Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)

BobbyG

BobbyG

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Most everyone is familiar with Isopropyl Alcohol. It's been around for years but I see it's even made its way into detailing. I know it cleans and it has "some" ability to dissolve oils but if someone could elaborate on its use here I'd appreciate it!

What does it do for you?
When do you use it?

Thanks Group!
 
Its main use I think generally speaking is to wipe off any remaining polish or polish residue. Such as...
You use M105 to polish your panel. You wipe off the polish you can, then you spray it with some IPA and wipe it off again. This assures that you have successfully removed all the M105, and when you inspect the panel, you aren't seeing any of the polish just filling in the swirls/scratches.

Using 91% not cut works best for me. Some use it cut 50/50 with water.

Rsurfer or ASPHALT ROCKET will be able to give you a better answer than me.

There are several threads with a lot of discussion on it. Mike Phillips and Dana (ASPHALT ROCKET) have had a bit of debate on its use in other threads.

DLB
 
I've used it same as DLB for inspecing a TRUE finish and to remove excess oils etc...

Yesterday, fellow member Robbyboats and I were trying out PB Trim Restorer for the first time (nice product) so we used IPA to clean up the trim prior to applyin gthe PB's. It may not be one of those must have in your arsenal type of things but it's one of those spray bottles that you like to have easy reach to. Oh yeah if I'm adding labels to spray bottles or whatever I can just grab the IPA to clean up the surface.
 
DLB said:
Its main use I think generally speaking is to wipe off any remaining polish or polish residue. Such as...
You use M105 to polish your panel. You wipe off the polish you can, then you spray it with some IPA and wipe it off again. This assures that you have successfully removed all the M105, and when you inspect the panel, you aren't seeing any of the polish just filling in the swirls/scratches.

Using 91% not cut works best for me. Some use it cut 50/50 with water.

Rsurfer or ASPHALT ROCKET will be able to give you a better answer than me.

There are several threads with a lot of discussion on it. Mike Phillips and Dana (ASPHALT ROCKET) have had a bit of debate on its use in other threads.

DLB
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Rsurfer and ASPHALT ROCKET step right up and be heard! I'd like to hear how and when you use Isopropyl Alcohol too.
 
I think the consensus will be its often used while polishing to assure the panel is corrected properly and removes any fillers.
 
Isopropyl is a must have for any detailer and its cheap. I had some nasty tree sap on my car from a year ago that had hardened like cement. Nothing would get this off. I tried gently dabbing it with some 91 IPA and it gentle removed every last bit of it. I also have used it to successful (and safely) remove some greenish mold (or something) off of a white Celica. Nothing else would get it off. The IPA made short work of it. Just my .02 cents.
 
IPA should be used after every polishing step to remove any polish residue. This will give you your true finish and not mask anything.
 
I use the 91% and cut it with water 50/50 some say it's a waste of time but haven't been able to figure out why some say that.As mentioned before it removes any oils left behind leaving a clean surface for the nxt step.
 
Mineral spirits is another alternative to IPA for cleaning paint of oils.
 
Guys,

This is just the information I was looking for, thanks for helping out!! :props: :props:
 
ASPHALT ROCKET said:
IPA should be used after every polishing step to remove any polish residue. This will give you your true finish and not mask anything.
Click to expand...

Just to be clear in my mind, is this only after a polish like M105 or M205 or after glaze and sealants as well?

I just don't want to spend a ton of time only to ruin a job because on my misunderstanding.
 
BobbyG said:
Just to be clear in my mind, is this only after a polish like M105 or M205 or after glaze and sealants as well?

I just don't want to spend a ton of time only to ruin a job because on my misunderstanding.
Click to expand...

After polishes only, then apply your sealant and you will be good to go. No need for glaze if you polish the paint correctly, so save yourself a step and work the polish, do your wipedowns inbetween and then apply your lsp.
 
ASPHALT ROCKET said:
After polishes only, then apply your sealant and you will be good to go. No need for glaze if you polish the paint correctly, so save yourself a step and work the polish, do your wipedowns inbetween and then apply your lsp.
Click to expand...

Much obliged Mr Rocket! Is that your black C6 in the avatar?
 
ASPHALT ROCKET said:
No need for glaze if you polish the paint correctly, so save yourself a step and work the polish.
Click to expand...

A good glaze can enhance a good correction job in my experience, but it contributes much less to the final look of the paint than a complete jeweling step.
 
I thing to note is that some polishes swell the paint to make it look like full correction has been done but after a day some may come back. They will come back as fine scratches. IPA will go along way in removing fillers but cant count out paint swelling.
 
christian900se said:
A good glaze can enhance a good correction job in my experience, but it contributes much less to the final look of the paint than a complete jeweling step.
Click to expand...

As Dana has said if you do a good job polishing the paint correctly and remove the swrils there will be no need for a glaze. By "general definition", most glazes contain large amounts of fillers (which hide/mask swirls and micro-marring). The only time there would be a reason to use a glaze (if the paint is polished correctly) is if you were using a polish such as Wolfgang Finishing Glaze 3.0. The reason being is by "general definition" Wolfgang Finishing Glaze 3.0 really isn't a glaze, but is rather a true polish and doesn't contain the same fillers designed to hide/mask swirls as a true glaze does.
 
BobbyG said:
Much obliged Mr Rocket! Is that your black C6 in the avatar?
Click to expand...

You welcome, yes that is my car.

christian900se said:
A good glaze can enhance a good correction job in my experience, but it contributes much less to the final look of the paint than a complete jeweling step.
Click to expand...

Well then why don't you just do thge jewel step then because then it will be permanent. Once again if the finish is properly corrected a glaze will not enhance a finish and in some cases make it look worse.
 
ASPHALT ROCKET said:
You welcome, yes that is my car.



Well then why don't you just do thge jewel step then because then it will be permanent. Once again if the finish is properly corrected a glaze will not enhance a finish and in some cases make it look worse.
Click to expand...

I did not say that you should skip correction, so don't twist my words. I have respect for using a finishing polish after honing my technique and getting fantastic results (on your encouragement and guidance), and like you go straight to LSP afterwards. However, I do think that it is possible to enhance a finish with products like glazes, sealants, and waxes although it becomes highly subjective at that point.

Some people like a product that may darken the paint which can contribute to a much warmer look (like PB's Black Hole) so if that is your intended goal, it can be said a glaze can enhance or enable that particular tone or final product.
 
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christian900se said:
I did not say that you should skip correction, so don't twist my words. I have respect for using a finishing polish after honing my technique and getting fantastic results (on your encouragement and guidance), and like you go straight to LSP afterwards. However, I do think that it is possible to enhance a finish with products like glazes, sealants, and waxes although it becomes highly subjective at that point.

Some people like a product that may darken the paint which can contribute to a much warmer look (like PB's Black Hole) so if that is your intended goal, it can be said a glaze can enhance or enable that particular tone or final product.
Click to expand...

I wasn't twisting your words, what I was trying to say instead of doing a glaze step just finish polish the finish correctly and you will not need to use glaze. All I will say about a glaze or an lsp enhancing the finish is that something was left from the polishing stages.

I will give you a for instance, a few years ago Red Moose Glaze was all the talk. Well I said what the heck lets give it a try. I polished my vette and used the glaze after polishing and it actually dulled the finish. With that being said if the finish is correctly polished glaze or an lsp is not going to enhance the finish what so ever. The reason you use an lsp is to protect all your hard work and the finish.
 
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