GYEON Q²M Prep Alcohol-based Degreaser 1000ml

Residue-free degreasing of paint with GYEON Q²M Prep before every sealant application

What is GYEON Q²M Prep? An alcohol-based paint degreaser from GYEON based on isopropanol, which removes polishing oils, wax residues, and silicone residues without leaving any trace — the essential preparation before every ceramic coating. Not suitable as an all-purpose cleaner or for removing heavy dirt such as tar or insect residues.

GYEON Q²M Prep is a paint degreaser from GYEON, based on a formulation of 30–35% isopropanol, fat-dissolving anionic surfactants, and antistatic additives. The active ingredient isopropyl alcohol chemically dissolves polishing oils and wax residues from the paint surface and then evaporates without leaving any residue.

What remains is an absolutely pure surface, on which a ceramic coating can achieve maximum adhesion. In the detailing workflow, Q²M Prep is the last step before coating application: the so-called IPA-wiping, which every coating manufacturer prescribes as a mandatory step.

• Evaporates completely — zero residue between paint and coating. Water-based degreasers leave mineral traces on the surface after evaporation. Q²M Prep completely evaporates due to its high IPA content. A residue layer of only 0.5 µm can reduce coating adhesion by up to 40% — Q²M Prep eliminates this risk.
• Antistatic formulation against immediate re-contamination. After polishing, the paint surface is electrically charged and magnetically attracts dust. The antistatic additives in Q²M Prep neutralize this static charge. After wiping, you have a time window of 10–15 minutes during which the surface remains largely dust-free — this is enough for coating application on a complete panel. Without this antistatic component, you would have to wipe each panel again immediately before coating.
• Dual function: Cleaning control between polishing stages. Polishing oils optically fill fine scratches and conceal defects in the clear coat. A wipe with Q²M Prep between polishing stages reveals whether the preliminary work is sufficient — or whether you need another pass with the compound. This control step takes 30 seconds per panel and, in the worst case, saves you a complete re-treatment after coating. Approximately 150 ml is sufficient for an entire vehicle.

Practical tip from Detailing1: Never spray Q²M Prep directly onto the paint — always onto a fresh, short-pile microfiber cloth. Direct spraying distributes the dissolved dirt over the surface instead of absorbing it. Use one cloth for application per paint panel and a second, dry one for buffing. Change the application cloth after 2–3 panels. If you only use one cloth and wipe in circular motions, you will spread polishing residues in a circle — the opposite of degreasing.

Expose polishing oils instead of trapping them under the coating

Q²M Prep shows you the true condition of the paint after polishing. Polishing oils from compound and polish stages optically fill micro-scratches and fine holograms — the paint looks smooth and flawless under normal lighting. A single wipe with Q²M Prep removes these optical fillers and reveals what truly lies beneath the oil layer.

This control step is part of the workflow after every polishing stage: Paint polish → Prep wipe → Control under LED light → Finish polish → Prep wipe → Final control → Coating. Without this intermediate step, you risk trapping defects under the coating.

A ceramic coating like Q² Mohs EVO lasts 36 months — and the trapped holograms will be visible for just as long. Rework means: sanding off the coating, completely re-polishing, completely re-coating. The control wipe with Prep takes 30 seconds per panel and reliably prevents this worst-case scenario.

For control, you need an LED gooseneck lamp or a strong flashlight at a shallow angle of about 15–20 degrees to the surface. Spray Q²M Prep onto a short-pile microfiber cloth and wipe in straight lines across the panel. Check immediately under the light.

Straight lines are crucial — no circular motions. Circles distribute dissolved residues on the surface instead of absorbing them into the cloth. If you still see dull spots or streaks after wiping, the surface is not clean enough for the coating. A second wipe with a fresh cloth will remedy this.

Finish degreaser for coatings. Not an all-purpose cleaner.

Q²M Prep is formulated for a single purpose: the final cleaning stage before a coating. The mixture of 30–35% isopropanol and anionic surfactants is calibrated for polishing oils, carnauba wax, and silicone residues from spray sealants. The flash point is above 65 °C — making Q²M Prep not a hazardous material for shipping and uncritical for storage.

