Alcohol, LSP Question

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SATracker

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As I understand things, rubbing alcohol is used as a LSP after polishing to ensure that all the polish has been removed and the surface is ready for sealant/wax. When washing/waxing a car, is there any point to an alcohol "LSP"- after claying and before waxing? Another way of asking, does the alcohol remove any previous wax?
 
alcohol removes wax but so does claying. Ideally, you would use something to strip your wax off during your wash, then clay would get rid of the rest. Applying a paint cleaner is also good before waxing but not IPA.

alcohol also softens paint over time so we tend to stay away from it, especially on black paints. If you must use it then stay with a 10-15% dilution

much better stuff out there for stripping polish oils like paint prep, eraser, pre-wax cleaner etc...
 
embolism said:
alcohol removes wax but so does claying. Ideally, you would use something to strip your wax off during your wash, then clay would get rid of the rest. Applying a paint cleaner is also good before waxing but not IPA.

alcohol also softens paint over time so we tend to stay away from it, especially on black paints. If you must use it then stay with a 10-15% dilution

much better stuff out there for stripping polish oils like paint prep, eraser, pre-wax cleaner etc...
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Did you know that Eraser is approximately 30% IPA?
 
@embolism, if I use ONR followed by clay, then previous wax should be removed?
 
DARK HORSE said:
Did you know that Eraser is approximately 30% IPA?
Click to expand...

I think I read it's btw 30-50% IPA which is why I won't use it but for harder paints it's an option.

SA, ONR doesn't strip wax so after claying, if I wanted to put a sealant on, I'd use a paint cleaner to remove any old wax residue.

If I was just adding a fresh layer of wax however, I'd just add the wax. If there is any old wax remaining, it is compatible with the fresh stuff. Just depends on how much work you want or have time to do.
 
@embolism. Thanks man, so one more set of questions.
1) Is there an "ONR" type (no rinse or "waterless") product that does strip wax?
2) What "bucket" type washes remove old wax, and are there unintended side affects?
 
embolism said:
I think I read it's btw 30-50% IPA which is why I won't use it but for harder paints it's an option.
.
Click to expand...

Eraser is actually slightly less than 30% IPA.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to stir; I am just curious why you said: "not IPA"/ "much better stuff out there for stripping polish oils like paint prep, eraser, pre-wax cleaner etc..." If you recommend against using IPA and you won't use eraser...:confused:
 
I was reading- Pinnacle & Wolfgang specifically say they do not remove wax. So, a new set of questions to all you experts out there: Do you want to remove a previous wax when washing a car? Do you want/need to remove old wax before putting on a new wax?
Sorry about the obsessiveness of the quesitons, I'm just curious.
 
SATracker said:
I was reading- Pinnacle & Wolfgang specifically say they do not remove wax. So, a new set of questions to all you experts out there: Do you want to remove a previous wax when washing a car? Do you want/need to remove old wax before putting on a new wax?
Sorry about the obsessiveness of the quesitons, I'm just curious.
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You do not need to strip the wax during the wash, but it is an option. I typically use APC during the wash cycle after I have polished, and before I do an IPA wipedown, prior to a new layer of wax or sealant. If you haven't polished, then you have no polishing oils to remove, only a layer of old wax. In this case I would recommend a good paint cleaner after a traditional wash, and before laying down a new coat of wax or sealant. The paint cleaner will remove the old wax or sealant (which I feel is a definite benefit), thus providing a more adequate surface for your LSP to bond to, as well as it will clean the paint giving it a nice glossy shine before waxing or sealing. A great paint cleaner that can be used by machine or by hand is Pinnacle Paint Cleansing Lotion. Other good paint cleaners are Wolfgang and P21S.

BTW Alcohol is not a LSP
LSP = last step product = wax or sealant.
 
I use Alcohol to admire the results after the LSP is applied. And by admire I mean consume.
 
LegacyGT said:
I use Alcohol to admire the results after the LSP is applied. And by admire I mean consume.
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Bill...:wow:::laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:Im the MANIm the MAN:laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing::wow:
 
@Dark Horse, thanks for the LSP correction. I typed it, wasn't what I meant to type- kinda brain f*rt. I meant LSP ready.
 
SATracker said:
@Dark Horse, thanks for the LSP correction. I typed it, wasn't what I meant to type- kinda brain f*rt. I meant LSP ready.
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No prob, I hear ya man (I have those brain f*rts all the time)..:laughing:
 
Mixing drinking and LSPing is a big NO NO. It is why Bill is in such terrible trouble.
 
I have been using alcohol (70-91%) neat for 6 years at least 2 times a year on an Infiniti which has soft clear and to this date have not seen a problem. I will continue to use IPA as a cleaning agent as I have never had a problem with it.
 
SATracker said:
@embolism. Thanks man, so one more set of questions.
1) Is there an "ONR" type (no rinse or "waterless") product that does strip wax?
2) What "bucket" type washes remove old wax, and are there unintended side affects?
Click to expand...


1) not that I know of
2) when I want to strip wax I add about 2 ounces of dawn and an ounce of car soap to two gallons of water, I rinse the car, then spray a panel with OPC @3:1, let it dwell for about 30s, then go over the panel with soap. Some people say dawn dries out your rubber and trim but I haven't experienced any issues. You can also use CG citrus wash at stripping dilution iif you don't want to use dawn.

DH, yeah prob shouldn't recommend a product I wouldn't use. I had a bad experience with IPA on week old touchup paint so I just try to stay away from it altogether now.
 
embolism said:
1) not that I know of
2) when I want to strip wax I add about 2 ounces of dawn and an ounce of car soap to two gallons of water, I rinse the car, then spray a panel with OPC @3:1, let it dwell for about 30s, then go over the panel with soap. Some people say dawn dries out your rubber and trim but I haven't experienced any issues. You can also use CG citrus wash at stripping dilution iif you don't want to use dawn.

DH, yeah prob shouldn't recommend a product I wouldn't use. I had a bad experience with IPA on week old touchup paint so I just try to stay away from it altogether now.
Click to expand...

Certainly touch up paints are much more sensitive than factory paints. This is why the Langka Blob Eliminator and DR Color Chip Systems work on the touch up, but not on the factory system.
 
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