No not James Bond, I’m talking about the bonds made by wax, acrylics, nano structures and micro-coatings and polymer (sealants)



For those of you into the "How", "Why" and "What" of detailing read on, for others see the CliffNotes® Version at the end of this extract





[: Chemical bond, the physical phenomenon of chemical substances being held together by attraction of atoms]



A chemical bond is the physical process responsible for the attractive interactions between atoms and molecules, and that which confers stability to diatomic and polyatomic chemical compounds. The explanation of the attractive forces is a complex area that is described by the laws of quantum electrodynamics.



Chemical Engineers usually rely on quantum theory or qualitative descriptions that are less rigorous but more easily explained to describe chemical bonding (i.e. describing a covalent bond as molecules bonding together)



In general, strong chemical bonding is associated with the sharing or transfer of electrons between the participating atoms. Molecules, crystals, and diatomic gases; indeed most of the physical environment around us are held together by chemical bonds, which dictate the structure of matter.



Polymers



A polymer will form a strong bond with another clean polymer (urethane paint) surface; it will not bond well with metal. Modern automobile paints are formulated from polymer urethane; clear coat is either a low volatile organic compound (VOC) or a water-based paint with no pigmentation.



A polymer sealant will form a molecular bond (cross-linking) with urethane paint, the only exception to this is a silicone polymer, as its oil-based, and like all oils it would act as a barrier and negatively impact with the durability and performance

Bonds vary widely in their strength; generally covalent and ionic bonds are often described as strong, whereas hydrogen bonds and van der Waals` type bonds are generally considered to be weak.



The majority (70%) of a polymer matrix cross-linking cycle occurs within 30 – 45 minutes of its initial wipe-on application drying; a swipe test is the best way to determine if it is ready to be removed; run your bare finger across the paint and if the product doesn`t smear it is ready to be removed. However it is recommended that a period of 12 - 24 hours is allowed after the initial cross-linking for the process to complete, otherwise polymerization and durability may be compromised



Although it should be noted that surface oils or silicone and / or moisture introduced before the cross-linking process is complete will interfere with the bonding of a polymer and will negatively affect its durability (See also Polymer Catalyzing Additives)



 Adhesion and Cohesion: is the tendency of certain dissimilar molecules to cling together due to attractive forces. In contrast, cohesion takes place between similar molecules.



Attractive forces between material bodies, a distinction is usually made between an adhesive force, which acts to hold two separate bodies together and a cohesive force, which acts to hold together like or unlike atoms, ions, or molecules of a single body. However, both forces result from the same basic properties of matter.



A number of phenomena can be explained in terms of adhesion and cohesion. For example, surface tension in liquids results from cohesion, and capillary results from a combination of adhesion and cohesion. The hardness of a diamond is due to the strong cohesive forces between the carbon atoms of which it is formed. Friction between two solid bodies depends in part upon adhesion. (See also Surface tension)



Covalent - bonding is a form of chemical bonding that is characterized by the sharing of pairs of electrons between atoms, or sometimes between atoms and other covalent bonds.

Bonding within most organic compounds is described as covalent bonds. A covalent or chemical bond actually becomes an extension of the surface molecule structure it`s protecting



Cross-linking - polymers have many uses; synthetic rubber used for tires is made by cross-linking rubber through the process of vulcanization. Also most rubber articles are cross-linked to make them more elastic. Alkyd enamels, the dominant type of commercial oil-based paint, cure by oxidative cross-linking after exposure to air. Cross-linking can be formed by chemical reactions that are initiated by heat, pressure, change in pH, or radiation.



For example, mixing of an un-polymerized or partially polymerized resin with specific chemicals called cross-linking reagents results in a chemical reaction that forms cross-links, they are covalent bonds linking one polymer molecular chain to another.



Cross-linking has the effect of changing a plastic from thermoplastic to thermosetting. Thus, it also increases strength, heat and electrical resistance, and especially resistance to solvents and other chemicals.



