Paint protection is all the rage these days, and it's easy to see why - it offers a great deal of convenience for Singapore drivers whose hectic schedules often mean that there is scarcely any time left to worry about regularly washing and polishing their cars. With paint protection, car maintenance is usually reduced to just having to wash the car with water every week or two, which is much more manageable than having to wash with car shampoo and polish the car after.
These days, there are a wide variety of paint protection systems in the market, with various compositions and processes. We delve into some of the technologies behind ThreeBond's paint protection products to understand how they work.
Fluorine-type paint protection
Fluorine is a chemical element that is the lightest halogen and in standard conditions exists as a highly toxic pale yellow gas. However, it is extremely reactive, and forms compounds with almost all other elements. It is this strong binding quality, as well as its very high chemical and thermal stability, that makes Fluorine a common component in refrigerants, electrical insulation and cookware.
As a surfacant, fluorine is highly hydrophobic, and fluorosurfacants are small organic molecules used to repel water and dust. It also has a high-glossiness effect, enhancing the shine of the paint. Because of its small particle size (0.5 micron), it is able to penetrate into the porous surface of the paint surface. As a result of entering into the porous surface, fluorine-type paint protection greatly enhances the shine of the paintwork.
By overlapping the layers of fluorine particles, the application creates a strong and impenetrable protective surface on the car's paintwork. The fluorine particles are also stuck to the paint surface with a special binding material. This gives the product its water repellent effect, as well as a smoother surface. This helps to protect against the formation of water spots, with the coating forming a shield-like layer of protection. The strong binding effect also means that the paint protection characteristics have a long-time effect of up to six months.
Silane-based glass coating
ThreeBond 6669, also known as Premium Glass Coating Hydrophobic is a silane-based product that forms a glass-based hard coating film. The glass coating contains primarily silicon dioxide (SiO2), creating a hydrophobic surface that repels water.
Body paint is porous under a microscope, and Three Bond's glass coating conceptualises the impregnation of these porosities located on the body surface. The resulting water-repellent film excels in its water-sliding property, preventing dirt from sticking to the surface, and makes the surface more resistant to harsh weather conditions.
The hydrophobic surface causes water droplets to bead up and roll off, instead of sheeting out. The water-repellent, glass-coated surface also facilitates the removal of dirt by simple washing with water because of the impregnation coated body, which prevents sticking of dirt and enhanced weather resistance, allowing for easy maintenance for the driver.
The Premium Glass Coating requires a single-component, moisture-curing application, and this coating film also helps to protect the car's paintwork against deterioration by ultraviolet rays. This helps to preserve and enhance the shine of the paintwork, and helps mitigate paint discolouration. It also creates a clear, uniform and neutral appearance.
The glass coating also has stain resistant properties. Because of the way the silicon polymers bind together and onto the surface, it creates a strong protective coating that is resistant to penetration by stains such as bird droppings and other forms of liquid stains.
Click here to find out more about ThreeBond and its products. You can also contact them at 6861 9094/95/96. The new ThreeBond Glass Coating Centre is situated in Autoworld at 9A Lok Yang Way, Singapore (628628).
