Hey guys...do you do a 50/50 isopropyl alcohol wipedown after polishing to remove oils and make a better surface for a sealant to adhere to? Just curious

 

Remove isn't really a positive thing, that's why you polish, to put the oils in the paint.

You do the IPA wipe to see if you are actually removing the defect, or just covering it up.

 

This is a big controversy between the "American" way and the "European" way...

A lot of Europeans like to do this IPA wipedown, claiming that you are removing unnecessary oils from the paint.

The American school of thought is that you are conditioning and remoisturizing the paint by leaving the polishing oils on there. Also, some of those oils hide swirls... Also, the manufacturers for the most part do NOT reccommend to do this wipedown.

I do NOT do that.

 

It depends on the sealant. Some sealants (synthetic waxes) are made to use with certain polishes (like Meguiars - NXT)... some are not.

For example, if you were to use a product like Zaino, or similar, you would want to use the ISO wipe-down prior to the LSP.

If you are using a carnauba LSP, you can leave the oils.

Of course, you can always use the ISO wipe-down irregardless of the LSP.

 

Right and the oils leave a great finish and for most daily drivers even covering up some of the defects isnt a grave indifference...i was particularly interested in the bonding of the sealant however, because if all of the oils from the polish are inhibiting a strong bond between the sealant and the paint, i think it would be worth doing the wipedown to help with longevity of the protection....i use poorboy's EXP and Chemical Guy's M-Seal and Jet Seal...i just want to make sure that i am protected 100% of the time.

 

Unless it says it in the directions, I wouldn't worry about it. You won't find a pile of wax on the floor from it not bonding.

 

I've never ever liked the thought of a IPA Wipedown, unless the product specifically calls for it.