Wax On, Clay Off? The Shocking Truth About Car Paint Decontamination

Many people think using clay is the best way to clean car paint, but it's actually not! Claying can scratch the paint.

This article explains what contamination is (stuff stuck on your car that won't wash off) and how to safely remove it in several steps.

First, wash the car thoroughly, including rinsing with a jet wash if possible. You can even use a snow foam lance for extra cleaning.

Then, wash the car with the two-bucket method (explained elsewhere) and dry it completely.

Now for the tricky part! Put on safety gear and use a high-quality tar remover following the instructions carefully. Focus on the lower areas of the car. Rinse and dry again.

Next is fallout removal, a smelly product that removes iron particles. Follow the instructions carefully, avoid hot panels and sunlight. Rinse again - you'll see red dots appear as the product works.

Wash the car again to remove any leftover tar or fallout.

Finally, you can use clay to remove even more contamination. Use a clay lube and work in small sections, gently moving the clay across the paint. When the clay gets dirty, fold it over to use a clean section and throw away the dirty part. Rinse any clay lube residue. Wash the car again, and be aware that claying might cause minor scratches that will need polishing out.

Remember, the order is important! Don't skip straight to claying after washing!