Interesting discussion from Terry Freiburg, re: German auto paint...(long)
11-12-2003, 10:09 AM
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Interesting discussion from Terry Freiburg, re: German auto paint...(long)
From the latest newsletter from Classic Motoring Accessories...
Detailing Article:
Is the paint on German cars really different?
I currently own an Audi and have previously owned Mercedes, BMW, Porsche and Volkswagen automobiles. I consider myself a car care enthusiast but never felt the paint on any of my German automobiles was different from the paint on the Ford or GM cars I've owned.
Recently, a number of customers have asked me for product recommendations for the "soft" clear coat on their German cars. Huh? Soft clear coat? What's this? I called our local BMW dealer (an excellent dealer) but that was fruitless. No one could tell me anything about the paint on the cars they sell. Through two of our suppliers, one in Germany, I was able to make three industry contacts. One is a paint consultant to BMW, Munich, a second is a paint consultant to Mercedes-Benz, Stuttgart and the third is a recently retired paint consultant that worked for Chrysler here in the U.S. Thankfully, both German gentlemen spoke perfect English. All three asked to remain anonymous due to confidentially agreements. Here's what I found.
So, are German paints different?
It turns out they are. German paints use a "solvent package" (mix of base solvents) that can not be used in the U.S. due to EPA regulations. When asked why Germany continues to use high V.O.C. (volatile organic compounds) solvents in their paints, I received two candid answers. One, the Germans feel their paints have an intensity and vividness that U.S. paints lack. One of my German contacts told me that German paints have "passion". I'll leave that debate to artists and concours judges. The other German consultant told me simply "That's the way we do it!" Having been raised by a strict German father, I understood that concept completely.
Are German clear coats "soft"?
Yes, they are. At least, softer than U.S. clear coats. In the U.S. there are three major paint suppliers to the automakers. PPG (#1), Dupont (#2), and BASF (a distant third). Both PPG and Dupont have focused on creating super-hard clear coats. These "rigid" clears are more resistant to chemical etching which makes them less susceptible to acid rain spots and owner induced swirls from washing and drying improperly. The disadvantage of rigid clears is their susceptibility to chip when struck by stones or road debris.
Perhaps because of the Autobahn and Germany's higher speed limits, German automakers have settled on a less rigid, or more elastic, clear coat. German clear coats are less likely to chip when impacted by road debris but are more susceptible to swirls if treated improperly.
Are some waxes better for German paints?
In regard to waxes or protective sealants, all three experts said "no" but added one caveat. After the paint is cured, the choice of what wax or sealant to use is an aesthetic or ease-of-application decision. As far as the paint is concerned, neither German specialist felt that one wax or sealant was any "better" than another. For what it's worth, the BMW consultant uses a carnauba wax and the Mercedes consultant prefers a polymer paint protectant. The caveat expressed by both consultants was that one-step, cleaner/waxes should use a solvent cleaner and not a mechanical abrasive. (Klasse All-In-One is a good choice in a one-step product as it uses a non-abrasive, solvent cleaner and P21S Pure Carnauba Wax is favorite of ours in a carnauba wax.)
What about compounds, polishes and pre-wax cleaners?
In regards to compounds, polishes and pre-wax cleaners, some are better suited for German clear coats. Both consultants felt that many U.S. compounds and polishes contain abrasive particles that are too large. They also feel we Americans are in too much of a hurry and polish at too high of a speed.
In general, when compounding or polishing German clear coat finishes:
Use a water-based or mild solvent product.
Use a non-abrasive polish for routine cleaning or a polish with micro-fine abrasives for defect, swirl, scratch and oxidation removal. Menzerna Intensive Polish and Final Polish were recommended by both German consultants.)
If using a circular, machine polisher, keep the speed around 1,000 rpm.
Use a Microfiber applicator (our Power Scrubber Microfiber Applicators are perfect for this) if polishing by hand and a foam pad designed for German clear coats if using a machine. (More on this later.)
Hand, dual-action or circular machine polishing?
BMW and Mercedes-Benz use both dual-action and circular machine polishers on their assembly lines for polishing and defect removal. The trend is moving away from circular polishers toward a new generation of long-throw, dual-action, machines. This is also happening in the U.S. but these new, dual-action machines are totally different from the Porter Cable 7424 that most enthusiasts use. Professional dual-action machines (made by Dynabrade and Festool) have a "throw" of up to 1/2 inch as compared to the "wiggle" of the 7424 polisher. These new machines offer 95% of the defect removal of circular polishers without creating any swirls in the finish. Remember, these are professional machines being used by professional paint technicians on paint right out of the oven.
Interestingly, all three consultants felt that dual-action machines like the Porter Cable 7424 (Flex in Germany), when used with the proper backing plates and foam pads, are not only safe for German clear coat finishes but recommended for maintaining the very highest paint gloss. Only the BMW consultant waxes his car by hand but even he uses the Flex (Porter Cable) polisher to remove swirls and restore maximum gloss.
