Originally published August 2021. Updated November 2026.
IGL Capsule was a short video series we ran in 2021, streamed live every Wednesday on Facebook. Each episode took one topic and covered it in a few minutes, from the science behind our products and how to use them, to the people and projects behind IGL.
The series has now ended, but the lessons still hold. All the episodes are available to watch below, with a written summary of each.
Ecoshine Compound F1 & Finish F3: Compounding vs polishing, and diminishing vs non-diminishing abrasives
Paint correction removes swirl marks, light scratches and oxidation by levelling a very thin layer of clear coat. It is done in two main stages:
- Compounding uses a more aggressive abrasive to remove deeper defects. It cuts faster but can leave a slight haze.
- Polishing uses a finer abrasive to refine the surface after compounding, bringing back clarity and gloss.
The abrasives inside these products also behave differently:
- Diminishing abrasives break down into smaller particles as you work. They start with more cut and finish finer as you keep working the product.
- Non-diminishing abrasives keep their size throughout. They give a consistent, predictable cut, and the finish depends more on your pad, machine and technique.
In this episode, we demonstrate both stages using our paint correction system, Ecoshine Compound F1 and Ecoshine Finish F3.
Key takeaway: Paint correction should be done by a trained professional. Once the paint is corrected, protect it with a ceramic coating to keep it looking that way. (More on swirl marks here.)
The Ecoshine Renew F4 and Ecocoat Premier combo
This is one of the easiest and most popular product pairings in the IGL range, and a quick way to bring tired paint back to life.
- Ecoshine Renew F4 is a non-abrasive, graphene-infused paint refresher. It cleans and rejuvenates paint without removing clear coat.
- Ecocoat Premier is a water-based ceramic sealant applied afterwards. It adds gloss and strong water repellency, lasting up to 6 months.
The episode covers the tools you need, application tips and common mistakes to avoid when using the two together.
Key takeaway: F4 prepares and refreshes the surface; Premier protects it. Used together, they give a fast gloss and protection boost without machine polishing.
Graphene verified: graphite vs graphene vs graphene oxide
Graphene is one of the most talked-about materials in coatings, but how do you know a product really contains it? In this special announcement episode, we shared that IGL Coatings is now Graphene Verified.
What does Graphene Verified mean?
IGL engaged an independent national body to verify the graphene in our products. The Graphene Verified mark is issued under NanoVerify, Malaysia’s first and only nanotechnology certification programme, run by NanoMalaysia, an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). Graphene Verify is an additional certification within the NanoVerify programme.
IGL Coatings was the first in the industry to have its nanotechnology audited and verified by NanoVerify. The programme aims to strengthen local businesses and build trust in nanotechnology products, in Malaysia and internationally.
IGL has been working with graphene for years. It was first infused into products including Ecoshine Renew F4 in 2019, soft-launched in Ecocoat Kenzo at the end of 2020, and added to Ecocoat Quartz+ in 2021.
Graphite, graphene and graphene oxide
- Graphene is a carbon-based material: a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb structure. How the atoms are arranged is what sets it apart from other forms of carbon, such as graphite or diamond.
- Graphite is the bulk form of graphene: many graphene layers stacked together. Pencil lead is the everyday example. With the right mechanical process, such as sonication, graphite can be broken down into single layers of graphene.
- Graphene oxide (GO) is graphene with oxygen groups added. It disperses easily in water, which makes processing safer and cheaper, but those oxygen groups change how the material behaves.
Why graphene oxide isn’t what you want on your car
Graphene is hydrophobic: it repels water. Graphene oxide is the opposite. It is hydrophilic, which is exactly why it mixes into water so easily.
For car owners who want strong water beading and easy cleaning, that is the wrong property to have in a coating. So a product containing graphene oxide won’t necessarily perform like one containing graphene.
How IGL makes its graphene
Most graphene starts as graphite and is broken down layer by layer, known as a top-down process. In formulations such as the graphene-reinforced Ecocoat Kenzo, IGL uses bottom-up graphene instead. It is built from chemical precursors that react to form graphene, giving a purer form of the material.
Key takeaway: Not all “graphene” coatings are the same. IGL’s graphene technology has been verified by an independent third party. Read more about our graphene verified mark, the graphene-reinforced Ecocoat Kenzo and our latest graphene innovation, Graphene Infinite.
Ecocoat Kenzo: the 2018 Kenzo project
This episode looks back at the 2018 Kenzo artistic and community project, and the story behind IGL’s flagship ceramic coating.
Key takeaway: Today’s graphene-reinforced Ecocoat Kenzo is a 10H ceramic coating offering up to 5 years of protection, applied only by certified Kenzo installers.
Bonus: our Kenzo Day special, celebrating everyone in the IGL Family who chose Kenzo as their premium paint protection.
How to use caps and trigger sprays on Ecoclean and Ecoshine products
A small detail that makes a big difference. This episode shows how to use the caps and trigger sprays on IGL’s Ecoclean and Ecoshine bottles correctly, so products dispense evenly, don’t leak and aren’t wasted.
