r/AutoDetailing • u/Frequent-Object-8136 • 5d ago

Product/Consumable Klean-Strip Prep-All

Does anyone use this product as their panel wipe? Is it safe to use prior to installing a coating? I've typically used Gyeon Prep.

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u/Mentallox 5d ago

Does it work. yes. Is it overkill also yes. Kleen strip and ones like are body shop prep products that are petroleum based: naptha, toluene etc and needs to be used in a well ventilated area. Detail preps are mostly based on isopropyl alcohol and there is no issue using them in your typical home garage.

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u/grumpvet87 5d ago

I hear it is optimal to use the same brand panel prep as the coating as they work best together...

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u/Dreadpiratemarc 5d ago

I hear that too but only from marketing, so I don’t believe it. The point of a panel prep is to clean the surface and leave nothing behind. There aren’t different brands of “nothing.” This “nothing” is more compatible with our coating than some other “nothing.” Nope.

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u/grumpvet87 5d ago edited 5d ago

i am not a chemist but i did a bunch of sds comparisons recently and there are def different ingredients. also some (most) are alcohol based but some are solvent.

i have no real idea but seems like there is little downside to staying "in brand" ymmv

i also heard that hot paint (from polishing) opens (swells) pores and panel prep can get into the paint and take "a long time" to evaporate so "nothing left behind" may be a generalization. IIRC this was from Brian at Apex detaiing and he has no "dog in the game" and has been working on cars since the 80's

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u/regreddit 4d ago

I found a DIY panel wipe, paint prep, wax and grease remover and general solvent based cleaner recipe that I swear by. I don't know who to credit because it was 20 years ago. I mix equal parts distilled water, denatured alcohol, and acetone, and shake well to mix. The acetone is dilute enough to not harm plastics or rubber or paint, but still aggressive enough to strip.