Paint Decontamination

Comprehensive Guide to Paint Decontamination

Maintaining your vehicle’s paint isn’t just about washing and waxing—it’s also crucial to remove deep-seated contaminants that a standard wash cannot eliminate. Paint decontamination is a two-step process designed to remove embedded pollutants from your vehicle’s surface, restoring smoothness and preparing the paint for further protection, such as waxing, sealing, or ceramic coating.

Why Paint Decontamination is Important

Over time, your vehicle is constantly exposed to various airborne contaminants that bond to the paint, leading to deterioration if not addressed. Some of the most common contaminants include:

1. Brake Dust

Brake dust consists of tiny metal particles from brake pads and rotors. These particles are particularly problematic because they contain iron, which, when exposed to moisture, can oxidize and form rust. As the dust embeds into the clear coat, it becomes difficult to remove and can cause permanent staining or pitting. If left unchecked, the metal particles may corrode the paint and accelerate wear.

2. Environmental Pollution

This category includes substances like:

• Pollen: Tiny particles from plants that can create a sticky residue on your vehicle, attracting dirt and grime.

• Tree Sap: Sap from trees can cause discoloration, and if left for too long, it can damage the paint by breaking down the clear coat.

• Road Tar: Sticky black deposits from asphalt that can leave noticeable streaks and blemishes on your paint.

• Industrial Fallout: This refers to pollution from factories, power plants, or chemical plants that releases airborne particles like soot, ash, and metals, which bond with your vehicle's paint.

These contaminants can bond with the paint and degrade the surface, often requiring professional decontamination to fully remove them.

3. Overspray

Overspray occurs when paint mist or spray drifts from nearby painting projects—whether from factories, construction sites, or even home improvement projects—and settles onto your vehicle's surface. This fine mist can coat the car with a layer of paint, and if not removed quickly, can harden, making it difficult to clean and potentially causing long-term damage. Depending on the type of paint, overspray can also cause scratches, as the paint particles may dry and bond to the surface.

4. Road Salt and Deicing Chemicals

In colder climates, road salt and deicing chemicals are used extensively during winter months to prevent ice buildup. While effective for road safety, these chemicals can be highly corrosive to your vehicle’s paint. If left on the surface, road salt can degrade the clear coat, leading to rust formation and other long-term damage.

5. Bird Droppings

Bird droppings contain uric acid, which is highly acidic and can etch into your vehicle's clear coat if not cleaned off promptly. Over time, the acid breaks down the clear coat and paint, leaving behind permanent marks or discoloration that can only be repaired through repainting.

6. Water Spots

Water spots form when mineral-rich water evaporates on the surface of the paint, leaving behind the minerals. These spots can be tough to remove, especially when the water is left to dry in direct sunlight. They cause the clear coat to appear hazy or foggy and may result in permanent staining if not treated quickly.

Step 1: Chemical Decontamination (Iron & Tar Removal)

The first step in decontamination involves the use of specialized chemical solutions to break down and dissolve embedded contaminants without direct contact, reducing the risk of scratching the paint.

Iron Decontamination

Iron removers target ferrous (iron-based) particles, such as brake dust and industrial fallout. The main active ingredient, thioglycolic acid, reacts with iron contaminants, turning them purple or red as they dissolve. This process is crucial in preventing long-term rust buildup.

🔹 Iron Decontamination Service Disclaimer:

• This service requires proper weather conditions for application.

• Iron removers should not be applied in direct sunlight or on a hot vehicle. The solution needs time to react, and if it dries prematurely, it can cause damage to the paint rather than safely removing contaminants. To ensure safe application, we only use iron removers on days not hotter than 75 degrees, and overcast.

• The chemical reaction turns the solution purple or red, which may stain certain materials and discolor driveways. By using this service, you acknowledge that we are not liable for any damage, including stains on driveways, concrete, or other porous surfaces. While we take precautions such as using a temperature infrared laser, small applications, and thorough rinsing throughout, customers assume full responsibility for any potential staining. There is a question during your appointment booking where you can opt in or out of this service.

Tar Removal

Tar removers dissolve stubborn road tar, asphalt, and adhesive residues that bond to the paint. Unlike iron decontamination, tar removal requires physical agitation, meaning it must be carefully wiped away with a microfiber towel after application.

Step 2: Mechanical Decontamination (Clay Bar Treatment)

After the chemical decontamination, a clay bar is used to remove any remaining bonded contaminants from the surface of the paint, glass, fiberglass, and wheels. Clay bars are engineered resin mixtures that glide across the paint, lifting embedded particles that chemical decontamination alone cannot remove.

A clay bar treatment always follows iron decontamination to ensure that no iron particles are rubbed into the paint, reducing the risk of scratching. This step leaves the paint ultra-smooth and properly prepped for the next stage of detailing.

Important Consideration for Coated Vehicles

⚠️ Important Note: Using a clay bar on a graphene or ceramic-coated vehicle is not recommended. Clay bars are abrasive and can degrade or even remove the protective coating, reducing its longevity and effectiveness. Graphene and ceramic coatings are designed to resist contaminants, meaning a proper chemical decontamination process is usually sufficient to maintain their performance without the need for mechanical abrasion.

Final Thoughts

Paint decontamination is an essential step in maintaining the health and appearance of your vehicle’s paint. By regularly performing iron decontamination and clay bar treatments, you prevent long-term damage, enhance gloss and smoothness, and ensure the best results for paint protection applications such as wax, sealants, or ceramic coatings.

If you choose to have an iron decontamination service performed, please be aware that we are not held liable for any potential staining, surface damage, or environmental effects that may occur. Proper precautions will be taken, but the customer accepts responsibility for any risks associated with the service.