Chemical Guys Citrus Wash

I have no issues with TC Citrus cleaner, has worked great for me and I see no need to change. But, nice to see this come out, who knows maybe after using up my TC I will give this a try.

 

No worries Emile and apologies if I came across as snide as that was not my intent...

 

Its different I have it. Combine the Strong Wash with CWC and you'll strip LSP.

 

Dunno if others were wondering this but I wanted to know if Citruswash + Gloss is as well-suited to prep a surface (strip all current LSPs and leave a pristine surface for the next sealant to adhere to) as Citruswash.

My worry was about the '+ Gloss' part: I was afraid that it left behind some kind of light polymer coating (think ONR) that might not allow the upcoming sealant to bond optimally.

I called CG and the representative assured me that either product will leave the finish perfectly-prepped for the sealant to bond to.
She wasn't sure why the Citruswash (the older of the 2 products) is no longer featured on the website.

I'm picking up some Citruswash + Gloss from my local supplier tomorrow.

 

I too have found that even at high concentrations, the CWG didn't fully strip the LSP, although it was weakened a good bit. Regardless I still use a high concentrated wash with CWG prior to reapplying sealant/LSP just for the extra cleaning and peace of mind.

P21S TAW did strip after letting it dwell for about 10-15 minutes, but its not the most cost effective option if you are doing a lot of vehicles.

I have yet to find anything that strips LSP like a good IPA wipedown. I always do 2 full IPA wipedowns. IPA full strength or even at 50/50 still works and is very cost effective.

 

Mr. Shark, the Citrus Wash & Gloss is a great way to strip LSP. According to CG, it's the strongest paintwork cleansing shampoo of all three Citrus Wash products.

The only issue is that Greg from DI told me is that the CWG which has a glossing agent, leaves a polymer film behind. This can result in some water beading which makes it hard to evaluate whether the existing paint protection has effectively been removed. The Citrus Wash and Citrus Wash & Clear leave no such glossing agent behind which makes it easier to evaluate the surface of the paint after washing.

 

Thanks Emile.

The 2 cars that I'm looking to strip in prep for their Winter Collinite 845 sealant application have only previously been waxed monthly with Meg's UQW and supplemental ONR washes (w/ Optimum QD + Gloss Enhancer dry-offs) weekly. I'm guessing that these products will be easily stripped away with the Citruswash + Gloss.

 

I think I messed up today using the CWC, the bottle says to use 2oz per gallon for paint work cleansing, so 5 gallon bucket = 10oz? To me that seems a bit too much. Can anyone chime in and correct me?

 

You're not really filling that bucket to the brim (all 5 gallons) are you?

 

I actually do fill to the brim, 10oz per 5 gallon feels like an awful lot.

 

Hang on now.

Citruswash Clear (on CG's website) is billed as a product that is "Guaranteed not to strip waxes or sealants."


Is that what you're looking for or are you trying to get rid of all existing LSPs in prep for a fresh/new LSP?



Citruswash + Gloss on the other hand: "As a paintwork cleanser dilute 1oz with 1 gallon water for superior surface cleaner to remove built up grime and leftover wax.


For my purposes I'm looking to get rid of everything and then apply a fresh coat of Collinite, which should be at that point able to optimally bond with my car's naked finish.

 

Why not use some paint safe APC with your wash.

Look into this as well

Majestic Solutions :: Exterior Products

 

CG CWC, and CWG will strip LSP, it as you increase concentration level. Normal dillution ratio is 1 oz per 5 gallons of water, but if you will use 1 oz per gallon, you will strip most of your LSP. I personally prefer using a stronger soap concentration in a foam cannon to strip LSP, it is much easier, and gentlier on your hands. Simply let it dwell for 10 minutes, and rinse it off.

 

Gemini, which Magestic Solutions product? The link just takes us to their home page.

How do you guys even evaluate a stripped surface anyways? The people at Zaino said that I should evaluate the beading and sheeting properties and compare it to when it was once new.

On Friday I mixed 12oz of P21S TAW, 12oz of Tropi-Care Citrus Pre-Cleaner, and 4oz of CWC into my foam cannon and foamed up the entire vehicle. I waited a few minutes and then foamed up the car again (without rinsing) with 6oz CWG and water, and then did that again with a third bottle. The soaps and formulas must have been dwelling on the surface for at least 15 minutes and then I rinsed everything off and there was still good beading and sheeting going on.

Finally I brought the car inside, did an ONR wash and then started with a base coat of Poli-Seal to clean everything up for sure. I would have washed with a mixture of P21S TAW, TC Citrus Pre-Cleaner, and CWC but it was pretty freezing outside so I left the real wash duty for inside.

 

That sounds like a huge waste of product to me. The foam must have been thick like shaving cream though. I find that the only way to strip LSP the right way is to use the recomended dilutions for CWC (maybe add some APC) and then use the same recomended mix in a bucket and hand wash. I feel that physical contact is a must when trying to strip LSP.

When i did my moms van i used 2oz CWC, 2oz MS SGS, and the rest was water in the cannon. I then did a single bucket w/ gritguard wash using 2oz CWC. Worked perfectly for me.

 

Instead of trying to come up with all these conconctions, mixing apc, degreaser and whatnot, you could just wash the car and than do an IPA wipedown or 2

 

Yeah but I'm trying to kill two birds with one stone here. I'm not crazy about IPA wipe-downs because the alcohol leaves a haze on my paint and glass, and I have go back again and QD it to get rid of the haze.

So how do you guys evaluate if the vehicle has been stripped of protection or not? I look for the beading/sheeting action going on.

 

Have you tried Griot's Garage Paint Prep? I have some and it is a pretty good liquid to strip some of the most durable protection. Spray it on the car, wait a few min and wipe off. Not a alcohol based product, or does not smell like it or show up on the MSDS, actually nothing harmful shows up on there.