i was wondering since i have no idea why.What is the reason i see detailers on here using a 50/50 mix of water and alcohol .Why it's used when it's used .Thanks I hope i posted this in the right forum
:nod: yes that about says it all. Usually it's used as a final wipe down followed up with a inspection with some sort of light (3M Sun Gun, the sun it's self, Brinkman..ect..ect). It's to insure the polish used does not hide/fill any scratches. You can use other product such as Menzerna Top Inspection but the alcohol mix works just fine.
I use for the reasons mentioned above as well for stripping LSP. I just spray on, let it sit for about 45 seconds, and wipe off, then repeat. Leaves the panel free of any previous LSP.
yeah i use the 50/50 IPA wipedown to remove LSP's and top inspection for...well...inspection, after polishing.
Ditto on the previous posts. Just don't spray it in the wind. I did that today and it came back and got me in the eye. I almost cried it burned so bad.
Surface Preparation Surface preparation is one of the most important steps when polishing to achieve a flawless finish Before you clay and after you wash the paint surface, you’ll need to remove the old paint protection and any oxidation first so you can get down to the bare paint where these contaminants have attached themselves. If you’ve never clayed your car before, chances are that there are contaminants being protected underneath your previous wax or sealant coat, that’s why you need to remove the old protection before you clay. Once you remove the old paint protection then proceed to the paint surface preparation process; detailer’s clay and then chemical surface cleaner to deep clean the paint surface. Before you start the polishing process, ensure that the paint film surface is as ‘clean’ as possible. Surface dirt, oxidation, old wax / sealant, oils and silicone need to be removed, as they will interfere with the polish / compound; the cleaner the paint surface, the easier it is to polish. (See also Detailer’s clay, Chemical paint cleaner, Isopropyl Alcohol, Paint Decontamination, Silicone removal) A chemical paint cleaner, Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) or a product especially formulated to remove silicone can be used prior to polishing to ensure a contaminate free surface after using detailer’s clay. Using a harsh dish-washing detergent such as Dawn on a regular basis is not recommended as they tend to dissolve oils and can prematurely dry up rubber moulding and trim. I recommend using a d-limonene (citrus) based paintwork cleanser. (P21S Total Auto Wash)
I have a couple pair of safety glasses in my van, which I "normally" wear. A lot of good they did sitting on my dash that day..... :tiptoe:
Alcohol wipe downs serve several purposes... 1. Prior to the polishing process- Before you start polishing the car, the paint should be as clean as possible. The cleaner it is, the easier it will be to polish the paint. Any dirt and or oxidation on the paint can interfere with the polishes. Wash, clay, wash, alcohol wipe down, polish. Some heavily contaminated cars might even require a decontamination process using FK or valuguards 3 step process. If a car has oxidation, or silicon in the paint I recommend using either one of the decontamination products. 2. During the polishing process- Alcohol can and should be used during the polishing process to remove any polishing oils that may be masking defects. This will help you ensure you are getting true correction. 3. Prior to LSP- Alcohol can also be used to clean the surface prior to applying your LSP to give it a better surface to bond to. Kind of like a pre wax or paint cleaner.
