Paint cleaners

[mg6045]

What kind of carsdo you use them on? Did you try dodo lime prime? It has mild abrasives to clean up minor swirls and etc.

-2009/2010 white BMW 535xi - family vehicle - used and abused
-2009/2010 dark gray BMW X5 - company vehicle (100K+ already)
-2003 black Jeep Grand Cherokee - company vehicle (130K+)
-2011 white Audi S4 - this car will be very well maintained consistently


all of the cars were/are difficult to correct with the PCXP.

I just stepped up to the
-FLEX 3401
-Griots ROP - never used

Polish on hand
(Menz)
-powergloss - never used
-SIP
-powerfinish
-superfinish
-85rd - never used
(Megs)
-105
-205 - never used

Most of these polish's leave a mess of oils, which I why I am fairly interested in the paint cleaners.

[TornadoRed]

I think all you need is an IPA wipedown step.

Now I'm new to all of this, so the more experienced people can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

The purpose of a paint cleaner is to remove the old LSP and everything else, so you have nice clean paint to apply a new LSP. If you are concerned about following the Wolfgang paint cleaner with something like Menz Powerlock, I think a simple IPA wipedown should take care of the concern and the paint should be ready for any LSP.

A polish is also going to remove any old LSP, so IMO a paint cleaner step is not needed. If you are worried about the oils from the polish, an IPA wipedown should take care of it. A paint cleaner after a polish seems to me like a waste of time.

[mg6045]

I think all you need is an IPA wipedown step.

Now I'm new to all of this, so the more experienced people can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

The purpose of a paint cleaner is to remove the old LSP and everything else, so you have nice clean paint to apply a new LSP. If you are concerned about following the Wolfgang paint cleaner with something like Menz Powerlock, I think a simple IPA wipedown should take care of the concern and the paint should be ready for any LSP.

A polish is also going to remove any old LSP, so IMO a paint cleaner step is not needed. If you are worried about the oils from the polish, an IPA wipedown should take care of it. A paint cleaner after a polish seems to me like a waste of time.

this is great advice the more and more I look into this. Thank you.

I just picked up some Menzerna top inspection. Does everyone think this will be effective in cleaning up the finishing polish oil's ? I also picked up some Menzerna Finishing Glaze on sale from the site. Looks like either or of these will effectively do what i'm looking for..?.

(while also keeping in mind I do not plan to polish the car everytime I wax and maintain them)(the majority of the cars I do are light colored cars anyway)

[Rsurfer]

[QUOTE=mg6045;384785
I just stepped up to the
-FLEX 3401
-Griots ROP - never used
Most of these polish's leave a mess of oils, which I why I am fairly interested in the paint cleaners.[/QUOTE]

You bought a Flex and never used the Griot?
Use a paint cleaner after polishing or do an IPA wipe down.

[dougaross]

That's because it wouldn't be possible to see it on the floor...

I tripped over the damn stuff. A good reason to spend money on more lighting for my garage.

[mg6045]

You bought a Flex and never used the Griot?
Use a paint cleaner after polishing or do an IPA wipe down.

Yes i did. The FLEX is a necessary tool for me IMO. All of the cars I do are Audi/BMW/MBenz. Even though I have never used the Groits, I'm doubting it would cut my worktime like the Flex did for me.

Correcting VW and Audi (for my skill level) is an absolute workout with the PCXP. and M105 was the only thing that worked for me with it. Compensating for the lack or rotation/heat. I would like to avoid a heavy compound like M105 when I can (not use it to make up for a weak tool)

So to help the process along, I got the Flex. But I have since seen great review on the Groits, so I decided to buy it to replace my PCXP.

The FLex blows away the PCXP on these cars (for me).

[Rsurfer]

Yes i did. The FLEX is a necessary tool for me IMO. All of the cars I do are Audi/BMW/MBenz. Even though I have never used the Groits, I'm doubting it would cut my worktime like the Flex did for me.

Correcting VW and Audi (for my skill level) is an absolute workout with the PCXP. and M105 was the only thing that worked for me with it. Compensating for the lack or rotation/heat. I would like to avoid a heavy compound like M105 when I can (not use it to make up for a weak tool)

So to help the process along, I got the Flex. But I have since seen great review on the Groits, so I decided to buy it to replace my PCXP.

The FLex blows away the PCXP on these cars (for me).

Well you can always use the Griot with 4" pads or with a carpet brush.

[mg6045]

Well you can always use the Griot with 4" pads or with a carpet brush.

I still have many things I can use the Griots/PC with. I did not buy the FLEX to discontinue the use of these machine. I actually bough the Griots to compliment the Flex with 5.5" and 4" pads.

While at the same time I do not plan to just saw away clearcoat on these cars, so the FLEX will be used for the major correction, and then I will move onto using the Griots (if it is as good as everyone is saying).

With the Griots I plan to
- apply wax/sealants
- paint cleaners
- polish the finish with 106 and 85rd

I cant wait to see how it compares to the XP.