I have read this a few times, is this Isopropyl alcohol and what does it do, why and when do we use it?

 

yes- and it is used to remove everything from the paint...

for example, if you are changing synthetics or you have old wax you want to remove.
clay or polish will pretty much do the same thing-
its been several years now since i have stripped a car with ipa (if i am changing synthetic products on a car i am also usually polishing). this is a personal preference (whether to strip by "chemicals" or by "mechanicals").
dawn is also a popular product for stripping. they both will dry out the paint (remove all oils) - if you use them be careful around your trim / rubber-vinyl parts.

 

I see, so before I do my HUGE spring detail I should wash the car with DAWN, or maybe so IPA?

 

you can...

but if you will be claying and polishing imo you dont really need to.
what products are on the car now?

---------
i guess a complete answer should be that some guys also use ipa after polishing when they want to make sure to remove all oils from the paint. again, for me this has never been an issue-
btw, some glazes contain oils also... so its a decision of 1. do you care if your polish has oils (check the contents); 2. what synthetic are you using (and does it matter how pure the paint/ clear coat is)?

for several years my fav combo on a black s2000 was 3m glaze followed by one of the pickiest synthetics - zaino... the combo worked great imo. so i was using a synthetic over an oiled surface- and my conclusion is that it worked great.

 

just like wanabe said - polishing will make sure no wax is on the paint or anything else really. so if u plan on polishing - u'll likely be fine. While dawn or other dish soaps will work very well too, I think it's also their cleaning power (very strong degreasers as they're made to sanitize surfaces...) that people also use them. like Wanabe mentioned, they can dry out rubber/trim/weather stripping, so don't make it a habit to use this stuff often, but many feel it's no biggie for a once or maybe even twice a year kind of thing.

the only reason i personally use ISA is the inspect a polished out surface. pretty much all polishes can leave slight fillers and oils on the surface which may hide defects, giving the illusion that swirls/scratches have been removed, when they're actually still there. So once I think i'm done buffing a section of paint, I use an ISA wipedown to truly make sure i'm done with it (you'd be surprised how many defects may still be present). that also insures there's no polish residue/oils/fillers left over so that sealants /synthetic waxes can properly bond to the surface (versus trying to bond to polish residue).

oh- and i also use it on windshields before I apply Aquapel. same idea as above - wanting to give the aquapel a contaminate-free/oil-free/residue-free surface to bond to.

 

I am going to use Menzerno SIP, Lusso Oro for a top top coat, but have been told I should use a sealent/ and or synthetic wax before final application, what are your suggestions?

 

[QUOTE=wanabe,Mar 29 2009, 07:31 AM]i guess a complete answer should be that some guys also use ipa after polishing when they want to make sure to remove all oils from the paint.

 

[QUOTE=akimel,Mar 29 2009, 09:50 AM] Wannabe, I love how your experience sometimes challenges the conventional detailing wisdom.

 

Nice pic of your car, Michael. Lovely shine. And I like your rims.

 

thx al-

joeyballs- some examples of good synthetics (in response to your q above):

my fav for beginners is finish first -
klasse is also a good choice, slightly more difficult to use
and zaino a popular one around here

full metal jacket is another (if you want to stay with menzerna)
maybe if you tell us more about your experience and what you are looking for we might be able to give you a better opinion as to what you might like.