Key takeaway: Using the right cap or trigger for each product keeps it working as intended. Read more about our trigger sprays.
#IGLPlantTheFuture: our Earth Day project
For Earth Day, the IGL team made seed pods by hand to give away thousands of trees. The project reflects the same commitment behind our low and zero VOC formulations: protecting surfaces without harming people or the planet.
Key takeaway: Sustainability at IGL goes beyond the bottle. Learn more about our approach to sustainable chemistry.
The journey of IGL’s founder, Keong Chun Chieh
In the first episode of our special series The Journey, IGL founder and CEO Keong Chun Chieh talks about his path as an entrepreneur: the struggles, the successes, and his advice for anyone hoping to start their own business. He started IGL Coatings in 2015 and has built it into a Malaysian brand sold in more than 50 countries.
Key takeaway: IGL grew from one coating and one engineer into a global surface protection company. Read more about IGL’s first decade.
Busting common water spot myths
Water spots are one of the most common complaints from car owners, and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, Amira from IGL’s Innovation Centre explains what really causes them and debunks five popular myths.
What are water spots?
Water spots are white mineral stains left on glass and paint. They come from tap water that isn’t dried off after washing, sprinklers, rain, and in colder countries, road salt. When the water evaporates, the minerals stay behind. Over time, they can etch into the clear coat.
Tap water usually leaves calcium and magnesium carbonates (limestone). These don’t dissolve easily in water, so even fresh spots may not come off with water or a regular car wash. They need a dedicated cleaner.
Myth 1: “A homemade remedy will remove all water spots”
The most popular home remedy is diluted vinegar. Vinegar contains only about 5–8% acetic acid, and once it’s diluted with water, it becomes a very weak cleaner. It may work on fresh spots, but it won’t shift spots that have been left for a while.
Myth 2: “Wheel acid cleaners are safe for removing water spots on paint”
This goes to the other extreme. Wheel acid cleaners are designed for the tough grime found on wheels, not for paint. On a soft clear coat in particular, they can cause damage, and there are plenty of horror stories online.
The safer choice is a remover made for painted surfaces. Ecoclean Delete is formulated to remove water spots from painted and coated surfaces, and has been extensively tested on IGL’s Ecocoat series.
Myth 3: “You need to neutralise the acid with an alkaline cleaner afterwards”
Not necessary. Water spot removers like Ecoclean Delete are acidic (around pH 1). In the episode, Amira wipes off the water spots with Delete, then wipes the panel a few times with a damp cloth. A pH test strip then shows the surface at about pH 6–7, which is close to neutral.
Adding an alkaline cleaner would simply leave a different extreme-pH residue on your paint, which you would then need to wipe off too.
Myth 4: “It needs to be left on to work”
No. Apply a little product to a cloth and wipe the spots away. For older, stubborn spots, repeat the wipe a few more times. Never let an acidic product sit on the paint, because it is corrosive.
Myth 5: “Spraying is the best way to apply it”
It may be convenient, but it isn’t recommended, which is why Ecoclean Delete comes with a flip cap rather than a trigger. Spraying can cause overspray onto areas you don’t want it on, such as glass. More importantly, it puts acidic mist into the air, where it can be breathed in or land on your skin or in your eyes.
Before you use Ecoclean Delete: always do a test spot first, and don’t use it on windscreens, laminated glass or side mirrors. For fresh water spots, it can be diluted 1:1 with pure water. See the full step-by-step guide.
Key takeaway: Dry your car properly after every wash, and remove water spots early with a remover made for paint. Apply it with a cloth, wipe it off, and finish with a damp cloth. For light spots and quick touch-ups between washes, AIO Spray also works well. Read more on why water spots form, or read our full article on water spot myths.
Want to learn more?
For in-depth lessons on coating science, application and business, explore the IGL Coatings Online Training Academy. You can also find every episode under [#IGLCapsule on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/iglcapsule). For our latest videos, subscribe to the IGL Coatings YouTube channel.
FAQs
What is the difference between compounding and polishing? Compounding uses a more aggressive abrasive to remove deeper paint defects. Polishing uses a finer abrasive afterwards to refine the finish and restore gloss.
What is a diminishing abrasive? A diminishing abrasive breaks down into smaller particles as you work it, starting with more cut and finishing finer. A non-diminishing abrasive keeps the same particle size throughout.
What is the difference between graphene and graphene oxide? Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms. Graphene oxide has oxygen groups attached. That makes it easy to disperse in water, but it also makes it hydrophilic (water-attracting), the opposite of graphene, which repels water.
Is graphene the same as graphite? No. Graphite is many layers of carbon stacked together. Graphene is a single layer, which gives it very different properties.
What does Graphene Verified mean? It means the graphene in a product has been independently verified. IGL’s Graphene Verified mark is issued under NanoVerify, Malaysia’s nanotechnology certification programme run by NanoMalaysia.
Can I use Ecocoat Premier without polishing first? Yes. Pairing it with Ecoshine Renew F4, a non-abrasive paint refresher, gives a fast gloss and protection boost without machine polishing.
