Clear coat paint refers to the clear (non-pigmented) top coat paint that is applied over a colored base coat paint, and is found on most vehicles built in recent years.
Clear coat paint increases the vehicle's paint durability, gloss and resistance to harmful environmental effects. All 3M Car Care Products that are recommended for use on clear coat paint are clearly marked "clear coat safe."
What are "New"and "Like New" Finishes?
"New" and "like new" finishes are finishes that have maintained a brilliant, high-gloss appearance.
Regular maintenance of these finishes will help to preserve that brilliant high gloss appearance.
What is Oxidation?
Oxidation is the dulling and/or hazy appearance of a vehicle's paint caused by weathering from outdoor exposure.
Correction requires the removal of the oxidized layer of paint by using 3M's recommended cleaner wax, polish, or rubbing compound, depending on the degree or severity of the oxidation.
What is "Orange Peel"?
"Orange peel" is a term representing the texture of a painted surface that has "hills and valleys" or bumps similar to the skin of an orange.
Excessive orange peel is considered a paint condition defect and can be effectively repaired using 3M's recommended Surface refinement & protection procedures.
What is a Swirl Mark?
A swirl mark is a curved, minor scratch left in the painted surface by a rubbing compound or a wool buffing pad.
Swirl marks can be removed from the paint surface by using a polish such as 3M polishing glaze (Swirl mark remover).
What are Polishes?
Polishes are specifically formulated blends of oils, solvents, water and minerals that are designed to remove minor paint surface imperfections such as fine scratches, light oxidation, water spots and swirl marks left from rubbing compounds.
Polishes may, or may not, contain waxes or silicones. 3M polishes create a deep, rich, swirl-free finish, and can be applied either by hand or machine.
What are Glazes?
A glaze is a polish that is safe for use on fresh paints. Glazes also have varying degrees of aggressiveness.
3M Polishing glaze, used either by hand or machine, will remove minor paint surface imperfections.
It should be followed either by a wax on cured paint, and its primary use is to enhance surface gloss and lustre on fresh paints. It needs to be re-applied frequently to ensure good glossy paint surface and can be waxed regularly.
What is Silicone?
Silicone is a chemical polymer that has excellent water repellency and a very slippery feel.
Silicones are commonly used in automotive waxes to enhance the application and ease of removal, and to increase gloss and durability.
What are Rubbing Compounds?
Rubbing compounds are specifically formulated suspensions of oils, solvents, water, and minerals produced in either a liquid or a paste construction.
They are designed to remove paint surface imperfections such as scratches, oxidation, stains, and acid rain etching. Rubbing compounds can be applied either by hand or machine.
What are waxes?
Waxes are uniquely formulated blends of wax, polymers, glossifiers and other ingredients that protect and produce a durable, ultra-high gloss finish. Waxes make it easier to clean (wash/dry) the paint surface.
Some waxes also serve as polishes, and are capable of removing minor paint imperfections.
What causes swirl marks on my car paint?
Swirl marks are created by the following reasons:
Applying conventional wax /polishes
Using terry towels or any other towels that have a rough texture.
Wipe the paint surface dry when dusty / dirty.
Use of dirty water for washing the car
How often should I wax my car?
There is no exact length of time that any wax will last. Variables such as the type, color and condition of the paint, the amount of exposure to outdoor elements, and the quality of the wax all affect how long it will last.
Generally, when the water beading and the finish appearance indicate that the wax is gone, you should re-apply the wax.
Why do I need a car wash soap?
Car wash soaps are specially formulated to remove dirt, grime and soils commonly found on vehicle surfaces, while having a minimal or no effect on the waxed & paint surface (Recommended PH value 7 – Neutral).
Other soaps, such as dish washing detergents, are formulated to remove tougher soils like cooking oils and greases. These stronger soaps can attack a wax finish, reducing the overall life of the wax.
What does "paint shop safe" mean?
This is a term referring to 3M Car Care Products that do not contain ingredients which could cause surface contamination prior to painting in a body shop environment.
Should I use polish/wax to remove bugs, tree sap, or Surface dullness?
No, absolutely not. Polish /wax products scuff the paint and there is no reason to damage the paint in the process of cleaning it.
What is the benefit of UV inhibitors in 3M Paint protection?
UV inhibitors help keep the color from fading and are present in the clear coat finish. These become deactivated or consumed over time.
