what product gives the most depth

[darkhorse]

After I detail my car I like to see alot of depth in my paint. I want it to have so much depth that when I look at it I actually think I could reach down into the paint. What product do you use that gives the most depth?

[RandW]

Tough question, though it sounds like an easy one! IMO carnauba still gives the best depth, polymers give long lasting protection. Sooooo, if I had a car that I did not drive often I would use a good quality carnauba. Real world, I would use a polymer. To be happy in that real world, Poorboy's EX-P with Natty's blue!

[Bob]

People have been getting great results with the Danase Glaze topped with Four star Ultimate Paint Protection.

[Dan]

People have been getting great results with the Danase Glaze topped with Four star Ultimate Paint Protection.

^^ Definitely the ultimate combo for lighter colors, but for darker ones Danase Paste Wax (instead of UPP) gives the most depth IMO.

[ballswaldo]

For a black car I like to use ClearKote Red Moose Machine Glaze top with poorboys EX. Then after 24 hours top it with either P21s, souveran, or 5050.

[wytstang]

"Pink Moose" (RMG/VM 50/50) with MaxWax or Nattys Blue looks deep

[BDornseif]

I'd like to revive this thread, as after two years with this detailing obsession, I'm still having a difficult time understanding the term "depth". I can recognize shine, luster, reflectivity, wetness, and even darkening of the paint, but I'm still struggling with the term depth. Any help here?

[BigLeegr]

"3D" reflections. Instead of seeing a "picture" you're seeing "real life" when you look at the paint. Like looking into a calm pool, and seeing something at the bottom. You know there is a bit of distance between the surface of the water and the object. This is what you may be able to "visualize" when looking at a car that has "depth" to its reflections. (IMHO)

[Pete]

Sometimes it is tough to visualize depth in a finish until you've been exposed to it. I used to say "paint is paint" until I did a side-by-side product comparison on a few cars. With another person standing next to you, saying, "That makes the paint look (insert adjective)", it helps put things in focus.

The appearance of wetness and depth work together. If a paint looks dull or dry, it just looks like a dull coating on metal: not wet, certainly not deep. Picture a black paint finish that is oxidized, moderately swirled, and just dull.

[Pete]

If that same paint is flooded with water, it is wet. The water creates a reflection. Wetness=reflectivity and that grabs the eyes attention.

This is why so many waxes, selants, polishes, and even tire dressings proclaim they make a surface look wet.

If I took that above finish and just added a layer of carnauba, it would look slightly wetter. Given the fact that a wax without cleaner can't remove blemishes, it most likely would not look very deep. Why not?

Wet blemishes don't look pretty. The wetness/reflectivity now makes the eyes focus on the blemishes. That carnauba wax almost makes them look worse in some cases. Now the blemishes are getting the attention, detracting from seeing the pure spectrum of the color.

This means it's time to remove those blemishes and get the finish closer to being optically consistent. Ever hear someone say that their paint "looks like red glass" or "looks so pure that could dip your hand into the paint and never reach the bottom"? This is depth.

Your eyes can focus on the color without being distracted by scratches, chips, swirls, or oxidation. The surface is closer to being optically consistent (another oversimplification). Think of how a jeweler rates a precious stone in terms of clarity. A diamond might be big, but if it's cloudy, it is far less valuable than one that is closer to being optically pure.

Here is another shot of the paint where I started to polish away some of the imperfections. I think it adds more depth because you see less scratching and more consistently black paint surface.

[Pete]

This paint started with a great deal of imperfections. While I can't remove the chips and the deep pitting, getting rid of the bulk of the blemishes makes it clearer and deeper.

[Russecu]

I think I see a drip of paint on the concrete in front of the car. Very good post! Nice looking car.

[BigLeegr]

NICE WRITE-UP!! :thumbsup: =D>

[BDornseif]

NICE WRITE-UP!! :thumbsup: =D>

+1 =D> Thanks for the excellent explanation.

[Bob]

:thumbsup: Pete