Do you use a wipe down product prior to waxing or sealants?

[jms493]

Historically I would wash, clay, compound, polish and then wax/seal.

Should I wipe the vehicle down first prior to applying wax or sealant?

Preferred method or necessary?

 

[Rsurfer]

Historically I would wash, clay, compound, polish and then wax/seal.

Should I wipe the vehicle down first prior to applying wax or sealant?

Preferred method or necessary?

Wax, not so much, but sealants and coatings a definite yes.rops:

 

[FUNX650]

Only if it's recommended by
their manufacturers to do so.

Otherwise: No; never.


Bob

 

[Rsurfer]

Only if it's recommended by
their manufacturers to do so.

Otherwise: No; never.


Bob

Why not Bob? Menzerna Power Lock and Blackfire doesn't require a wipe down, but after using a compound/polish like Meg's or Menzerna which have oils..why not have an oil free surface to apply a sealant?

 

[FUNX650]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to your inquiry...

Why not Bob?

Menzerna Power Lock and Blackfire doesn't require a wipe down,

Since that's the case...and, then:
in order to answer the below:

but after using a compound/polish like Meg's or Menzerna which have oils..

why not have an oil free surface to apply a sealant?

I've never seen where the oils in Menzerna PL/Blackfire
Sealants didn't fair well (or did not commingle) with
those polishing oils of Meguiar's/Menzerna's.

To further expound:
Up until a couple of years ago I didn't know the
correct terminology to call the above phenomenon,
but now, thanks to Mike Phillips:
•I don't want to "work backwards"
-by unnecessarily removing "miscible oils"...
-or chancing to inflict unneeded marring.



Bob

 

[Kamakaz1961]

Historically I would wash, clay, compound, polish and then wax/seal.

Should I wipe the vehicle down first prior to applying wax or sealant?

Preferred method or necessary?

IMO it is generally NOT necessary to wipe down. If you still want to wipe down to be extra sure (most of the time you don't) then use something like Top Inspection. That has some Alcohol wipe down stuff in it.

But most of the time you should be fine. I would not sweat over it if you do or don't.

Your ride will look great either way!

 

[jms493]

Thanks guys...I was on the bus and this question entered my head...haha.

 

[silverfox]

I always stay within the family so I usually go right from polishing to sealant as the manufacturer recommends. Coatings obviously are different animals.

 

[FUNX650]

Thanks guys...I was on the bus and this question entered my head...haha.

Oh; so you have to go back to "the facility" at night...


Bob

 

[jms493]

Oh; so you have to go back to "the facility" at night...


Bob

The garage (facility) is hard to get to nowadays...just had my 2nd girl a month ago with a 2 year old running around wanting to know what Daddy is up to every minute.:dblthumb2:

 

[FUNX650]

The garage (facility) is hard to get to nowadays...just had my 2nd girl a month ago with a 2 year old running around wanting to know what Daddy is up to every minute.:dblthumb2:

rops:

Bob

 

[cardaddy]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to your inquiry...


Since that's the case...and, then:
in order to answer the below:


I've never seen where the oils in Menzerna PL/Blackfire
Sealants didn't fair well (or did not commingle) with
those polishing oils of Meguiar's/Menzerna's.

To further expound:
Up until a couple of years ago I didn't know the
correct terminology to call the above phenomenon,
but now, thanks to Mike Phillips:
•I don't want to "work backwards"
-by unnecessarily removing "miscible oils"...
-or chancing to inflict unneeded marring.

:dblthumb2::whs::dblthumb2:


It's been said time and time again... especially with WOWO sealants... just apply, spread, wait, get cold beverage, wipe, call it a day.

Now a WOWA, and ESPECIALLY a coating... then YES you want a surgically clean surface. :xyxthumbs:

 

[Rsurfer]

I've never seen where the oils in Menzerna PL/Blackfire
Sealants didn't fair well (or did not commingle) with
those polishing oils of Meguiar's/Menzerna's.



It's back to the old theory of removing polishing oils to inspect for swirls.

 

[Rsurfer]

:dblthumb2::whs::dblthumb2:


It's been said time and time again... especially with WOWO sealants... just apply, spread, wait, get cold beverage, wipe, call it a day.

Now a WOWA, and ESPECIALLY a coating... then YES you want a surgically clean surface. :xyxthumbs:

If your analogy is correct, why do a wipe down for a WOWA?

 

[FUNX650]

It's back to the old theory of removing polishing oils to inspect for swirls.

No old theories for me:
Performing "The Test Spot" takes care
of all the inspection for swirls that I need.:dblthumb2:


Bob

 

[Rsurfer]

No old theories for me:
Performing "The Test Spot" takes care
of all the inspection for swirls that I need.:dblthumb2:


Bob

Isn't doing a test spot doing a wipe down?
So if your test spot show that the polish hid some swirls, you would just go right over your paint with the lsp? A wipe down will not only give your LSP a clean surface, but will show the true finish after polishing. The average weekender might not care, not knowing the difference between a squirrel and a swirl.

If it took me day's to correct my paint, why would I risk not wiping down (a small step) to do a through inspection and making sure there are no marring, polishing oils or dust to interfere with my LSP.

 

[FUNX650]

Isn't doing a test spot doing a wipe down?

Since when was an inspection (for swirls) wipe-down
not part of "The Test Spot" process?

So if your test spot show that the polish hid some swirls, you would just go right over your paint with the lsp?

^^^What a sophomoric statement^^^

Link to where I have ever said anything to that affect!

If it took me day's to correct my paint,
why would I risk not wiping down

1.) Sounds like you don't trust your polishing-prowess
enough, in order for you to produce repeatable results,
starting with "The Test Spot"; and, then: from panel to
panel 'til finished.

2.) Why would you risk imparting marring by
performing total vehicle wipe-downs?

But I digress.



Bob

 

[Eldorado2k]

1.) Sounds like you don't trust your polishing-prowess
enough, in order for you to produce repeatable results,
starting with "The Test Spot"; and, then: from panel to
panel 'til finished.

2.) Why would you risk imparting marring by
performing total vehicle wipe-downs?

But I digress.



Bob

I never wipedown for these same exact reasons

 

[Valky]

Even after a big washing before applying a wax or sealant. I will wipedown using Top inspection to remove all chemical like gloss enhancer from my car. It's simple thought, how can your wax and sealant can be 100% bond when there are a layer of something over your surface?

By doing this, I found my wax and sealant stay much longer than not to do. I will not wipedown for the wash during the period though, cause by this time Gloss enhancer will be on top of my wax or sealant, not below.

 

[humbucker426]

I regularly do a 40% IPA wipedown before applying sealants and waxes. But then I came across a thread here which says that it's unnecessary and would only just heighten the risk of marring. So for 1 of my client's cars I skipped the IPA and went straight to the sealant. But I had poor results. In just a week the sealant hazed up in different spots. So I went back to IPA first then sealant and solved the problem.

I'm guessing this is because I live in a tropical country where it's more humid so I think the IPA helps provide a drier surface for the sealant to bond to.