If I use a dual-action polisher, what are the best backing plates and pads to use?
Both German paint consultants agree that:
Compounding and polishing softer German clear coats is more difficult for the do-it-yourself, enthusiast because these finishes are less forgiving.
Molded urethane, flexible backing plates are vastly superior to the rigid backing plates commonly used in the U.S. These backing plates eliminate spontaneous heat build-up which can occur when transitioning over curves or when working with the edge of the pad.
Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz use flexible backing plates on assembly line machines. We contacted the company in Europe that makes these backing plates and arranged to import a small inventory by air freight. We have a limited quantity in stock. Our full shipment will arrive in about three weeks by ocean freight.
To learn more about flexible backing plates, click here: Flexible Backing Plates for Dual-action Polishers and Flexible Backing Plates for Circular Polishers
Use only thermally reticulated, urethane foam pads with "exploded" or open cell structures. (Both our standard Variable Contact Foam Pads and Advanced, Variable Contact Foam Pads fall into this category.)
Both of the consultants I spoke with in Germany recommend using the Swiss, Orange Power Pad for compounding and scratch removal rather than traditional (yellow) compounding pads. They feel U.S. compounding pads are best reserved for the rigid clears used by U.S. automakers.
Mercedes in particular has done extensive research into pad technology. The polishing pad they use in Stuttgart on the Mercedes assembly line for polishing is a whopping three inches thick!
We contacted the manufacturer of this foam pad in Germany and now have it in stock. Click here for more details: Grüne Riese (Green Giant) Polishing Pad .
Mercedes-Benz is rumored to have developed a Ceramic Crystal Coating for their new Maybach that is super-hard and extremely resistant to scratching and spotting. If this is the case, (the Mercedes consultant gave me a "no comment" on this) it could signal a shift in thinking that could impact other German automakers as early as 2005. In the near future, "soft" German clear coats may be a thing of the past.
Detailing Article:
Is the paint on German cars really different?
I currently own an Audi and have previously owned Mercedes, BMW, Porsche and Volkswagen automobiles. I consider myself a car care enthusiast but never felt the paint on any of my German automobiles was different from the paint on the Ford or GM cars I've owned.
Recently, a number of customers have asked me for product recommendations for the "soft" clear coat on their German cars. Huh? Soft clear coat? What's this? I called our local BMW dealer (an excellent dealer) but that was fruitless. No one could tell me anything about the paint on the cars they sell. Through two of our suppliers, one in Germany, I was able to make three industry contacts. One is a paint consultant to BMW, Munich, a second is a paint consultant to Mercedes-Benz, Stuttgart and the third is a recently retired paint consultant that worked for Chrysler here in the U.S. Thankfully, both German gentlemen spoke perfect English. All three asked to remain anonymous due to confidentially agreements. Here's what I found.
So, are German paints different?
It turns out they are. German paints use a "solvent package" (mix of base solvents) that can not be used in the U.S. due to EPA regulations. When asked why Germany continues to use high V.O.C. (volatile organic compounds) solvents in their paints, I received two candid answers. One, the Germans feel their paints have an intensity and vividness that U.S. paints lack. One of my German contacts told me that German paints have "passion". I'll leave that debate to artists and concours judges. The other German consultant told me simply "That's the way we do it!" Having been raised by a strict German father, I understood that concept completely.
Are German clear coats "soft"?
Yes, they are. At least, softer than U.S. clear coats. In the U.S. there are three major paint suppliers to the automakers. PPG (#1), Dupont (#2), and BASF (a distant third). Both PPG and Dupont have focused on creating super-hard clear coats. These "rigid" clears are more resistant to chemical etching which makes them less susceptible to acid rain spots and owner induced swirls from washing and drying improperly. The disadvantage of rigid clears is their susceptibility to chip when struck by stones or road debris.
Perhaps because of the Autobahn and Germany's higher speed limits, German automakers have settled on a less rigid, or more elastic, clear coat. German clear coats are less likely to chip when impacted by road debris but are more susceptible to swirls if treated improperly.
Are some waxes better for German paints?
In regard to waxes or protective sealants, all three experts said "no" but added one caveat. After the paint is cured, the choice of what wax or sealant to use is an aesthetic or ease-of-application decision. As far as the paint is concerned, neither German specialist felt that one wax or sealant was any "better" than another. For what it's worth, the BMW consultant uses a carnauba wax and the Mercedes consultant prefers a polymer paint protectant. The caveat expressed by both consultants was that one-step, cleaner/waxes should use a solvent cleaner and not a mechanical abrasive. (Klasse All-In-One is a good choice in a one-step product as it uses a non-abrasive, solvent cleaner and P21S Pure Carnauba Wax is favorite of ours in a carnauba wax.)
