Where Does The Shine Come From?
Some of the shine comes from pre-cleaning (HD-Cleanse) the paint to remove all the dirt, road grime and oxidized paint. This allows the natural gloss of the paint to show through.
The balance of the shine comes from the Brazilian No. 1 Yellow Carnauba which, when blended with other organic materials, becomes a transparent layer on top of the paint. This wax layer can be buffed with a clean wipe towel to a brilliant shine. Waxing a surface that has not been properly cleaned will only result in a shiny wax layer over dull, dirty paint - not the deep smooth, crystalline finish Zymöl is capable of obtaining.

How Does Wax Keep Paint From Oxidizing?
First, it keeps airborne contaminants from reaching the paint and starting a chemical reaction. Secondly, it diffuses (refracts) both UV and infrared radiation from the sun. UV and infrared is absorbed by the pigment in the paint causing it to overheat, dry out, dull and oxidize over time. A waxed car will actually have a lower paint surface temperature than an unwaxed car.

What is Carnauba?
Being a natural plant by-product, that will not react with any paint, Carnauba provides a very hard film over your car's surface to protect against airborne contaminants such as acid rain residue, catalytic converter emissions, bug tar, road grime, salt and bird droppings. Carnauba swells and closes its pores when exposed to water. Carnauba also dramatically reduces paint oxidation by diffusing (refracting) UV and infrared radiation from the sun which can oxidize and dull your paint finish.

Typical waxes contain 3 to 5% Carnauba (not necessarily Brazilian No. 1 Carnauba) by volume. The greater the concentration of Carnauba the greater the level of protection and the higher the level of shine. Zymöl's content of Brazilian No. 1 Yellow (and/or White) Carnauba in Zymöl standard waxes is:

Creame™ 33% Yellow Carnauba
Carbon™ 37% Yellow Carnauba
Japon™ 37% Yellow Carnauba
Saab™ 37% Yellow Carnauba
Volvo™ 37% Yellow Carnauba
Concours™ 47% Yellow & White Carnauba
Ital™ 47% Yellow & White Carnauba
Titanium™ 51% Yellow & White Carnauba
Destiny™ 51% White Carnauba
Atlantique™ 60% White Carnauba
Vintage™ 61% White Carnauba
Detail™ 38% White Carnauba
Royale™ 68%-70% White Carnauba

Why Does Zymöl Blend Coconut and Banana Oils With The Carnauba?
These natural oils are the necessary lubrication for spreading Zymöl and serve as a moisture barrier on the paint preventing the paint from drying out and oxidizing. The oils also contribute to depth of shine by providing the fatty esters during the wax cure time.

What Is Montan Oil And Why Is It In The Wax?
Pure Carnauba assumes a rock-like hardness and must be softened before it can be applied. Most competitive waxes use harsh petrochemical solvents to soften the Carnauba, but these solvents also re-enter the paint potentially softening the paint. Montan oil is a natural solvent derived from the sap of the German Coal Black Evergreen tree. The oil is removed from the sap, spun and distilled to make the Carnauba spreadable. Because it is highly spun (very thin) it allows the Carnauba to enter and fill in microscopic scratches on the painted surface yet will not react with the paint itself.

Why Does Zymöl Put An Enzyme In The Wax?
Propolis, derived from the thorax of bees, is the living enzyme culture in Zymöl wax. Its function is to assure the Carnauba does not "bond" in the container. Only when oxygen (air) is introduced during application does the enzyme emollient (Zy-mol) actually become "wax " and start bonding to the car surface.

What's the difference between a polish and an ordinary wax?
Polishes are paint cleaners that generally use abrasives or chemicals to remove paint that has been discoloured by impurities and oxidization. Zymöl Liquid Polish™ uses superior micro-fine cleaners to remove unsightly scratches and oxidization while leaving behind a simple and effective Beeswax protection.

Ordinary cleaner/waxes contain many of the same abrasives and chemicals that polishes do with the addition of silicones or solvent resins to mask scratches and imitate what a "real" wax should do. Real wax, like the waxes of the Zymöl 2-step process are non-abrasive and non-solvent, highly reflective and protective coatings for your paint.

HD-Cleanse, the first step of the Zymöl 2-step process, provides deep cleaning without removing precious paint, restores valuable oils to the paint, eliminates fine scratches and creates an incredible high gloss not possible with ordinary polishes or waxes.
For your everyday car you will see dramatic differences if you use Zymöl Liquid Polish. Your special car will be transformed if you use Zymöl HD-Cleanse. For maximum protection, use Zymöl waxes to complete the Zymöl process.

Why Should I Use Zymöl Wax Applicators?
The sponge applicator is specially manufactured without silicone. It is designed to spread wax easily and uniformly without scratching the paint surface. Do not wet the sponge prior to applying wax. Carnauba is naturally hygroscopic (water absorbing) which could cause wax to "cloud" or "streak" if combined with moisture during application.

How To Care for Applicators:
Store used (wax) applicators in the cap of your 8 ounce wax container If you have a 4 ounce container of wax, store the applicator in a air tight plastic ziplok bag. When you wash your (pre-wax) terry applicators use standard clothes washing detergents without fabric softener. Terry applicators must be air dried.

