitors, oxidizes and requires regular polishing and maintenance to maintain its depth and shine. Paint Polish is effective in treating surface defects such as oxidation, medium surface scratches and swirl marks by smoothing out the scratches using fine abrasives. As you polish, the abrasives made of clay granules smooth out the edges of the scratches to make them appear less visible. Paint Polish is formulated to bring back average looking paint finishes back to their original showroom shine. 

Weathered 

For those with paint finishes that have suffered from many years of weathering, we offer a special polish called Extra Paint Polish. Extra is formulated to remove heavy oxidation that can look and feel very coarse. Extra utilizes more abrasives than a standard polish to cut through heavy oxidation and smooth out more aggressive swirl marks. On very weathered paintwork, Extra is able to dramatically reduce oxidation and restore luster. The finish will have more gloss and return closer to its smooth, original finish. 

For even better results, following-up with einszett Paint Polish, you'll produce a more dramatic finish. Paint Polish will further enhance the depth and gloss results produced by Extra.

When To Polish?

 

Now you should know which type of polish best meets your needs. Now let’s quickly recap why polishes are important. Many of you are constantly confused between waxes and polishes mainly due to false information and advertising. A true wax is designed only to protect a paintwork’s surface from environmental elements. They are not designed to clean the paint or maintain its overall condition. Polishes on the other hand can be compared to washing and applying lotion to your body. Polishes clean and rejuvenate the surface of your paintwork by removing aged paint due to oxidation, UV-Rays, temperature variances, as well as environmental influences such as bird droppings, sap, acid rain, etc. Polishes restore the gloss and depth of your paintwork and as a result extend the life of it. This is why it is so important to not rule out polishes from your paintwork maintenance regimen. In addition, polishing the paintwork prior to waxing will allow waxes to bond better and last on the paintwork surface longer.

We recommend polishing twice a year – preferably spring and fall. After thoroughly washing the paintwork surface, apply the polish with either a 100 percent terry cotton towel or foam applicator pad (if applying by hand) or use an orbital buffer if you prefer applying by machine. An orbital buffer is a safe way to get machine results but with the safety of hand application. Dual Action orbitals will not harm the surface of your paint finish like a rotary polisher can—which should be reserved for professionals. In addition, an orbital buffer will cut down your application time plus give you consistent results (read: you won’t be tired after hours of polishing which can lead to uneven results). Whether you choose to apply by hand or machine (by the way, our polishes are designed to be applied by both methods) polish small sections at a time. Do not polish your entire paint finish and then attempt to wipe it off – three by three foot sections are ideal. Otherwise, you will find yourself attempting to scrape off the product from the paint finish. In the unlikely event this happens to you, simply apply more product over the dried polish. This will safely soften the dried polish and allow for easy removal. 

After applying the polish, by working it into the surface until it nearly disappears, wipe off with a clean cotton towel or better yet an einszett Microfiber Towel (microfiber towels are highly suggested because of their very fine surface area that won’t cause minor surface scratches). Remember, when polishing do not apply too much or too little pressure – the same amount of effort as we always suggest for surface care.

 

Summary

 

The benefits of polishing far exceed those of just waxing. While one works best with the other, polishes remain the work horse in the overall maintenance of the paintwork by removing aged paint, restoring depth and gloss and reducing or removing the appearance of surface defects such as surface scratches and the dreaded swirl mark. It also creates the ideal surface for a coat of wax.

Cockpit Premium

Cockpit Premium is back in stock again. We were backordered for a while because we were completely taken by surprise with an unexpected high demand. We apologize for those of you who waited so long and we thank you for being so patient. I can't make any promises that such long backorders will happen again but we will do our very best to preventing a repeat occurrence.

When it comes down to it, we know you all have a lot of other choices out there and we are amazed by the loyalty our customers have. We can't thank you enough for hanging in there with us... especially these days. When you have such loyal customers, the last thing you want to do is let them down. Believe me, we are very grateful for all of you.

For those of you who are wondering what all the fuss is about this Cockpit Premium product that we make, let me tell you about it.

We've had Cockpit in our product program for over 20 years in the European market and it's been in North America from day one. It's such a simple product to use and yet no other company has created a product similar to ours.

There have been the imitations. We have the interior detail sprays and products that go as far as including the name "Cockpit" in the name. But they are not the same.

