Circles or Straight Lines?

[Bunky]

Your definition seems to be from Wikipedia. Was that your source?

[TOGWT]

Originally Posted by Bunky

Your definition seems to be from Wikipedia. Was that your source?

Yes, as this was the best definition of which laws of physics applied, that I could find. Unless you have a better explanation?

[Bunky]

Why not attribute your sources?

[ZoranC]

Originally Posted by TOGWT

Specula Reflection - Such behavior is described by the law of reflection, which states that the direction of incoming light (the incident ray), and the direction of outgoing light reflected (the reflected ray) make the same angle with respect to the surface normal, thus the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection; this is commonly stated as θi = θr.

I am familiar with this law and I am not aware of it being affected in any way with how surface has been smoothened out, was it smoothened out with circular motions or straight line motions. So any law that would support "lines are better than circular" because they "optimise the surface light refraction and the reflectivity of the bodylines and contours of the vehicle"?

[ZoranC]

Originally Posted by Al-53

The theory is..sealants.. waxes do not dry completely flat...

I am afraid to say that theory without actual check sometimes constitutes speculation.

I can see how this theory might be applicable only for hand applied LSPs where varying pressure from fingers in circular motion might result in uneven thickness of coat that would result in different light refraction. But back and forth will be uneven too.

But what happens with theory if wax is applied by machine, or even better if it is applied by hands but buffed by machine?

[TOGWT]

Originally Posted by ZoranC

I am afraid to say that theory without actual check sometimes constitutes speculation.

I can see how this theory might be applicable only for hand applied LSPs where varying pressure from fingers in circular motion might result in uneven thickness of coat that would result in different light refraction. But back and forth will be uneven too.

But what happens with theory if wax is applied by machine, or even better if it is applied by hands but buffed by machine?

ZoranC - Try it and report your 'first hand' findings, then you would not have to rely on theory or 'speculation'.

Bunky - Perhaps you could try also as opposed to directing others

[ZoranC]

Originally Posted by TOGWT

ZoranC - Try it and report your 'first hand' findings, then you would not have to rely on theory or 'speculation'.

I did and I assume you did too. Hence my answers in form of questions (to challenge people to think instead of accepting as granted what is served to them).

When I was experimenting with it only time I would see the difference is when I would apply LSP by hand and buff it out by hand, both in same direction. Effect was more pronounced with sealants like Zaino.

We both know that laws of optics say that highest reflectivity will be achieved when surface is uniformly flat in all directions. Therefore applying and removing in straight line or circles will not make a difference. Flat is a flat. After all that is how we polish a paint (or a mirror).

When would application/removal in straight line vs. circle matter and make a difference? Only when it is done by hand. Why? Because we are making that surface subconciously uneven on purpose. We are making it refract light in pattern that seems to follow body lines and thus might be more pleasing to certain individuals (taste varies from person to person).

That is not "optimizing the surface light refraction and the reflectivity of the bodylines and contours of the vehicle" because they are optimal when they are at their highest and they will be at their highest when they are _flat_ in _all_ directions. Proof of that would be in glossometer readout.

Following body is therefore not _optimal_. It has nothing to do with physics even though you are stating it does. Instead it is game on perception. It is a play with a mind. It is a tuning that uses physical _imperfection_ (thus something that is _not_ optimal) to achieve effect that somebody might find pleasing.

Law of optics you have quoted applies to _both_ uniformly polished surface and surface with ridges. Ray of light will _always_ refract under same angle it enters. How brain will interpret that is a different story.

Did you try applying in straight lines and then buffing with machine? If yes what was the result you found? Was it different than mine?

Plus I wonder how much of all of this is placebo effect and would it pass statistically valid blind test.