Wax stripping question

[clay]

Hi all:
I have to travel 40-60 miles through snow to meet with a client every week for the foreseeable future. Last week, the front of my perfectly detailed Volvo S60R got blasted by the trucks spreading sand of the highway (more like a rock spreader with some sand mixed in). I was literally sick after washing the car and seeing the damage. Chips on the paint, headlight covers and winshield. I re-detailed with speed-80, *7 and #26. It looks a little better, but I need to protect it from future damage

The best solution I can find is the 3m Invisi-Shield. Here's the link if you want to see it. Has anybody ever used this product?

http://www.invisiblemask.com/site.html

Everyone on the forums thinks this is the best solution. It evidently works well on vehicles in Montana and Wyoming

Invisi-Shield installation requires that I strip the wax off the front of the car, so the plastic will adhere to the paint. Has anybody ever done this? How do I do it without damaging the paint? Is there a way to ensure that the wax is completely off?

As always, your input is highly appreciated
Clay

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Wax stripping question

The best and safest way to strip the finish down to fresh paint would be to spend about $6.00 and buy some Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, rub the paint down very thoroughly with this, and then wash this area with a car wash or dish soap depending upon how virgin clean you want it.

Some people will recommend using a chemical stripper like Prep Sol from SEM and that will work but you want the paint to look good under the protective film and our paint cleaners clean and make the paint look good, so in our opinion it's a more intelligent approach.

After cleaning with the DCPC if you wash the front clip you'll remove any traces of the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner as it's water soluble.

Our car washes are non-detergent and contain conditioning agents to make the paint look good so if you want an absolutely naked paint finish use a dish soap instead.

Up to you...

[onawrxhigh]

Re: Wax stripping question

The best and safest way to strip the finish down to fresh paint would be to spend about $6.00 and buy some Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, rub the paint down very thoroughly with this, and then wash this area with a car wash or dish soap depending upon how virgin clean you want it.

Some people will recommend using a chemical stripper like Prep Sol from SEM and that will work but you want the paint to look good under the protective film and our paint cleaners clean and make the paint look good, so in our opinion it's a more intelligent approach.

After cleaning with the DCPC if you wash the front clip you'll remove any traces of the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner as it's water soluble.

Our car washes are non-detergent and contain conditioning agents to make the paint look good so if you want an absolutely naked paint finish use a dish soap instead.

Up to you...

Mike said it best.

Andrew

[roushstage2]

Re: Wax stripping question

Just putting this out there, 3M has an aerosol wax and adhesive remover safe for paint.

[MoJam]

Re: Wax stripping question

Just putting this out there, 3M has an aerosol wax and adhesive remover safe for paint.

I haven't been able to find that product in my area for a long time. Thought maybe it's VOC content was too high and got pulled of the shelf. I guess I was wrong. Back in the day, that's what I used for a tar, sap, bug etc. remover. Tarminator took it's place for awhile and now I use Body Solvent.

[roushstage2]

Re: Wax stripping question

I picked mine up at Wal-Mart about a week ago IIRC for $5.00 or so.

3M Part No. 03618

[roushstage2]

Re: Wax stripping question

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/government/innovative_solutions/node_GS9XXLR2K5gs/root_GS3RBW6QFVgv/vroot_31S2JJ7584ge/bgel_F8F74ZTC6Lbl/gvel_86T5B1F0W5gl/theme_us_innovativesolutions_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html

[clay]

Re: Wax stripping question

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. I think I'll start with DCPC since I have a full bottle in the garage.

Mike, would you use a buffer with DCPC, or apply it by hand? I'll let you know how it comes out.
Clay

[Wolf-Strong]

Re: Wax stripping question

+1 on the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner. I keep a bottle on hand just for that.

[Bert31]

Re: Wax stripping question

The best and safest way to strip the finish down to fresh paint would be to spend about $6.00 and buy some Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, rub the paint down very thoroughly with this, and then wash this area with a car wash or dish soap depending upon how virgin clean you want it.

Some people will recommend using a chemical stripper like Prep Sol from SEM and that will work but you want the paint to look good under the protective film and our paint cleaners clean and make the paint look good, so in our opinion it's a more intelligent approach.

After cleaning with the DCPC if you wash the front clip you'll remove any traces of the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner as it's water soluble.

