Solvent panel prep before coatings and waxes

AutoBrite Prep-It 1L

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AutoBrite Prep-It 1L AutoBrite Prep-It 1L £16.00

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Autobrite Direct PREP-IT is the perfect surface preparation product for your paint correction and protection process. This product contains high purity solvents combined with degreasing additives that allow easy dissolving and removal of unwanted polishing oils, fingerprints, cleaning product residue etc.

  • Removes polishing oils before protection
  • Lifts fingerprints and cleaning residue
  • High purity solvent formula
  • Degreasing additives for a clean panel
  • Prepares paint for ceramic coatings
  • Also used before sealants and waxes
  • Helps protection reach full performance
  • 1L bottle for regular prep work
Read the full description

Full Description

Autobrite Direct PREP-IT is the perfect surface preparation product for your paint correction and protection process. This product contains high purity solvents combined with degreasing additives that allow easy dissolving and removal of unwanted polishing oils, fingerprints, cleaning product residue etc.

A must for ensuring a clean panel prior to application of Ceramic coatings, Sealants and Waxes, allowing your chosen paint protection to achieve its maximum performance.

More in Panel Wipe & IPA and from Autobrite Direct.

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Key features

  • Panel Prep
  • Solvent Formula
  • Coating Prep
  • 1L Bottle

The Drivers HQ

Expert Notes

Prep-It is Autobrite Direct's panel wipe, used between polishing and protection. It combines high purity solvents with degreasing additives to dissolve polishing oils, fingerprints and cleaning product residue, so a ceramic coating, sealant or wax goes onto a clean surface. The safety data sheet lists a C9 to C10 hydrocarbon solvent as the main ingredient, with no isopropyl alcohol listed, and classes it as a flammable liquid with a flash point of approx. 27°C. It suits enthusiasts and detailers applying any durable protection. Pair it with plenty of clean, lint-free microfibre towels and your chosen coating, sealant or wax, and use it in a well ventilated space.

Perfect For / Suitable Surfaces

  • Freshly polished paintwork
  • Panels before ceramic coating
  • Panels before sealant
  • Panels before waxing
  • Polishing oil residue
  • Fingerprints on prepared panels
  • Cleaning product residue

Caution: Flammable liquid and vapour: use in a well ventilated area away from heat, sparks and open flames, and avoid breathing the vapour.

Technical Specifications

Product Type
Panel Wipe Surface Prep
Brand
Autobrite Direct
Use
Surface Preparation Before Paint Protection
Size
1L
Formula
High Purity Solvents With Degreasing Additives
Appearance
Clear Liquid
Removes
Polishing Oils, Fingerprints And Cleaning Product Residue
Main Ingredient
C9 To C10 Hydrocarbon Solvent, Under 2% Aromatics
Use Before
Ceramic Coatings, Sealants And Waxes
Flash Point
Approx. 27°C
Hazard Classification
Flammable Liquid And Vapour

How To Use

Application

  1. Wash and dry the vehicle and finish any polishing before using Prep-It.
  2. Work in a well ventilated area away from heat, sparks and open flames.
  3. Apply a small amount of Prep-It to a clean, folded microfibre towel.
  4. Wipe one panel at a time to lift polishing oils and residue.
  5. Follow straight away with a second clean, dry microfibre towel.
  6. Apply your ceramic coating, sealant or wax once the panel is clean.

Aftercare

  1. Refold or change towels often so removed oils are not spread back on.
  2. Close the bottle tightly straight after use.
  3. Store in a cool, dry, well ventilated place away from ignition sources.
  4. Keep the bottle out of reach of children.
  5. Wash used towels separately before using them again.

Top Tip: Refold to a clean towel face every panel so lifted polishing oils are not wiped back onto the paint.

Performance Benefits

  • Dissolves unwanted polishing oils
  • Lifts fingerprints from panels
  • Removes cleaning product residue
  • Leaves a clean panel
  • Clean base for sealants and waxes
  • Supports full protection performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Prep-It used for?

Prep-It is a surface preparation product used to clean panels before applying a ceramic coating, sealant or wax. It removes polishing oils, fingerprints and cleaning product residue.

Is Prep-It an IPA wipe?

No isopropyl alcohol is listed for Prep-It: Autobrite Direct's safety data sheet gives a C9 to C10 hydrocarbon solvent, at 60 to 100%, as its main ingredient. The maker describes it as high purity solvents combined with degreasing additives.

When do I use it in my detail?

Use Prep-It after polishing and before applying protection, so the coating, sealant or wax goes onto a clean panel.

How do I apply it?

Apply a small amount to a clean microfibre towel, wipe one panel at a time and follow with a second clean towel. Work in a well ventilated area.

Is Prep-It flammable?

Yes. Prep-It is classified as a flammable liquid and vapour with a flash point of approx. 27°C, so keep it away from heat, sparks and open flames.

Can I use it before a ceramic coating?

Yes. Autobrite Direct describes Prep-It as a must for ensuring a clean panel before ceramic coatings, sealants and waxes.

What size is this bottle?

This is the 1L bottle of Autobrite Direct Prep-It.

Can I get it delivered?

Yes, Prep-It is available from The Drivers HQ with UK-wide delivery.

