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Decontamination
1. Alkaline: bugs, traffic film & grease
Decontamination
2. Iron removers: embedded brake dust
Decontamination
3. Acid: water spots & mineral film
Decontamination
4. Solvent: tar, sap & adhesive
Decontamination
5. Clay & lubricant: only before polishing
Decontamination
6. Panel prep: before a coating
Decontamination
Rust removal
Decontamination
Kits & decon detail
Decontamination · in the right order
Chemistry first, contact last
Each step removes what the one before it can't, so you touch the paint as little as possible. Work down the list, and skip any step your car doesn't need.
1. Alkaline2. Iron3. Acid4. Solvent5. Clay6. Panel prep
1 · Alkaline
Bugs, traffic film and grease come off first
Organic grime sits on top of everything else, so it comes off first. Alkaline foams → APCs →
2 · Iron
Dissolve embedded brake dust
Iron removers turn purple as they react. A maintenance step every few months, not every wash. Iron removers →
3 · Acid
Water spots and mineral film
Minerals dissolve in acid, not in alkaline or neutral shampoo. If a spot survives the acid step, it's etched and needs polishing. Water-spot removers →
4 · Solvent
Tar, sap and adhesive, only where you see it
Oily residues need a solvent: like dissolves like. Spot-treat, don't blanket the car. Tar & adhesive removers →
5 · Clay
Only if you'll polish afterwards
Clay shears off what chemistry couldn't dissolve, but it can mar, so it belongs right before polishing. Clay & lubricants →
6 · Panel prep
So a coating can bond
Removes polish oils so you see the true finish and the coating bonds to paint, not residue. Prep sprays →
Rust & decon kits
Beyond the paint
Rust treatment for bare metal, and starter kits that bundle the decon steps together.
Not sure where to start? Try shop by problem, or book the full 3-pH decontamination detail in our studio.
pH guideBook a decon detailAsk the chemist
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