Environmental Damage



Any new vehicle that is awaiting transportation, shipped by rail or road transportation or parked on a dealership lot awaiting sale, is subjected to environmental damage. It comes in a varied range of threats; acid rain, industrial fallout, brake and rail dust, road salt, tree sap, hydrazine an extremely active acid that is found in jet fuel, ultra violet (UV) and heat radiation, and other airborne contaminants are very detrimental to a vehicles paint film surface.



They are all forms of environmental contamination and given the right catalyst; reactivity (heat) plus moisture, they will become acidic. During this process the metal absorbs oxygen from the water and forms iron oxide (rust). Given the porosity of paint they permeate the paint matrix down to body metal.



But the paint on my new vehicle looks perfect]



By using a Glaze the dealership obtain maximum light reflection by darkening the paint surface colour, producing a “wet look" to the surface with oils to maximize surface gloss and fillers (Kaolin or China clay) to hide any paint surface defects. This type of product provides little if any surface protection and after a few washes the true paint surface will be revealed







Acidic damage to a paint system





Acidic Contaminants Identification



Ferrous Metal

• Light colored vehicles: Small rust orange dots with black in center of stain.

• Dark colored vehicles: Small white or silver dots with a "rainbow hue" around the particle. The surface will also feel rough to the touch (See also ‘Bag Test’).



Industrial Fallout

• The surface feels rough to the touch and may exhibit crystalline deposits.

• Usually ferrous metal is present, as well as water spots.



Acid Rain

• Surface will exhibit irregular discoloured spotting.

• Dark colored vehicles will show cloudy or grey spots where the acids have started to etch the paint.



Reactivity



[: acceleration of a chemical reaction by a catalyst]



Be cognizant that an acid is inert until it comes into contact with moisture; any chemical attacking a surface, temperature will dictate reactivity (acceleration of a chemical reaction by a catalyst [moisture and heat]. The more heat and moisture that is present (in the form of high humidity, dew and etc) the more aggressive the acid becomes.



Then you have; an acid + water +oxygen + ozone all of which forms an acidic oxygen molecule that causes a concave indentation (acid etching) to the paint surface it should be noted that until this acid is neutralised subsequent moisture and heat will reactivate the acid and allow further damage, as acid requires an alkaline to neutralize it



Automotive Paint Systems



Automotive paint technology is becoming more and more complex requiring educated and skilled technicians to work on them. As the materials used are constantly changing we must maintain our knowledge base and adopt our methodologies to keep up with emerging technologies.



Worldwide, approximately 80% of all passenger cars are coated with 1K clear coats and the remainder with 2K clear coats. The 1K clear coats are subdivided into solvent-based acrylic melamine systems; clear coats with enhanced surface etch resistance, high solid-systems, water-based systems and powder versions. The 2K clear coats include solvent-based, super high-solids and water-based versions.



A paint resin system comprises a binder, which as its name implies holds the paint molecules and various other components (additives} together and a film former, which creates a dense surface. Various solvents are used, one as a carrier system, one holds the paint together and the final solvent that evens out the paint to create a smooth, glossy surface( this solvent ahs the most bearing on the ripple effect (orange peel). These solvents are responsible for the paints density (hard or soft) the paint becomes



Water-based automotive paint - are essentially low solids paints (up to 60% waterborne solvent), but they are legal because de-ionized water is used as the solvent, as opposed to volatile organic compounds (VOC).in reality, water-based (waterborne) automotive paint finishing is actually not that new; PPG water-based paint has been used by some OEMs since the early 1990s



Switching to waterborne from solvent-based automotive refinishing paints is becoming more popular in the U.S. for health and environmental reasons, as well as stricter environmental regulations in California and Canada. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and collision repair shops in Europe and some OEMs in the United States already use waterborne paints extensively



Clear coat paint - especially water-based paint, which are essentially low solids paints (up to 60% waterborne solvent), but they are legal because de-ionized water is used as the solvent, as opposed to volatile organic compounds (VOC), they are a lot more porous than we like to think.



Vehicle manufacturer studies have shown that failure to remove environmental contaminants (like imbedded rail dust, acid rain, industrial fallout and other environmental contaminants) from paint film can cause premature degradation of the paint system. While clay products are useful for overspray, they cannot deep clean the surface and pores of the paint. This can only be accomplished through a thorough chemical cleaning and acid neutralization.



1. Paint Decontamination and Neutralization



ValuGard Paint Decontamination System - this system is the most recognized by original equipment manufacturers (OEM0 as well as their paint suppliers, BASF, DuPont, and PPG approved chemical neutralization system in the industry. In fact, major auto manufactures have issued technical service bulletins/advisories directing their dealers and port operations to use the ValuGard System for required repairs and pre-treatment for acid rain and industrial fallout repairs.



This system removes, industrial fallout, rail dust, acid rain, oxidation, silicone and waxes, tar and road grime, tree sap, love bugs and other insects, bird droppings, and hard water spots. No other paint cleaning method removes paint contaminants this efficiently. A three step system with a sequence of neutralization and neutralizing wash system formulated to remove industrial fallout, rail dust, hard water deposits, acid rain residue and other forms of pollutants.



2. Protection



Optimum Opti-Coat™ - is a coating system that is based on a resin pre-polymer that uses a configuration of (Si 14) (SiO2 -silica) bond, which are far more resistant to enzymes than the C-C configuration used in polymer sealants.



As a consequent it is more resistant to acids. It forms ceramic bonds at very high temperatures and will not be damaged by extreme heat and therefore resists oxidation.



Opti-Coat has better resistance to chemicals (acid), scratches and soil release properties than other automotive coating currently in use. This coating has a 2-4 (microns) applied thickness and a hardness of 9H (Pencil Hardness) when fully cross-linked and provides a semi-permanent coating like a regular clear coat lasts indefinitely unless it is removed by polishing, sanding, or paint removers



Removal



Be cognizant that the longer the acid deposit remains on the bodywork and the higher the ambient temperatures, the harder it will be to remove; and the greater the propensity for paint damage. This type of damage can only be prevented by motorists remaining vigilant and removing this type of pollutant, as it can have a serious negative impact on your paint finish if not removed safely and expediently. Also be aware there are no polymers, nanotechnology coatings or waxes that are acid-proof; they all only offer short-term resistance although they will make them easier to remove





Relevant Articles



1. “Clear Coat Thickness and UV Protection Removed by Polishing” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...-removal.html#



2. “Environmental Damage” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...l-damage.html#



3. “Nanotechnology coatings “- http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-products.html



4. “New Vehicle Care” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post14533805. “Paint Protection Film (PPF)” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-film-ppf.html



6. “ValuGard Paint Decontamination System” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...on-system.html



7. “What will decontamination remove that washing / clay will not? “ - http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...-will-not.html