Best Paint Prep Solution?

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Looking for the most effective paint prep product I can by to remove existing wax. Car is new, paint is in great shape. However, it does have an existing wax on it. There is no substituting polishing, but I'd like to find the most effective paint prep type product. Something similar or like a Griot's Paint Prep.....

Thank you
 
NJNinja said:
Looking for the most effective paint prep
product I can by to remove existing wax.
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IMO:

E76B0792-D5AF-4539-8361-9EA7CE86754C.jpeg



Bob
 
Thanks Bob. I'll have to look for that.
 
NJNinja said:
There is no substituting polishing,
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Agreed.


NJNinja said:
but I'd like to find the most effective paint prep type product.
Click to expand...


While some solvents may work "effective" to remove whatever wax is on the surface, I think the marring you risk inducing isn't worth it.


What are you working on and what is the end-goal?

Are you going to switch to a different LSP?


:)
 
I picked up a new vehicle and the previous owner recently used a spray sealant and a ceramic spray on top of that. I'd like to strip those and start over. That's my main goal. I haven't decided on what to use at this point.

I'd like to skip the polishing step, if possible.
 
NJNinja said:
I picked up a new vehicle and the previous owner recently used a spray sealant and a ceramic spray on top of that. I'd like to strip those and start over. That's my main goal. I haven't decided on what to use at this point.

I'd like to skip the polishing step, if possible.
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I completely understand.

If it were me? I would wash, clay and do one machine polishing step - this way not only do I know 100% everything is removed I also know I will have removed any minor paint imperfections in the process and perfectly prepared the paint for MY choice of LSP.

Wiping with some kind of solvent does not ensure 100% of any previously applied product is removed and it does risk marring the paint. Plus if there are any imperfections wiping will not remove them.


Nothing looks better than a freshly polished car.


I wish you luck.


:cheers:
 
You could also try washing the car with Dawn dishwashing liquid to help strip the wax but if it were mine...I’d still polish then wipe with a prep or IPA then do your coating. That new of a car shouldnt need a decon but then again...it couldnt hurt.


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I've read Dawn does very little. I'm going to polish first. I don't want to half@ss it. :)
 
cameradude said:
You could also try washing the car with Dawn dishwashing liquid to help strip the wax but if it were mine...I’d still polish then wipe with a prep or IPA then do your coating. That new of a car shouldnt need a decon but then again...it couldnt hurt.


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Click to expand...

That myth has been busted. Dawn does not strip any decent wax/sealant. What it does is leave a film on the paint that masks the effect of the protection you're trying to remove. Then you think it did what you wanted but not only is the protection still there, it now also has that film on top that will make it even harder for any protection you want to add to the paint to adhere properly. Dawn is made for dishes, not cars. Keep it away from the garage.
 
Bruno Soares said:
That myth has been busted. Dawn does not strip any decent wax/sealant. What it does is leave a film on the paint that masks the effect of the protection you're trying to remove. Then you think it did what you wanted but not only is the protection still there, it now also has that film on top that will make it even harder for any protection you want to add to the paint to adhere properly. Dawn is made for dishes, not cars. Keep it away from the garage.
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...it may have a crappy wax/sealant
Plus if you gonna decon and polish anyway, then wipe down...dont think there’s gonna be any trace of Dawn left.


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NJNinja said:
Most likely Griot's 3 in 1. Or TWSNS.
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I would just take my chances and apply it over whats there if you don’t want to polish given you chemically decontaminate and use the prep wipe of your choice. It will eventually become your main sort of protection.

The benefit of a spray is you can use it as often as you like.
 
cameradude said:
You could also try washing the car with Dawn dishwashing liquid to help strip the wax but if it were mine...I’d still polish then wipe with a prep or IPA then do your coating. That new of a car shouldnt need a decon but then again...it couldnt hurt.


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Click to expand...

Bruno Soares said:
That myth has been busted. Dawn does not strip any decent wax/sealant. What it does is leave a film on the paint that masks the effect of the protection you're trying to remove. Then you think it did what you wanted but not only is the protection still there, it now also has that film on top that will make it even harder for any protection you want to add to the paint to adhere properly. Dawn is made for dishes, not cars. Keep it away from the garage.
Click to expand...

Bruno nailed it.

And I know most people have not used/do not trust the 3M Adhesive Remover that Bob posted. But it really does work, and is clear coat safe.

But like Mike P. posted, there is no better way to do it than to machine polish any LSP off the paint. :)
 
As [mention]Klasse Act [/mention] mention the kleen strip preps all is very popular and gets good reviews.

I personally like CarPro Eraser but recently tried BF paint prep and it seems to work just as well.


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Bruno Soares said:
That myth has been busted. Dawn does not strip any decent wax/sealant. What it does is leave a film on the paint that masks the effect of the protection you're trying to remove. Then you think it did what you wanted but not only is the protection still there, it now also has that film on top that will make it even harder for any protection you want to add to the paint to adhere properly. Dawn is made for dishes, not cars. Keep it away from the garage.
Click to expand...

I have no idea why Dawn / Dish wash keeps getting recommended for strip washing these days.

There are a range of decon soaps on the market, CarPro Lift or NV Snow+ for example, that do the job without the residue issues imparted from the use of Dawn.

Now, technically the residue will be polished off, but then why bother to do the Dawn wash in the first place?
 
Bruno Soares said:
That myth has been busted. Dawn does not strip any decent wax/sealant. What it does is leave a film on the paint that masks the effect of the protection you're trying to remove. Then you think it did what you wanted but not only is the protection still there, it now also has that film on top that will make it even harder for any protection you want to add to the paint to adhere properly. Dawn is made for dishes, not cars. Keep it away from the garage.
Click to expand...

So i won’t use dish soap on my car. But a weird scenario.......

I soak some applicators i used to apply wax and soaked them in an APC overnight. No go after rinsing out. Tried overnight with P&S R2R..... still no go.

Then i soaked them in Palmolive for an hour and they rinsed alot cleaner. I do feel like the dish soap did a good job of breaking down the wax.

I don’t know if the same can be said for waxes or sealants but it was a night and day difference.

I keep reading that the Dawn myth had been busted. Is their an article that anyone knows of? Would love to read.


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