Detail Sprays or quick detailers (whatever you want to call them) are products that by law (environmental regulations) have to be about 97% water by weight. Cockpit doesn't have all this water. It is not a quick detailer. Cockpit Premium not only lightly cleans the surface but also protects the surface from fading due to UV and heat(something the other brands don't offer). It also resists dust build-up, conditions the surface and gives the surface a very natural finish. There isn't any oily residue because it doesn't contain silicone so you don't have to worry about slippery surfaces. 


And even though it has zero shine compared to dash/vinyl/rubber dressings and protectants, it does have an appearance enhancer which makes the surface have a very minor natural sheen. It makes the surface look the way it did when your car rolled off the assembly line. It's almost undetectable and that's why our customers love it so much. Heck, that's why my mom loves it so much (she gave me grief a few weeks ago because she needed another bottle of it when we didn't have it in stock).

You can spray it on the dashboard, your audio and navigation screens, gauge cluster, shift knob, and pedals. You can even spray it on painted surfaces and glass without causing any issues. It's that simple! I also use it to clean my glasses and sunglasses. Cockpit also has a great citrus scent that our customers just love.


Now, if you need something to treat the plastic on the exterior and tires, we recommend you use einszett Vinyl-Rubber Care and Protectant. It's silicone-oil free, water-based and will leave a great low-shine finish. It's formulated to protect against direct UV exposure so it has UV blockers in it and it's also highly water resistant so it can withstand the rain and multiple carwashes. As a matter of fact, we have a patent on it in Germany for it's ability to resist water and detergent. Bottom line, it lasts and protects!

So back to Cockpit Premium. Because we are low on the product already (don't worry, more on the way as we speak!), we are deferring all sales to our authorized dealers so you won't find it available on the einszett USA website at www.1z-usa.com.

So check the dealer listing and ask your retailer if they have it available. Most will have it by middle of next week (July 22).

How to Wash and Dry Your Car

I originally wrote this how to article for the Porsche Club as part of the “Keep It Clean” car detailing series. You can find the complete series of articles at http://www.1z-usa.com/. Featured Products: einszett Perls Shampoo, einszett Anti-Insekt, einszett Microfiber Wash Mitt For some of us, learning how to wash and dry a car might seem trivial considering how many times the average person has washed their car. Not complicated, right? The fact is, proper washing and drying techniques can make a significant different between a paint finish that has a lot of depth and gloss and one that has lost its luster and is covered in scratches and swirl marks. What a lot of people don't realize is that washing and drying the paint finish can create surface defects such as swirl marks and scratches if done incorrectly. Over time, the accumulation of swirl marks and scratches equals a very dull finish. And if the culprit wasn’t washing or drying, it more likely was the car wash or hand wash facility, or the inexperienced detailer that most likely put it there. 

 

Although basic in concept, many wash their cars incorrectly. We just assume that all it takes is a sponge, a bucket of water and soap and fire away! And while it isn’t rocket science, with the easy to learn tips and techniques we will discuss, washing and drying will remain uncomplicated but will help you keep your car looking its absolute best.

Dusk or Dawn 

What we want to instill in your heads right now is this: Whenever working with chemicals on your car whether it’s car wash shampoo, car polish or glass cleaner, you should always work out of direct sunlight and hot temperatures. Working with such factors can harm the end result. Heat is a catalyst that can increase the effects of a chemical far beyond its intended purpose. In other words, direct sunlight make your everyday cleaner work a lot faster and stronger than it was intended. With that thought in mind, when washing your vehicle, it’s best to wash either in the early morning or late afternoon/evening if you will be doing so without shade. Avoid washing mid-day when the sun can heat up your car’s paintwork in just a few short minutes. The surface should always be warm or cool to the touch whenever you do any work on it. Choosing the Right Car Shampoo The key to proper washing and, more importantly, avoiding swirl marks is using the right tools and techniques. First, always use a quality shampoo, which is close to pH neutral (7.0) and will not strip any protective car wax.

Do not settle for a lower cost brand car wash because they tend to be harsher towards car wax finishes. The reason why they are lower in cost is because they use lower quality surfactants (detergents). Lower cost surfactants are high in alkaline which will not make a distinction between the oily film on your paintwork and the wax finish you just spend an hour applying. In addition to our quality shampoos containing high quality cleaners, they do not cause spotting, cause streaks on the finish, and they rinse clean without leaving a residue. einszett einszett Perls Shampoo which has a pH of 6.8 is near neutral, does not leave a residue or cause spotting. Perls Shampoo also protects with water-activated polymer waxes allowing you to wash and protect at the same time.

