Optimum Paint Prep before McKees Paint Coating?

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CC268

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Hey guys,

A fellow Autogeeker suggested using Optimum Paint Prep before McKees Paint Coating instead of the McKees Coating Prep as it would save me a lot of time. I have a big F150 and doing a polish like M205 followed by McKees Coating Prep Polish and then following that with the Paint Coating is a ton of work. If I have something I can just spray on after polishing to remove any oils, etc it will save me a lot of time. What do you guys think?
 
CC268 said:
Hey guys,

A fellow Autogeeker suggested using Optimum Paint Prep before McKees Paint Coating instead of the McKees Coating Prep as it would save me a lot of time. I have a big F150 and doing a polish like M205 followed by McKees Coating Prep Polish and then following that with the Paint Coating is a ton of work. If I have something I can just spray on after polishing to remove any oils, etc it will save me a lot of time. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

I had the same issue with PBL v2, I just used the Wolfgang paint prep. The pinnacle surface cleansing polish was another polishing step...to...yup...clean up polishing oils. Go figure - that and ofcourse the product didnt work and dried instantly. Stick to the sprays.
 
I used Menzerna SF4000 to quickly polish and hit my vehicles. Nothing more than just a clean up to remove previous products is all you need. After that I simply gave them a quick IPA wipe off and it was perfect. Could definitely tell there was nothing on the paint from just the feel of it.
 
I guess I need to look up this IPA wipe as I always hear people talking about that. That could be a cheap alternative to buying the Optimum Prep Spray.

So I could do:

M205 on black pad
IPA wipe
McKees Paint Coating

?
 
CC268 said:
I guess I need to look up this IPA wipe as I always hear people talking about that. That could be a cheap alternative to buying the Optimum Prep Spray.

So I could do:

M205 on black pad
IPA wipe
McKees Paint Coating

?
Click to expand...

I suppose a black pad works but I would use it on a white pad. The added density is what you'll need to insure removal and that the 205 is doing it's job. Won't hurt a thing and will be better overall.

IPA wipe downs get mixed opinions on many forums. I've been using it for decades and stick with it. Doesn't hurt a thing and really does insure there's nothing left on the paint. I make mine a bit stronger at just under 50/50 with distilled water but again, hurts nothing.

If your truck is already perfected and ready to coat the above goes by super super fast. I did our minivan in very short order one night after dinner. I didn't even expect to finish it that night but did so before the sun was completely down.

It's been about a month and I'm going to likely put a second coat of McKee's on her today when my wife gets home. She's really looking purdy and I'm not just talking about my wife :) Although she is getting her hair done as I type.
 
Okay...so 32oz spray bottle I would do 16oz water 16oz IPA? What IPA concentration do you use? They usually come in 50, 70, and 91 I think...
 
Reading some of Mike Phillips Articles I am a little iffy about using IPA...maybe I ought to just buy the Optimum Prep Spry
 
IPA is good too. Just depends on your paint really. Apparently - IPA can marr the finish on softer paints, resulting in harming all your polishing work. AND do not let it get under your tape. Remove all tape before using IPA.

I personally used IPA on my moms Audi as its rock hard paint.

On my Honda I just erred on teh side of caution and used paint prep. I did not want to risk it with IPA.

Ford paint is not as soft as Honda paint so I think you should be fine.

For IPA - here is the link you want :
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ow-mix-ipa-inspecting-correction-results.html

P.S. Plenty of coating manufacturers recommend IPA wipe downs. While it might marr finishes, its also important to take into account marketing hype. It did what it was supposed to both you and I, and now we are worried to use IPA lol.

1 year ago there was no prep product - everyone used IPA. You know where I am going with this.

If you still feel unsafe, get the paint preps "SPRAYS" - avoid the paint prep polishes :)
 
Okay so it looks like a 10% dilution is what you want...so many dang opinions it's enough to drive you nuts lol...
 
CC268 said:
Reading some of Mike Phillips Articles I am a little iffy about using IPA...maybe I ought to just buy the Optimum Prep Spry
Click to expand...

whatever you feel comfy with works. I've had zero issues with the typical lower concentration 50-70% concentration used in my mix. I don't wash the car with it, I just dampen my MF Rag, mist the paint and wipe off. It's evaporated and dry nearly immediately after I wipe so there's no concentrated mix pooling on the paint. Works great from soft suby and honda paint to tough paints like vettes or VW.
 
