Panel Wipe Poll

What do you think of using Panel Wipe ? You may pick more than one.

  • I tried Panel Wipe but don`t find a need for it.

    Votes: 1 5.6%

  • I only use it on customers cars.

    Votes: 8 44.4%

  • I use it on my daily driver.

    Votes: 11 61.1%

  • I think it is worth it but for some reason I dont use it.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I have never used it.

    Votes: 4 22.2%
  • Total voters
    18
Fishing

Fishing

Member
Thinking of using one and was wondering what others thought of them. Do you use Panel Wipe of some type ? Check the ones that pertane to your experience. Thank you.

I tried Panel Wipe but don`t find a need for it.
I only use it on customers cars.
I use it on my daily driver.
I think it is worth using but for some reason don`t use it.
I have never used it.
 
I have looked at and read this a few times trying to figure out if and how I could answer. I really think you need to provide more info or at least clarify the parameters you are looking at. In my opinion and experience there is a huge difference between doing a coating, sealant, wax and the steps taken to prep for each.
 
I still have my Akyra Clean gallon too so it will be a long time before I use anything else for prep.
 
@TroyScherer Thank you for returning and posting. Having never used a panel wipe before and I was just wondering if many others used one and on what. I had not given it a thought that there could be a difference when using it with a Wax , Sealant or Coating. Thnx for letting me know this. I have only used Wax and Sealants.

@Accumulator & @Bill D. Thank you for letting me know what you are using.
 
AFAIK Akyra is no longer being sold anywhere. Fortunately there are now several other panel wipes to choose from
 
I didn’t respond originally as I was looking for always. I always do a wipe for a coating as it is pretty much required. But really for anything, if I am going to take the time and use a product, I want it to be able to do its best, which means a panel wipe. While it may not be needed with some spray sealants, I’m still of the opinion to get the surface as pristine as possible to give those sealants the best chance to perform.
 
@Bill D - Thank you for letting me know about Akyra.

@dgage - In hind sight yes I should have put "always" in there. Didn`t think of that, thank you for letting me know,,, I always learn something here :)
 
I have not personally used any of the older prep/panel wipe products that Accumulator & Bill D would be referring too. Sadly when I started out I didn’t see the need or point of them.

Early on when just doing a wax or sealant if I was doing any polishing I would follow up with a full “strip wash”. That back in the day I think was ChemicalGuys Citrus wash & clear. I just thought I needed a good cleaning soap that would leave nothing behind and strip off polishing oils. In the past few years I have basically moved on from waxes and sealants other than a spray wax/sealant topper.

When it comes to coatings do believe in and use prep/panel wipe products. In doing so I usually try and stick with the brand specific product to make sure I try and get the best final outcome. To me the time and effort are worth it when using something that will seal in my work for 2+ years. I have had coating applications last 3-4+ so far.

I have also found that not all prep/panel wipe products are equal. Some are slicker but seem to clean less while others seem to be much stronger and grabber. But again I usually try and stick with the coating specific prep products. When coatings came out even the first ones called for some form of prep wipe and since then I have used them.

From what I remember and see currently most sealants and waxes still don’t call specifically for a prep wipe product.
 
Why isnt there just a "YES" answer? lol. I feel like if you want your LSP to stick you should use a panel wipe, it takes about 10-25 min to wipe down a vehicle. I use it every time Im putting an LSP on.
 
dgage said:
I didn’t respond originally as I was looking for always. I always do a wipe for a coating as it is pretty much required. But really for anything, if I am going to take the time and use a product, I want it to be able to do its best, which means a panel wipe. While it may not be needed with some spray sealants, I’m still of the opinion to get the surface as pristine as possible to give those sealants the best chance to perform.
Click to expand...

Agree, I too want what ever I put down to last as long as possible so why wouldnt someone take an extra 15ish min to do things the best they can
 
dcjredline said:
Why isnt there just a "YES" answer? lol. I feel like if you want your LSP to stick you should use a panel wipe, it takes about 10-25 min to wipe down a vehicle. I use it every time Im putting an LSP on.
Click to expand...
25 mins is pretty conservative. You`ve to work a small enough area to wipe, swap towel and then remove residue before it`s flashed. Even with a slow flashing panel wipe in a stable environment, this could take me 45 mins even on a small car.

The underlying point though is valid.. All the work you do after this step can be undone if you cut corners at this stage.

That`s less detrimental for a short term wax rather than a long term nano coating where it would be a sin to not spend the time / learn correct technique.

Sent from my LYA-L09 using Tapatalk
 
I always use a panel wipe prior to putting my LSP on whether it be a coating or sealant. I`ve only used one coating which was Gloss Coat, and for that I used OPT Paint Prep. I`ve used Gyeon Prep before too. I like them.
 
I sometimes use a panel wipe after polishing, and always before applying a sealant or coating.

I have started using it as part of a rinseless wash if a sealant is being applied - wash panel, damp dry, spray with panel wipe, dry.
 
