Paint Cleaner

Paint cleaners are like wrenches. You may have a “favorite,� but you should use the one that best fits the job at hand.



Meguiar’s Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner is an effective product but it’s very mild. It works well on stains and light surface defects. If you need moderate or heavy correction you’ll need a more aggressive product.



Haven’t used Mothers.





PC.
 
Thanks for the reply. So if I'm going to polish do I need to use a paint cleaner first. Or do I use it after polishing? Or is a IPA wipe down enough after polishing?
 
I have had good results with Mothers Pre-Wax Cleaner. It is nice to have around to go after stubborn water spots. Be sure to not use too much or work too large of an area.



If you are going to use a polish (something with abrasives) there is no need to use a paint cleaner. The polish will clean the paint.
 
Legacy99 said:
Thanks for the reply. So if I'm going to polish do I need to use a paint cleaner first. Or do I use it after polishing? Or is a IPA wipe down enough after polishing?
Click to expand...



Just IMO/IME, but in most cases I don't find a paint cleaner necessary at all. I only use paint cleaners on vehicles I don't want to abrade for some reason (e.g., the Jag's old/thin lacquer).



Some really healthy LSPs can stand compromising before you polish, but I usually do that with a "super wash" (e.g., AutoInt's "A") or a solven (e.g., IPA, AutoInt's New Car Prep, PrepSol, etc.).



The idea behind the post-polishing IPA/solvent wipe is to remove any oils/fillers/whatever that the polish might've left behind, said removal intended to uncover the paint's true condition and/or better facilitate the bonding of finicky LSPs. I seldom do that either, as I'll either use a non-concealing polish in the first place or I'll *want* any concealing agents to keep doing their thing.



FWIW, my fave paint cleaner is Pinnacle PCL, but it does a bit of light concealing of its own.
 
Is ZPC considered a good paint cleaner? I plan to start on an orange pad with optimum polish and finish up with ZPC on a white pad.
 
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