Cross linking tends to increase strength and toughness, cross-linking consists of the formation of chemical bonds between chains, this usually takes from 12-24 hours (dependent upon local climatic conditions i.e. temperature, humidity, etc).



Cross-linking has the effect of changing a plastic from thermoplastic to thermosetting. Thus, it also increases strength, heat and electrical resistance, and especially resistance to detergents, solvents and other chemicals. They are a characteristic property of thermosetting polymer materials.



A unique aspect of polyurethane chemistry is that the hydrogen bonding acts as an additional crosslink. The majority (70%) of a polymer matrix cross-linking cycle occurs within 30 – 45 minutes of its initial wipe-on application drying; however it is recommended that a period of 12 - 24 hours is allowed for the cross-linking process to complete, otherwise polymerization and durability may be compromised



Curing - is a term in polymer chemistry that refers to the toughening or hardening of a polymer material by cross-linking of polymer chains, brought about by chemical additives



Moisture Cured - a polymer containing an isocyanatoalkyl ester of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and optionally, another addition polymerizable monomer, is cross-linked using water moisture as a curing agent. Water may be mixed into the composition or transmitted to the polymer by the atmosphere. The cross-linked polymer forms a solid, insoluble coating material which is useful as an industrial coating.



Cationic- (no not catatonic, that`s reserved for Monday mornings) these types of compounds can range in reactivity, but most are fairly reactive. A catatonic bond means that a bond is formed but the material does not change (i.e. a polymer forms a molecular bond by cross-linking and in the process changes from a thermoplastic to a thermosetting polymer.



Inter Covalent Bonding - there are four basic types of bonds that can be formed between two or more (otherwise non-associated) molecules, ions or atoms. Inter covalent forces cause molecules to be attracted or repulsed by each other. Often, these define some of the physical characteristics (such as the melting point) of a substance.



Ionic bond (or electrovalent bond) - is a type of chemical bond based on electrostatic forces between two oppositely-charged ions. In ionic bond formation, a metal donates an electron, due to low electro negativity to for m a positive ion or cation. In ordinary table salt (NaCl), the bonds between the sodium and chloride ions are ionic bonds.



Electrostatic bond - a chemical bond in which one atom loses an electron to form a positive ion and the other atom gains an electron to form a negative ion



Molecular – bonding is the forming of a covalent bond, I use the word ‘molecular’ to describe the linking of molecules to form a bond; hence molecular bond. Polymers form a molecular bond with the paint substrate and then shrink to form a strong physical bond

Surface Tension - i instantaneous dipoles to induced dipole, or van der Waals forces, are the weakest, but also the most prolific, occurring between all chemical substances



Van der Waals - the van der Waals equation is an equation of state that can be derived from a special form of the potential between a pair of molecules (intermolecular) (See water beading and Surface Tension)



In physical chemistry, the van der Waals force (or van der Waals interaction), named after Dutch scientist Johannes Diderik van der Waals, is the attractive or repulsive force between molecules (or between parts of the same molecule) other than those due to covalent bonds or to the electrostatic interaction of ions with one another or with neutral molecules.[1]









CliffNotes® Version



Wax and Glaze ‘Set-up’



Carnauba in today`s wax formulas functions mostly as a carrier; it’s used to keep the polymers and oils on your car`s surface. When applied to a surface will not adhere properly due to its low surface tension, solvents and miscible oils are added to enable it to spread evenly to the surface. Natural and synthetic wax and glazes initially adhere by surface tension; the balance of the adherence process is that it works its way via the carrier system (solvent and / or oils) and the polymers into the microscopic gaps and a valley of the paint film surface.



