Paint cleaner before LSP?

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DylansDetailing

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I'm looking to apply a coating to several family cars in the coming weeks. Mostly I have been looking at the DP paint coating since it can coat multiple vehicles with one bottle (budget friendly). Would a paint cleaner like the DP prep Polish add more gloss to the paint? I know that it can replace a IPA wipedown, just wondering if it'll be worth the money to buy a paint cleaner.

Also if anyone has the DP prep polish and DP paint coating that they don't use, I have some products that I don't use that we could make a trade for??
 
I use a 20% IPA, it costs almost nothing and it does a good job for me.
 
Calendyr said:
I use a 20% IPA, it costs almost nothing and it does a good job for me.
Click to expand...

Before coatings I use carpro eraser after a cleaner or light polish most of the time. If I happen to be out of eraser I'll do an IPA wipedown.
Paint cleaners are great option if the condition of the paint is to your liking. I've not yet had a clients car come in for a coating and not need some form of light polishing first. Remember that without any polishing you may be coating over defects and in doing so the coating may amplify the presence of swirls and scratches.
 
The way I look at it is, if your going to spend all the time to wash, prep, & coat the car... Why wouldn't you spend the $20 or whatever it costs for the RIGHT paint cleaner/prep product?

I could not see spending all of MY time to coat a car, only to have "issues" later on because I was trying to save $ on the coating manufacturer's prep product. Now, I could see if the prep product was like $500 or something - but my guess is a small bottle is likely 20 bills.

Numerous detailers have had numerous experiences with IPA not removing wax/sealant/polishing oils/etc... So, that is why DP makes a specific prep polish to remove whatever is on the surface that could interfere with the coating bonding.

When your coating something, the correct prep is pretty important for the coating to last as designed. Just prep the way the manufacturer recommends with their product. Think of it as cheap insurance that the coating will last as it should.

Good luck however you do it.
 
The final results are dependent on everything you do PRIOR to adding the Last Step Protection.

Removing swirls, oxidation, grime, staining etc are a must if you desire a smooth mirror like finish. While sealants and waxes add gloss they are also meant to protect all the work and effort making the finish as defect free as possible.

Spending some time working the finish with an Orange and White foam pad along with a compound and finishing polish.

To simplify the compounding and polishing, two over the counter products by Meguiar's do a great job at removing minor scratches, swirls, and like defects leaving the finish looking like glass.

Meguiar's Ultimate Compound

Meguiar's Ultimate Polish
 
BobbyG said:
The final results are dependent on everything you do PRIOR to adding the Last Step Protection.

Removing swirls, oxidation, grime, staining etc are a must if you desire a smooth mirror like finish. While sealants and waxes add gloss they are also meant to protect all the work and effort making the finish as defect free as possible.

Spending some time working the finish with an Orange and White foam pad along with a compound and finishing polish.

To simplify the compounding and polishing, two over the counter products by Meguiar's do a great job at removing minor scratches, swirls, and like defects leaving the finish looking like glass.

Meguiar's Ultimate Compound

Meguiar's Ultimate Polish
Click to expand...


Great advice:dblthumb2:
 
I asked a very similar question some months back and was looking for a product to more effectively "clean" the surface before my sealants. Let me see if i can kind of combine both swanic and BobbyG's responses.

I agree wholeheartedly with both (and over the years i can't ever disagree with anything those guys say...spot on info from 2 of the masters). Yes, Bobby is suggesting thorough defect removal is the key to a brilliant shine and swanic suggests a final "paint clean" to make sure your coating adheres well to the surface to insure longevity. I have always liked the "system" approach and if the DP Paint Polish is meant as a pre sealant/coating step to clean the surface, it should work perfect prior to DP coating.

The reason i asked my question several months ago was because i am already spending a great deal of time with maybe several different products from compounding down to final "jeweling" to remove defects. I wanted a pre LSP cleaner to remove anything left behind from those steps. I had already extracted the most shine i could get (Bobby's point) and wasn't necessarily looking for anything to amp up the shine...just a chemical cleaner to remove anything left behind that might inhibit bonding of my sealant (swanic's point). After reading the AG product description, DP Paint Prep reads as a good one for your DP Coating.
 
