What is the best way to remove previous coats of protection before polishing? Washing the car with Dawn or wiping the car down with a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water, or will both these methods work well?

 

You're going to hear a couple different thoughts on this. Many people use Dawn but Dawn is rumored to dry out rubber. Personally, I use Dawn anyway as I only do this procedure 2x per year.

Another option if to use Chemical Guys Citrus Wash (I think that's the name). It's formulated specifically to strip sealants/waxes without drying anything out.

I would save the IPA wipedown for after you polish and before you put the LSP on.

 

• Polishes contain many of the same ingredients that paint cleaners contain.
• Dedicated paint cleaner
• Dawn, although not my personal favorite, as I feel it removes valuable oils and such from rubber and plastics
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Citrus based wash soaps
• Im sure there's other methods I have missed!

 

1. Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Clear at 2 ounce/gallon ratio. Normal wash ratio is 0.25 ounce/gallon.
2. Mild Clay Bar and Quick Detailer. Helps remove LSP and surface contaminants but I would not depend solely on it.
3. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol for a carnauba wax. Polymer sealants need something more aggressive.
4. Dedicated paint cleaner such as Pinnacle Paint Cleansing Lotion. Can use machine or by hand. Takes some more time to complete.
5. Dawn Blue Dish Soap + adding protectant to all plastic and rubber trim. NOT WORTH IT!!!

 

I might have to pick up some of that CGCW at some point.

 

I thought that washing the car and then claying removed all previous coats of protection??? If that's the case, why bother with anything else since the clay takes off contaminants and previous protection.

 

Claying is not necessarily a guarantee for removing LSP's, especially sealants. Claying is not always required for applying a LSP either. It just depends what you are trying to do.

 

The RL had a coat of wax on it from last May and since the car is only driven to work and back and doesn't see automatic car washes, there was some still left on the surface. Not much, though to be honest.

I washed it with my normal soap, clayed, polished, and then re-washed. The paint was stiff and had absolutely no slick to it at all. Ready for the 4-star UPP and she looks great. Going out for a photo shoot here in a minute.

 

I think myself people get too hung up on "removing the LSP". If its not a sealant and is more than 3 months old its mostly gone anyway .. if its a sealant 5 months .. and this is if the car is well cared for.

 

i concure....

 

Yyyyyyyyyyyyup.......

 

I don't believe a wax will even last that long if you live in a tropical climate or very hot area like Arizona, Florida or Hawaii...

 

Brett thats why Im not a big fan of Nubas here in So Cal either.....