FAQ's

In this section we hope to provide valuable information regarding technical terms in addition to dispelling some myths regarding car care products.

1. Silicone vs. silicone-free products: I've heard that silicone-based
polishes and waxes are bad for paint. Is this true?

2. What is the difference between a polish and a wax?

3. How often should I polish and wax my car?

4. What is the difference between car shampoo and dish detergent?

5. What is Formalin (a form of formaldehyde)?

6. Polymer vs. Non-Polymer: Please Explain.

Silicone vs. silicone-free products: I've heard that silicone-based polishes and waxes are bad for paint. Is this true? Top

This is a long-standing myth that has circulated among everyday folks and professionals that proves to be unfounded. Since there is much concern as to whether silicone is good or bad we felt the need to confirm this information with BASF the parent company of Germany's leading paint brand Glasurit GmbH. Glasurit is used by the majority of European car manufacturers from Volkswagen to BMW to Jaguar.

Silicone-based products are only harmful to new paintwork that is between 60-90 days old. During this period, fresh paint is still releasing solvents. This process is termed "off-gassing". The silicone in silicone-based polishes and waxes will clog the pores of the paint preventing solvents from releasing properly. This in turn prevents the paint from curing (drying) properly and achieving full gloss and depth of color. For this reason, einszett offers silicone-free polish and wax in their Pro-Line of products for use by paint shop professionals. So unless your paint is new, take advantage of the enhanced appearance and results high quality silicone produces on your paintwork. If you still have a concern, feel free to contact BASF's technical support at 1.800.825.3000.

Note: Keep in mind that in addition to avoiding silicone-based products on fresh paint, also avoid applying wax and using polymer sealants which contain acrylic.

What is the difference between a polish and a wax? Top

Polishes, also known as cleaners and glazes, clean your paintwork while reducing the appearance of swirl marks, light scratches, remove oxidation, and restore oils into the paint. Polishes restore gloss and depth of your paintwork.

Wax on the other hand is designed to act as a second layer of paint. Instead of your paintwork receiving the harsh effects of the environment, wax does this job. A true wax will not clean or claim to remove swirl marks. Waxes come in carnauba-base or are synthetic base. einszett chooses to produce a synthetic-based wax since synthetics are more durable for everyday driving. Yet einszett has developed Glanz Wax to produce a depth of shine, normally reserved for carnauba based waxes, that exceeds that of its competitors as well as carnauba based waxes.

This all depends on how often you drive your car. If it is a daily driver, we recommend you polish your car about 2-3 times a year. If it is a garage queen that rarely goes out except for weekends we recommend 1-2 times per year.

Another factor is the color of your car. Red pigment oxidizes the fastest. The more red pigmentation in a paint, the faster it will oxidize. Not surprisingly, red paint oxidizes the fastest. Yellow oxidizes at a higher rate as well. In this case, if your car is either of these colors and a daily driver, we recommend polishing closer to 3 times a year. Our polishes do not contain harsh abrasives so you can be assured that you will not be risking the removal of too much paint.

Waxing can be done at a more frequent rate although for a daily driver, Glanz Wax is durable enough to last up to 6 months. Again, many factors effect how often you will need to wax your car. For instance, depending upon your local climate, whether conditions, etc, you may need to wax your car's paintwork more often or less often.

One concern that is unfounded is that it is possible to put too much wax on your car.
There is no harm in waxing your car every month or two if you choose. However, applying multiple coats of wax at one application (also known as "layering") has no additional benefits. In this case, more is not necessarily better. One coat of wax is more then sufficient.

What is the difference between car shampoo and dish detergent? Top

While the differences may appear to be almost non-existent, there is a large difference between a quality shampoo such as einszett Perls Shampoo and regular detergent. Detergent's pH is different from that of shampoo specifically designed to work in harmony with automotive waxes and polishes. Detergent can not tell the difference between fat that is food-based and wax. It looks at the two as one and the same and therefore will strip any wax or polish on your car resulting in a loss of paintwork protection.

einszett Perls Shampoo and Exclusiv Glanz Shampoo is designed to work in conjunction with einszett's range of waxes and polishes. It's highly gentle formula will not strip wax or polish but is strong enough to remove dirt and debris on your car's paintwork. In addition, einszett Perls Shampoo contains a revolutionary polymer additive that adds a temporary layer of protection on your paintwork's surface adding both protection and unbeatable depth and gloss.

What is Formalin (a form of formaldehyde)? Top

Formalin is a generic term which describes a solution of 37% formaldehyde gas dissolved in water. Formalin, a common preservative is often used in car care products to extend shelf life but formalin also causes an allergic reaction with some people. For this reason, we avoid the use of formalin yet our products have an average shelf life of approximately seven years if stored properly in a cool place.

Polymer vs. Non-Polymer Wax: Please Explain? Top

Many auto enthusiasts have heard that polymer-based waxes should be avoided--that 100% natural wax-based wax is the only true choice. This opinion, however, is usually based upon incorrect information.

The word "polymer" literally means a large molecule attached to a small molecule. In other words, the term "polymer" refers to any compound that is synthetic. Therefore, a product that has polymers in it means that it is synthetic-based. An example of this is einszett Glanz Wax. It is a pure synthetic wax.

The primary advantage of synthetic wax is durability. With all the environmental factors that today's daily drivers experience, synthetic wax is far superior in terms of longevity in comparison to organic waxes that are usually made from some form of naturally occurring wax like bees wax, paraffin, and the ever popular carnauba. It should be noted however that many organic waxes on the market contain polymers to extend longevity. There isn't a wax on the market that is 100% pure organic wax. Application would be impossible since by nature wax is a very hard compound. All organic waxes contain polymers, resins, and silicone.

To give you a sense of the durability of synthetic wax versus organic based wax, the synthetic wax in einszett Glanz Wax has a melting point of up to 120°C or 280°F.

Pure synthetic waxes poses no harm to paintwork. In fact, since they provide better protection, they are more beneficial to paintwork than organic waxes.

The one downside to the majority of synthetic waxes on the market is their lack of ability to produce as deep a gloss as organic based waxes. Usually, depth of shine is the tradeoff for durability. einszett however has perfected Glanz Wax to produce better results than many competing carnauba and synthetic waxes on the market.