HQ Suggests Tips & Insights

  1. Finish all polishing before wiping down with Prep-It.
  2. Use clean, lint-free microfibre towels for every car.
  3. Wipe one panel at a time, then follow with a dry towel.
  4. Work in a well ventilated area and avoid breathing the vapour.
  5. Wear protective gloves when handling the solvent.
  6. Avoid touching prepared panels with bare hands.
  7. Close the bottle tightly and store it somewhere cool.
  8. Order online with UK-wide delivery from The Drivers HQ.

The Brand

Autobrite Direct

Autobrite Direct is a UK car detailing brand founded in 2005 that describes itself as built by detailers, for detailers. Magifoam snow foam, Crystal glass cleaner and Tyregloss date from its early years. In 2026 the brand was relaunched by Technical Brands UK & Ireland Limited, of County Antrim, which had been the official Autobrite Direct reseller in Ireland; the earlier company, Autobrite Direct Limited, no longer trades. The new operator says it has brought back key legacy formulas and that the products are manufactured in the UK.

At The Drivers HQ we stock Autobrite Direct online with UK delivery and in our Ilkeston shop. Popular choices include Magifoam, Purple Velvet shampoo and Project 64.

Autobrite Direct Project 64 Spray Gloss Enhancer, Ultraslick Paint Sealant, Crystal Glass Cleaner and Carbanuba Car Wax bottles on a black display plinth

Autobrite wash, wheels and decontamination

Pre-wash and snow foam. Citrus Wash is a citrus oil pre-wash and all purpose cleaner for paint, plastic, vinyl and rubber, diluted 100:1 for light cleaning, 50:1 for a general pre-wash, 30:1 for heavy grime and 10:1 for degreasing. Stronger mixes can reduce wax or sealant, so Autobrite suggests 50:1 or weaker for maintenance washes. Magifoam is a stable, wax and sealant safe snow foam: 100 to 200ml in the lance, topped up with water, left to dwell but never to dry. Custard Magifoam is the vanilla custard scented version, and the thick mousse style Jelly Bean and Parma Violet Super Foams suit lighter summer dirt.

Shampoos. Purple Velvet is a pH neutral shampoo with a Juicy Fruit scent that dilutes up to 1500:1, a 10ml capful in 15 litres. Banana Gloss is pH neutral and kind to existing wax, and Ceramic Infused Shampoo adds a slick, hydrophobic layer, used at 400:1 in the bucket or straight onto the mitt. Wash with the Synthetic Wool Wash Mitt and a 20 litre Detailing Bucket in black or clear, each with a Gamma Seal lid and Dirt Guard; the Bucket Organiser fits most 20 litre buckets and holds bottles, mitts and brushes.

Wheels, tyres and decontamination. BriteGel is a lemon and lime scented, non-acidic wheel gel that clings to the wheel and tyre, and Very Cherry Non Acidic is a high foaming, acid free wheel cleaner for painted and clear coated wheels. Purple Rain is a ready to use gel fallout remover for wheels and bodywork that turns purple as it dissolves iron: do not dilute it, and keep it off damaged or unlacquered paint and alloys. Just The Tonic is a solvent tar and glue remover that also lifts sticker glue and, inside, ink, oil and chewing gum from carpets. Tyregloss is a cherry scented tyre dressing: a little for satin, more for high gloss.

Shop more snow foam, car shampoo and wheel cleaners.

Autobrite Direct Crystal Glass Cleaner being sprayed onto the side window of a black car

Autobrite polishing, protection, glass and interior

Paint correction. The Correct It compounds are made for modern ceramic and scratch resistant clear coats as well as hard German paint: Restore is the heavy cut, rated to remove 1500 grit sanding marks, Enrich is a medium one step cut and finish, and Final Finish is the anti-hologram finishing polish. The 135mm pads are colour coded: orange for cutting and green for polishing, both German open cell foam, with the Hybrid Wool Ultracut and Correct It PRO microfibre pads for faster correction.

Protection and gloss. Prep-It removes polishing oils and residue before a coating, sealant or wax. Ultraslick is a polymer sealant for paint, glass, chrome and unpainted plastics in a 250ml atomiser bottle, and Carbanuba is a banana scented cream wax of carnauba, montan and microcrystalline waxes. Magiseal is a water based, SiO2 infused coating: 100ml with 400ml of water in a foam lance, or 25ml with 475ml in a trigger, rinsed straight off, for two to three months of protection. Project 64 is a pH neutral spray, wipe and buff gloss enhancer, Quickshine works as a quick detailer, waterless wash or clay lubricant, and Top Gloss is a wax drying aid. Apply them with the foam applicators, six to a pack, and polish bright metal with Metalworx.

Glass. Crystal has been in the range since 2005: a fast flash-off glass cleaner, safe on glass, mirrors and window tints. Clear View polishes away bug splatter, fallout and watermarks with no silicones or waxes, ready for Repel, a rain repellent that Autobrite says beads water off from around 30mph. Buff with The Enforcer, a 55 x 63cm, 300gsm glass towel.

Interior and kit. Fab is a high foaming upholstery cleaner and pre-spotter, Magic Carpet a low foaming fabric cleaner with odour neutralisers, and the Alcantara Cleaner is solvent free and water based for Alcantara and suede. Jaffa Clean degreases and protects engine bays and door shuts, and the Soft White Drill Brush (5in) scrubs carpets and mats. Carry it all in the Detailing Holdall or Detailing Kit Bag, or start with the boxed Essential Detailing Kit.

Shop more paint sealants, glass cleaners and interior cleaners.

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