Guide

Car care glossary – Key terms explained simply

The key terms in car care and paint repair – explained simply, with the right products. For step-by-step instructions, see the Guide.

Terms starting with 0–9

1K paint#: Single-component paint: it dries as the solvent evaporates – no hardener needed. Easy to use, but less resistant to chemicals and fuel than 2K paint.In the guides: 2K Clear Coat Spray Can: Application, Pot Life, Shelf Life · Matt, Satin or Gloss Clear Coat? The Right Finish for Wheels
2K clear coat#: Two-component paint made of paint and hardener that react chemically. In the aerosol can, the hardener is released just before spraying. The result is hard, glossy and resistant to fuel, chemicals and UV light. View 2K clear coat →In the guides: Repairing Kerb Damage on Alloy Wheels Yourself: A Guide · 2K Clear Coat Spray Can: Application, Pot Life, Shelf Life

Terms starting with B

Base coat#: The paint layer that gives the colour. It sits between primer and clear coat and relies on the clear coat for protection and gloss.In the guides: Repairing Kerb Damage on Alloy Wheels Yourself: A Guide · 2K Clear Coat Spray Can: Application, Pot Life, Shelf Life
Beading#: On a protected surface, water forms round droplets and runs off instead of forming a film. A sign that the sealant or wax is still working. See also lotus effect. View paint protection →In the guides: Getting Car Plastic Black Again – Inside and Out · Glass Sealant for Your Car: Worth It? How to DIY
Blending thinner#: Sprayed onto the edge of fresh clear coat in a spot repair. It dissolves the overspray so the new paint blends into the old one without a visible edge. View blending paint →In the guides: Using Blending Paint Correctly: Invisible Transitions
Brake dust#: Wear debris from brake pads and discs. It sticks to the wheels and can bake on with the heat – remove it regularly with a wheel cleaner. View wheel cleaner →In the guides: Repairing Kerb Damage on Alloy Wheels Yourself: A Guide · 2K Clear Coat Spray Can: Application, Pot Life, Shelf Life

Terms starting with C

Ceramic coating#: Sealant based on silicon dioxide (SiO₂) that cures into a hard, smooth layer. It usually lasts much longer than wax but needs properly prepared paint. View paint protection →In the guides: Car Wash Guide – How to Wash Your Car Properly
Clear coat#: The colourless top layer over the base coat. It provides the gloss and protects the colour from UV light, scratches and the environment. View 2K clear coat →In the guides: Repairing Kerb Damage on Alloy Wheels Yourself: A Guide · 2K Clear Coat Spray Can: Application, Pot Life, Shelf Life

Terms starting with E

Epoxy primer#: Primer based on epoxy resin. It adheres well to bare metal, protects against corrosion and forms the base for base coat and clear coat. View epoxy primer →In the guides: Repairing Kerb Damage on Alloy Wheels Yourself: A Guide · 2K Clear Coat Spray Can: Application, Pot Life, Shelf Life

Terms starting with F

Fish eyes#: Small round craters in fresh paint. They are almost always caused by traces of silicone, wax or grease on the surface – so degrease thoroughly before painting. View silicone remover →In the guides: Repairing Kerb Damage on Alloy Wheels Yourself: A Guide
Foam cannon#: Attachment for a pressure washer that mixes cleaner with water and air into thick foam – the tool for a snow foam pre-wash. View Snow Foam →In the guides: How to Use Snow Foam: With a Foam Lance or Spray Bottle

Terms starting with G

Graphene#: Carbon in a layer just one atom thick. In car care products it forms a smooth, water-repellent protective film on the paint. View Graphene FX spray →
GSM#: Grams per square metre – the weight of a microfibre cloth. The higher the value, the thicker and more absorbent the cloth. View microfibre cloths →In the guides: Washing Microfibre Cloths: Temperature, Detergent, Softener

Terms starting with L

Lotus effect#: Named after the lotus plant, whose leaves repel water: droplets roll off the surface and take dirt with them. View Aqua Shield →In the guides: How to Use Snow Foam: With a Foam Lance or Spray Bottle · Glass Sealant for Your Car: Worth It? How to DIY

