Why EVERY vehicle needs to be decontaminated.

If you're reading this, you're either interested in a comprehensive detailing services or perhaps you're a fellow detailer exploring our newly launched blog section.

Regardless of your reason for being here, we extend a warm welcome to you! We appreciate your interest and hope to provide valuable insights into the world of vehicle detailing.

What do I mean by DECONTAMINATED? Let's dive deeper into this essential aspect of car care.

In short, the decontamination process is crucial for removing embedded and bonded particles from your vehicle's paint surface, ultimately restoring that smooth, glossy finish that every car owner desires. Over time, various contaminants can adhere to the paint, making it feel rough and look dull. When we use terms like 'decontamination,' we are typically referring to several specific techniques, including clay bar treatment, fallout and iron particle removal, as well as the elimination of tree sap and tar. Each of these methods plays a significant role in ensuring that your vehicle's paint remains pristine and protected.

There are numerous misconceptions surrounding the clay bar treatment and its actual effects on your vehicle's paint. I've encountered a wide range of opinions, from enthusiastic claims such as "it made my paint look incredible" to misunderstandings like "I know it removes the swirls." For those who have been following our social media channels on Facebook or Instagram, you might already be familiar with the reality of this process.

But for those who are new to this information, here's the spoiler alert: clay bar treatment does not remove swirls. Instead, the clay bar is a specialized decontamination tool that effectively removes embedded particles from the paint that regular washing simply cannot eliminate.

So, how can you determine if your vehicle is in need of a clay bar treatment? 

After you've thoroughly washed your car, while the paint is still wet, run your hand across the surface. Do you feel any bumps or irregularities, or does it feel smooth? Additionally, if you inspect the paint closely and notice tiny black dots, congratulations! Your vehicle's paint is in need of decontamination.

Iron and Fallout Removers

Iron and fallout removal are additional types of bonded contaminants that are not effectively removed through standard washing or even with clay bar treatment. These minuscule iron and carbon particles can embed themselves deep into the pores of your clear coat, forming a bond with the surface that is difficult to break. To effectively tackle this issue, a dedicated chemical iron remover is necessary. This specialized product needs to dwell on the paint for a specific duration, allowing it to break down these stubborn particles so they can be released from your paint, ultimately leading to a truly clean and smooth surface.

A few Iron and Fallout Removers after a decade of experience with mulitple products across thousands of cars would be: CarPro's IronX/Gyeon Iron and Koch Chemie's Reactive Rust Remover

It’s important to note that even brand new vehicles require this decontamination process. During transportation, vehicles can accumulate rail dust and exhaust fumes that settle on the paint surface, embedding themselves within the clear coat. Unfortunately, many dealerships only perform a standard wash before placing the vehicle on the lot for sale.

Furthermore, the washing methods employed by dealerships often involve brushes or reused rags from previous vehicles, which can inadvertently cause swirl marks on the paint. However, that topic deserves its own dedicated post.

We hope this detailed explanation has clarified what our decontamination process entails and whether your vehicle is in need of it. Some professionals in the detailing industry argue that once a vehicle has undergone clay bar treatment, it must be polished afterward because more aggressive clay bars can leave behind what is known as marring on the surface.

While I agree that the best practice is to follow up with at least a light one-step polishing, it’s essential to understand that not every paint type will exhibit noticeable marring, and not every customer may be aware of or concerned about it. Many clients simply want their paint to feel smooth and be adequately protected, and that is absolutely acceptable.

At the end of the day, it is your vehicle, and our roles are to assist you in making the most informed decision that aligns with your budget and expectations.

Looking for traditional or synthetic clay options? Check out the offerings over at Detail Division. Scott has some great premium options for those looking for the best of the best.