Well maybe I will go the route of IPA and use a 10% ratio as suggested in Mikes article
 
pdqgp said:
whatever you feel comfy with works. I've had zero issues with the typical lower concentration 50-70% concentration used in my mix. I don't wash the car with it, I just dampen my MF Rag, mist the paint and wipe off. It's evaporated and dry nearly immediately after I wipe so there's no concentrated mix pooling on the paint. Works great from soft suby and honda paint to tough paints like vettes or VW.
Click to expand...

Ditto!

I have 70% IPA available here. So I used Mikes article and mixed up the 17% IPA solution. Did not wanna complicate things further. I followed the 70% IPA dilution articles to teh T.
 
Cool maybe I will do that...somewhere in the middle between 10% and 25% solution sounds good.
 
So:
You're thinking about using a
different "paint prep product",
than McKee's Paint Prep, before
applying McKee's Paint Coating?

Well, if you do:
Here's hoping that the end results of
this overall Coating process turns out
OK...and meets your expectations.


Bob
 
FUNX650 said:
So:
You're thinking about using a
different "paint prep product",
than McKee's Paint Prep, before
applying McKee's Paint Coating?

Well, if you do:
Here's hoping that the end results of
this overall Coating process turns out
OK...and meets your expectations.


Bob
Click to expand...

Lol I knew you would comment on that Bob...
 
FUNX650 said:
^^^ :xyxthumbs: ^^^

Do it anyway you wanna...


Bob
Click to expand...

I do understand where your coming from...but I am limited on time...if I was retired and had all the time in the world then it wouldn't matter. As stated above, most coating manufactures actually recommend an IPA wipe. The point is...does it really matter how you get your paint "clean". Whether it is IPA, Optimum Prep Spray, or McKees Coating Prep Polish - it will serve the same purpose - to provide a clean base for the coating.

That is not to say I won't ever use the McKees Coating Prep (which I DO have by the way)...if I wasn't doing a polishing step prior then I would go ahead and use it, but like I said my time is limited. I try to keep it simple. One thing I have realized with detailing is that it becomes VERY easy to get sucked into buying every product on the market. That is good marketing for you. Sure there are times when there is substantial "proof" that certain products work better as a system. Others it is just snake oil. To be honest, to say that you should buy it simply because the manufacturer recommends it is a fairly shallow statement (speaking about car care products specifically).

I want to mention that I am not talking down upon ANY specific product at the point. I am an engineer and often times question these things - I can tell you some of the "proof" and claims that some of these companies make is nothing more than good marketing with very little to back it up. Pretty soon you'll end up with every product on the shelf.

Anyways I am not trying to go off on a tangent, but I think it was worth saying something. I am sure McKees Coating Prep Polish is a great product (and like I said I currently have it in my arsenal), but to say that you will have sub-optimal results using another method is a pretty bold statement with very little to back your claim. I'm not beating you up, but I would hope you can understand this view point.
 
The M37 paint prep stains trim so thats additional time added having to mask stuff off.

Carpro eraser is an ipa mix. Knowing that, I wouldn't sweat using IPA. I also agree that clean is clean. Whether you use ipa or brand Q's paint prep. If the result is paint without any oils etc, then how you get there shouldn't matter just so the finish doesn't get damaged. Honestly, coming from a strong chemistry background, there are a lot of marketing ploys using "chemistry" to get you to buy products of specific brands or specialized usages in this market.
Then there is the claim of the paint prep that it removes "below surface contaminates and imbedded dirt." Isn't all that supposed to be removed if you decon the paint with clay and ironx, and even more so if you correct?
 
CC268 said:
I do understand where your coming from...
Click to expand...
From what you say below...
I'm pretty sure you do not understand.

CC268 said:
Anyways I am not trying to go off on a tangent, but I think it was worth saying something. I am sure McKees Coating Prep Polish is a great product (and like I said I currently have it in my arsenal), but to say that you will have sub-optimal results using another method is a pretty bold statement with very little to back your claim. I'm not beating you up, but I would hope you can understand this view point.
Click to expand...
You...beating me up: :laughing:
What an absurd notion on your part.

I've never said:
'you will have sub-optimal results
using another method'.
{That, in and of itself, is a pretty bold
statement for you to say; and with no
LINK to back your claim!}


OK...Here's the dealio:
•I've mentioned to you, as well as others,
that whenever anyone says they have had
unsatisfactory results with a Coating...
they are immediately raked over the coals:
grilled about what prep/prep-product was
used.

•I've witnessed where receiving that kind of
crap-feedback, from some of this forum's
responders, tends to bother some folks.

In the same manner of thought:
being that my posting any paint-prep
"Public Service Announcements" (PSAs)
may also tend to bother some folks...
I am currently finished with those offerings.



Bob
 
Boy you don't take too kindly to someone challenging your opinions do you?
 
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