Isopropanol alcohol wipedown?

[Details]

Is this a good idea to do after polishing to see the true correction of the paint? Is it harmful for the paint? and does it help with wax bonding?

[dope92cc]

Re: Isopropanol alcohol wipedown?

I'd be afraid of drying out any rubber.

[Details]

Re: Isopropanol alcohol wipedown?

Ive seen respectable detailers do this.... its just a wipedown not a drench... but does it really help? i would imagine its not good for paint

[Justin A]

Re: Isopropanol alcohol wipedown?

A good rule of thumb is if it doesn't add anything that the paint needs, don't use it. IPA certainly falls into the "paint doesn't need it" category. A thorough wipedown with a microfiber after polishing is all that is needed to remove any residue from the surface.
I consider the IPA wipe down to be in the same category as washing with Dawn - yeah, it'll strip everything off the paint, but at what cost?
I've never had a need for an alcohol wipe.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Isopropanol alcohol wipedown?

I've never done this,so someone else here will be able to help you.

The idea is to mix it 50/50 with water.

[akimel]

Re: Isopropanol alcohol wipedown?

IPA wipedowns (typically 1:1 water/alcohol solution) are commonly performed by many fine detailers, primarily to check on the level of real correction that has been achieved but also to remove any polishing oils that might inhibit the bonding of those synthetic sealants that seem to be allergic to natural oils (e.g., Zaino). Meguiar's waxes do not appear to need an IPA wipedown to effect proper bonding; hence it is not as popular among Meguiar's users. But see the recent comments by Tim and Todd. Being a mere hobbyist who only details his own cars, I tend not to worry about IPA wipedowns; but if I were a professional detailer, my praxis would be different.

[Bounty]

Re: Isopropanol alcohol wipedown?

IPA wipedowns (typically 1:1 water/alcohol solution) are commonly performed by many fine detailers, primarily to check on the level of real correction that has been achieved but also to remove any polishing oils that might inhibit the bonding of those synthetic sealants that seem to be allergic to natural oils (e.g., Zaino).

You're spot on with your analysis there. IPA wipedowns are used to remove any lubricating oils contained in compounds and polishes that can unintentionally mask defects you're trying to remove. When performing your defect-removal steps, like M105, you want to actually see what you're removing and what you're filling. The lubricants in many polishes are just too stubborn to be removed by a microfiber wipedown alone...hence the need for an IPA wipedown to reveal the true paint surface.

Meguiar's waxes do not appear to need an IPA wipedown to effect proper bonding; hence it is not as popular among Meguiar's users. But see the recent comments by Tim and Todd. Being a mere hobbyist who only details his own cars, I tend not to worry about IPA wipedowns; but if I were a professional detailer, my praxis would be different.

Beyond simply revealing the paint surface, IPA wipedowns also work extremely well to remove tape residue from polishing and dried rubber or other gunk on the paint surface. In my practical experience, having used it literally thousands of times, I have never seen it damage or harm the paint in any way. It is used diluted 1:1 and isn't used to wipe down rubber, glass, etc although I have used it there without ill effects to clean off tape residue.

I have a spray bottle of diluted IPA and gently mist the surface after M105 to remove any remnants and reveal the true surface for paint assessment. When I follow up with a milder polish or a finishing glaze like M205, I perform just a microfiber wipedown to leave the infusing polishing oils and paint enrichment layer behind. Since I'm not looking for true defect removal but rather gloss enhancement with this step I find it not necessary. It probably boils down to a preference thing but I'd never perform true correction without it...

[2high2aim]

Re: Isopropanol alcohol wipedown?

just to be safe I would probably put 40 IPA/60 DH20 (distilled no ions)

[Hemin8r]

Re: Isopropanol alcohol wipedown?

If I'm doing a full on paint correction I dilute it 1:1 as Bounty mentioned.