The orange oil in the formulation (less than 1% content) serves as a fragrance — Q²M Prep smells pleasantly mild instead of pure alcohol, which is particularly relevant when working in enclosed garages. The liquid's color is slightly pink, so you can immediately see where you have already wiped and where you haven't.

Pure isopropanol (100% IPA) would not be an equivalent alternative. It evaporates in seconds — too quickly to reliably dissolve polishing residues. The surfactants in Q²M Prep do the actual heavy lifting: they encapsulate oil molecules (emulsification) and detach them from the paint surface.

Isopropanol acts as a solvent for waxes and silicones that surfactants alone cannot break down. Together, both mechanisms cover the entire spectrum of residues. The calibrated formulation gives you 15–30 seconds of working time on the surface before the product evaporates — enough for wiping, too little for paint damage.

Where Q²M Prep is not the right product: Tar and bitumen stains require a solvent-based tar remover. Insect residues need alkaline cleaners. Heavy grease contamination from the washing phase belongs to the Degrease Tabs, not the finish degreaser.

Q²M Prep does not replace a cleaner — it comes after cleaning, after decontamination, and after polishing. Its sole purpose is the final degreasing stage. On untreated, matte aluminum or anodized metal, test in an inconspicuous area beforehand: The surfactants can leave streaks on rough, open-pored surfaces that are difficult to remove. Q²M Prep is also unnecessary on freshly waxed surfaces — those who wax want to build up a protective layer, not remove it.

150 ml per vehicle. Three containers for every application.

For a complete mid-range vehicle, you need about 150 ml of Q²M Prep — for an SUV or van, up to 200 ml. The 500 ml spray bottle is therefore sufficient for 2–3 complete vehicles, the 1-liter bottle for 5–6, and the 4-liter canister for around 25 vehicles in workshop use. The price per liter drops from €32 for the 500 ml bottle to €20 for the canister — those who regularly apply coatings should opt for the large container and transfer it into a spray bottle.

Q²M Prep is not only suitable for paint. It is the standard before ceramic coatings on paint, but it works just as well before wheel coatings, glass sealants, leather coatings, and PPF coatings. Anywhere a coating is intended to chemically react with the surface, that surface must first be grease-free.

As a complete preparation package, you combine the Degrease Tabs in the washing phase as a basic degreasing with Q²M Prep as the final IPA-wiping directly before coating — two stages that do not replace each other but complement each other. The Degrease Tabs dissolve coarse grease films on a water basis, Q²M Prep removes the last micro-residues on an alcohol basis. Together, they guarantee a surface that a coating will have no complaints about.

For beginners applying their first ceramic coating: buy Q²M Prep in the 500 ml spray bottle and add a pack of short-pile microfiber towels. Work panel by panel, don't skimp on towels, and check under LED light after each panel.

The 500 ml bottle is sufficient for the first two to three vehicles — after that, you'll know whether you'll end up with the 4-liter canister or if the 1-liter bottle is your size. If you only coat once a year, the small bottle is perfectly adequate. Professionals and detailers who apply coatings weekly should go straight for the canister — with 25 vehicles per canister and a liter price of €20, this is the most economical option for everyday detailing.

Application of GYEON Q²M Prep

Panel by panel for a residue-free surface

Before degreasing, the paint must be washed, decontaminated, and polished — Q²M Prep is the very last step before coating. Prepare a clean, short-pile microfiber cloth like the Q²M BaldWipe EVO and a second, dry cloth for buffing.

Spray Q²M Prep onto the cloth — 2-3 sprays are sufficient per panel. Do not spray directly onto the paint: this spreads dissolved dirt on the surface instead of picking it up. Wipe over the panel in straight, overlapping passes from top to bottom. Immediately wipe with the dry cloth before the product completely evaporates.

After 2-3 panels, change the application cloth — a cloth that has already absorbed polish residues will transfer them to the next panel. Check the result under LED light at a shallow angle: the surface must reflect evenly, without dull spots or streaks. Apply the coating immediately afterwards — do not wait longer than 15 minutes, as dust and moisture will settle on the surface again.

Notes: Use Q²M Prep as a control wipe between polishing stages to uncover hidden scratches and holograms under the polishing oils. Do not use in direct sunlight or on hot paint — above 35 °C, the product evaporates too quickly for reliable degreasing. Store frost-free between 5 and 30 °C, protected from light. Use within 24 months after opening.