Choosing A Wash Applicator  

Just as important as choosing the right car wash shampoo is choosing the correct tool to wash your vehicle with. einszett recommends using our microfiber wash mitt which will gently wash the paintwork surface. Avoid using synthetic sponges or synthetic wool mitts. Their surface is not as gentle and can cause fine scratches such as swirl marks. The einszett microfiber wash mitt can be washed after use countless times and is highly recommended to prevent scratching due to trapped debris in the fiber. We also recommend natural wool mitts which you can find at specialty automotive stores or online car care stores.

Pre-Wash

Before we start the wash process, if necessary, you might need to do some pre-washing. If you have sap, bug splatter, or light tar on any parts of the car exterior, you'll need to treat it first prior to washing since they can be too stubborn for most car wash shampoos.

einszett Anti-Insekt Bug & Tar Remover contains special cleaners that loosen bug splatter, sap and light tar known as bitumen. Most bug and tar removers contain petroleum solvents that remove sensitive wax finishes. Not Anti-Insekt. Its water-based formula is easy on wax finishes.

Making sure surface is cool to the touch and out of direct sunlight, simply spray on affected area and allow product to work for three minutes. Then with a direct jet of water, clean affected area.  

Washing

Pre-rinse the surface of the car by spraying water starting from the roof and working your way down. This way any loose dirt and dust flows to the bottom of the car.

Now grab that wash mitt and relax... No need to get worked up. It seems like a lot of people are really tense and agitated while washing. They put their entire body weight and strength into cleaning. Do not wash your car as if you are attempting to scrub the paint off. Instead, allow the mitt to glide across the surface letting the fibers and shampoo lubricants sweep away the dirt. This is where using a high quality shampoos stand apart from lower quality variety. einszett Perls Shampoo, for example, has lubricants that create a slick surface so dirt glides off easily without scratching. Creating a slick surface is more important than creating a heavy sudsing action. Heavy suds are the result of lower quality detergents. While you may feel reassured by the appearance of suds, they are not as beneficial as having a slick solution.

As you wash the paintwork and grab more soap in your wash mitt, agitate the wash mitt in the bucket to release debris caught on the fibers. This will reduce the chance of creating possible scratches and swirl marks. It’s also a good idea to use two wash mitts. One dedicated for cleaning your vehicle’s paintwork and another one for your wheels. This will keep brake dust and grime on your wheels away from your vehicle’s paintwork. Washing Frequency Generally, it’s a good rule of thumb to wash your vehicle once a week if you drive it often (we term these ‘daily drivers’). The number one pollutant on roadways today is brake dust which is acidic. When considering all the other pollutants and natural elements such as tree sap, soot, oil, bird droppings and so on, you’d be hard-pressed not to give your vehicle and quick wash at least once a week.

And ‘no’, rain doesn’t count especially if you live in metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles or the North East of the United States where acid rain is common. Acid rain, if left on your vehicle for days past the rain has stopped, will dull the finish of your paintwork. If you have a wax finish on your paintwork, that will help tremendously. However, it is highly advised to wash on a regular basis. Plus, the more consistent you are with washing, the less effort is required the next wash. Drying: The Right Tool And Technique The way you dry the paintwork is just as important as the way you wash it. As a drying tool we suggest using a synthetic drying cloth such as SM Arnold's Watersprite (often referred to as a chamois) or a microfiber waffle weave drying towel versus a cotton towel. Many cotton towels available marketed for vehicle care are blended with polyester despite claims of 100 percent cotton. If you choose to use a cotton towel, use a high quality towel from manufacturers that produce towels primarily. When washing cotton towels do not wash or dry them with fabric softener which will leave a coating on the tips of the fibers. This coating, which gives the sense of softness, will leave streaks on your paintwork. Instead of using softener to soften the towels, dry the towels in a dryer and pull them out when they are slightly damp—just before they are completely dry.

Drying the paint finish requires the same technique as washing. Do not apply a lot of pressure. Lay the towel on the surface and pull – nearly zero effort is required. Make sure you open the doors, trunk lid and hood to remove water from the rocker panel and door jams.

Preventive Maintenance

Keep in mind that the key to preventing scratches and swirl marks is by attacking the root of the problem, which in most cases is how we wash and dry our paintwork. Perfect this technique and your car's paint finish will reflect (pun intended) your efforts.