Tip #23: Ridding your vehicle of unwanted odors/smells

Does my paint really need a "pre-cleaner" in addition to polish?

Or: How companies sell you stuff you don't need!

Hi Donald,   I wrote to another company, and they indicated 2 steps before waxing : 
1.surface prep step with a paint cleaner of some kind 
2.polishing step 

I ordered the glaze from you but no "paint cleaner" what do your recommend for this step? Thanks, Anne

Anne,

While I have a lot of respect for the company you are talking about, I do think they are sometimes better at coming up with new ways to make you spend money than working to make YOUR life better!

This, in my opinion, falls under the same category of marketing as "clear-coat safe" products.  Basically, if a polish/wax is good for ANY paint, it is good for clear-coat paint.  The goal is the same.  As I have said before, clear-coat paint is just paint without pigment.  No magic, just paint that will scratch, oxidize and peel like any other paint if mistreated.  

In the above question, the company has come up with a way to try to sell you yet another bottle to put on your shelf.  Yet another trip around your vehicle wearing you and your paint out quicker than necessary.

The basic steps that I recommend are really all any paint finish in reasonably good condition should need:

1. Wash
2. Polish the paint to remove fine scratches/haze/oxidation (once or twice a year or as needed)
3. Wax to protect the finish and enhance the shine.

This extra paint cleaner they recommend really is not needed.  You basically are cleaning the paint in the steps I recommend.  Only if you have very badly damaged or oxidized paint will you need more steps.  Then you get into more aggressive compounds or even wet sanding, followed by several steps of lighter compounds and then polishes.  One additional mild cleaning step in the basic process for finishes in good condition overall, is just "make-work" and trying to get more money from you, the customer.

My philosophy is to provide my customers with the best products for the job.  Products that give  good value, and quality.  I want you to get the result you want with the least amount of work.  I promise I won't try to sell you something just to put another bottle on your shelf!

Don Mallinson, President
DC CarCare

Tip #23: Ridding your vehicle of unwanted odors/smells