Removal of old sealant / wax

[Bode04]

Another question from a beginner - I want to remove what's left of the Wolfgang DGPS from my car before putting on a new coat of paint protection for the summer. I've read many opinions on what to use to remove it and it's a bit confusing for someone that is new to this. I do not have a polisher and will be doing everything by hand. I've looked at some "strip washes" but they don't have great reviews. I just want to remove the old sealant safely and then was planning on using Wolfgang Paintwork Polish Enhancer before putting on the new sealant. Is the paintwork polish enhancer enough to remove 4-5 month old sealant or should I use something else first?

Thank you,
Bode

[PaulMys]

Just use clay. It will remove all of it.

[glen e]

Million ways to do this, I would just wipe it down with 50-50 alcohol and water, then the Wolfgang enhancer, then the sealant.

[joebruin77]

I noticed on my bottle of Mckees 37 N-914, there is a "paint prep" dilution strength of 8 to 1. Does going over the paint with N-914 successfully remove sealants and waxes?

[Bode04]

If I clay the car, wouldn't I need to polish after? I don't have a machine polisher yet.

[dwaleke]

If I clay the car, wouldn't I need to polish after? I don't have a machine polisher yet.

It's a best practice because clay can mar the surface.

Many people just clay and apply a wax.

Personally I won't clay unless I'm polishing.

[Texchappy]

I’ve never had clay mar my paint but I use a lot of lubrication and very fine clay (Meg’s pro fine, pinnacle, sonus ultra fine).

[2black1s]

If the paint is in good condition, i.e., no swirls, no road film, no bonded contaminants, etc., just put another coat of sealant on it. There is no need to remove the previous application.

In all likelihood though, the paint is not that good unless the car has seen very limited use since the last sealant application. It probably needs some cleaning up.

I'd start by doing a baggie test. If you're satisfied with the results, then apply another coat of sealant and be done. If not, then clay bar the entire car.

After claying, you can decide if polishing is necessary. Many times some polishing will be necessary after claying but that is not always the case. Many variables. What color is the car? If it's a light color you may not even see any marring and you could jump right to the sealant application.

It all boils down to your expectations... But removing the prior sealant before applying another coat wouldn't even be a consideration to me if that was the only objective. The paint's condition and your expectations are what determines what steps you need to take.

[FUNX650]

Is the paintwork polish enhancer enough
to remove 4-5 month old sealant or
should I use something else first?

Yes, Wolfgang Paintwork Polish Enhancer
is enough to safely remove that 4-5 mons.
old Sealant.

I’d just wash and dry the
vehicle beforehand.


Bob

[Mike Phillips]

Is the paintwork polish enhancer enough to remove 4-5 month old sealant or should I use something else first?

Thank you,
Bode

This,

Yes, Wolfgang Paintwork Polish Enhancer is enough to safely remove that 4-5 mons. old Sealant.

I’d just wash and dry the vehicle beforehand.

Bob

Whether working by hand or machine, next time, instead of buying a "paint cleaner", go all in and get an actual "polish". A paint cleaner only cleans the surface. A true polish will do EVERYTHING a paint cleaner will do PLUS remove some defects, like swirls, oxidation, water spots, etc.


See this article,

A paint cleaner is an either/or product - The difference between a paint cleaner and a paint polish by Mike Phillips