Forward:
Mystery, myth, legend, hearsay and ignorance of the unknown can put fear and doubt into a person’s mind. A tale is told and the information is taken for gospel. Perception is taken for reality. We fear what we don’t know. Why look for the honest answer or alternative when we already believe the story to be true?

This article is about the beneficial uses of silicone compounds in automotive polishes and waxes and the myths and rumors surrounding them. The information is not meant to depict any one manufacturer’s product or product line and is not to be used as a guideline for product formulation. However, it is meant to present an objective discussion of the benefits of silicones. It is our goal to clear up consumer misconceptions and to help you make better choices by being aware of the facts.

Acknowledgments:
We would like to acknowledge the assistance of suppliers like PPG, General Electric, Ashland Petroleum, BASF and most especially, Dow Corning for their informative paper titled, "Formulating Successful Specialty Polishes." These companies produce much of the world’s silicone and supply it directly or indirectly to automotive polish and wax manufacturers and other product makers.

What Is Silicone?
SILICONE: a literal unknown to most consumers, it is one of the greatest assets of this century. What is it? Chemical Science and The American Heritage Dictionary define silicone as follows.

Sil· i· cone, Noun. Any of a group of semi-inorganic polymers based on the structural unit R2 SiO where R is an organic group characterized by wide-range thermal stability, high lubricity, extreme water repellence, and physiochemical inertness, used in adhesives, lubricants, protective coatings, paints, electrical insulation, synthetic rubber, and prosthetic replacements for body parts.

Silicones are inert chemical chains that are truly remarkable. There are thousands of different kinds. They can provide substantial benefits even when they make up only a very small percentage of the finished product. As consumers, we come in contact with all types of products containing silicone almost every day of our lives. It’s everywhere. We’ve even been known to eat the product in such things as cooking sprays and food coatings.

Silicone Fluids - Key Ingredients for Dazzling, Durable Finishes
In the automotive industry silicones are important components in the plastic, rubber, vinyl, paint and fiberglass parts that make up most of today’s vehicles. Silicones are used in automotive polishes and waxes for several reasons:

Silicones Provide Easy Application
Silicones allow for easy application of a polish. Low-viscosity silicone fluids act as lubricants to make polish application and rubout easier than with nonsilicone polishes. For example, when an automobile cleaner-polish is applied, an abrasive removes the old polish and weathered paint while an organic solvent dissolves road tars, film, and dirt. In a polish without silicone, the manual effort required to apply the polish increases as the solvent evaporates. However, the inherent lubricity of polishes that contain silicone cuts the amount of manual effort needed during the initial cleaning step.

Silicones Improve Cleaning
The low surface tension of silicone fluids improves the cleaning process by increasing the surface wettability. This provides more intimate contact between the abrasive and the solvent cleaners and the surface being polished.

Silicones Make Buffing Easier
Many polishes must be allowed to dry before buffing or a streaked, blotched surface may result. Dry surfaces usually take some effort to buff, but silicone lubrication makes your job easier.

Silicones Create A Deeper Gloss
Because of silicone’s ability to refract light, high-viscosity silicone fluids produce a greater depth of surface gloss. So the shine is brighter, and more durable, too. For the most successful polishes, you will want to formulate with a mixture of high – and low – viscosity silicone fluids for lubrication during application.

Silicones Enhance Water Repellency
Most silicone fluids are inherently water repellent, and cause water to bead up on the surface rather than penetrate the polish film and degrade the paint. So the polish shine lasts longer and the surface is better protected.

Silicones Can Now Last Longer
Breakthroughs in silicone technology have greatly increased their protection. These newer products are called aminofunctional silicones. When added to a polish, they are attracted to the paint surface and attach themselves with a physical bond. This bond achieves its full strength within a day or two of application. (Do not wash a car with detergent until the silicone cures.) This bonding means that durability is greatly enhanced and polishes with aminofunctional silicones will generally last several times longer than ordinary silicone polish. Wiping and polishing are just as easy and the shine is as good or better.

How Does the Mystery, Confusion, and Fear Begin?
Why do some companies, paint and body shops and consumers say one product is bad and another is good? Why is it that when we hear that Uncle Bob’s best friend’s brother’s wife’s next door neighbor’s cousin said that somebody told him that a friend of a friend said not to use this product or that product and we tend to believe it. The answers are simple. Rumor, fear, ignorance and even dishonesty and greed are the culprits. Instead of investigating what we as consumers hear, we do what is easiest and take these rumors at face value, call the information factual and then pass it along.