The UV inhibitors in paint protection help protect the paint from fading and other road pollutions.
What are the benefits of 3M Paint Protection treatment?
Shines and protects - new and like new paint finishes
Produces an exceptionally durable, ultra high gloss finish
Prevents ultra violet light damage
Protects painted surface from environmental pollution like smoke, dust, etc. and oxidation.
(This is recommended for new and less than 6months old cars)
What are the benefits of 3M Surface refinement & Protection treatment?
The benefits of 3M Surface refinement & protection are:
Safely and effectively removes -medium scratches, oxidation, stubborn stains other paint imperfections like orange peels, dust nibs, etc.
Produces a brilliant, lustrous, durable “ wet look” finish
Protects painted surface from ultra violet light damage, oxidation, environmental pollution like smoke, dust, etc.
Also enhances appearance and restores natural sheen to -the tires, bumpers, rubber and plastic moldings and Engine compartment
(This is recommended for cars more than 6 months old)
Under-coatings are chemical compounds usually applied to the undercarriage of a motor vehicle, hence the name.
Under-coatings may also be applied to other areas such as the trunk, wheel wells, etc.
I don’t use my car when there is flood. Would it still need Under-coating?
Many people think that undercoating only protects against corrosion or rust, but that is only one function of undercoating. Under-coatings are used for the following:
Corrosion protection
Abrasion resistance
Sound deadening
Cover welds and minor repairs
Even though you never use your car during floods, your car will still benefit from undercoating.
What is corrosion protection?
Simply put, corrosion protection is protection against rust.
What actually corrodes metal is oxygen present in the air. Water and other corrosive chemicals such as salt, battery acid, etc., speed up the reaction between metal and oxygen.
The extra protective layer of undercoating prevents contact of metal with air, preventing corrosion.
My car has several layers of paint when it was applied in the factory; that should offer ample protection, shouldn’t it?
Your car would have good protection against corrosion.
However, paint could not resist abrasion, and because of poor road conditions, unprotected paint would suffer from stone chips, scraping against humps or rocks, pitting from gravel, etc. Eventually, a lot of paint would peel or scrape off to expose bare metal to corrosion.
What is abrasion resistance?
Abrasion resistance is the ability to resist scraping. Abrasion (scraping) removes coatings, which exposes metal to corrosive conditions.
Rocks, humps, even gravel moving at high speeds, could have the worst abrasive effects on your car’s undercarriage.
What if I just use my car during good weather, that should prevent it from rusting, wouldn’t it?
Regardless of weather, your car will be subjected to abrasion, which peels paint off, and eventually exposes metal to corrosive effects of the environment.
Undercoating becomes more important because you don’t normally see what is going on under your car.
Then if I have my car undercoated, I don’t have to worry about rust at all?
It would be wise to have your undercarriage checked occasionally.
Even the best undercoating could not stand up to constant abrasion from scrapes and harsh grinding against sharp rocks and humps, or severe road conditions.
A good undercoating will protect your car against rust for many years but this is not permanent—when you have your car checked, have the undercoating condition inspected and retouched if there are exposed areas.
What is sound deadening?
Sound deadening means reducing noise.
Undercoating, because of rubber content, muffles external noise from normal vibration during high speeds, and from adjoining parts moving against each other. This is an added benefit of undercoating – a quieter ride.
What should I look for in a good undercoating service?
As important as the undercoating itself, the substrate (surface) on which undercoating is applied should be properly prepared.
The area should be thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt and grease, and then completely dried to ensure a good foundation for the undercoating.
A good undercoating should have the following properties:
High rubber solid contents. This will make a flexible, chemical - resistant coating. A flexible, not brittle, coating will bend with the car metal during normal stress and will not crack. Chemical resistance offers protection against salt water, solvents, oil, gasoline, and other corrosive chemicals.
High coverage. This means a denser coverage of the surface. There are no “pinholes” wherein rust will begin to attack.
Tough finish. A tough surface offers better abrasion resistance.
What are internal coatings?
Internal coatings are wax-like compounds containing rust preventive chemicals, and are applied to areas inside cavities of a car, such as the space inside the hollows of doors (door skins), fenders and frame rails.
They work well in areas that are difficult to reach with undercoating. Internal coatings are soft and non-curing; they have to be so because they are applied in special areas such as window channels where an ordinary undercoating would cause clogging of the window mechanism.
Why do these areas need protection?
