I'm just finishing up my bodywork and getting ready for primer. Is it okay to use "VM&P Naphtha Pure" to clean the surface and prep for primer? I have seen that most of the surface prep stuff contains Naphtha.

I use Sherwin-Williams paint prep cleaner for the final clean.

Naptha is a wax remover. I am not certain that it is sufficient to remove all the contaminants from surfaces prior to prime and paint. That is why the other surface prep stuff contains more than one solvent.

Would Acetone or MEK work as a final?

I use what is recommended by the paint and primer manufacturer to avoid any issues. Sherwin Williams and PPG both offer prep products that are compatible with their paint systems.

acetone will leave a residue that doesn't allow proper adhesion to the metal surface. as vikki said you should use what is recommended by the manufacturer. choose the brand of paint your going to use, the process of application and go from there. either a lacquer or base-clear and use the steps provided by the manufacturer you choose to for the process to prep the body!

you'll get a much better finish doing it there way versus yours. if not done correctly you may be doing it again very soon! also if your going with a base-clear system i would use a urethane primer! helps smooth the paint out and give a much better finish when complete!

I use what a body shop guy told me many years ago; Prep-Sol to initially clean the area and then enamel reducer as a final wipe.

YES!!!!! You are on the money with this Vikki.

Spend all this time, labor and money to paint your car, it makes absolutely no sense to risk or compromise the outcome by saving a few bucks on your final prep cleaner. Naptha is what, $12 a gallon while DX330 is $35? Twenty-two bucks is not a big savings compared to the overal job cost or value.

All major paint manufactures have a final cleaner product in their product line. These cleaners are known quantities for impurities, tars and contamination. Grab the product literature for the product you're using and buy the products recommended for wax and grease removal.

Just as important is to use it correctly. Wipe it on with one towel and wipe off with a second clean towl. Keep rearranging the towel to use a clean portion. Or use one of those pressurized spray bottles to apply it like they use in California. Don't permit it to dry on the car through evaporation. The goal is to get the surface contamination transfered to the rags.