Is it necessary to use a Pre-Wax cleanser?

Like the title says, is it necessary to use a pre-wax cleanser after claying? Especially if applying a carnuba? I just don't see the point to doing it if I have already clayed? Thoughts, comments? Thanks, Elliott

 

depending on fine-ness of the clay, you should be polishing it even if it has induced marring.
Pre-wax cleaner will ensure that the wax sticks on proper and it does have some cleaning/hiding properties for most of em.
Its not necessary, but its good to do so.

 

The point of the prewax cleaner is to ensure that all polishing/claying oils etc that could affect the wax's ability to bond to the paint are removed.

 

A pre-wax cleaner is used to get the old wax off and start with a clean surface. It has chemical cleaners to get the paint clean. If you clay you should polish as some clay might induce slight marring. You can probably get away with light colors as it won't show like darker colors would.

 

I guess I haven't detailed enough...but how can you tell if an LSP hasn't bonded properly?

I mean, is it really that obvious of situation outside of the longevity of the LSP?

 

Rarely ever happens to me, as almost anything I have just seems to bond, but if it ddi not bond, it would be smearing, and a bit oily on the surface. I'm pretty sure I have only seen it once in my experience.

 

Pre-Wax chemical cleaners that are formulated with solvents and / or very fine abrasives (Kaolin or China Clay) to remove old wax, embedded dirt and light stains from paint; they help to restore gloss and remove light surface imperfection (oxidation, paint stains, marks left from bird excrement, water ‘spots’, and etc). Use to prepare the paint surface to ensure a pristine surface clear of oils that will negatively impact the durability of an applied wax or polymer. They are designed to be used as often as required without measurably reducing paint thickness, unlike an abrasive polish

 

So is a 50/50 Alcohol water mix enough as a prewax cleaner or should you use a specific pre-wax cleaner?

 

I think you should use a pre-wax cleaner (if not polishing) at least 1 or 2x per year before you apply the LSP.

 

Personally I like to ensure that I use the pre-wax cleaner from the manufacture of the wax, this ensures that the best results for longevity and clairity will be obtained. The manufacture has developed and tests the waxes with this product.

You go to all the trouble to prepare the paint for wax, go the extra step and invest (usually a very small amount) in the pre-wax cleaner. Think of how much time you will have to spend to get the paint back to that stage should the LSP fail?

Also some pre-wax cleaners are amazing, for example Swissvax Cleaner Fluid is incredible leaves a almost waxed look, has some mild abraisives for light repairs. A small price to pay if one is investing in a premium wax.

 

Does the pre wax cleaner take the place of alcohol wipe down or do you do both? And using the one from SV do you apply by hand or machine?

 

Can we get a running list of:

Abrasive pre-wax cleaners

and

Non-abrasive pre-wax cleaners

 

You can also consider the option of using a pre-wax cleaner with a polishing pad as recommended by some non-abrasive pre-wax cleaner makers (Poorboys, Mothers, etc).

 

In my opinion, a pre-wax cleaner is very good as a base for wax and to chemical clean of the paint. As a pre-wax cleaner I recommend Lusso Revitalizing Creme.

 

If you're going to do some polishing for minor paint correction (say Meguiars 205 for example) would you use a cleaner before or after the polishing. i.e. clay, polish, leaner, LSP?? Or swap the the polish/cleaner step?

 

If you're polishing I don't think a pre-wax cleaner is necessary, but if you must, you would do the pre-wax cleaner AFTER polishing with M205. The order that you listed would be the proper order.

 

I was under the impression that pre-wax cleaners are always good before wax. They remove the LSP when you didn't polish, and they remove the polish and compound residue after polishing.

 

Anyone know if non-abraisive chemical pre-wax cleaners are clear bra safe? Since I can't use IPA to strip any leftover LSP, looking for something better than Power Clean or CWC/CWG.

 

Be careful using APC's some of them can quickly dry out the plastic film if left on too long or without enough water. Use very high dilution of APC and avoid any sunlight to avoid possible chemical runs in the clear:thumb:

 

Yeah, that's basically what I've been doing, just using high dilution of an APC and quickly washing off without letting it dwell for too long. Was hoping for a better solution to safely chemically strip LSP on clear bras.