Hello Gang - I need some input about silicone wax and waxes/polishes that are petroleum based. I hear pro's and cons. I picked up some 3M glaze and wax the other day based on recommendations on the web. As it turns out, they are both petroleum based and the wax contains silicones. I am hearing that silicone is a hardener and will eventually crack the paint. I also hear that petroleum is a solvent and solvents are designed to dissolve. If this is true, then it sounds like neither of these products should be used on my new Mercedes' finish. Any input is appreciated. -Norm

Norm,

This is one of those topics that always seems to come up especially from enthusiasts that want to maintain their finish for the long haul.

From what I've heard from several Meguiars representatives, petroleum based waxes, polishes and glazes is they they are not harmful for your paint. Silicones are also fine. This of course is only true for paint that is completely cured. If you have had a respray or bodywork then I would wait the recommended amount of time before applying any of these products. On fresh paint the best means of maintenance is regular washing.

Certain silicones can be a major problem on rubber, vinyl and plastics although the vast majority of products no longer contain the "bad" silicone, including Armor All.

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Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd

placo1 - Thanks for the response, I really appreciate your input. There are so many products out there and each manufacturer claims to be the best; so much disinformation and total confusion. I have been using Zymol, with either Mother's or Meguire's quick detailer between waxes. The only problem is the Zymol doesn't last very long. Over the weekend, I bought 3M's Hand Glaze and their synthetic polish. Then I read about how the petroleum will 'dissolve' the finish and how the silicone will eventually crack the paint. Imagine the horror that I felt thinking about the paint disolving and cracking on my new Kompressor! Then I read that you can't use certain quick detailers with certain polishes and waxes because different manufacturers use different formulas, which may not be compatible. Just nuts. -Norm

The problem with silocone products is it used to make any subsequent paintwork very difficult, many shops didn't go the extra mile in paint prep and any trace of a silicone pretty much guarantees any new paint applied on top will not adhere. Don't know if that has changed recently.

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1999 SL500

Silicone containing wax compounds can only be removed by stripping, and even then some may remain. Silicone waxes drive body shops nuts. Sanding usually only spreads it around. My brother threatened me with bodily harm if I waxed the 280 SE, since it MUST be repainted soon -- the nasty cheapo job is nicely peeling the factory paint up on the deck lid!

Even carnauba wax can be a problem, paint won't stick to it. Fisheyes are bad enough, non-adhering paint a couple years later is worse -- no one likes peeling paint.

Petroleum waxes are suspended in organic solvents, but they won't harm the paint. They can also be removed very nicely with wax removers.

The one thing to stay well away form is the wax at the car wash!!!!!

Whatever "system" you decide to use you should stay with, mixing manufacturers products could be a problem.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Meguiars and TurtleWax recommend waiting a month or more to wax after painting.
Is it due to silicone?

By the way, how can I correct my mistake?
I had bird dripping on an area painted about 10 days before. Because it did not disappear after washing, I went to parts store. There was a $0.99 Prestone wax. I bought it because it was cheaper than any bottle of cleaner or cleaner wax. I used it to remove the stain on the paint.

Prestone wax is a synthetic carnuba wax. Probably, it contains silicone.

Shall I remove the prestone wax layer with a paint cleaner such as Meguiars Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner? Or is it too late because silicone already penetrated into the paint?

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1992 300D 2.5 turbo diesel. 319 k miles.
124.128 chassis, 602.962 engine, 722.418 tranny.