IPA Wipedown - Why?

[gjohn28]

Forgive the noob question, but I've read several threads where someone refers to an IPA wipedown after polishing, but before the LSP. Why would you do this? Wouldn't the IPA remove the polishing oils?

[Ryan L.]

Re: IPA Wipedown - Why?

A IPA wipe down allows you to make sure that all the compound/paint cleaner isn't filling the defects or masking them. Some products just mask the defects and a IPA wipe down will remove that product to reveal the true finish. Sometimes though a product might not be completely removed with a microfiber so some people do a IPA wipe down to make the wax bond better.

Ryan

[Mike Phillips]

Re: IPA Wipedown - Why?

On page 2 of the below thread Bill D asked a question about doing a IPA wipe down and I posted my personal thoughts on the subject.

1960 Corvette - How To Restore Single Stage Acrylic Lacquer Paint


Detailers can do as they wish, wipe or no wipe, wash with Dawn, don't wash with Dawn, if you do a successful Test Spot and check your work at that point and you're satisfied with the results, then theoretically you can duplicate that over the entire car and get the same results thus no reason to do any stripping and dulling of the surface by wiping with some kind of solvent or washing with a detergent soap.

You'll see a lot of emphasis on this practice by people on other forums, could just be something people new to detailing do until they increase their skill, knowledge and experience.

I don't do it personally unless it's during the test spot, don't feel the need, especially on antique/original single stage paints but also on clear coat paints.

[Black Bart]

Re: IPA Wipedown - Why?

I think a lot of people worry too much about what is in a polish.
When you use a polish and it looks good does it matter how it works????

If it has a filler as long as it looks good to you then seal it with something like NXT and don't worry about how you got their.

I have never used a Alcohol wipe after polishing.
If it looks good then it don't matter how it works.

Spend more time learning proper technique and leave the chemistry to Meguiars that is their job.

One of my favorite polishes is #80 and it has a lot of oils in it but I only care about the results.
When used properly 80 looks awesome and is very versatile it works great on single stage paint and clear coat both.
If it has something that fills as long as it looks as good as any other product it don't matter to me how it accomplishes this.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: IPA Wipedown - Why?

I think a lot of people worry too much about what is in a polish.

This is just an observation, I could be wrong, but I think that most of the filler concerns and issues in polish and the subsequent fad to wipe or strip paint bare after working on it comes from Zaino users, not Sal specifically.

Not casting judgment, to each their own... (see my signature line). Zaino appeared on the market in I think 1998 or there abouts, I started posting to the Usenet Newsgroups in 1994, this was before discussion forum software like vBulletin was invented, so I've seen a few trends come and go over time...

[gjohn28]

Re: IPA Wipedown - Why?

Ryan, Mike, Black Bart - thanks much for the responses!

I use IPA, but only to prep a stone chip area that I am about to touch-up and, occasionally, on my test area (because being a noob sometimes I just like to see if my technique is really working).

I'll be the first to admit I can be a bit AR about detailing cars, but it just doesn't seem to make any sense to put all that work into applying a good cleaner/polish over the entire car then wiping it all off with IPA.

I'll stick with the tried and true test spot method to make sure I'm getting the results that I want and then repeat same over the entire car. I'll gladly trade the 20-30 minutes it would take to do an IPA wipe down for time to stand back and admire my work when I'm finished with the LSP...