Panel Wipe

Panel wipe is a solvent used to clean body panels prior to application of professional coatings. This is important for two reasons. Compounds and polishes contain oils, which are there as a lubricant to help abrasive compounds move smoothly over your paint. However, these oils can fill micro scratches, making them invisible. It is important to clean the panel and remove the oils to inspect the paintwork to make sure the polishing process has removed all marring and micro scratches.

Secondly, it is essential that any oils are removed so that professional sealants such as ceramic coating and graphene coating can bond directly to the paintwork. Improper application of these coatings over silicones and waxes is the primary cause of coating failure.   

What it means

Panel wipe is a preparation fluid used just before you paint or protect a car. After polishing or sanding, the paint can be covered in oils, fillers, silicone and dust that normal washing will not remove. Panel wipe uses fast-evaporating solvents - often including isopropyl alcohol or bodyshop-grade degreasers - to dissolve and lift these residues so the surface is truly bare and ready for fresh paint, sealant or a ceramic coating.

Why it matters

• Helps coatings and paint to bond: Ceramic coatings, sealants and fresh paint all rely on a clean, residue-free surface. Panel wipe removes the oils and silicones that can cause poor adhesion, patchiness or early failure.
• Reveals the true finish: Polishing oils and fillers can hide fine defects. Wiping a test area with panel wipe shows the real condition of the paint, so you know if more correction is needed.
• Bodyshop essential: Before spraying new paint, bodyshops use panel wipe to remove fingerprints, silicone and traffic film that could cause fish-eyes, craters or other paint defects.
• Different from a paint cleaner: Panel wipe does not normally contain waxes or protection - its job is to strip, not to shine - which is why it is used just before the final protective step.

Where you’ll see it

You will see panel wipe mentioned on ceramic coating instructions, bodyshop process sheets and detailing checklists. It is often labelled as panel wipe, silicone remover, pre-paint cleaner or surface prep. In detailing studios it is used between polishing and coating, and in bodyshops it appears before and sometimes between paint stages.

Context

Panel wipe belongs to the preparation stage of paintwork. Detailers typically wash, decontaminate and polish the car, then use panel wipe to remove any remaining polishing oils before applying coatings or sealants. In bodyshops, similar products are used before primer, basecoat and clearcoat to keep silicone and grease away from the spray job. It is stronger and more focused than everyday glass cleaner or quick detailer, so it is used sparingly and with care on sensitive materials.

Common mistakes

• Using panel wipe like a general-purpose cleaner on dirty cars instead of on already washed and decontaminated paint.
• Skipping panel wipe before ceramic coating or painting and then wondering why the product does not bond or fails early.
• Over-saturating soft plastics, rubber or fresh paint with strong panel wipe and causing staining or swelling.
• Working in direct sunlight or on hot panels so the product flashes off too quickly and just smears residue around instead of removing it.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 17/11/2025 17:08