ASTM D4955-89(2021)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4955 − 89 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Practice for
Field Evaluation of Automotive Polish
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4955; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2 Thetestmethodsaresubjectiveandempiricalinorderto
conformtothebasiccharacteristicsoftheclassofproductsand
1.1 This practice covers the evaluation of the performance
to allow flexibility in testing. This also conforms to typical
propertiesofautomotivepolishes.Thispracticeisapplicableto
consumer experience.
products that are commonly referred to as car/auto wax,
cleaner wax, polish, and the like. This practice is limited to a 3.3 The practice also allows for flexibility in choice of
comparison among test polishes, with a standard polish, or
environmental characteristics under which the durability test-
both, under the conditions of the individual test. The compara- ing is done. This allows discretion to be exercised by those
tive results are indicative of absolute performance only insofar
testingtheproductsinordertoprovidegreatestsignificancefor
as the test conditions are representative of all normal applica- the products being tested as they are intended for various
tion and use conditions.
marketplace needs.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Apparatus and Materials
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 Sample of Polish to be tested.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.2 Sample of Control Polish—A control polish should be
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
selected for comparison to the test polish. It should be
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
recognized that automotive polishes are formulated to perform
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
different functions. The control polish should be selected with
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
a clear justification in mind, such as, test and control polish
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
should be designed for same function (high durability, ease of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
application, or other performance features). These factors
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
should be taken into account when interpreting results and
choosing the control polish. All results are reported with the
2. Terminology
clearly identified control comparison.
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
4.3 Test Substrate—Since this test is designed to test auto-
2.1.1 automotive polish—substance which aids in cleaning
motive polish performance under natural and normally occur-
and improving the appearance of automotive finishes.
ring environmental conditions, the substrate chosen shall be
one for which the test polish was intended on a vehicle which
3. Significance and Use
can be subjected to the chosen environmental conditions in a
3.1 This practice is intended to define the range of proper-
manner meeting these criteria.The test surface shall be in good
ties to be tested, the apparatus to be used, and the comparisons
physical condition, not badly cracked, scratched, or otherwise
of automotive polish performance to be made. Since
damaged so as to interfere with evaluation of polish properties.
conditions, products, and apparatus vary, considerable discre-
The test surface for each sample is intended to be one half of
tion must exist among formulators and marketers in these areas
the surface area of the vehicle to be polished. In no case should
and on what properties or performance characteristics are most 2
the area polished for each product be less than 1290 cm (200
significant for their products. This practice is intended to be
in. ). The surface is divided as described later in the method.
flexible enough to honor this fact within the description of
(Proceduresevaluatingmorethantwopolishespervehiclemay
automotive polish in Section 2.
be done as a screening technique; however, results are not
sufficiently reproducible to be covered by this method.)
1 NOTE1—Newvehiclepaints(paintswithservicelifelessthanoneyear)
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D21 on Polishes
givepropertiessuchas,waterbeadingandhighgloss,verysimilartothose
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D21.04 on Performance Tests.
being evaluated for the polish. Therefore, evaluation of appearance and
Current edition approved March 1, 2021. Published March 2021. Originally
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D4955 – 89 (2016). durability due to the polish formulation are minimized. Some paint types,
DOI: 10.1520/D4955-89R21. such as metallic paints, may also give atypical results.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4955 − 89 (2021)
4.4 Polishing Cloth—The same type and size of polishing 6.2 The individuals shall apply the polishes to designated
cloth shall be used with each sample tested. Separate cloths areaswithoutknowledgeastotheactualidentityoftheformula
shall be used for each sample. Materials such as washed other than a code matching sample and area to be polished.
cheesecloth, rumple cloth, flannel, cotton diaper cloth, and Each individual will assess application characteristics and
nonwoven fabrics are suitable for this purpose. Felt or paper resultsinordertocompareperformanceandtoensurethatboth
shall not be used. polishes are equivalently applied.
6.3 A minimum of five evaluators will provide a subjective
4.5 Automobile Washing Product—The formula given be-
assessment of the test surfaces at the specified intervals. The
low is a mild anionic surfactant-based solution sufficient to
assessment will include those physical properties chosen for
remove surface soils while having a minimum detrimental
monitoring. The individual must be capable of making dis-
effect on polish properties. When properly rinsed, it will not
criminating judgments of those properties.
leave a residue that might affect performance attributes of the
polishes.
6.4 All personnel who participate in application or evalua-
% by weight
tion should be unaware of product identities and should not be
able to deduce those identities by technical or personal
A
Sodium salt of linear dodecyl benzene 5.0 %
understanding atypical of an average consumer of the products
sulfonate
A
Sodium lauryl ether sulfate 2.5 %
being tested. Every effort should be made to ensure that those
Water (0–150 ppm hardness) qs
who apply the polish and those who evaluate durability are
representative of typical consumers.
A
Percent active ingredient
7. Procedure
This is a stock solution which can be diluted to approxi-
mately one ounce per gallon of wash water (0–150 ppm
7.1 Surface Subdivision—There are two plans that can be
hardness).
used for dividing the car surface for application of the test and
control polishes side by side for comparative evaluation. In
4.6 Wash Water—The water source used for washing and
either case, using several vehicles and regularly varying the
rinsing should be evaluated for hardness, dissolved minerals,
pattern used increases the accuracy of the test results by
pH, and other similar properties. It should be chosen or
minimizing the effect of a unique paint, surface condition,
modifiedsoastominimizeadverseeffectsonpolishproperties.
weathering pattern, or wear pattern.
4.7 Washing and Drying Appliances—These appliances
7.1.1 The surface should be divided longitudinally so that
should be nonabrasive and clean. The washing appliance
the test polish and control polish are applied parallel to each
should be typical to the automotive washing operation, such as
other separated by the midline of the vehicle. One polish is
a sponge, soft cloth, or soft bristle brush. The drying appliance
applied to the driver’s side and the other to the passenger side.
should also be typical for automotive drying (chamois, soft
Normally the entire side of the vehicle is polished. In no case
2 2
terry cloth, cotton flannel, and the like).
shouldtheareapolishedbelessthan1290cm (200in. ).Since
wearpatternsofautopolishesareknowntovarybypositionon
NOTE 2—Complete drying is important to ensure that no residue from
the vehicle, there should be several vehicles tested with half of
the washing or rinsing process is left on the car surface.
the vehicles having test polish applied to the driver’s side and
the other half having test polish on the passenger side (control
5. Precautions
polish vice versa).
5.1 Weather conditions at the time of polishing should be
7.1.2 Checkerboard Pattern Surface Subdivision—Each of
consistent for all polish applications of the test. These condi-
the horizontal surfaces of the vehicle can be divided so that
tions should be recorded and compared with directions given
there are four equal sections with one dividing line being the
with polish used.
longitudinal midline of the vehicle. The test polish and control
5.2 The substrate should be prepared in accordance with polish are then applied so as to resemble a checkerboard
design: test polish on driver’s side front corner and passenger
polish application recommendations but should not differ
between test polish and control polish. side back quarter on the first car and passenger side front
quarter and driver’s side back corner on the second car. In no
5.3 Unusual conditions during the test should be recorded
case should each section polished be less than 1290 cm (200
and reported in the final report.
in. ).
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