Panel wipe, also known sometimes as panel prep, is traditionally a solution made up of distilled water and Isopropyl Alcohol. Panel wipe is often known as an IPA wipe because of the main active ingredient being Isopropyl Alcohol. A panel wipe is used to clean the surface of your paintwork to wipe away any excess compounds, polishes, wax, oils, and other contaminants. It is important to use a panel wipe during the paint correction process in order to ensure you are always working on the cleanest surface possible.

Using a panel wipe is super easy! There’s no rocket science or tricks of the trade involved, at the basic level it is just a further decontamination of your paint. Compounds, polishes, and glazes are not necessarily considered to be contaminants but they can still leave behind excess residue that will interfere with the next stage in your detailing process. An IPA solution can strip the remaining compounds and polishes to remove any fillers left behind so the next product can do its job as it is intended.

We recommend you use a panel wipe after every step of paint correction. You will be able to feel the difference on your vehicle’s surface after you use the IPA or panel wipe. We have panel wipe available from a few brands such as Gtechniq, U-Pol, CARPRO, and Bilt Hamber so make sure to see what one is best for you!

Bilt Hamber Cleanser Fluid is a panel wipe that will remove all remnants of polish and waxy residue and oily or greasy road films. This product is an alternative to harsh IPA cleaners, with a non-abrasive formula that primes paintwork, leaving a perfectly clean surface.  This ensures that fresh coats of wax will bond to your vehicle’s paintwork with maximum adhesion. It is easy to use. Simply apply using a microfibre cloth and remove with another clean microfibre cloth before the fluid dries.

Gtechniq Panel Wipe is designed to remove all polish residues so that ultra durable chemically bonding coatings and paint sealants can form the maximum bond with your vehicle’s paintwork. The last stage of paintwork preparation for sealants, Gtechniq Panel Wipe is a blend of pure alcohols and aromatic solvents formulated specifically to give adequate working time to remove and dissolve polish residues and then flash off to leave a 100% decontaminated surface.