What about compounds, polishes and pre-wax cleaners?
In regards to compounds, polishes and pre-wax cleaners, some are better suited for German clear coats. Both consultants felt that many U.S. compounds and polishes contain abrasive particles that are too large. They also feel we Americans are in too much of a hurry and polish at too high of a speed.
In general, when compounding or polishing German clear coat finishes:
Use a water-based or mild solvent product.
Use a non-abrasive polish for routine cleaning or a polish with micro-fine abrasives for defect, swirl, scratch and oxidation removal. Menzerna Intensive Polish and Final Polish were recommended by both German consultants.)
If using a circular, machine polisher, keep the speed around 1,000 rpm.
Use a Microfiber applicator (our Power Scrubber Microfiber Applicators are perfect for this) if polishing by hand and a foam pad designed for German clear coats if using a machine. (More on this later.)
Hand, dual-action or circular machine polishing?
BMW and Mercedes-Benz use both dual-action and circular machine polishers on their assembly lines for polishing and defect removal. The trend is moving away from circular polishers toward a new generation of long-throw, dual-action, machines. This is also happening in the U.S. but these new, dual-action machines are totally different from the Porter Cable 7424 that most enthusiasts use. Professional dual-action machines (made by Dynabrade and Festool) have a "throw" of up to 1/2 inch as compared to the "wiggle" of the 7424 polisher. These new machines offer 95% of the defect removal of circular polishers without creating any swirls in the finish. Remember, these are professional machines being used by professional paint technicians on paint right out of the oven.
Interestingly, all three consultants felt that dual-action machines like the Porter Cable 7424 (Flex in Germany), when used with the proper backing plates and foam pads, are not only safe for German clear coat finishes but recommended for maintaining the very highest paint gloss. Only the BMW consultant waxes his car by hand but even he uses the Flex (Porter Cable) polisher to remove swirls and restore maximum gloss.
If I use a dual-action polisher, what are the best backing plates and pads to use?
Both German paint consultants agree that:
Compounding and polishing softer German clear coats is more difficult for the do-it-yourself, enthusiast because these finishes are less forgiving.
Molded urethane, flexible backing plates are vastly superior to the rigid backing plates commonly used in the U.S. These backing plates eliminate spontaneous heat build-up which can occur when transitioning over curves or when working with the edge of the pad.
Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz use flexible backing plates on assembly line machines. We contacted the company in Europe that makes these backing plates and arranged to import a small inventory by air freight. We have a limited quantity in stock. Our full shipment will arrive in about three weeks by ocean freight.
To learn more about flexible backing plates, click here: Flexible Backing Plates for Dual-action Polishers and Flexible Backing Plates for Circular Polishers
Use only thermally reticulated, urethane foam pads with "exploded" or open cell structures. (Both our standard Variable Contact Foam Pads and Advanced, Variable Contact Foam Pads fall into this category.)
Both of the consultants I spoke with in Germany recommend using the Swiss, Orange Power Pad for compounding and scratch removal rather than traditional (yellow) compounding pads. They feel U.S. compounding pads are best reserved for the rigid clears used by U.S. automakers.
Mercedes in particular has done extensive research into pad technology. The polishing pad they use in Stuttgart on the Mercedes assembly line for polishing is a whopping three inches thick!
We contacted the manufacturer of this foam pad in Germany and now have it in stock. Click here for more details: Grüne Riese (Green Giant) Polishing Pad .
Mercedes-Benz is rumored to have developed a Ceramic Crystal Coating for their new Maybach that is super-hard and extremely resistant to scratching and spotting. If this is the case, (the Mercedes consultant gave me a "no comment" on this) it could signal a shift in thinking that could impact other German automakers as early as 2005. In the near future, "soft" German clear coats may be a thing of the past.
11-12-2003, 11:22 AM
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einszett all the way.
By the way, the "special" Swiss pads are made in the good old US of A by Lake Country Manufacturing. They are a great pad, but there is no mystery to them.
On a side note, all of the backing plates we sell are flexible urethane, not the cheap hard plastic you'll find elsewhere.
On a side note, all of the backing plates we sell are flexible urethane, not the cheap hard plastic you'll find elsewhere.
11-12-2003, 12:36 PM
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I use Menzerna, and the results are outstanding.
after the Menzerna cleanup/scratch removal (also microfiber towels), I use 3M marine pure carnauba, just plain carnauba based wax, no additives (not a restorer wax).
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11-12-2003, 02:00 PM
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German paints are lower in vocs then the stuff here
in North America, their paints are much softer and poor in longevity in regards to abrasion and scuff protection. Some of the above information is slightly wrong. Any body who buys a high end german car should consider a clear bra or helicopeter transparent tape.
