Question...I don't have a PC yet so no polishing involved, but if I wash with Mystique, then clay, then Epic...is that OK. Will Epic be removed by the clay? Should I remove the Epic first with a wax remover? if so I realize Dawn won't work for synthetic...anything decent I can get in a store tonight?

Thanks, the OC is starting to kick in again.

 

wash spot clay and Epic the entire car.

infact, i need to do my Legacy this weekend...

 

Should be fine. That is what I did on mine when I applied Epic on it and from what I can tell it worked great.

 

yikes, 39F this morning. scratch that Epic app until next weekend..
(epic works best above 60F in dry weather)

 

Not a problem here...

 

Sin - If you're stripping wax and the using clay, there is no reason to use your good Mystique to wash with. Just use some crap Gold Class. I still don't believe clay will remove Epic as well as say P21S Paintworks Cleanser or even Alcohol/water at 50/50.
So when I do Epic I wash with plain Gold Class to get the chunks off, then I use P21S to get oils and old Epic off and then I clay using the wash water or, now that I bought some - Glide. At this point I truly believe the paint is clean and free of wax and contaminates.

 

Good idea...but that is all I have.

 

If you've clayed off contaminants, I really don't see how it's a bad thing to Epic right on top of your existing (old) Epic, if there's any left... don't know why you REALLY would need to strip all the way back to the paint...

 

Fresh new virgin Epic on tainted old tawdry Epic - I shudder.
You probably don't need to, but I do.

 

You crack me up, Chuck.

I'm telling Heather that you called Epic "tainted" and "tawdry" (after like 3-4 months or whatever) and she's gonna CUT YOU OFF. Better repent.

 

I dont believe that epic is removed by a claybar. I think some of it is but not all of it. Also, I dont think that epic can truly be layered. People like OctGuy say that synthetics bind to the paint, then cure, a very thin layer sticks. He hasnt commented on epic, but I think thats the case. I only have heard of Acrylic compounds like Klasse can layer. Carnauba can layer a bit but sorta not really. It partially layered once for me slightly.

I just think you are making sure no spots were missed when you reapply epic. i could be wrong though.

 

not all claybars are equal. some dont remove wax some do. it's best
to use dedicated products like griot's paintprep if you want to remove old
wax completely.

if you want to just remove contaminants just clay and redo Epic over the
section, or your entire car.

i 2nd coat to make sure an even coat.

 

I know that Zaino is typically layered....I never strip off old layers when I reapply the Zaino......I figured that Epic, since it is also a synthetic can be layered but Heather says it is not necesary...but I don't see why you would need or want to remove that one layer of Epic when you reapply it the several months later...why would you remove it?

 

I second coat to make sure I didn't miss spots.

As far as reapplying...from what I understand from Heather, as long as the Epic is fully cured you *can* layer it but it doesn't do much good - a coat is a coat. So in theory, I would think you could just re-Epic over old Epic, but I agree with Chuck...my OCDness makes me go "ewwww" too

I would just use PaintPrep or that P21S stuff and start over.

 

i meant tawdry in the nicest possible way ...
Sorry Heather!

 

do most people who use Epic remove it prior to reapplying?

Does Heather recommend this extra step of removal of Epic with 50/50 alcohal/water prior to reapplying? After Epic is on the car for a few months, and then you clay prior to reapplying, isn't the Epic layer remaining so thin and mostly worn off anyway? Heather?

 

Hey, Ken... I know you love that Griot's Paint Prep. But considering it can't be used on glass, what makes you feel it's better than P21S Paintworks Cleanser ?

I almost bought the Griot's stuff but the fact that it can't be used on glass really made me hesitate. Since it's a spray-on product, you're bound to get some overspray on the glass.

 

but i never stated that... i have not tried a P21 product.

Peter mentioned a P21 product that i was going to try next season....
forgot which one it was. uh oh...

as far as PaintPrep, as long as it does not dry (you're suppose
to keep adding more mists of water) it did not do anything negative
from the overspray.

 

Well, no, you didn't state that, Ken. But you obvioiusly prefer it because if I did a search on "Paint Prep" and your name, I'd come up with about a jazillion hits. Pretty clearly it's your favorite for removing wax.

Okay, no problem on glass ? Good to know because Griot's says "not for use on glass". I guess they don't mean "you can't get any on your glass", they mean, don't paint prep your windows.

Thanks... I think I'm going to order the P21S stuff and try it out.

 

LOL! favorite or not it works, so ive been using it.

they say glass, but i wouldn't get it on rubber seals either as it will dry it.
i also cover my expensive wheels (oe wheels, who cares) when i use
that stuff. it's a strong detergent so any precautions you might think
of, just do it. and keep it wet, don't let it dry.

 

Ken - I think you were going to try the P21S Total Auto Wash - because of the pretty box remember now?
I just got some in and I'm planning on trying it for this Fall's full detail.
CRPWJB - I like the P21S Paintworks Cleanser because it is just like a polish in consistency and application and it is water soluble. I put it on by hand, rub where I need to (tar, bug guts, poodle parts etc.) and wipe it off after I've done the whole car. You can use it on glass and I've not had any staining on trim.

 

^ Thanks, Chuck. I ordered a bottle of it earlier this afternoon. Looks easy to use and it's supposed to be one of the best products for removing wax--natural or synthetic.

Also ordered a couple of new 5-gal buckets and dirt guards while I was at it... red and black to match the MINIs, of course !

 

oooo - with that red bucket you will be done in no time!

 

thanks right! thanks for the reminder. i typed it up in my to-buy list
from DP. (well, next season).

 

I hadn't even thought of that benefit ! Cool ! <matches, too