Why should I use Zymöl buffing towels and microwipes?
Zymöl towels are made without sizing. "Sizing" chemically fluffs up a towel, but can cause fine scratches in the paint. zymol towels provide extra insurance against damaging the paint while removing excess wax and buffing the surface. Zymöl microwipes are the 21st Century alternative with a nylon+nytril quad axial woven material that repels the wax, forcing all of your Zymöl wax or glaze to bond during application.

How To Care for Towels and Microwipes:
Wash your zymol terry towels and/or microwipes using standard clothes washing detergents without fabric softener (most softeners contain silicones). Wash and rinse in hot water >60°C. Rinse twice! Machine dry without dryer sheets or fabric softener.

Why use Clear?
Clear is a maintenance car wash containing surface conditioners and protective oils that will remove surface grime yet will not strip off the wax.

What Is The Clear Advantage?
Most competitive products utilize chemical (sodium) etching to remove dirt. These chemicals also remove wax and natural oils, and can actually accelerate paint oxidation. Zymöl Clear uses PH adjusted, spun tallow soap and pure lemon extract to release grit and contaminants from the surface. Natural coconut oils break down into millions of beads which cling to and encapsulate the dirt and allow it to slide off the surface without scratching or removing existing wax. Zymöl Clear contains no sodium or solvents and will not attack existing wax.

Why HD Cleanse?
Normal washing will not remove all airborne contaminants that settle on the paint surface nor will washing remove dull, oxidized paint. zymol HD-Cleanse removes acid rain residue, road grime, old wax, oil residue, catalytic converter emissions (hydrochloric and sulphuric acids), bug tar, bird droppings, silicone treatments and oxidized paint. HD-Cleanse leaves the paint surface so clean it squeaks and provides a fresh surface for which Zymöl wax can bond. HD-Cleanse will not remove clean paint or clear coatings. In addition to increasing the depth of shine, proper pre-wax cleaning will assure uniformity of the wax shine. Wax applied over oily road grime will look more dull than wax applied over clean paint.

Why Is HD-Cleanse Better Than Other Pre-Wax Cleaners?
Most competitive products incorporate abrasive "grit" to "scrub" the surface clean. HD-Cleanse uses Montan oil (a natural solvent that will not penetrate clean paint), apricot kernel oil, and lemon seed oil spun to a very thin consistency. As you apply HD-Cleanse, the oils penetrate and breakdown everything on the surface of the paint encapsulating grime impurities and dead paint so they can be wiped off without scratching the top paint layer. HD-Cleanse uncovers a lower level of paint with life and lustre without any solvents, abrasives or caustic materials.

Should You HD-Cleanse (And Wax) A Clear-Coated Car?
Yes absolutely! Clear coat is a very thin layer of clear paint (some with urethane) sprayed over the top paint layer. Clear coatings become contaminated and oxidize just like regular paint. Most clear coats will oxidize and wear away within 24 months exposing the top layer of paint. Protecting the clear coat with a good wax may or may not increase the shine, but it will preserve the natural shine of the paint and keep it looking like new for many, many years.

Should You HD-Cleanse The Entire Car Before You Wax It?
Yes. You should HD-Cleanse the entire car, sections at a time, and then wax it. The wax should be applied to small areas and hand buffed prior to drying.

Why Is Zymöl Treat™ Leather Conditioner Better Than Other Conditioners?
Most competitive products re-introduce solvents to soften the leather which ultimately weakens the hide. Treat uses natural coconut oil and beef collagen (animal protein and fat) to feed nutrients back into the leather. Lemon seed and banana oils soften the leather and Aloe Vera extract provides a moisture shield against sunlight exposure. Treat is excellent for surface dyed leather and vinyl topped leather.

Important Note: Do not use Treat on suede or water buffalo hides.

Why Is Zymöl Vinyl™ Better Than Other Vinyl Treatments?
The most popular products use formaldehyde as a solvent base. Formaldehyde leaves oily residue on the surface of the vinyl, fogs up the windshield with an oily film, and can cause nausea and headaches if inhaled.
Zymöl Vinyl uses natural lemon seed and sesame oils to penetrate the vinyl and lecithin to provide a moisture shield against discoloration from sunlight exposure. Zymöl Vinyl is safe to use, safe for all vinyl and rubber and provides a surface that looks "like new" not a slick greasy shine.

Professional Tips
If you should encounter streaking:
· Be sure you are not using too much wax. Remember, a little Zymöl Wax goes a long way
· Next, be sure that your "wipe" towel is a clean Zymöl towel or other untreated towel with no sizing.
· Then, warm and re-wipe the car's finish. Brazilian Carnauba is inherently hygroscopic. This natural effect of water, moisture and oil can be thwarted by allowing the finish to warm in the sun for 20 to 30 minutes followed by a wipe down with a clean towel.

Shelf Life
Shelf life of Zymöl products; Liquids = 18 months - Waxes = Indefinitely.

Important Note: Store waxes in a cool dark place preferably refrigerated. Warm waxes to room temperature before using. Paint surfaces must be equal to, or greater than, 65oF for wax to bond
Do not allow any Zymöl product to freeze. HD-Cleanse at least once every 12 months. New cars must be HD-Cleansed to remove shipping and/or 'at-rest' coatings.