PAINT PREP 101: DO THIS (don't do that) with Jason Rose, Rupes USA

Jason Rose, global trainer for Rupes USA, recently conducted a training at Buddco in Salt Lake City -- where they host trainings that truly elevate our industry and make Utah a magnet for quality detailers who are passionate about the craft.
If you want your coating -- or your wax or sealant, for that matter -- to last, it's CRITICAL to use some kind of "prep" spray...the idea here is to remove wax, grease, polish residue...anything that might contend with the coating, which is designed to bond with the clear coat.
Isopropyl alcohol is cheap and easy, but there are a number of popular products that detailers and enthusiasts swear by. The question is, which one is best? And what should we all know about proper application? I'm going to list some of my favorite paint preps below, which are also fantastic window cleaners...especially if you struggle with interior windshields.
Prep All (very dilutable, great value): bit.ly/PaintPr...
Carpro Eraser: bit.ly/CarProE...
Optimum Paint Prep: bit.ly/Optimum...
GYEON Prep: bit.ly/GYEONPr...
Gtechniq Panel Wipe: bit.ly/GTechni...
Jason Rose recommends this paint thickness tester (he’s not affiliated in any way with this company):
bit.ly/PaintTh...
HERE ARE MY FAVORITE DETAILING PRODUCTS!
//PAINT CORRECTION
/Polishers
Rupes BigFoot Mark III 15mm dual action polisher: bit.ly/RupesBi...
Rupes Duetto (beginner favorite): bit.ly/DuettoP...
Rupes Mini (for 3-inch pads) - bit.ly/RupesMin...
FLEX Rotary Polisher - bit.ly/FlexRota...
FLEX mini rotary - bit.ly/FlexMin...
FLEX mini cordless - bit.ly/FlexPXE...
/Koch Chemie
H9 Compound - bit.ly/KochChem...
M3 Polish - bit.ly/KochChem...
Red foam pad - bit.ly/KochChem...
Purple polishing pad - bit.ly/KochPoli...
Pol Star Interior cleaner - bit.ly/PolStar​
/Paint Correction miscellaneous
Scangrip Headlamp - bit.ly/HeadLamp...
Bose noise canceling headphones - bit.ly/BoseHaw...
Rupes Claw tool - bit.ly/ClawToo...
2000 Grit Sandpaper - bit.ly/2000Grit...
3000 Grit Sandpaper disc - bit.ly/TrizactS...
KXK Dynamics R.I.D. Stix - bit.ly/KXKSandi...
Meguiar's MF pad - bit.ly/microfib...
//INTERIOR DETAILING PRODUCTS I RECOMMEND:
BIO BREAK: bit.ly/BioBreak...
FLEX ICE: bit.ly/FlexIce​
POL STAR INTERIOR CLEANER: bit.ly/PolStar​
VACUUM: bit.ly/HAWKPROV...
AIR COMPRESSOR: bit.ly/HAWKPROA...
TORNADOR AIR GUN: bit.ly/Tornado...
DRILL BRUSH: bit.ly/HAWKPROD...
CORDLESS DRILL: bit.ly/HAWKPROC...
EXTRACTOR: bit.ly/HotWate...
ENCAPSULATION DETERGENT (many "encap" cleaners will work): bit.ly/EncapCl...
BEST HEADLAMP: bit.ly/HAWKPROH...
RACATAC ROLLING CREEPER (for knee/back support): bit.ly/HAWKPROR...
AIR MOVER: bit.ly/HAWKPROA...
METAL DENTAL TOOL: bit.ly/HAWKPROD...
NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: bit.ly/BoseHaw...
SERIOUS PLASTIC RESTORE PRODUCT: bit.ly/TrimRest...
LEATHER/PLASTIC CONDITIONER: bit.ly/Leather...
EULEX Adhesive remover: bit.ly/EulexKo...
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It’s a small amount, but I certainly appreciate you supporting me in any way!)

[@AbcXyz-rn2lz]

PrepAll... It's at part houses.. I do single stage urethane over a primer/sealer combo, though. With acrylics I do all Eastwood products epoxy to clear; this is usually on classic cars that need rare or code colors

[@alphawolf5666]

I definitely just learned something new. Thanks guys 😎

[@scottmattern482]

Easily one of the best detailing youtube channels, certainly one of my favorites. Even the comment section is full of interesting ideas.

[@HawkProDetailing]

Much love thank you!!

[@matthewgibb2640]

aromatic hydrocarbon solvents and clearcoat softeners in polishes are the two things i steer clear of.

[@marksafady1059]

What do you use for a panel wipe?

[@cynthiaenglish2736]

I use Car Pro Eraser…..but I’ll definitely be waiting 20 minutes before moving on to any next steps. Thanks!

[@HawkProDetailing]

I love eraser but it feels a little pricey for what it is ... who knows lol I'm sure everything is expensive. Ipa is a great workhorse

[@LucaBonato]

IPA tends to ruin the finish on softer or delicate paint. Using water based antisilicones used in body shops prevents lots of problems... A real pro thing is using IR lamps to cook the paint after the cutting phase to see the real correction

[@HawkProDetailing]

Dang droppin some knowledge here. Can you explain your prep product of choice and a little more about the IR lamp method? Seems wild to introduce more heat after compounding...

[@Rocheman79]

Yeah wouldn’t heat make the clearcoat swell? Also I have found paint prep products like duplicolor to cause more issues on soft paint where as ipa hasn’t given me as many issues.

[@LucaBonato]

@@HawkProDetailing don't remember the brand name, but it's antisilicones water based. The ir lamps after compounding just dissolve all the oils leaved on the surface by the polish. Never experienced on hot summer days, when you just polished a car perfectly and in the next weeks some swirls will magically reappear?