Terms starting with M

Microfibre#: Synthetic fibres finer than a silk thread. They pick up dirt and water instead of pushing them across the paint – which is why microfibre cloths clean with minimal scratching. View microfibre cloths →In the guides: Repairing Kerb Damage on Alloy Wheels Yourself: A Guide · 2K Clear Coat Spray Can: Application, Pot Life, Shelf Life

Terms starting with P

Plastic care#: Unpainted plastic parts such as bumpers and trims fade in UV light and turn grey. Plastic care restores the colour and protects the surface. View Ever Black →In the guides: Matt, Satin or Gloss Clear Coat? The Right Finish for Wheels · Getting Car Plastic Black Again – Inside and Out
Polish#: Contains fine abrasives that remove a very thin layer of paint – taking out swirls, fine scratches and dull spots. Protect with wax or sealant afterwards.In the guides: 2K Clear Coat Spray Can: Application, Pot Life, Shelf Life · Using Blending Paint Correctly: Invisible Transitions
Pot life#: The time a 2K material can be used after activation. After that it hardens in the can – so only activate it once everything is prepared. View 2K clear coat →In the guides: Repairing Kerb Damage on Alloy Wheels Yourself: A Guide · 2K Clear Coat Spray Can: Application, Pot Life, Shelf Life
Pre-wash#: The first step before the hand wash: soak and rinse off loose dirt so it isn’t rubbed across the paint while washing. View washing & pre-wash →In the guides: How to Use Snow Foam: With a Foam Lance or Spray Bottle · Car Wash Guide – How to Wash Your Car Properly

Terms starting with R

Rain repellent#: Sealant for glass: rain beads up and is blown away by the airflow at higher speeds – keeping your view clearer. View Rain Doc →In the guides: Glass Sealant for Your Car: Worth It? How to DIY

Terms starting with S

Sealant#: A protective layer on the paint that makes water bead and shields the surface from dirt and the environment. Applied after washing, on clean, dry paint. View paint protection →In the guides: Matt, Satin or Gloss Clear Coat? The Right Finish for Wheels · How to Use Snow Foam: With a Foam Lance or Spray Bottle
Silicone remover#: Removes grease, wax and silicone from the surface. A must before any painting – otherwise the paint adheres poorly and fish eyes appear. View silicone remover →In the guides: Repairing Kerb Damage on Alloy Wheels Yourself: A Guide · 2K Clear Coat Spray Can: Application, Pot Life, Shelf Life
Snow foam#: Thick foam sprayed onto the car with a foam cannon. It softens dirt before the hand wash and rinses it away – so less dirt rubs across the paint when you wash. View Snow Foam →In the guides: How to Use Snow Foam: With a Foam Lance or Spray Bottle · Washing Microfibre Cloths: Temperature, Detergent, Softener
Spot repair#: Repairing a small paint defect just where it is, instead of repainting the whole panel. Typical steps: degrease, prime, paint, clear coat, blend the edge with blending paint. View Car & Wheel Repair →In the guides: 2K Clear Coat Spray Can: Application, Pot Life, Shelf Life · Using Blending Paint Correctly: Invisible Transitions

Terms starting with T

Twisted loop#: Microfibre cloth with twisted loops. The loops absorb a lot of water – ideal for drying after washing. View drying towel →In the guides: How to Use Snow Foam: With a Foam Lance or Spray Bottle · Washing Microfibre Cloths: Temperature, Detergent, Softener
Two-bucket method#: Hand washing with two buckets: one with shampoo solution, one with clean water to rinse the wash mitt before each dip. That way less dirt goes back onto the paint. View car shampoo →In the guides: How to Use Snow Foam: With a Foam Lance or Spray Bottle · Car Wash Guide – How to Wash Your Car Properly

Terms starting with W

Wash mitt#: Microfibre or sheepskin mitt for hand washing. It traps dirt in its fibres instead of pushing it across the paint like a sponge.In the guides: How to Use Snow Foam: With a Foam Lance or Spray Bottle · Car Wash Guide – How to Wash Your Car Properly
Wax#: Classic paint protection made from natural (e.g. carnauba) or synthetic waxes. It adds depth of gloss and makes water bead, but usually lasts less long than a sealant. View paint protection →In the guides: Using Blending Paint Correctly: Invisible Transitions · Getting Car Plastic Black Again – Inside and Out

Missing a term? Write to us – we’ll add it to the glossary.

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