We're always looking for ways to achieve the highest shine on our paintwork, and the first thing that comes to mind is wax. Wax helps us achieve shine, but its main function is to protect the paintwork. To start achieving the shine we all seek, it's first necessary to clean the paintwork.
What is Decontamination
To clean, the first thing we all do is wash the paint (by washing the car). Even if the paint looks clean, there's always some dirt left behind that the washing process can't completely remove...even if we use a pressure washer. This dirt on the paint is known as contamination. It's particles of iron, tar, or asphalt, or dirt that gets into the pores of the paint ("clearcoat").
When we talk about paint decontamination, it involves removing the dirt (contamination) that remains on the paint. There are two main methods for this: mechanical and chemical. I'll only mention the mechanical method for now.
The need for Decontamination
This dirt we've been talking about is found in the top layer of the paint, which is the transparent layer or "clear coat." When this layer is contaminated or heavily soiled, we can't really properly appreciate the paint's true color. When we decontaminate the paint, we're removing this dirt from the "clear coat"; this way, we can now better observe the paint's color. We'll quickly notice the paint's increased shine.
Necessary tools
For mechanical decontamination, the famous clay bar is used. This tool comes in all colors and a variety of aggressivenesses. In addition to colors and aggressiveness, there are also different materials, such as natural, synthetic, and polymer.
Choosing the aggressiveness is very important, and the material is important, because they work in different ways. You don't always need the most aggressive or the least aggressive. It all depends on the results you're looking for.
For regular maintenance, you can use the mildest setting. If you're removing overspray or heavy contamination, it's probably faster and more effective to use the mildest setting; but remember that it can mark the paint. This means you'll need to use a product to remove these marks. This could be hand or machine polishing.
Synthetic ones like PolyShave have a great benefit: if they fall on the floor or get dirty, they don't have to be thrown away; they can still be used just by wiping them clean. Plus, they have more uses. More than 20.
How to use them
It's always necessary to use a lubricant to be able to slide the clay into the paint. I'm not a fan of using just water; I prefer to use a specific lubricant, or other options such as:
- Soapy water. It can be the same soap you use to clean your car, just make sure the water is clean.
- Waterless or Rinseless. These products are very versatile and lubricate enough to be used with modeling clay.
- Quick Detailers. An excellent option for maintaining a good shine on your paint.
To remove the dirt, you need to slide the clay into the paint. Don't use force, just slide it sideways or up and down. You'll feel a little resistance as you slide; this is the dirt in the paint. As long as the clay grips that dirt, it slides more easily. At that point, you'll know that section is clean, and you can move on to another section.
When you see the dirty clay, you can fold it over itself so you have a clean side.
0 comments