Meaning of paint finish attributes

[imported_spider]

Hello all!



I`m new here and I have some doubts about some attributes a perfect paint finish should have.

I understant that the more durable is a finish, the better, o the more eater it beads, also the better...



But..what`s the difference in the meaning of a "glossy finish" vs a "shining finish" ?



What do you meab about colour depth, clarity and reflectivity?



I have read that wax and sealant offer very different finish in terms of gloss or color depth.



Can anybody explain?



Thank you very much. Pics would be appreciated!!!

[Prometheus]

Heh heh, welcome to the world of obsessive detailing my friend! Ill do my best to demonstrate and explain. I`m gonna be using others pics, so well see what happens.



First, Reflection. Reflection is basically a car finish`s mirror like quality. It`s the ability to see another image in the finish, just like using a mirror. The more reflective the finish is, the better you will be able to see yourself, your favourite product (as in the pic) or whatever else you feel like using.



Example:



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/878s100_reflections2.jpg



(i`m borrowing your pic Scottwax, hope you dont mind)



Clarity is much along the same line. Clarity is how well you can see the reflection in the finish. In the above pic, you can very clearly see the reflection of the little tub of S100. In other instances, you wont be able to see something so clearly, due to orange peel or various other surface defects. Scottwax`s pic above has excellent clarity, where the following pic the finish and the reflection arent nearly as clear.



Example 2:



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/1992orangepeelsm-med.jpg

(borrowing a pic from BlackRegal here)



Depth is difficult to define, but i shall do my best. Depth is the ability of a finish to look wet, and have the appearance of looking like it has some actual thickness and weight behind it. Again, difficult to explain. It`s also a personal thing, one person might think something has excellent depth, and another might think it stinks. Here is what i think of as having good depth:



Example 3:



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/8782003_328_top-med.jpg

(another Scottwax pic)



Now, Gloss vs. Shine is also kind of hazy. Shine is the ability of a finish to just pop out at you and be almost blinding. Gloss is more of a warm tone that doesn`t so much blind you, it just looks really nice and inviting. Gloss is more often seen on darker cars (blacks, dark greens, dark blues, etc) while shine is more evident on lighter cars (specifically silver). Some colors, like reds, can go either way, depending upon your product choice. Reds can be blinding, or have a nice, warm, glossy finish also. All depends upon your product choice.



Example 4:



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/8782001_acura_tl2.jpg



The above car has great shine, while the one below:



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/8781996_porsche993_rear.jpg



has more of a gloss. Again, it`s a personal thing, it`s all in the eyes of the beholder. Here`s another example of gloss. Notice it isn`t nearly as shiny or reflective. Shiney cars tend to be more reflective also.



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/8781996_porsche993_black_front2.jpg

(last 3 pics are all Scottwax again)



OK, i think that pretty much covers it. I hope this helps you, and best of luck in your detailing adventures!



Prometheus

[imported_spider]

Thank you very much!



You coudn`t have answered my questions in a better way!



I thing it`s a very good lesson for knowing what to expect from a detailing product.

[andriver]

Prometheus, great explanation :up .

[vinnymack]

Excellent write up.

[Accumulator]

Yeah, that was a *great* post Prometheus! :xyxthumbs :bow

[Prometheus]

I do my best :) .

[stilez]

Some argue that "depth" is actually the depth of reflections or how far you can see the refelctions clearly. IE: like the clouds or something a block away reflecting off the side.



I think we need a hard-written definition :D

[flyinhigh]

Originally posted by GSRstilez

Some argue that "depth" is actually the depth of reflections or how far you can see the refelctions clearly. IE: like the clouds or something a block away reflecting off the side.



I think we need a hard-written definition :D



Thats what I was thinking also.Not really clouds though.But the block away thing .

[Prometheus]

I personally think seeing something a block a way is more a reflection attribute than a depth thing. Something can be super reflective but have no depth. Based on the ability to see it a block away, something with great reflectivity would automatically have great depth, which we all know isn`t the case. I dont think that seeing something down the block in a car`s finish is a good definition of depth.

[imported_YouGottaBeLeaf]

Time for a new link below "acronyms" called "definitions". :D

[Don]

Here`s the whole "objectivity" thing again, I think this pic shows reflectivity, depth AND shine, but that`s just me:



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/8782001_acura_tl2.jpg



(Scottwax`s pic again)

[65redcorvette]

Great answer Prometheus, the absolute best explanation I`ve ever seen.

[DaGonz]

Great answer, Prometheus! :xyxthumbs

Great pics, Scottwax! :xyxthumbs

[Intercooled]

I must say thats a great explanation: I learned a bit there myself!!