What Is Oxidation

[Pro Detail]

Most modern car finishes consist of a base coating that contains the color, topped with a protective clear coat that is designed to keep the pigmented paint from oxidizing. This outer clear coat adds UV protection that helps prevent the sun's rays from drying out the base paint.

Oxidation was an obvious problem ten years ago because you quickly saw the color fade. Now that the outer layer is usually clear, oxidation is less obvious, yet it still occurs. The sun dries out top paint layers and natural oils are lost. If these oils aren't replaced, the paint oxidizes and the surface gradually becomes duller and duller.

Even more than yesterday's paints, today's clear coat finishes look faded whenever the surface becomes contaminated by airborne pollution, acid rain, industrial fallout, and countless other factors.

If the contamination isn't removed frequently, it reduces the reflective quality of the finish until it looks dull and lifeless. If the contamination is left on the car for some time, it can begin to etch into the thin clear coat paint layer and expose the base coat to direct UV rays and even greater damage. Once the clear coat protection is gone, the car usually requires costly repainting.

[Anthony Orosco]

Originally Posted by Pro Detail

Now that the outer layer is usually clear, oxidation is less obvious, yet it still occurs. The sun dries out top paint layers and natural oils are lost. If these oils aren't replaced, the paint oxidizes and the surface gradually becomes duller and duller.

For the most part this post is very informative and correct but I must respectfully disagree with the above statement. I mean no offense by this but the above information is myth. Paint does not have "oils" that dry out and then need to be replaced. I believe this myth started years ago with Zymol and also with Meguiars.

The whole purpose of wax or sealants is to add a layer, a sacrificial layer, between your paint and the elements......the main one here being air (oxygen). Think of it like an apple. Slice the apple in half and soon the apple turns brown and this happens because the oxygen interacts with the meat or flesh part of the apple...so it is with paint. The oxygen burns up free radicals causing apples to brown and paint to become dull (oxidize).

Clear coats do not oxidize like early model single stage paints, meaning you can pull pigmented color, but they do still oxidize and need that barrier of wax to keep oxidation at bay.

Again, no offense meant, just seeking to clarify a bit.

Anthony

[TOGWT]

Oxidation (Reduction)

[: oxygen is added to a molecule with an electron being displaced, which in turn dries the paints binder system].

When UV light is absorbed it starts a chemical reaction that begins to cleave (break) the chemical bonds of the resin binder system, causing them to overheat and dry out, or it can also be caused by excessive (friction) heat generated during the machine polishing process. Leaving microscopic surface imperfections and micro fissures in the paint film surface that are vulnerable to deterioration. Once the air borne contaminates and pollution compromises the paint surface they accelerate the oxidation (reduction) or paint failure process, which leads to bleaching (fading), discoloration, chalking, brittleness and cracking - all indications of UV deterioration. Once a paint surface structural integrity is compromised like this it usually mans the paint requires replacement (re-painting)

A chalk like appearance on the paint surface or small triangular marks (crow’s feet) or other similar marks on the paint surface - basically the chemical integrity of the paint has been degraded by ultra violet (UV) radiation, stress, environment fall out and etc. Oxidation really amounts to a weakening of the resins that bind paint, which results in the micro-pores becoming exposed and a larger area of paint becomes oxidized. Once the paint has been breached in this manner, applying waxes and polishes temporarily wets the surface making it appear better. The oils and other components do not have the ability to repair the resin binders but rather cover up the problem for a short period of time.

An extract from one of a series of in-depth detailing articles © TOGWT ™ Ltd Copyright 2002-2008, all rights reserved

[Beverly Stayart]

Thanks for this detailed info.

[Pro Detail]

Originally Posted by michaelross

well, i really dont know much about oxidation in cars.. now i know.

Thank you for taking the time and reading

[ysabel]

Your post brightens my minds and i understand now about oxidation.Thanks for sharing this article.