The Ultimate Guide to Properly Decontaminate Your Car's Paint
How to Decontaminate Your Car's Paint
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
A specially formulated detergent designed for cleaning vehicles without stripping wax or sealants from the paint. It's gentle on your car's surface and helps to lift away dirt and grime.
A tool used to apply car wash soap to the vehicle's surface. Wash mitts, typically made of microfiber or sheepskin, are preferred as they are gentle and effective at trapping dirt to prevent scratches.
A detailing tool used to remove bonded contaminants from the surface of the car's paint, such as tree sap, road tar, and overspray. It leaves the paint smooth and ready for further treatments like waxing.
A spray liquid that reduces friction between the clay bar or clay mitt and the car's surface. This helps to prevent scratches during the decontamination process
Soft, highly absorbent towels used for drying the car and buffing products such as wax or sealant off the surface. They are known for being gentle on paint and reducing the risk of scratching.
A special cleaning product designed to dissolve and remove tar spots from the vehicle's surface.
A chemical solution used to dissolve and remove embedded iron particles and brake dust from the car's paint and wheels, often used prior to claying.
A product applied to the car's paint to provide a protective layer, enhancing shine and offering protection against environmental contaminants. Wax is typically natural-based, while sealants are synthetic and often offer longer-lasting protection.
Begin with a thorough wash to remove surface dirt and grime:
Rinse the car to remove loose dirt.
Apply car wash soap using a wash mitt or sponge. Work from top to bottom to prevent swirling dirt onto clean areas.
Rinse thoroughly and dry the surface with microfiber towels.
Iron fallout particles, like brake dust and rail dust, can embed into your paint. Use an iron fallout remover:
Spray the remover onto the car’s surface, following the product instructions.
Wait for a few minutes as the product works on dissolving iron particles; it often changes color as it reacts.
Rinse the car thoroughly after the reaction time.
Step 4: Dislodge Tar and Sap
Apply the tar remover on the affected areas.
Let it sit for the recommended duration.
Wipe away gently with a clean microfiber cloth.
Step 5: Clay Bar Treatment
Split the clay bar into manageable pieces and mold it until pliable.
Spray a clay lubricant onto a small section of the car.
Glide the clay bar over the lubricated area using a back-and-forth motion.
Wipe the area with a microfiber towel before moving to the next section.
Step 6: Apply Wax or Sealant
Choose between synthetic sealants or natural wax based on your preference for durability or shine.
Apply the product following the manufacturer’s instructions, usually using an applicator pad.
Buff the surface with a clean microfiber towel to achieve a high-gloss finish.
