What product are you guys using for an IPA wipe down? Something that you are getting at the local drugstore? Which is your favorite to use and how much does it cost on average. thanks godoman
I recently started doing this procedure... yes you buy it at the drugstore like Walgreens or Walmart or anywhere like that. Here's a pretty interesting article: How to Mix IPA for Inspecting Correction Results - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum in walgreens..It cost me $3 for two 32oz. bottles for the 70% IPA. They also had the 91% IPA that was something like $2.69 for one bottle of 32oz.
thanks man, I have been buying from walgreens for the last two years but wanted a quick review. I always go with the 70% but wanted to hear what you guys use. do any of you try using it straight with no water dillution? is this bad for the paint or the trim at all? godoman
godoman - Straight IPA tends to dry out paint - I hardly ever use it. I like Menzerna Top Inspection and only use it when its critical to the clarity of the paint like on a show car or a really picky, finicky Client. Hey, I saw the 2 Extractor tools you were talking about on the other thread - the Sapphire and the Hydro Tech, whatever it was called ! They are both at Interlink Supply, 641 Industry Drive, Tukwila, WA., out past Southcehter Mall, Exit-2 I think on the 405 freeway. Their phone nbr - 425-207-0149.. InterlinkSupply.com - Carpet Cleaning Supplies - equipment, chemicals, and accessories for carpet cleaning, hard surface cleaning and restoration professionals The tools look great ! They are designed for upholstery only - too bad!! I like their small size and shape; they would be excellent carpet extraction tools if they were designed to be. Dan F
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) if used undiluted it flash dries (evaporates) rapidly, which lessens surface inspection time and will also redeposit the oils you're trying to remove. Alcohol and water should emulsify any oils, enabling them to be removed
I use Griot's Pre Wax cleaner (got it as a freebie) and it seems to do ok. It does not flash like alcohol (Griot's is citrus based) but have not done any structured experiments to see if it works better or worse. You hear a few horror stories on IPA on some paints.
I have used IPA wipe downs diluted properly and have not had any problems. That being said some paints can be "softened" by IPA wipe downs and you can actually instill new swirls and light marring back into the paint because of this. So, I always do this on a test spot first on the car to ensure no issues. If I run into issues I'll use a pre-wax cleaner.
I use the Griots and works well for me. I also use Optimum Power Clean 3:1 for wipe downs. CG's CitrusWash is a good stripping soap as well (for full washes).
thanks for the great information, I always find it really hard to find resources locally to get a first hand look at what I am researching. yeah, the fact that I was told it is used for upholstery and is superior in this method still makes me want to buy one and switch it out on fabric seats and "try" it on the carpets, at least the carpets that are not heavily soiled. I was told that on carpets it responds "average" but is still usable. I will buy one along with my two carpet extractors. I will have both of them in 2.5 to 3 weeks and will come back to the carpet extraction blog and let you know if the saphire worked anything like I hoped it would. I really think it could help all of us speed up the drying time of interiors. godoman Straight IPA tends to dry out paint - I hardly ever use it. I like Menzerna Top Inspection and only use it when its critical to the clarity of the paint like on a show car or a really picky, finicky Client. Hey, I saw the 2 Extractor tools you were talking about on the other thread - the Sapphire and the Hydro Tech, whatever it was called ! They are both at Interlink Supply, 641 Industry Drive, Tukwila, WA., out past Southcehter Mall, Exit-2 I think on the 405 freeway. Their phone nbr - 425-207-0149.. InterlinkSupply.com - Carpet Cleaning Supplies - equipment, chemicals, and accessories for carpet cleaning, hard surface cleaning and restoration professionals The tools look great ! They are designed for upholstery only - too bad!! I like their small size and shape; they would be excellent carpet extraction tools if they were designed to be. Dan F[/QUOTE]
Great information on the IPA wipe downs. I have always diluted the IPA (70%) 50/50 with water and never had issues. actually really shines up the car by removing what ever is on the surfuce and is great for prepping to put some powerlock on the car. prob is that I was reading some other forums and saw this one guy post that his IPA of choice is 90% strength and he uses it straight without diluting and the first thing I thought was that this cant be any good for the paint. sure enough, alot of you mentioned that it would soften up the paint and make it more prone to scratching when you run a microfiber towel over it to remove the IPA. cool godoman
