Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

[RaskyR1]

So I've seen this a lot on a few of those other forums, where the detailer wipes the whole car down with some sort of cleaner, like an IPA solution, prior to going to their LSP.

I'm just courious how many of you do this, and if so, why?

Just to clarify, this is after doing a paint correction, not just to remove an old wax. So it would be like M105, M80, IPA, LSP.

Thanks,
Rasky

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

I believe the idea of doing an IPA wipedown is to make sure that nothing is left on the surface - glaze, product remnants, etc.

Some claim that certain products 'fill,' so the surface must be wiped with IPA to remove anything that would potentially hide paint defects.

Others claim that the protectant bonds better if the surface is perfectly clean.


Honestly, I don't use an IPA solution on the family cars or when I detail. I used it once just to make sure that a product was not hiding anything, but that's about it.

[RaskyR1]

Re: Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

I believe the idea of doing an IPA wipedown is to make sure that nothing is left on the surface - glaze, product remnants, etc.

Some claim that certain products 'fill,' so the surface must be wiped with IPA to remove anything that would potentially hide paint defects.

Others claim that the protectant bonds better if the surface is perfectly clean.


Honestly, I don't use an IPA solution on the family cars or when I detail. I used it once just to make sure that a product was not hiding anything, but that's about it.

I will do it on my test spot just to ensure there is no marring and to make sure my process is meeting my expectations. Doing it to the whole car after just getting done with the final polishing step seems to be taking a step back, not forward...

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

I probably would if I were detailing show cars, but currently I dont.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

No

Move from one step to the next step. Make sure I'm getting the results I expect from the test spot at the very beginning and once the test post proves itself then it's time to move forward with the buff-out.

[Murr1525]

Re: Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

No, it would remove your polishing oils, unless you were to add a pure polish back after the IPA.

[roushstage2]

Re: Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

No, it would remove your polishing oils, unless you were to add a pure polish back after the IPA.

Agreed. You would have to re-do the whole car.

[RaskyR1]

Re: Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

Good, it looks unanimous so far...I though maybe I was missing something.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

Moved to Member's Polls

That way it will show up in the Poll section of the homepage.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

To me it would be starting over. Do not see the need for that.

[akimel]

Re: Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

It does appear that a majority of folks over at AutoGeek and Autopia apply Prep-Sol or an IPA solution before applying their LSP. They believe that the durability and longevity of the LSP, especially if it is a synthetic sealant, requires as squeaky clean a surface as possible. See, e.g., this thread:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-forum/15962-thoughts-using-paint-cleaner-cleanser-after-polish.html

Does it really matter?

Al

[gb387]

Re: Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

Whoops... I clicked the wrong one. My actual answer is 'NO'... Sorry

[Ryan L.]

Re: Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

Nope..never have, never will. Unless I'm testing products, which I did with Ultimate Quik Wax.

Ryan

[Tom Weed]

Re: Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

My answer would be no as well, do a small section with glass cleaner and check my work, but that's it. I've never had any problems with my LSP holding up because I put it on after a polish.

[jmakado]

Re: Do you use a cleaner before going to your LSP?

Nope. I wipe down my test spot after it's complete to check my work but that's it. I am no chemist but I trust the chemists at Meguiar's when they say that it's a system and designed to work together. I like the look that polishing oils add to paint. And at the end of the day I am just trying to make the paint look good