Prep Potion

Strip the lie. See the truth. Prep Potion is an IPA panel wipe that does two jobs in one pass: it strips the polishing oils and fillers that hide defects after correction, and it preps the surface so ceramic coatings, sealants, and waxes bond. If your polish job is truly done, Prep Potion proves it.

Made by working detailers in the USA.

Why an IPA Wipe

Compounds and polishes leave oils that fill swirls and make a surface look finished when it isn't — and coatings won't bond to that film. Isopropyl alcohol cuts it clean and flashes off with no residue, so what you see after the wipe is the real surface, and it's what the coating bonds to.

How to Use

Inspection wipe (between polish passes)

1. Work in shade on a cool surface (50–90°F).
2. Spray onto a clean, lint-free microfiber — never directly on the surface.
3. Wipe the polished section with light pressure.
4. Inspect right away. Haze or swirls came back? Correct that section again.
5. Clear and deep? Move to the next panel and flip to a clean towel side.

Coating prep (final step)

1. After all polishing passes inspection, spray onto a fresh microfiber.
2. Wipe one section at a time in overlapping, one-direction passes. Don't scrub.
3. Let it flash off 30–60 seconds.
4. Do a second pass with a fresh towel. If the towel picks up nothing, you're ready to coat.

Safe to Use On / Do Not Use On

✅ Safe on: cured automotive paint, including ceramic-coated · cured marine gelcoat · cured marine paint (Awlgrip, Imron, linear polyurethane) · glass and mirrors · stainless steel · aluminum (raw, polished, anodized) · chrome · cured powder coat · rigid hard plastics (ABS, polypropylene, polyethylene) · carbon fiber with cured clear coat · painted wheels · trailer frames and hardware

❌ Do not use on: acrylic and plexiglass · polycarbonate and Lexan, including headlight lenses · paint cured less than 30 days · single-stage lacquer · soft vinyl interior trim · vinyl wraps, decals, and pinstripes (test first) · leather · rubber seals · soft-touch painted plastics · anti-fog or water-repellent glass coatings · tinted window film · electronics and screens · fabric and carpet · hot surfaces or engines

When in doubt, test in a hidden area first.

Pro Tips From the Field

• Spray the towel, not the surface. Direct spray runs into seams and streaks.
• The false-gloss test is the whole game. If swirls reappear after the wipe, the polish step isn't done. Fix it before coating.
• Use quality microfiber. Lint trapped under a coating ruins the bond. 70/30 or 80/20 blends work best.
• Two towels. One for the Prep Potion pass, one dry towel to chase streaks.
• Fold in quarters. Eight clean sides per towel.
• One panel at a time. Catch missed correction at the panel, not after the whole boat.
• Glass before water repellents. Strips the oils and silicone film that block the bond.
• Never on a hot panel. It flashes off before it lifts the residue.

Pairs With

• Strip Tide — full decon wash before polishing
• Boost Coat PRO — ceramic protection after prep
• Plastic Guard — restore plastic trim after prep
• Plastic Restoration Bundle — Prep Potion + Plastic Guard

Safety & SDS

DANGER — highly flammable. 70% isopropyl alcohol. Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and smoking. Use with good ventilation. Wear gloves and eye protection. Keep out of reach of children. Use the Download SDS button below for full safety information.