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[DogRescuer]

Can someone please tell me what IPA stands for?

[sproketser]

Isopropyl alcohol

[DogRescuer]

Isopropyl alcohol
Thanks, why would someone use alcohol on their car?

[af90]

Remove sealants, waxes, polishing oils, to start on a clean slate and true nature of the paint. Effective after polishing as well.

[BradsDetailing]

usually after polishing to remove any excess oil to create a better bond with the paint's surface and sealant/wax

[DogRescuer]

usually after polishing to remove any excess oil to create a better bond with the paint's surface and sealant/wax
Is that the same as "rubbing alcohol"?.

[BradsDetailing]

no, rubbing alcohol can be several different things

[inDetail]

India Pale Ale. I think I'm gonna go grab one right now.

[statusdetailing]

I didn't used to be a believer in IPA, but I converted a while back. I've even talked about how I didn't think it was very important, on this forum. I now use it between polishing steps. I do a section, do an IPA wipe and move to the next section.

This actually saves time because it prevents compounds and polishes from bonding to the paint surface which can be really difficult to remove if you compound an entire vehicle and then go back to remove the residue.

IPA really gives a clean, residue free surface, unlike most quick detailers etc.

[JJH]

The only issue with doing on an IPA wipe down after polishing is that it can reintroduce swirls/micro-marring/scratching if done incorrectly.

Any tips so that you don't mar say a darker color car when doing a final IPA wipe on a black car?

[statusdetailing]

I'm currently using 70% IPA mixed 1:1 with water. I know some guys get scientific about their dilution ratio, but as of right now I'm not too concerned. I'm very confident that this mixture won't hurt modern clear coats. I probably wouldn't go spraying it on a damaged clear coat system or a single stage paint. IPA is a fairly weak chemical, imo, compared to some of the stuff we put on paint.

[statusdetailing]

The only issue with doing on an IPA wipe down after polishing is that it can reintroduce swirls/micro-marring/scratching if done incorrectly.

Any tips so that you don't mar say a darker color car when doing a final IPA wipe on a black car?

I've heard Mike talking about that. I always spray plenty of product to thoroughly wet the surface. In my mind, this will rewet the lubricants in the compound/polish and help remove the residue without reintroducing swirls.

If you are working on super soft paint, like on a black Subaru, it might be a good idea to just use ONR or something similar that also offers lubrication. It may not get the surface as lazer clean, but you won't be reintroducing swirls either. Just my two cents.

[af90]

How does IPA work? Does it bond to oils and when wiped clean you pick up both IPA and oils/wax, etc... or does it cause those particles to evaporate? If it did couldn't you just let it air dry if the IPA was mixed with distilled water?

[statusdetailing]

IPA is a solvent as opposed to a cleaner or surfactant. Solvents dissolve and break appart compounds, dirt, tar, etc. Surfactants break the surface tension of the compound, dirt, etc. Similar, but different.

Solvents tend to work better on things like tar, oil, grease, grime, imo. Thus, the reason IPA works great on compounds and polishes. It breaks down the oily residue and lubricants very easily.

[statusdetailing]

I meant to ad that it leaves very little to no residue as opposed to most other solvents like, kerosene, xylene, d limonene etc.