How to remove stains and embedded dirt out of paint

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Mike,
I have a few questions that relates to this thread. I was reading the post re. the new Megs Black Wax/White Wax. You linked this post about removing stains in your comments on that thread, along with the one on "How to use a one-step cleaner/wax to maximize profits."

Since all these subjects inter-relate, where would a product like Iron-X come into play here?

Iron X will dissolve and loosen the mechanical bond iron particles have on and in your car's paint so you can rinse them off the car.

The product description makes mention that it "opens up the paint's pores to release iron particles and to neutralize the caustic compounds that have developed as a result of the particle." I imagine this accounts for a lot of the staining/embedded dirt that we see on the dirty pads in the pics above?

Could be. I'm actually always surprised at how much embedded dirt staining comes off paint even after washing and claying or decontaminating in some other way. Just goes to show that if your car is a daily driver that it's important to understand that the paint gets dirty over time and that's why it's important to periodically do some type of cleaning procedure using a paint cleaner or some type of polish or even a cleaner/wax.

Another similar question - In an effort to clean the paint as efficiently as possible (for a quick detail on a DD), would it be necessary to spray the car w/ Iron-X prior to the clay step?

Yes. But keep in mind, when you use a product like Iron X to remove Iron particles from your car's paint or your car's wheels, you actually DON'T want to see the bleeding effect.

I explain why in the text right above this picture...

In this article,

How to wash your car KISS style!

Would it aid in the finished product? I.E. - doing less section passes with an AIO product because you've removed more chemical compounds and ferrous particles in the paint's sublayers.

It definitely wouldn't hurt and the opposite of not hurting would be helping so "yes".

If your intent in using an AIO product is to clean the paint,

My normal intent to use an AIO or a one-step cleaner/wax is to do multiple task and clanging the paint is just one of them. Other tasks include polishing and protecting and in more cases than not... to reduce time invested in the project overall.

would this product just be an unnecessary step, and the AIO product do the job all on it's own?

Cleaner/waxes may or may not remove some iron particles that are more topical than embedded. Hard to say because we cannot see things this small from our point of view and you don't know if your car's paint is contaminated with iron particles unless you use a product like Iron X and see the actually bleeding effect.

A good practice would be to start out any new detailing process using a product like Iron X to ensure the paint is not contaminated. If it is contaminated then it could be the environment you live in and drive/park your car in and for this reason it would be a good idea to test periodically. If you see no bleeding effect this could be a sign or indicator that iron contamination is not a problem when you live and drive/park your car and thus less of a concern and thus not a necessary step at least as a normal part of your exterior car maintenance.

The thing is you won't know until you test because it's only the Iron X type product that shows you so graphically "if" you have a iron contamination problem by the bleeding effect. Make sense?

Thanks for the tips!

No problemo and I hope I answered your questions...

 

[AC in OC]

Mike, thanks for clarifying. Good point about testing out a spot as well. Don't want to waste product when the paint doesn't need the step. Just check it out and if it's not changing colors, move on.

Thanks again.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Mike, thanks for clarifying. Good point about testing out a spot as well. Don't want to waste product when the paint doesn't need the step. Just check it out and if it's not changing colors, move on.

Thanks again.

No problemo... that's what this forum is all about... helping others being successful in their garage... (or their customer's garage).


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