1.1 Introduction
The term polish is a substance used to give smoothness, surface protection or decoration to the surfaces of materials. This beauty enhancing product has waxes of different kinds as the base material. Other materials added to enhance the qualities of polish include, petroleum distillates as solvents, and colourants. Shoe polish is a mixture of pigments that provide colour and various oils and grease that make the leather soft and supple. These additives produce desired gloss outlook and equally give protective covering. As a result of the polish application, the useful lives of the leather products are reasonably prolonged. Proper maintenance and case of materials help in the preservation and good outlook of such materials. Surface coating is not left out in the attainment of these goals. Products of the surface coaling industry are essential for the preservation of all structures from the attacks of weather.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The emergence of polish technology in engineering is apparent offshoot of complexities resulting from the induction of substances that produce desired gloss and provides a protective coating for the surface of the materials, changing it to a dry adherent film. Therefore, polish is a substances usually wax based, which when applied to a sequence was based, which applied to sequence protects, makes it smooth and shiny.
It has been discovered that shoe polish industries in Nigeria are at minimum even though the polish industry is economically very important due to its widespread usage. Shoes polish industry as a surface coaling provider in a very important venture. The manufacture of surface coaling materials of which shoes polish is a part, has been estimated with sales of more than 10,000 million yearly. This in essence means that its usage is wide spread and in teams of employment, gives a lot of opportunities. The economic consequences as highlighted above have4 in turn spu7rred many into a continuous struggle for a good quality product.
Therefore, in a bid to reduce the degree of unemployment by establishing small scale industries, this research project is embarked upon.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the major problem encountered were that of coverage and gloss or surface shine produced by the trial formulation. They were blamed on the particle size of the pigments and the absence of some other ingredients like hard waxes to blend the paraffin wax; and naphtha which despite all effort made.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to determine the production process of surface shine (polish). In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To produce shoe polish which will suit the weather of this country;
- To produce polish of high quality at minimum cost;
- To conserve foreign exchange and help solve the problem of balance of payment resulting from, the importation of polishes to offset the unnecessary;
- To help complement the efforts of existing factories toward meeting the rising demand of product;
- To create employment opportunities by establishing polish industry; and
- To reduce the depending on government for employment by having individual investment and becoming self reliant.
1.5 Significance of Study
Considering the fact that there are few or practically no functional polish industry in the country, and the imported polish most atimes do not meet up with the local weather conditions, this research project will help to find solution to these problems and at the same time offer local alternatives to these imported products. It will equally be an avenue for finding means of increasing our domestic national product.
Importantly, exploiting the benefit offered by this research work will help in improving the qualities of polishes produced. This will help in making the polish industry a viable venture, whose product could be exported thereby serving as a foreign exchange earner for the country.
1.6 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Production of Surface Shine (Polish) in Nigeria. The research project covers feasibility study, scouting and acquisition of the necessary raw materials required for the production, formulations research and the production of the polish samples. Other areas are analytical test of product qualities as compared with some commercial brands, evaluation of the project, discussion, conclusion and recommendations.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Definition of Terms
Polish: The term polish is a substance used to give smoothness, surface protection or decoration to the surfaces of materials.
