Remove Old Sealant (how often?)

H

hawgs74

New member
Hi Guys,



I have a black 2013 Mustang GT (daily driven) that I plan to apply sealant to every 6-8 weeks. Do I need to completly remove the old layer of sealant every time before appyling the new layer? If so what is the reccommended method? Pre wax cleaner? IPA? Other? I searched but could not find a consensous answer.



Currently Im using Megs Ultimate with a coat of UQW after weekly washes but just purchased a bottle of BFWD that I plan on applying this weekend.



Thanks!
 
Since it's black I would polish it up as nice as I want it, then apply whatever sealant and maintain with a quick wax or similar product. I don't think it will be necessary to remove the old sealant before reapplying since not much will be left anyway. Use an AIO to clean the paint if you like, I personally don't like IPA wipe downs since there's a risk of marring the paint after I've polished it.
 
hawgs74- That seems like pretty frequent redoing for a sealant, but if the durability is OK in your book I guess it doesn't matter.



IMO whether you need to clean away the old sealant depends on how "cleanly it died". Not sure how to explain...but for this time, when you're switching from Meg's to the BF, I *would* do a pretty thorough cleaning. At least an AIO, or the BF Paint Cleaner if you bought that, and the appy the BF.



Most people would do a claying before refreshing the BF, but I often don't see the need. If everything's still OK (smooth/slick, no stains, nothing amiss) I'll just apply a fresh coat of my LSP. Yeah, I know, that's not Autopian, but it works for me.



IF the surface isn't slick, or if it's contaminated with something, then yeah- clay or AIO or something like that to clean things up.



Most sealants "die cleanly" in the sense of not leaving a nasty "dead product" film when they need redone; some waxes are the opposite and really leave a mess when they die. Just see how the BF behaves for you.



Back when I used BF AFPP on my Audi, I usually just put on another coat when I had the time, with no real special prep. Maybe a little light claying on the rockers/etc., but nothing major.
 
IMO, I would strip since it would not add very much time to your detailing process. When its time to strip your previous layer, do so by throwing a couple of ounces of APC into your car wash solution. Wash the car like normal - maybe give some additional dwell time for the APC/soap solution to strip the old layer(s) of wax. If successful, the car surface should be slowly sheeting water during the rinse phase of your wash.



I use Zep Citrus APC as it is extremely cheap but very effective. Alternatively, you could skip APC and use soaps designed to strip wax such as Chemical Guys' Citrus Wash lineup (use at the recommended strip dilution ratio). Some folks like to go old school and use Dawn, but I find the power to be very exaggerated as there are some LSPs that can shrug it off.
 
[quote name='MCA']

I use Zep Citrus APC as it is extremely cheap but very effective.QUOTE]



At what dilution do you mix the Zep Citrus APC? I've often thought about using it but have been hesitant because the lable says not for use on automotive paint and hadn't seen anyone who uses it.
 
pwaug said:
At what dilution do you mix the Zep Citrus APC? I've often thought about using it but have been hesitant because the lable says not for use on automotive paint and hadn't seen anyone who uses it.
Click to expand...



I add one ounce of ZEP Citrus APC per 2 gallons of water (256:1). I will admit that the label does say not to use on automotive paint but the car wash solution is very diluted and I only strip wax 2 - 3 times a year...definitely not a daily/weekly/monthly occurrence for my car. I have not seen any ill affects...of course I would also never let it dry on the car surface.
 
Thanks for all the good advice. Thats why this is the best detailing forum around.



Ill probably wait a few weeks before switching to the BFWD. It rained yesturday and the Megs was still beading pretty nicely. I just really like putiing a fresh coat of wax on the car so its pretty hard to wait :rolleyes1:



When I do I think Ill use a little APC (or dawn :shocked) in my foan gun and then follow up with some KAIO before putting on the BFWD.
 
MCA said:
I add one ounce of ZEP Citrus APC per 2 gallons of water (256:1). I will admit that the label does say not to use on automotive paint but the car wash solution is very diluted and I only strip wax 2 - 3 times a year...definitely not a daily/weekly/monthly occurrence for my car. I have not seen any ill affects...of course I would also never let it dry on the car surface.
Click to expand...



Thanks!! Understood about infrequent use and not allowing to dry on the car. I usually only strip once a year in the spring.
 
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