A couple questions before I can answer.

Are we talking about a specific product called "Panel Wipe". It`s capitalized in the poll header and I want to make sure I answer correctly.

If it is the general product and not a specific one, are we talking about things like Eraser and Prep, or a different category of product. I didn`t recognize any of those mentioned before and wondered if they are more pro-grade/body shop type products and not in the same class.
 
Desertnate - "Panel Wipe" was used in general terms not in regards to a specific product. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

I am definitely learning some things here. Thank you all.
 
I`m with Desertnate on this. What TYPE of panel wipe are we talking about?
I will commend you Fishing, though, for asking if and when you use a Panel Wipe, AND I assume that by Panel Wipe you mean a prep wipe before applying a Last-Step Product (LSP) of choice.
Perhaps a better poll would be Which Prep/ Panel Wipe do you use?
1) Iso-propyl Alcohol (IPA 70% or 90%)
2) CarPro Eraser
3) Optimum Polymer Technologies Paint Prep
4) GTechniq Panel Wipe
5) 3D Wipe
6) IGL Ecoclean
7) P&S Surface Prep
8) Kleen Strip Paint Prep
9) Akyra Clean Prep Wash
10) Meguiar`s Surface Prep
11) Pre-VOC regulated (AKA old) PP&G DX-330 or DX-440 Grease and Wax Remover
12) I use newer prep polishes that require no panel wipe, like CarPro Essence or Dr.Beasley`s NP150, 90, 45
13) I never use a prep panel wipe prior to LSP application because I do a prep soap-and-water wash after correcting or polishing

Well, you get the idea.... there are a lot of surface preps/ panel wipes to choose from, not to mention newer emerging polish technologies that require no prep (Number 12 in the above list)

I also wonder how many Autopians re-wash their vehicle after correcting or polishing. While that may seem extreme and OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Detailing), it is a VERY effective way to remove both compound and polishing carrier/lubricating oils AND abrasives from a vehicle prior to LSP application.

I would also like to know if any Autopians have horror stories of where an LSP was not compatible with a compound and/or polish after its application because you did not do a prep panel wipe. Mine would be after using M205 polish and then applying Collinite 476S on a dark maroon truck. As Accumulator has lamented many a time, Meg`s Trade-Secret Oils (or TSOs) cause havoc in this case and the Collinite wax became hazed and foggy.
Since then, I have now elected to do a IPA 90% wipe on all vehicles after using M205.

AND my usual Captain Obvious Question, What manufacturer and type of microfiber are you using for your panel wipe?? THAT seems to be a major player preventing swirls in clear coated paint after spending hours polishing them out.
OR is more the wipe product itself??
 
Fishing said:
Desertnate - "Panel Wipe" was used in general terms not in regards to a specific product. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

I am definitely learning some things here. Thank you all.
Click to expand...

Things are a little more clear now.

I use a panel wipe when applying a coating, not matter whose car it is on. My weapons of choice are either CarPro Eraser or Gyeon Prep. My last couple of bottle have all been Eraser simply because I`m familiar with it and the price doesn`t seem too much worse than anyone else.

I did use a panel wipe for a sealant when I applied Wolfgang`s SiO2 Paint Sealant, but that was only because the instructions called for it and I was doing a durability test. I decided to apply it exactly as directed on the bottle vs. just "winging it". Did it change anything? Not sure.

Lonnie said:
I would also like to know if any Autopians have horror stories of where an LSP was not compatible with a compound and/or polish after its application because you did not do a prep panel wipe. Mine would be after using M205 polish and then applying Collinite 476S on a dark maroon truck. As Accumulator has lamented many a time, Meg`s Trade-Secret Oils (or TSOs) cause havoc in this case and the Collinite wax became hazed and foggy.
Click to expand...

I`ve never experienced any incompatibility issues between sealants and a polish (or even a couple glazes), though my sealant repertoire is probably much smaller than most here. Interesting you had issues with 476 and Meguiars. For many years I applied 845 over Meguiars Ultimate Polish/Compound with no ill effects. The only hazing I saw from 845 was spots where I applied it too heavy and it would "sweat" in high heat/temperatures. Those spots were easily eliminated with a wash or a swipe with a MF towel and a QD.
 
[FONT=&quot]Lonnie - I like this idea “re-wash their vehicle after correcting or polishing”. I will give this a try for sure. “horror stories of where an LSP was not compatible with a compound and/or polish” I never gave that a thought,,,something to think about when buying new products.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]Desertnate- Thank you for the information and a couple examples of panel wipes that I can look into.[/FONT]
 
There are many times I also wash the car after polishing to clean off any dust so panel wipe isn`t always needed but I am washing off the polishing oils with a coating prep wash such as McKees.

Also, CarPro changed their stance on Essence not needing a prep wipe before a coating. My understanding via Guz is that CarPro suggests a panel wipe after using Essence. So even some synergistic prep polishes may need a panel wipe.
 
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