These areas are prone to have water trapped in them during rains, or even just after a car wash.
The trapped moisture becomes an ideal place where rust would start if the area were unprotected.
Is rust proofing a combination of undercoating and internal coating?
Rust proofing is a combination of undercoating and internal coating. But then it’s more than that. It’s an investment to protect your car.
Wouldn’t it cost a lot to have my car rust proofed?
Let’s say you invested on a car for as low as Rs 2500. How much would you pay to protect the ORIGINAL metal that was used to make the undercarriage? 10%? 15%?
A good rust proofing procedure would just be about 2 % of the cost of your car, perhaps even less. If you spent Rs. 500,000 on a new car, the cost on rust proofing would even be less than 1%. For as little as that, you protect your investment, save on worry about rust, and prolong the life of your car. When it is time to sell your car, you get a higher appraisal, a higher resale value!
My brand new car has been rust proofed already with another brand, when it came out of the dealership. How does it compare to 3M?
A lot of car dealers offer this package service to brand new cars. There are brand new cars which only have undercoating on areas visible to the eyes, such as the surface near the wheels.
There are undercoating that are dry on the outside, but soft inside (like wax). This type does not have good abrasion resistance, or good sound deadening properties.
What do you mean by performance products?
Performance range of products are used to enhance the overall performance of the car.
Since these products are used for better performance of the car, these products are called as performance products.
Are these an alternative to a mechanic?
Yes, but not in all cases. We have products which can be used as "Do it yourself". It is always better to consult professionals before using these products yourself.
How often do I need to use additives?
Depending on the maintenance schedule of your car model.
Typically these additives will be required during every service schedule of the car
What is motor oil oxidation?
oxidation is the chemical reaction of an oil molecule with oxygen, which is present from either ambient or entrained air. oil oxidations results in a catastrophic and permanent chemical change to the base oil molecules.
In the case of oil oxidation, the reaction results in the sequential addition of oxygen to the base oil molecules, to form a number of different chemicals species, including aldehydes, ketones, hydroperoxides and carboxylic acids.An oxidized motor oil loses its color and viscosity, along with a host of other properties needed for the engine.
In simple terms Motor Oil oxidation is not good for engines.
What is 'blow-by'?
Blow-by occurs when the explosion that occurs in your engine's combustion chamber causes fuel, air and moisture to be forced past the rings into the crankcase.
What is 'fuel atomisation'?
Fuel atomization occurs by forcing fuel through a small jet (opening) under high pressure to break it into a fine misted spray.
How often do I use the maintainence products?
Depending on the maintenance schedule of your car model.
Typically these maintenance products will be required during every service schedule of the car.
Can I use these products on my own?
Yes for Some products. It is recommended to consult the professionals before using these products on your own.
Can i use a multipurpose lubricant for non-automotive purposes?
Yes, you can as this is a general purpose or all around use. Literally a "four in one" general-purpose spray material which Lubricates, stops squeaks, frees rusted bolts, drives out moisture and guards against rust.
What is a snorkel tube?
It is an extention tube used along with Aerosol cans to reach the application areas more precisely and for controlled application quantity
How often should I use the window channel dresser?
Depending on the maintenance schedule of your car model.
Typically these maintenance products will be required during every service schedule of the car
What is sulphonation?
It is a whitish formation which happens on the battery terminals if the terminals are not properly protected.
Over a period of time, it damages the battery terminals connectivity and overall battery performance.
What do you mean by 'oxygen sensor - safe'?
An oxygen sensor is a necessary component of a car's engine management system.
All new cars and many older cars have electronic fuel injection systems,in which a computer regulates the amount of fuel delivered to the engine.
The computer communicates with sensors throughout the system to determine how much fuel to deliver to the engine, and how frequently.
The oxygen sensor is usually located in the exhaust manifold.
One end of the oxygen sensor detects the oxygen levels in the exhaust flow,
and the other end connects to wiring that relays the information to the computer.
The computer then uses the sensor readings to ensure that the engine is being given the right amount of fuel. Too much or too little fuel will change the readings from the oxygen sensor, which will prompt the computer to readjust the amounts of fuel being delivered to the engine.
3M Fuel system cleaner Product is safe enough to use for the cars fitted with Oxygen sensors
What do you mean by 'through the engine cleaner'?
This product is applied when the engine is running. This product flows thru the engine internal parts and cleans.
