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Abrasives - Used in polishes to mechanically remove oxidation and smooth the edges of fine scratches and swirl marks thereby reducing or removing their appearance. Abrasives used are made of aluminum silicate or kaolin clay. Polishes vary in polishing strength based on the percentage of abrasive (by weight) is contained in the product.
Carnauba - Obtained from the leaves of the carnauba palm found in the forests of South America and used primarily in waxes as the main source of protection. Carnauba in its purest form is very hard and brittle. Carnauba goes through a process of being mixed with petroleum solvents to soften it so that it can be easily applied.
Clay - A natural earth element which was utilized beginning in the early part of the 1900’s to remove overspray contaminants such as paint overspray, rail dust and encrusted sap from the paintwork of cars. Contrary to popular belief, clay does not remove oxidation or enhance depth and gloss which is the purpose of paintwork polish. Use once or twice a year in conjunction with your polishing and wax regimen to remove contaminants in the paintwork that polishes can not remove.
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Clear Coat - Clear non-pigmented paint usually made of polyurethane (PU). Clear Coat is applied as a second coat over a base coat of pigmented paint in two-stage paint finishes—commonly referred as ‘base coat/clear coat’ finishes. Clear coat contains UV inhibitors. Contrary to popular belief, clear coat is not maintenance-free and does degrade like pigmented paint due to UV rays and acid rain. Therefore it needs to be polished on a regular basis to maintain depth, gloss, and longevity to keep the original wet-look finish.
Compounding - using a compound to remove paint imperfections, oxidation, scratches, stains, and other belmishes.
Cosmoline - A grease applied to vehicles prior to transport to inhibit rust formation on exterior metal parts. While vehicles are cleaned at points of distribution before delivery to dealers, traces of cosmoline may seep out of exterior trim crevices.
Cured Paint - Refers to paint that is applied at either the factory (original finish) or a refinishing paint/body shop and is 30 days or older.
Cutting - same as compounding, just a more specific term. "Cutting" means using an abrasive to "cut" into the paint finish.
Gel Coat - A fiber applied to marine vehicles that comprise of glass-fiber reinforced plastic. Gel coats can be polished safely polished and waxed but we prefer a marine gel coat product over wax.
Leveling - Smoothing out a paint finish by cutting the "peaks" down to the level of the "valleys", thus "leveling" the paint finish. This is usually necessary on fresh paint when it has orange peel.
Buffing - This generic term can mean literally anything from compounding to wiping the wax off by hand. It simply depends on who you ask.
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