Our car washes are non-detergent and contain conditioning agents to make the paint look good so if you want an absolutely naked paint finish use a dish soap instead.

Up to you...

Mike could one use SuperDegreaser or APC+ at the appropriate dilution levels to strip their LSP off? (Off the top of my head, I am not sure what those dilution ratios would be).

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Wax stripping question

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. I think I'll start with DCPC since I have a full bottle in the garage.

Mike, would you use a buffer with DCPC, or apply it by hand? I'll let you know how it comes out.
Clay

Either way, your choice. I try to do everything by machine when I can, let the machine do the work plus better results.

Mike could one use Super Degreaser or APC+ at the appropriate dilution levels to strip their LSP off?

(Off the top of my head, I am not sure what those dilution ratios would be).

You can use Super Degreaser for removing a LSP but just to note, stripping with a degreaser tends to leave paint dull while stripping with a paint cleaner will leave the paint clear and shiny.

Super Degreaser



Meguiar's Super Degreaser exceeds expectations by quickly breaking down even the toughest grease. Its fast acting, free rinsing formula prevents unsightly white residue stains while its herbal fragrance creates a pleasant work environment.

D-10801 1 gallon
D-10805 5 gallon
D-10855 55 gallon


Dewaxing 20:1
Medium Duty Degreasing 10:1
Heavy Duty Degreasing 4:1


I'll check on APC and APC+

[roushstage2]

Re: Wax stripping question

Thought I saw the same for APC+ in the thread that discussed it's release.

[mb911]

Re: Wax stripping question

Are you going to install the plastic protection yourself? I sure want to do that, but scared I won't do too good considering all the fans curves and lines in my front bumper!

Let us know how the installation goes!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Wax stripping question

Checked with Jason Rose who is in charge of the Professional Line, so he knows these products as good or better than anyone.

You can use either APC or APC+ to remove or strip car waxes and paint sealants from your car's paint.

64:1 For a regular car wax type products
20:1 For hi-tech polymer type products

Again, would like to point out that chemically striping a wax or paint sealant off your car's paint will tend to dull the paint while rubbing or machine cleaning with a light paint cleaner or a light cleaner/polish will remove the wax or paint sealant yet it will leave the paint clear and glossy.

Both approaches will work, one is walking or moving forward in the paint polishing process one is moving backwards in the paint polishing process.

All Purpose Cleaner



Meguiar's All Purpose Cleaner is ideal for reconditioning interior surfaces. The superior foaming action gently lifts the dirt away while its unique blend of fabric softeners and optical brighteners enhance the look and feel of carpet, upholstery, vinyl and even leather.

D-10101 1 gallon
D-10105 5 gallon
D-10155 55 gallon

Medium Duty Degreasing 10:1
Heavy Duty Degreasing 4:1



All Purpose Cleaner Plus


Meguiar’s® All Purpose Cleaner Plus is a true all surface cleaner ideally suited for today’s fast paced, high volume, detail operations where one simple solution is needed for a wide variety of cleaning needs. It provides mixtures for heavy cleaning of engines and tires, fast interior cleaning, as well as a low foam ratio for use in carpet and upholstery extraction machines. Leaves carpet clean, smelling pleasant, and the fibers soft with no sticky residue. Safe for clear plastic, glass and leather.

• Sizes Available
  D10301 All Purpose Cleaner Plus 1-Gallon
  D10305 All Purpose Cleaner Plus 5-Gallon
  D10355 All Purpose Cleaner Plus 55-Gallon

[Bert31]

Re: Wax stripping question

Again, would like to point out that chemically striping a wax or paint sealant off your car's paint will tend to dull the paint while rubbing or machine cleaning with a light paint cleaner or a light cleaner/polish will remove the wax or paint sealant yet it will leave the paint clear and glossy.

Both approaches will work, one is walking or moving forward in the paint polishing process one is moving backwards in the paint polishing process.

Once or twice a year, I like to strip everything down to the bare naked clear and start all over again with Polymer Sealant. I may use an AIO under the Polymer Sealant but I still just like the idea of starting fresh every once in a while. Some people say dish soap is the best way to do this since it leaves nothing on the paint like car wash can. I didn't know if diluted APC, APC+, or SuperDegreaser would be a better way to achieve that goal.