Vehicle Cleaning

[SignStudent]

I've been trying to decide what I should buy to prep vehicles. I've seen people mention rapid prep, xylene, prep sol, denatured alcohol, and several others. Is it all just personal preference or are different solvents better for different things?

 

[HulkSmash]

denatured Alcohol!

 

[Gino]

denatured Alcohol!

+1

 

[modernmav]

denatured alcohol all the time

 

[jfiscus]

We buy a chemical from our auto parts supplier's paint department. It is "Wax & Grease Remover" in a gallon can; Advance/Smyth/etc should sell it also. This chemical seems to ride the middle ground in-between xylene & Alcohol. It does great work of removing wax & adhesive (on removal jobs) without fear that it's going to damage the paint or take forever to clean the surface.

We also use Rapid Tac, Rapid Prep, Alcohol, orange peel degreaser & more; you really need them all for different jobs/surfaces to make things go quick & easy. Cheap lint-free paper towels/rags are where it gets tricky to me.

 

[oldgoatroper]

We buy a chemical from our auto parts supplier's paint department. It is "Wax & Grease Remover" in a gallon can;

RM's version is called Pre-Kleano -- works well, but will start to attack paint if left on too long. We always used it to prep vehicles for vinyl...

 

[Tourney Services]

keep it simple and inexpensive all you are trying to do is remove dirt, grime and grease "oil" Dantured Alcohol!

 

[SignStudent]

Denatured alcohol it is. Thanks all

 

[HulkSmash]

just take it and pour it into a spray bottle from home depot or lowes. works beautifully..

 

[ZsVinylInc]

White vinegar followed by iso alcohol. You would be amazed at how much and fast the vinegar cuts the dirt and grease.

 

[Craig Sjoquist]

HOK has great cleaner. I use it before hand lettering with no failures.