The Removal of Silicone Polymers Polishing is a mechanical process; silicone is a product that has been designed not to be removed by mechanical abrasion, as it causes the abrasive to hydroplane. When using an abrasive polish on surfaces that have been previously treated with a silicone-based product, a smear may result. • Cause - There are lots of silicone oils on the market. The properties that make silicone so popular with car detailers, and some auto manufacturers, also make it a very difficult product for the polisher to remove. During polishing, the silicone mixes with oxidised paint and polish abrasive residue that is being removed from the surface to form a smear. These products and or paint/ polish debris can be removed with a wipe-down process or a specific silicone remover • Can you remove silicone from a clear coat completely? [It is impossible to remove silicone from a painted surface without using a chemical process so aggressive that it dissolves the paint. Wax and grease removers will chemically remove one layer of silicone off at a time but are unable to completely remove all the silicone]. [Tests at Menzerna using a spectroscope showed the layers become thinner but the silicone remains. Removing silicone completely can take place over time and involves a lengthy process of oxygen, chemicals, time and sunlight] - Dr Michael Hauber When an abrasive polish works on the surface of paint it uses aluminum oxi de spheres, suspended in oil / water emulsion that provides surface lubrication and a mechanical process to abrade the surface of the paint down to the level of the bottom of the scratch. Silicon cannot be removed this way; it can be removed by a chemical means and is designed to resist being removed by mechanical means. Instead the silicon mixes with the blend of paint dust and polish powder and it creates a smear on the paint. We should differentiate between swirl marks in the silicone layer and swirl marks in the paint underneath. Some polishes may appear to remove the swirl marks in the paint but are really only working on the layer of silicone. So the swirl marks in the paint itself remain unaffected by the polishing and reappear after a few weeks, as the silicone is being removed by time. Preparation- If the car has been treated with silicone, use a wax and grease remover to remove as much of the silicone as possible before polishing. You will not be able to remove it all but it helps. . • Hi-Temp's Prep Wash - to prepare a paint surface for polishing, compounding, wax and / or polymer sealant application (especially if changing from a wax to a polymer product) this is a water-based paint cleaner designed to remove all traces of silicone, oil, and buffing residue from any exterior paint surface • DuPont PrepSol II™ or Final-Klean - spray onto a 100% cotton or a micro fibre towel and clean the surface, DuPont now also sells the Sonatra Line, which are essentially wipes/towels, pre-moistened with either Prep-Sol or Final-Klean, ideal for all high tech wiping applications, excellent in use both wet and dry with high absorbent capacity • Dow Corning® OS-2 Silicone Cleaner and Surface Prep Solvent is a volatile methyl siloxane (VMS) fluid that is compatible with a wide range of materials. It will not harm most substrates, including plastics. OS-2 can be used to remove silicone-based; greases, oils, car wax and car care products, will soften cured silicones to facilitate removal • SONAX Premium Class Paint Cleaner is a Silicone-free paintwork cleaner that safely and effectively degreases the paint surface and removes smear films caused by silicone, oil and wax deposits, also ideal for the care and maintenance of scratch-resistant ceramic clear coats. It will considerably increase the durability of a follow-up sealing or protecting treatment • Wurth Clean Solve is a fast acting cleaner and solvent that will not leave a film residue. It will quickly remove wax, tar, gum, grease, paint overspray, adhesive, oil, and silicone. It can be used on a variety of surfaces including: base coat, clear coat, aluminium, fibreglass, glass, fabrics and vinyl. An extract from one of a series of unbiased Detailing Technical Papers, a library of educational materials that has become the #1 reference for car care on the Internet Chances are you'll learn something about detailing if you read any of these; although these articles will not improve your detailing skills, lead to a successful business or change your life. Applying what you learn from it, however, will. That's where your commitment comes in - you need to make a commitment to yourself right now that you will take action on what you learn. © TOGWT ™ Ltd Copyright 2002-2010, all rights reserved
Great information. We've now been looking into many more prep products for initial stripping and removal of surface grime/contamination/protection. Nice list of potentially good products to use - do you know how the FK1 decon kit would work for this purpose?
An acid wash decontamination system would work, but IMO its like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut The best of the products mentioned - Dow Corning® OS-2 Silicone Cleaner , although they all seem to work well
