understanding petroleum based products

[III]

I don't really understand what makes petroleum based products different from carnaubas or polymers. I obviously know the differences between carnaubas and polymers, but where do petroleum based products fit in? I'm especially confused about Clearkote's carnauba moose wax. While this is a carnauba product, I'm told this is also petroleum-based. So, what does this mean exactly?

 

[buttashine]

All car care products for the most part use petroleum. The water based ones like Zaino or Klasse use PD (Petroleum Distilates) as solvents but they will not harm you paint. There are a select few of petroleum based products that if used will dry your paint over time. These types of products use petroleum to enhance shine as opposed as a solvent. I'm more of a paint guy than a detailing guy and that's why I know this particular stuff. Waxes are a little trickier to figure out as far as PD's go, those waxes that use PD's as solvents like p21s are just as beneficial as water based sealants. But there are some wax products that use petroleum to aid in shine and those should be avoided. I don't want to name names but there are some very popular mega waxes and especially glazes that use oil this way and I would research what you are buying and stay away from these. If you have a water based sealant as first coat you should be ok no matter what you top with, even if it's petroleum based. But I stay away from them anyhow, hope this helped. I have no knowledge of the specific product you named, and I'm not sure if it's petroleum based or not. If it is, there's a possibilty they put other things in there that could counteract the drying effect of oil based products, I don't know I'm not a chemist. I surely don't want to besmurge a product like that, it is a very popular product. I have had experience with cars treated with no name petroleum based products and it dried the paint to the point of repainting after 5 years. I will say it was back in the day when these products first started hitting the market, and we didn't have clearcoats on 90 percent of the cars.

 

[III]

I have no knowledge of the specific product you named, and I'm not sure if it's petroleum based or not. If it is, there's a possibilty they put other things in there that could counteract the drying effect of oil based products, I don't know I'm not a chemist. I surely don't want to besmurge a product like that, it is a very popular product.

I appreciate your reply. First, I don't want to come across as being rude in anyway, shape, or form ok? I respect the fact that you seem to have knowledge on this subject and I appreciate that. Having said that however, you might have written something that might have some debate. I know you didn't exactly comment on Clearkote's carnauba moose wax product, but I can tell you that it is petroleum based. Will it dry my paint over time? I would like to hear more opinions.

 

[buttashine]

Well I thought I answered your question about what the difference is between petroleum based and non petroleum based products. But unfortunately I haven't tried Clearkote so I cannot even comment if it is or if it isn't petroleum based. Just because it may smell like petroleum (and I'm not saying it necessarily does) doesn't mean it petroleum based. Some water based products smell like petroleum, it's because of the solvent smell. The key is does the surface feel like oil, which usually means they are using petroleum to enhance the shine. Then you decide if you want that on your car or not. I wouldn't because of potential drying of paint and even worse because it would attract dirt. If the moose isn't attracting dirt then it may not be P based.
So I'm sorry that I was unthorough and was only able to answer one of your questions. I know there are other types of products in that same catagory that are petroleum based, and others that do the same function that are not. The only thing I can say for sure is the name brand water based products that use PD's as solvents will not dry or contaminant your paint. However, even if you used a water based product there is no gaurantee your paint will not dry out, only that it will not contribute to it. And that's all I can tell ya.

 

[TDMAN]

Aww, c'mon, name names. I'm kinda bored today, and I would really like to see some people get all bent out of shape and stuff! Yes, I know I sound cruel, but most of the time I'm an :angel

 

[sgo]

It was my impression that petroleum distillates is used to disolve and soften carnauba as it is otherwise a very hard substance and to facilitate the application of the product. Once applied the PD are designed to evaporate leaving only the product behind. Often referred to as a "carrier."