So this is what I did Detailing Related yesterday. My other uncle came over. The body shop manager not the estimator. I handed him some Wolfgang Uber Compound and Wolfgang Swirl Remover. He opens the bottle puts a little compound on his fingers then rubs his fingers back and fourth.

He then asks, "is it going to really cut or is it oils that cover the sanding?"

My other uncle who I handed some too months back said "it really works my buffer was amazed at this stuff"

My estimator uncle then asks "what is a good way to clean the paint to check your work?"

I say IPA my body shop manager uncle says paint cleaner. So this got me wondering if the stuff we use to Detail paint can be used to shoot paint on vehicles? (anyone know?)

I've been to Meguiar's plenty of times that I am now known by name there. (not by the entire building :D ) well they use IPA, while I was always finicky at first in using something that it's not designed for. I now use IPA.

Especially before applying a coating

Side Note: it will be used to cut 1,200 grit on a rotary btw (repaints)
 
I have great luck with PRIMA AMIGO before a LSP. It adds great gloss! Really a 3 in 1 product.

Paint cleanser, polish, and glaze in one!

Prima Amigo Pre-Wax Cleanser & Gloss Enhancer defies categorization and convention. It’s a paintwork cleanser plus a polymer-based glaze and polish that removes up to 3000 grit imperfections. Combine all three properties and you can see why we think Prima Amigo doesn't fall into any currently defined categories of car care products.

Mild cleaners in Prima Amigo break up oxidation and remove dead paint. Embedded grime is gently lifted from the surface. Mineral deposits from water spots disappear. Prima Amigo is the perfect prep-step for well-cared-for paint that just needs a cleaning before wax.

As a polymer-based glaze, Prima Amigo fills slight imperfections and adds stunning gloss, while leaving the finish slick to the touch. The unique thing about Amigo is the polymer. Although it doesn’t provide protection the way Prima Epic will, it does allow you to go directly to your wax step without any bonding or durability issues. Try that with a normal glaze and your protection will simply rinse off. Prima Amigo allows you to fill imperfections, add gloss, and then seal it in with your synthetic wax. No other product on the market gives your vehicle what Prima Amigo gives it.

If you have ever fought with black paint as you tried to remove the very last bit of hazing left by your polish steps, you will truly appreciate Prima Amigo. Used with your polisher, it will remove the lightest of surface imperfections. Black becomes a crystal lagoon of depth and clarity. Red becomes a bright liquid-like glow of its former self. Light colors pop with brilliance. Prima Amigo is your last step to perfection.

Whether you are cleaning, glazing or polishing, spend some time with Prima Amigo and you will see why we think it will be your new best friend.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/78309-early-spring-detail.html
 
BobbyG said:
The final results are dependent on everything you do PRIOR to adding the Last Step Protection.

Removing swirls, oxidation, grime, staining etc are a must if you desire a smooth mirror like finish. While sealants and waxes add gloss they are also meant to protect all the work and effort making the finish as defect free as possible.

Spending some time working the finish with an Orange and White foam pad along with a compound and finishing polish.

To simplify the compounding and polishing, two over the counter products by Meguiar's do a great job at removing minor scratches, swirls, and like defects leaving the finish looking like glass.

Meguiar's Ultimate Compound

Meguiar's Ultimate Polish
Click to expand...

I like seeing the OTC stuff recommended by pros. If it works great, it works great, no matter where it came from. I have a bottle of P21 Paintwork Cleanser and gave it a mediocre review because my final stage polish and IPA were just as good, and available at WalMart.
 
I can tell you after buying DP Prep Polish last year, it makes a difference. I tested on my wife's Pilot after I used Megs UC and the Prep Polish actually pulled some additional stuff off the paint. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but I'd wager a proper paint cleaner would be a good investment.
 
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