Introduction

This Recommendation for the quality assessment includes test methods for the assessment of paint care products for motor vehicles. They are applied on larger, painted body components and can be classified in accordance with Diagram 1 in respect of their polishing, paint conditioning and cleaning properties in a product group triangle. The considered product groups differ in terms of these properties. The boundaries between the product groups are fluid in accordance with the representation in Diagram 1 and are partly only determined by the application concentration of certain ingredients.

According to Table 1, the following typical ingredients and assessment criteria can be assigned to the three properties or corners of the product group triangle in Diagram 1.

The paint surfaces are usually two-component paint systems which are used in the automotive industry. The products are applied as a rule with an application medium (e.g. sponge, cloth). 

The paint surfaces are heavily exposed to daily strains and soiling and are usually cleaned prior to the application of the above-mentioned three product groups (paint cleaner, paint conditioner, paint polish) e.g. by a car wash (car shampoo). The three product groups (paint cleaner, paint conditioner, paint polish) are as a rule used for value preservation and optical upgrading of the paint surfaces and differ in terms of composition of the ingredients and proper use. The products are commercially available in bottles, tubes or glass jars, tin cans or plastics boxes or other containers as well as in other presentations. They are available in a liquid, solid or pasty condition.

Paint cleaners for motor vehicles are used for older, already matt or scratched, pre-cleaned paint surfaces and prepare the paint for the subsequent application of paint conditioners or paint polish. Paint cleaners are products which contain a particularly high share of abrasives. They serve for the removal of weathered, loose pigment and paint particles as well as superficial scratches and scrapes on strongly affected already matt paint surfaces and paint layers. In accordance with their claim in conjunction with Article 2 of the Detergents Regulation (EC) No 648/2004, they are detergents and require labelling, inter alia, in accordance with Annex VII of the Detergents Regulation. In addition, a list of ingredients must be made available on the internet.

Paint conditioners for motor vehicles are usually abrasive-free and contain hydrophobing components such as waxes and silicones, for the conditioning and sealing of paint surfaces. After their application and subsequent polishing, they provide the paint with a high-gloss look. They protect and condition the paint. Paint conditioners are intended for the care of intact new paints as well as paints pre-cleaned with paint cleaner or paint polish and are, according to their intended use, not to be detached after the single cleaning with a detergent. Consequently, they come neither under the German Detergent and Cleaning Product Act (WRMG) nor under the Detergents Regulation (EC) No. 648/2004.

Paint conditioners, which are, however, mainly detached after a single cleaning with detergents and can then, based on experience, reach waters, come in accordance with § 2 Para 1 Sentence 2 No. 3 under WRMG. In this case, they do not need to be labelled in accordance with the Detergents Regulation but manufacturers must publish no later than from the placing on the market a list of ingredients on the internet in accordance with Annex VII Section D of the Detergents Regulation. Additionally, it makes sense to print the internet address that leads to the list of ingredients on the packaging.

Paint polishes for motor vehicles are combination products of paint cleaners and paint conditioners and include abrasives as well as paint protecting components. They serve for the optical improvement of already affected paint surfaces. After polishing they provide the paint again with high gloss and protection. Paint polishes, which are also claimed for cleaning, are detergents within the meaning of Article 2 of the Detergents Regulation (EC) No 648/2004.

Without a cleaning claim they represent as a rule products in accordance with § 2 Para 1 Sentence 2 No. 3 WRMG which are intended to be applied to surfaces and are primarily detached after a single cleaning with detergents and according to experience can then reach waters. In this case, they do not need to be labelled in accordance with the Detergents Regulation, but manufacturers must publish no later than from the placing on the market a list of ingredients on the internet in accordance with Annex VII Section D of the Detergents Regulation. Additionally, it makes sense to print the internet address that leads to the list of ingredients on the packaging.

Translation / Original: German