This topic is an "extension" of a previous post/discussion about the viability of carnauba waxes as a car-care last-step product (LSP) in today`s world of modern sealants and, now, coatings.
It`s very difficult to use words to describe "a look" to someone else of the fore-mentioned LSP`s. Unless you`ve seen a particular LSP on a particular car color IN PERSON, it`s very hard to relate to that description. Looks are very subjective, meaning that its YOUR opinion and judgment on what it looks like. It`s also a truism that even with posted photos and pictures, "Pictures do not do it justice" or "you have to see it for real to believe it or describe it". It`s kind of like describing the feeling of love, but I digress.... that`s just for comparative purposes here.
So, here are some terms I`ve seen (and used myself) in no particular order:
Bright
Shiny
Reflective
Mirror-like
Wet (or water pool like)
Deep
Glass-like or glassy
Plastic-like (or the non-word of plasticy)
Jetting
Muted
Here are some more terms that are specific product-name related:
Pinnacle Souveran-like
P21S/S100 like
Zymol (pick one of their hi-end names) like
Klasse-like
Chemical Guy`s 50/50 like.
Collinite 476S like (my favorite LSP because it`s good and "inexpensive/cost-effective", AKA "cheap", like me (at least the cheap-part))
Dodo Juice Supernatural like
Meguiar`s M16 like
All of these (and any you can add) all have a specific look to them that can only be described by the experience of using and/or seeing in person on a vehicle. It`s just hard to relate to them unless you have had that visual experience (again going back to the "love" concept)
I know that there are gloss-meter tools to physically measure the amount of gloss of a surface to give reflectivity an objective number to relate to. (Think Dennis Weaver, AKA McCloud, using one in Coral Blue AutoFom with Fomblin A as seen on TV infomercials. Yup, I have some yet. Please... no comments on my age or how I am dating myself.)
If you want to take a stab at describing any of these terms or posting pictures and photos, be my guest. But I think most Autopians will agree that a certain look is best described by: "I know it when I see it".
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