WB safe on clad plastic?

**old_gonzo** · 03-16-2002, 11:27 AM

What do you guys think...I`m going to go the Klasse route with the 2002 Escape, but is AIO really necessary prior to the SG?

I`ll clay it before sealing it, but how important is the AIO really?

**dengelson** · 03-16-2002, 11:54 AM

Maybe it isn`t totally necessary but it is non abrasive and so easy to apply and buff off I guess I`m more inclined to think "why not?"[/b] then you will know[/i][/b] that your paint is clean. Even new cars can sit for considerable amounts of time outside and unprotected. Then many are shipped by rail which leads to rail dust becoming deposited on the paint. So I agree with you on claying it first.

**miguelgf** · 03-16-2002, 12:46 PM

You`ll find conflicting reports on that topic... Some say AIO is abrasive - others say it`s not (as does the bottle).

Without stirring that one up - I decided to give it a shot - I clayed my 02, then AIO`d it. Worked like a charm - the surface was `like buttah`

I`d do it again, too - I tried AIO on a number of surfaces, and never saw any abrasion (including on some interior burlwood).

Whatever you do - follow the great instructions that can be found on this board - including using very little SG, on a dampened applicator, etc. I`m sure you`ll love it!

**BradE** · 03-16-2002, 01:36 PM

I would probably use AIO on it. It cleans the paint and gives you a little extra protection under the SG.

**rstype** · 03-16-2002, 02:02 PM

It`s personal preference. Some people think of it as abrasive, and would use it only on surfaces that are not properly prepped. I think of it as an essential part of the Klasse system that further cleans what claying left behind.

**Brad B** · 03-16-2002, 02:36 PM

I would refrain from using AIO on new paint. Not that I think it will hurt anything, it`s just that I don`t think it buys you anything. Its strength lies in it`s solvents and cleaners used when cleaning old waxes and dirt off old finishes. It IS abrasive. Not much. But it IS. It totally depends upon the situation. I have done extensive long term testing with and without AIO as a base to SG and have seen no differences in finish or durability.

If you don`t need it, save a step. It`s your time!

**dengelson** · 03-16-2002, 04:36 PM

<blockquote class=`ipsBlockquote` >

Originally posted by Brad B. [/i]
 It IS abrasive. Not much. But it IS. [/b]</blockquote>
I guess that this is the crux of the biscuit. Brad is it abrasive because it has abrasives in it or is it chemically abrasive? I used the simplest of tests of just rubbing AIO between my thumb and forefinger and didn`t feel[/i] any abrasives.

**vettefan67** · 03-16-2002, 05:34 PM

If you rub it between your fingers and feel grit, it`ll rub your paint right off of your car.

AIO IS ABRASIVE. I don`t know what you mean by "chemically abrasive," i`d call that an acid.

Rub it on a CD then strip it with alcohol. There`s an abrasive test.

**imported_Intermezzo** · 03-16-2002, 06:11 PM

AIO is definitely abrasive. Doesn`t mean it`s a bad product because it certainly has its uses. But like BradB said, it`s certainly not going to hurt your car, but it`s probably not necessary.

**kreativ** · 03-17-2002, 12:25 AM

I would do a light application of AIO first. If AIO is abrasive, I was quite dissapointed in its abrasive properties when using it on a friend`s car. It didn`t seem to do anything. Meguiar`s Cleaner/Wax, on the other hand, cleaned much better.

My new car came waxed by the dealer, so I pretty much had to use AIO to get the wax off before applying SG.

**YoSteve** · 03-17-2002, 03:42 AM

It`s your decision, some "new" cars that I`ve seen at dealers don`t look so new. If I sold you my car and you just got it, yeah, you`d take one look at it and say hey, this doesn`t need AIO

But some spanking brand new cars come equiped with standard rail rust, and those cars definately need the AIO before the SG.

As for the supposed others, I find it hard to thing that any new car on the lot has not previously been exposed to the elements at one time or another (unless it has plastic on it when you get it). Carefully check your car and determine if it needs it.

The other thing is, if you car has any signs of swirl marks on it, then the dealer has definately messed with it. AIO would help that situation by removing what was on there and prepping the surface for the SG.

It seems like we forget that AIO does more good than "damage" (otherwise we wouldn`t use it) its abrasiveness exists between that of a CD and that of a clear coat. If you can readily see that your car seems to have already been exposed to the envronment then you should use it.

**Don2000g** · 03-17-2002, 04:27 AM

AIO may not be needed on a brand new car. With that said, I`d probably use it if I`m going with the Klasse route. I`ve been using Klasse for a while and I can honestly state, without any doubt, that AIO will improve the overall finish of your car both in terms of smoothness and especially in the aesthetics of your paint. Sure you can can some smoothness with clay alone but AIO does improve the overall appearance of your paint. And yes it is mildly abrasive. However, it is not as abrasive as say Finesse It 2, Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion and a few others on this board. And I do know for a fact that some experienced members here use these products on brand new cars. So the decision is yours. However, I wouldn`t worry one bit if I used Klasse AIO every two years or so. Nothing harmful with that. Nothing. Laters

**DETAILKING** · 03-17-2002, 10:01 AM

Prep the car first and go right to sealant glaze. THE AIO even tells you to skip it if the paint is in good condition..........

"...if the surface is new and not oxidized, the SG can be applied without preceding with AIO cleaner/protector......."

It says this on the GREY bottle bottom of the first paragraph

check it out.......

<img src=http://www.fototime.com/57EB1D32A7E8EE0/orig.jpg>

**old_gonzo** · 03-17-2002, 10:52 AM

Everyone seems to be sort of split down the middle on this one. I do appreciate all of the differing input, though.

You guys will appreciate this...prior to my picking up the Escape about 2 weeks ago, I specifically told the salesman NOT to prep it. He thought I was nuts as he had never had that request in over 20 years of selling cars.

I told him: no washing, no polishing, no waxing, no dressings, no leather treatments, etc. And you know, when I went to pick it up it was dirty, had all of the shipping stickers on it and even a good size bird bomb. I WAS SO HAPPY!

He said that he felt bad to deliver it so dirty....I thought it was GREAT! The paint, leather, vinyl, etc. were all mine to do as I wished right from the start. He still thinks I`m crazy, but that`s okay.

Anyway, I now have some food for thought as I`ll read through everyone`s suggestions again on the use of AIO on this paint. Thanks guys!

**JonB** · 03-17-2002, 11:03 AM

I think that new cars either have some residue from dealer prep jobs or they may still have some swirls that happen during transportation. If after you wash and clay the car, the finish is perfect, then skip the AIO. If it has any swirls, which is more liklely than not, do a layer of AIO.

I recently took a test drive in a new Vette. It was sitting outside on the lot. It had all sorts of swirls and water spots that I am pretty sure would have required some cleaning with a mild cleaner like AIO....maybe even some scratch removal with a stronger abrasive! So don`t assume that just because a car is new, that the finish is perfect.

H