So where do the stories come from? Where did these "bad experiences" happen? To answer these questions you must understand that some are true and some are misrepresentations, but most have reasonable explanations based in fact.

One answer lies in misuse. For example, when bleach was first introduced most people read the directions, used it correctly and got great results. However, others did not read the directions. Or, believing that "If a little does a good job then more is better," used more bleach than the directions indicated. In both instances, the results were disastrous. Then, those folks that used it incorrectly told stories of how bleach wasn’t any good. We all know that people like to talk about their problems. We all know that bad news travels faster than good news. I am sure that even today, some folks do not read the directions on a bleach bottle and will only use it carelessly. Due to advancements in technology that cause changes and improvements in product formulations, it is important to always read and follow directions.

So Why Have Silicones Sometimes Taken Such A Bad Rap?
Why is it that you can still hear a painter in a body shop, a car, boat or RV salesman or even a product manufacturer say not to use a product because it contains silicone? In a few instances it could be intentional misrepresentation in order to promote a competitive product. However, in the majority of cases, it is due to the failure of keeping up with industry advancements in paint, polish and wax formulas.

In the 60’s and early 70’s, silicones were coming of age especially in polishes and waxes for the automotive industry. When people used these products they usually experienced great results. However, automotive paint in those days only lasted about 5 years. So when folks went to get a car painted, most were in for a surprise. Some paint jobs during those years came out of the shop looking funny. The problem was called "fisheye." It occurred because the paint couldn’t stick well to a surface that was protected with silicone and because the surface was improperly prepared before painting. The paint and body shops were prepping the surfaces the same way they had been for years without taking into account the advances in wax and polish formulas that contained silicones. However, the rumor mill went crazy and every car care product was suspect. Everyone knew someone who knew someone that had a problem of some kind and they magically linked it to silicone.

Paint and Body Shops Learn about Products with Silicone
Painters slowly caught on as to how to properly prepare a surface that had been protected with a product that contained silicone in the formula before they began painting. This is no different than a mechanic keeping up with new technology in engine parts. Even in today’s information-based society it is easy to find consumers and professionals that do not know the facts. If a body shop or painter is concerned about the use of products that contain silicone, you may want to find a different shop that is more up on today’s technology. Most good paint shops know that 99.9% of all car care appearance products contain silicone. They also know how to work with it. Today’s shops are specially equipped with the right tools and knowledge to handle the task of prepping and painting to achieve excellent results. A good paint job is the result of 85% preparation and 15% skilled painter.

Tips On Selecting the Right Product
You now know that products containing silicones are perfectly safe and in fact beneficial for your vehicle’s finish. So, the big question is how do you select the best product for your needs. The best advice we can give when selecting a vehicle care product is as follows:

  • Ask friends and check out the product's reputation. To protect against fly-by-night products check for an address and phone number on the label and a UPC symbol or bar code. If you hear a rumor, don’t be afraid to ask the bearer of the information for tangible proof. Then call the maker of the product and get their opinion. Get on the Internet and do some research yourself.

  • Test your selection. Read and follow all application directions to get the best results. If you have reason to be cautious, try the product on an inconspicuous area of the vehicle and wait for long-term results, 1-3 weeks. Keep in mind that most major manufacturers today are reputable and test their products thoroughly before taking them to market. They do not want to jeopardize their company’s reputation by selling an inferior or harmful product. But it has been known to happen.

  • If you don’t like the product don’t be afraid to return it for a refund. Most reputable manufacturers have satisfaction guarantees.

  • If you like the product, apply it as the manufacturer directs and stick with your choice. Do not change products willy-nilly.

  • If you’re thinking about changing products, call the maker of your new selection and ask about compatibility with your old product.

If you decide to change products repeat steps 2-5.

Lastly, If a question comes up, do not be afraid to call and ask the product manufacturer. In doing so, you avoid becoming part of the rumor mill.

A final thought would be to remember that silicone is relatively inert. It possesses many truly unique qualities. When it is formulated into a product correctly, the end results it provides are dramatic. Easier applications, faster rub out, less streaking, more shine, and a longer lasting finish. What can be better than that?

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