Paint Cleaner

[LT22]

I was wondering if I used ScratchX and ColorX on every detail session on my car would this damage my paint? Basically, is a strong cleaner every time too much?

[Mike Phillips]

Depends on how you apply it. Remember, part of a any products ability to clean is in part determined by how it is applied.

Apply ScratchX with a soft peice of foam gently and you'll get very, very light cleaning action.

Apply ScratchX with a fiber type applicator and put a little passion behind the pad and you'll get more aggressive cleaning action.

The bigger issue is that you shouldn't have to use a paint cleaner every detailing session unless your paint needs it. (Surface Evaluation). If it needs it... it needs it...

In most cases both of the products you listed while being very effective paint cleaners, they are also very safe paint cleaners.

Unless your paint is whisper thin to start with, I wouldn't worry about it. If you paint is whisper thin, then any product is too aggressive because there's nothing left to work with.

A12 Meguiar's Cleaner/wax is even more gentle than both of the products you mentioned but excellent for daily drivers that are waxed often.

[LT22]

Oh what I meant by every detailing session is every 4 months I detail my car, so would that be rational?

[Mike Phillips]

Completely rational and completely safe.

[Murr1525]

Just to add, if you are using high quality wash mits, towels, sponges, etc, you hopefuly can avoid a lot of the swirls.

Once you get them out the first time, hopefully you'll be able to keep out a lot of them, and then you may only need ScratchX once or twice a year, or only on small spots, if you are a little concerened. ScratchX takes a while to use, so it is nice to not have to use it too often on a whole car.

ColorX is milder, and very easy to use, (fantastic product), and you can rely on it more often.