Or in the case of a wax over a polymer sealant- the polymers form a bond, thereby creating a mechanical anchor, a wax doesn’t form a true covalent (molecular) bond to the surface, this is due to its limited polymer content, but forms a hard shell over the surface; the process involves the solvents outgas (evaporating), the wax hardening/setting and the small % of polymers forming a bond with another polymer (urethane paint or a sealant). This process is time, temperature and humidity dependent; after sufficient drying times do a quick swipe test with your finger, if no smearing or drag is evident; the residue is ready to be removed.



Acrylics



When two different types of monomers are joined in the same polymer chain, the polymer is called a copolymer. An acrylate (acrylic) polymer is a copolymer (ANM) of acrylic acid ester and acrylonitrile; they are noted for their transparency and resistance to breakage and elasticity, also commonly known as acrylics or polyacrylates.



Acrylic polyaminosiloxane or polyethylene-acrylic car care products (Klasse, Jeff Werkstatt or Duragloss #105 Total Performance Polish) are sulfonic acid-based so they hold up better to acidic pollutants (acid rain, bird excrement, and etc) there is no cross-linking capability with this technology, however, they form an anchor with the paint by etching, which gives this type of polymer its durability and they are heat resistant up to 350.0F. Acrylic resins form a pressure-sensitive adhesive; Super glue is a formulation of cyanoacrylate.





Polymer Sealants



Since urethane clear coat paint is both a polymer and has porosity, a durable bond is formed and provides the intended protection. A polymer forms a molecular bond with other polymers in a chain-like structure or polymerization, which involves the formation of chains of monomers to form a polymer.

Cross linking tends to increase strength and toughness, cross-linking consists of the formation of chemical bonds between chains, this usually takes from 12-24 hours (dependent upon local climatic conditions i.e. temperature, humidity, etc).



Cross-linking has the effect of changing a plastic from thermoplastic to thermosetting. Thus, it also increases strength, heat and electrical resistance, and especially resistance to detergents, solvents and other chemicals. They are a characteristic property of thermosetting polymer materials.



A unique aspect of polyurethane chemistry is that the hydrogen bonding acts as an additional crosslink. The majority (70%) of a polymer matrix cross-linking cycle occurs within 30 – 45 minutes of its initial wipe-on application drying; however it is recommended that a period of 12 - 24 hours is allowed for the cross-linking process to complete, otherwise polymerization and durability may be compromised



It forms a weak bond with an organic (natural) Carnauba wax as they only contain a limited amount of polymers ;( inorganic (synthetic) waxes however, are formulated with polymers, which enable molecular bonding or cross-linking

Affects of Strong Detergents

Polymer sealant forms a molecular bond to the polyurethane paint, think of it like a chain, they are formulated to be detergent resistant, so harsh detergents don`t break this bond they attack the chemicals of the polymer and weaken its links.



Synthetic Wax



The molecular structure of all polymers are based on a chain of carbon atoms, chemically it is a molecule formed by the chemical union of five or more identical combining units called monomers. An inorganic based wax formulated from polymers used to seal paint with a thin hard barrier. They are very durable and provide a very bright, but flat silvery shine.



Coatings



These sub micron particles form a clear thin film of tightly packed micro particles forming an extension of the surface. The particles are up to a 1000 times denser which makes for an ultra durable hard wearing surface.

A micro-coating system forms a thin crystalline film comprised of hard dense particles turning the surface into an ultra durable surface. Sealing a surface with a coating means applying mir- particles onto the surface, these treated surfaces become hydrophobic and therefore highly water repellent, which enables less effort during the cleaning stages and optimum protection to the paintwork, wheels, trim, etc



The significance of a micro or nano-coatings is its micro sized particles that can form a very tight bond with the surface of most materials; including paint, plastic, rubber, aluminium, chrome, stainless steel and fabrics. These materials will have surface imperfections i.e. peaks and valleys, micro-fissures when viewed under high magnification. These undulations allow a nano-coating polymer to form a tight molecular bond (much like a printers ink when poured over paper that has writing indentations on it) with the surface it’s applied to