What is the *definition* of polymer
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Old Pirate
AMG Classic Car Detailing
That's a good question for DavidB, bet he could give you the proper answer to that.
superstring
New member
A polymer is a long organic molecule which is made up of smaller, repeating sub-units. How or why this is important in an automotive detailing context is "anyone's guess". MY guess is it's advertising razzmatazz designed to confuse the consumer.
imported_themightytimmah
New member
If my chemistry knowledge serves me right (and my GPA says it doesn't), polymers are made up of a large number of monomers that bond and lock together, forming a stronger molecule - I.E. why sealants have cure times, as the polymers cross-link and lock together to form a thin shield.
imported_memnuts
New member
superstring said:
Bingo on both points.
A true polymer is a chain of mononers. A good example is a table sugar which is a chain of glucose mononers(3) which produce sucrose.
Yes, many LSP producers use "polymers" in their formulations but have little effect in increasing the durability of their products. LSP protecting polymers must exist in a nearly oil/silicone-free formulation to form the necessary cross-linking for protective durability. Otherwise, the polymers are just for application ease, visual augmentation and yes razzmatazz.:cooleek:
wannafbody
wannafbody
many compnies use the word polymer to denote a chain of molecules both natural and synthetic but NOT neccessarily cross linking. Cross linking polymers are more durable.
????????blkZ28Conv said:
Thats not quite true, silicone polymers don't cross link with each other at all. The cross linking occurs when you add amino functional resins to the mix. Then, as the product cures, the amino resins are what grab onto the silicon strands and hold them together (cross linking). This is essential for improved longevity, as the resins not only bond the polymers together but also bond to the paint.
Additional silicons are normally used for ease of application and shine.
The word polymer comes from the greek 'poly meros' meaning many parts.
imported_Larry A
New member
What are the names of some of the polymers used in sealants and how are they related to Acrylics ? Why would a maker of car waxes perfer Acrylics to silicone polymers or vicea versa ?
This is where marketing comes into play, as the acrylics used in paint sealants aren't really true acrylics. They are basically using the same ingredients that are found in silicone sealants but marketing them differently.
What I am saying in a round about way is that even though some people call their product acrylic, they aren't real acrylics - like in water-based paint. They are the curable polymers that air-cure, (which is what acrylic does).
The only true acrylic polish I have ever seen was sold on an informercial by Blue Coral. I can't remember the name right now. You could apply it on any car (oxidized or clean). You applied it with a sponge and just wiped it on and let it dry. The problem was that once you used it you couldn't use anything else afterward, you couldn't wax the car or polish the car, I seem to remember they had a lot of complaints and withdrew the product.
What I am saying in a round about way is that even though some people call their product acrylic, they aren't real acrylics - like in water-based paint. They are the curable polymers that air-cure, (which is what acrylic does).
The only true acrylic polish I have ever seen was sold on an informercial by Blue Coral. I can't remember the name right now. You could apply it on any car (oxidized or clean). You applied it with a sponge and just wiped it on and let it dry. The problem was that once you used it you couldn't use anything else afterward, you couldn't wax the car or polish the car, I seem to remember they had a lot of complaints and withdrew the product.
imported_Puckman
New member
Please tell me if my understanding of the polymer cross linking on a vehicles paint is correct.
I've read before that natural carnauba wax applied forms a continuous "shell" over the surface. Polymers form what can be analogous to a screen like that over my pool where they link together and form something like a microscopic "mesh". Multiple layers of a polymer sealant may close some of the holes in the screen mesh and offer better total paint coverage.
Is that analogy close?
I've read before that natural carnauba wax applied forms a continuous "shell" over the surface. Polymers form what can be analogous to a screen like that over my pool where they link together and form something like a microscopic "mesh". Multiple layers of a polymer sealant may close some of the holes in the screen mesh and offer better total paint coverage.
Is that analogy close?
The polymers used in most good quality sealants are charged, curable polymers. They will adhere to the paint surface because of their electrical attraction, then as the moisture evaporates, they will cure into a durable, plastic like layer. Think of a super, super, super
thin layer of saran wrap being put onto the paint. It will act as a sacrificial layer to bird crap, high pH detergents, acids, UV degredation, road salt, heat, cold and everything else that can cause the paint to degrade. It will slowly break down based on the abuse it is put under.
Whilst waxes form a good 'shell' over the vehicle the individual wax molecules do not bond together, rather they lay side by side like millions of tiny pancakes, so any expansion/contraction of the surface will cause the wax coating to break and therefore fail.
thin layer of saran wrap being put onto the paint. It will act as a sacrificial layer to bird crap, high pH detergents, acids, UV degredation, road salt, heat, cold and everything else that can cause the paint to degrade. It will slowly break down based on the abuse it is put under.
Whilst waxes form a good 'shell' over the vehicle the individual wax molecules do not bond together, rather they lay side by side like millions of tiny pancakes, so any expansion/contraction of the surface will cause the wax coating to break and therefore fail.
wannafbody
wannafbody
charger17 said:
I'm under the impression that "amino functional" is a type of cross linking polymer
imported_themightytimmah
New member
charger17 said:
Touchless! I found a bottle of it still in the box way down in my garage. I wish I had a scrap panel to try it on
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SVR
Dream Machines
Any products that are not polymer based?
Didn't turtle wax have a polyurethane hard wax decades ago that was like rock
Didn't turtle wax have a polyurethane hard wax decades ago that was like rock
imported_hooked
New member
C'mon guys! He read the label of the polish that said it contains a "Space-Aged Polymer Formula!"