zeroptzero

Recently I read some comments in a post stating that IPA (rubbing alcohol) can damage paint when it is used to wipe down the vehicle. I then read that it depends on how you mix it with water that gives different results.

I've used it with good results as a wipe down after the polishing phase and before applying sealant. The IPA I've used has been a 70% concentration out of the bottle, and I mix it in a spray bottle to a 50-50 mix with distilled water. I spritz it on the panels one at a time and wipe them dry fairly quickly , I've never seen any bad results using this method.

Anyone have any opinions or recommendations on this ?, thanks for reading.

Vanishing Point

I personally do not use this process, or care too. The products I use create little to no dust, and what little there is is quickly removed with a MF towel.

smartamar11

you're doing it right. Wipe then turn to a dry side and clean off. If used very often it can soften the paint but once in a while you should be fine. There's a ton of threads about it. There is a very good thread on it though comparing IPA to Mineral spirits. It describes what each one does etc. On autogeek or autopia or Meguiars, I go through all three so much I don't remember to diffrentiate, lol.

zeroptzero

Thanks very much for the replies. Yeah I've only done it once , I hopefully don't need to polish it again so that is likely it for a while. I always avoided mineral spirits as I've always felt it was much stronger than IPA, but that was just my best guess.

My feeling is that if old ladies can put IPA directly on their skin, it shouldn't hurt autmobile paint that is designed to protect from the elements. I never understood how IPA could make the paint soft unless you are cutting through the clear coat ?

I'll try to search out those comparisons. Thannks again.