Wax and Grease Remover before detailing?

[charlestek]

I just read another post about petroleum based wax and grease removers.
I thought it is generally necessary to use them on a panel before machine polishing and waxing to get the old wax etc off the panel.

Is this generally advisable and is wax and grease remover the best thing?
I also have some denatured alcohol, but I believe that is a lot stronger than the wax and grease remover.

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Wax and Grease Remover before detailing?

Any cleaner/polish will remove previous coats of wax.

[BillyJack]

Re: Wax and Grease Remover before detailing?

Once upon a time, in the years of BC (before clay), a solvent wash, at least on the lower sides of a car, was a regular routine in the detail process. The "coke bottle" shaped cars of the 70's and 80's collected a lot of garbage behind the wheel openings. We used Stoddard Solvent, Mineral spirits, Nylon Spotter or even kerosene. You could spray the sides of a light colored car and just watch the brown or black streaks running down the doors and quarters. Some pros used Prep-Sol, a cleaner commonly used to clean paint before bodywork, since it had a very slight softening effect on the top layer of oxidized SS paint, which made subsequent steps in the detail process a little easier.
Cars of the 50's into the 80's had most of their metal exterior brightwork attached with fasteners rather than adhesives, and behind the chrome was a notorious area for rust to grow. Some of the old-timers believed a periodic washing with kerosene would leave an oily residue behind the moldings that would deter rust.
I still keep a spray bottle of solvent at hand for noticeable spots of road tar, grease or similar garbage, but when clay came into widespread use about 15 years ago the need for a solvent wash diminished greatly.

End of history lesson.

Bill

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Wax and Grease Remover before detailing?

I would clay. That will remove the wax.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Wax and Grease Remover before detailing?

If the car was last waxed several months ago there probably isn't much wax left, so the first pass of a liquid paint cleaner should wipe that out pretty quickly.

But if the car was recently treated to a good synthetic sealant the polymers could actually be durable enough to cause a noticeable reduction in cut on the first several passes. Heck, even using our new sanding and finishing abrasive discs on a pretty fresh, durable polymer will cause them to not function properly. Yes, you read that right - even damp sanding doesn't work right over a fairly fresh application of many sealants. Or even over UQW!

So, if you know what's on the car and how long it's been there then you know if you can just jump into the paint cleaning process (after claying, if applicable, of course). But if it's a customer's car and you don't know, then you may want to follow your wash (and claying, if needed) with a quick IPA wipe down just to play it safe.

[charlestek]

Re: Wax and Grease Remover before detailing?

Sounds good. This is a used car I recently bought, so I have no idea what's on the finish. What is IPA? You are recommending that over wax and grease remover or denatured alcohol? I will clay the car, but I'm not sure the car needs it.

[Murr1525]

Re: Wax and Grease Remover before detailing?

IPA would be isopropyl alcohol. Usually 50:50 with water.

I would at least plan on:

Wash
Clay
SwirlX
Nxt wax - 2 coats

[charlestek]

Re: Wax and Grease Remover before detailing?

Thanks. I did do a google search and found that out. I was worried it was IPA Ale, which is too good to waste on a car

I've seen various posts about people using 91% straight, vs others where they use 70% diluted 50/50. I would think you would want the 91% straight so that it is strong enough....

I was planning on clay, IPA, Swirl Remover, Machine Glaze, Poli-Seal, then Opti-Seal.

I got the consumer Meguiars clay kit with Qwik Detailer. I hope the two small clay bars are enough. In any case, I do need to use the IPA to take off the Qwik Detailer...

Even if I use a Porter Cable buffer, this will take at least a day :-(

[Fixvet]

Re: Wax and Grease Remover before detailing?

Thanks. I did do a google search and found that out. I was worried it was IPA Ale, which is too good to waste on a car

I've seen various posts about people using 91% straight, vs others where they use 70% diluted 50/50. I would think you would want the 91% straight so that it is strong enough....

I was planning on clay, IPA, Swirl Remover, Machine Glaze, Poli-Seal, then Opti-Seal.

I got the consumer Meguiars clay kit with Qwik Detailer. I hope the two small clay bars are enough. In any case, I do need to use the IPA to take off the Qwik Detailer...

Even if I use a Porter Cable buffer, this will take at least a day :-(

Hey, let us know how it comes out!! Any before and after pics?
Thanks..........