[@HawkProDetailing]

@@LucaBonato that actually did happen to me once ...a customer brought vehicle back for first coating wash/inspection and the rear hatch was swirled and I'm like...there's no way.

[@HawkProDetailing]

@@Rocheman79 I dilute prep all and do the car. Then I'll use another brand like dupli color grease and wax remover and do another pass (always spraying towel and not paint)...then I try to give it at least an hour before I coat. But honestly...I'm just guessing

[@jayz313]

Meguiar's paint prep fan here.

[@HawkProDetailing]

I really wanna try it

[@jayz313]

@@HawkProDetailing you'll enjoy it. It's not overly potent, just right imo, and it's priced right. I know it's a favorite of Jason at Chicago Auto Pros.

[@charlesaviles2138]

I use M122 for generic use, but if I going to coat a vehicle, I use IGL Coating PreCoat because I use their Coatings.

[@HawkProDetailing]

I was watching a video about M122...they said it's lubricated enough to use to wipe off compound an polish (typically I don't use prep for general wipe off, although I might prep spray AFTER wipe off). Is the branding legit? If so it seems like a killer/versatile product. How long do you wait after IGL precoat to coat?

[@charlesaviles2138]

@@HawkProDetailing I don't wait a lot... Go all around and when I finish immediately i start to coat... Never had a problem!!!👍

[@zero1000]

I use IGL pre coat. I always use the same chemicals by the coating company because they’re chemically engineered around each other unless that one product just simply doesn’t do the job and then I’ll find an alternate. Nothing wrong with using what works for you but I’ve always thought that way.

[@HawkProDetailing]

Nice, is that an installer only product?

[@zero1000]

No, anyone can buy it.

[@qwikss4469]

I talked to Mike Stoops and he told me M122 was designed for this exact reason, in that, you don’t have to wait. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@treeman765]

“OMG” I hate that so many of the products talked about in detail videos always use acronyms! Some I can figure out but others I’m like 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@topofthelinedetailingceram3881]

So when applying a coating when you do your (panel wipe paint prep) he suggest to wait 20-30 mins after before applying the coating.?

[@HawkProDetailing]

Yep. Can't hurt anything right? We try to wait a minimum of an hour...better safe than sorry

[@topofthelinedetailingceram3881]

@@HawkProDetailing that’s what I did today it’s true better safe then sorry

[@marksafady1059]

Yvan Lacriox says mix acetone and windex.

[@HawkProDetailing]

Never tried it, have you?

[@marksafady1059]

@@HawkProDetailing no…lol. We gotta use something. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@HawkProDetailing]

@@marksafady1059 Scott from dallas paint correction recommends duplicate color wax and grease remover (soy based I believe?) And that's always been a solid choice in my book

[@LucaBonato]

Acetone can remove clearcoat like koch eulex 🙈

[@marksafady1059]

@@HawkProDetailing I’ve used duplicolor. I didn’t like it, too grabby.

[@allenrees5803]

I make my own dilute ipa to 14%

[@vincentcasarez8895]

Using the right GSM 550 (+/- 50), and the right Polyester/Polyamide blend (70/30, not 80/20) helps reduce Micromarring when Panel Wiping and using designated Panel Preps per coating company makes a huge difference on the bond of the Coating you’re installing

[@vincentcasarez8895]

Excuse my grammar, just realized I didn’t use any punctuation.😂

[@CC_Marauder]

350+ GSM with 70/30 will suffice.

[@bobsgarageFL]

Riddle me this.....You miss the taped area on your black plastic trim, I KNOW we all have done it, LOL. Don't shoot me!! You go and grab your paint prep of choice and rub and brush it still don't come off...:( So does paint prep REALLY work if it can't dissolve the smear you just made 5 min ago?

[@HawkProDetailing]

Try your all purpose cleaner at full strength. Put a towel over the jug opening, tip jug over and quickly back. So the idea is just a dab...however you want to do this is up to you lol but anyway...I take the rag with full strength apc and start on the trim. If that doesn't work....try mineral spirits

[@joshuakent3972]

I know I'm 1yr late on answering. You need to understand that plastic and rubber are extremely porous, meaning if you wipe oil on them like most dressing it will soak several millimeters into the surface. Meanwhile, paint isn't as porous and the pores are much smaller, if you get oil on the paint it will only go 1mm at most into the surface. Also if you didn't know most polishes and waxes have lots of oil or 'wax' which as stated before, goes much deeper into plastic and rubber.

[@smokester7764]

A little late to the party. It's as simple as he said, let it air dry(gas). Another tip is to spray your microfiber towel with said ipa then wipe the panel. Some ipa's can leave...what's called bleaching on the clear, burn. Has to do with chemicals in said clear and ipa. I did a hard black paint and sprayed the panel then wiped came back 2 hours later and there was white outlines where I sprayed.

[@Bull1the1Great]

I just contact shampoo a car after polishing ...

[@HawkProDetailing]

As prep for coating or like a wax? What shampoo

[@LucaBonato]

The risk on shampooing your car after polishing is a big no no. After compounding yes, but the risk of water spots or micro marring from the microfibers is so high. Also car shampoo doesn't remove polish residue... Some use dish washer soap 🤫🤫

[@Bull1the1Great]

@@HawkProDetailing to remove polish residue and oils. fx protect car shampoo

[@Bull1the1Great]

@@LucaBonato so I'm screwed either way ? 😁

[@bkovac0530i]

Just use IPA 1:1 and thats ok.. all this thing are price higt for what..smell? 😂