Get Contaminants Off Your Paint The Right Way
Tulsa roads and highways are rough on paint. Road work throws tar onto lower panels. Construction areas kick up concrete dust. You also get iron fallout from brakes, tree sap, overspray and other grime that sticks to the clear coat and will not wash off.
If your paint feels rough after a wash, those are bonded contaminants. A basic wash will not remove them. That is where paint decontamination and clay bar treatment come in.
We use a mix of chemicals and a clay bar to pull that junk out of the clear coat so your paint feels smooth again and is ready for waxing, polishing or ceramic coating.
What Paint Decontamination Removes
With our decontamination process we can remove:
Tar spots from road work
Iron particles and brake dust that embed into the clear coat
Light concrete or cement dust
General bonded contamination that makes your paint feel rough
Some deep etching or heavy overspray may need paint correction, but decontamination is the first step before we polish or coat.
Why You Should Decontaminate Your Paint
Decontaminating your paint makes a big difference in how your car looks and feels. It makes the surface smooth again, which helps your wash mitt glide easily across the paint and keeps your washes safer. It also lets waxes, sealants, and ceramic coatings bond better so they last longer with better adhesion. By removing all the junk stuck in your clear coat, you slow down clear coat failure over time. We include this process with our Signature and Deluxe Exterior Detailing packages and strongly recommend it before any ceramic coating or serious paint correction work.
Will Claying Scratch My Paint
Any time you drag clay over paint, there is a chance of light marring. This is normal, even when it is done correctly. We minimize this by using plenty of lubricant and very light pressure.
On most daily drivers, any light marring is not noticeable once the car is clean and protected. If you plan on getting paint correction or ceramic coating, decontamination is an important prep step.
Our Paint Decontamination Process
We only decontaminate paint after a proper wash. We will not clay a dirty vehicle.
Step 1: Full hand wash
We wash the vehicle first so we are only working on bonded contaminants, not dragging loose dirt across the paint.
Step 2: Chemical iron removal
We apply an iron remover panel by panel and let it dwell for a short time. This product breaks down iron fallout that has bonded to your clear coat. We rinse it off before moving to the next step.
Step 3: Tar and sap removal
On areas with tar spots or tree sap, we use a dedicated remover to soften and break them down. This lets us remove them safely without using harsh cleaners that can damage your clear coat.
Step 4: Clay bar treatment
We spray clay lubricant on one panel at a time and glide a clay bar over the surface in straight lines, starting at the top and working to the bottom. The clay grabs bonded contaminants and pulls them out of the clear coat.
Step 5: Wipe down and final check
We wipe the panel with soft microfiber towels and run a clean hand over the paint to feel for any remaining rough spots. We repeat the steps as needed until the surface feels smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need paint decontamination if I already wash my car?
A regular wash only removes loose dirt and dust. Decontamination goes after bonded junk that sticks to your clear coat like tar, iron, sap, and light overspray. If your paint still feels rough after a wash, you need decon.
Will claying scratch or damage my paint?
Claying can create light marring because you are dragging clay across the surface. That is normal even when it is done correctly. We use plenty of lubricant and light pressure to keep this to a minimum. On most daily drivers it is not noticeable once the paint is clean and protected.
How often should I decontaminate my paint?
For most people once or twice a year is enough. If you drive a lot on highways, near construction, or park under trees, you might benefit from doing it a little more often.
Is this required before ceramic coating or paint correction?
Yes. We always decontaminate the paint before polishing or applying a ceramic coating. Removing bonded contamination lets polish and coatings work properly and gives you a better, longer lasting result.
Can decontamination remove scratches and deep etching?
No. Decon removes bonded contaminants but it does not fix scratches or heavy etching. If you can feel a scratch with your fingernail, that is a paint correction job, not a decontamination fix.