Measurement of paint thickness in specific situations We perform some work on the car every day, and others...
Paint decontamination – how to do it yourself?
(photo: pxhere)
Paint decontamination is an extremely important stage of thorough cleaning of the car's paintwork. Although regular car washing can restore its shine, after some time the paint will still require decontamination. What is it and how to carry out this process?
What is paint decontamination?
Decontamination paint is called each of the methods that remove contaminants, not only those covering the external paint coating, but also those that are embedded in it. Washing a car cannot thoroughly clean the paint and always leaves some deposits that are invisible at first. They are noticed much later and that is when the decision to decontaminate should be made. The varnish will then regain its depth and persistent dirt can be removed from its structure, which may lead to its degradation.
What should you pay attention to before decontaminating car paint?
To effectively remove all contaminants, comprehensive cleaning must be performed. As you know, the most common contaminants that quickly combine and penetrate the structure of the paint are:
- tar, which is the main component of road asphalt, contact with which cannot be avoided during normal use of a car,
- resin contamination from trees and growing shrubs,
- road salts, which come into contact in winter and which cause micro-cracks in the paint and eat into its structure, increasing its susceptibility to dissolving and rusting,
- metallic impurities such as metal filings, for example from brake pads,
- chemical contaminants that settle on car paint.
That is why paint decontamination must have the appropriate strength to remove these substances. For this purpose, it seems most appropriate to prepare measures such as:
- preparations for removing asphalt tar,
- preparation for removing sticky resins,
- another preparation to remove metallic impurities,
- cleaning products such as shampoo or active car paint cleaning foam,
- accessories for hand washing
- and a high-pressure washer for easy cleaning.
The optimal way to decontaminate car paint
When starting the decontamination process, it is necessary to completely wash the car paint layer and dry it thoroughly. Only then can you be sure that contaminants such as mud or loose sand will be removed from the surface. The decontamination process itself will then proceed without major disruptions.
When you see a washed car in front of you, you can notice imperfections in its surface. The varnish will appear uneven and rough under your hand, which qualifies it for decontamination. The varnish will be without shine and the color will be matte. As this process progresses slowly, it may not be assessed properly. Then the owner will not be aware of the need for decontamination. However, it is worth remembering that this process can be carried out regularly and at least twice a year. Depending on the conditions in which the car is used, it may require decontamination even a little more often.
How to perform decontamination?
Please note:
- that each product should be applied to a clean and dry surface,
- then use agents to remove the heaviest contamination, i.e. tar and asphalt,
- after this treatment, the varnish should be washed again, where the impurities will flow to the ground and dried,
- then it's time to use a preparation for metallic contamination,
- after this treatment, the car should be washed and dried again so that the preparation does not absorb into the surface,
- Finally, there is the application of a preparation to remove strong contaminants, including resin ones.
After decontamination is completed, it is also necessary to wash the entire car and make a final assessment of its appearance. Any imperfections found should be removed immediately. When a damaged part of the paintwork becomes visible, it should also be repaired as soon as possible. A well-performed decontamination process should reveal the paint surface, which will gain its natural color and shine. When checking the varnish under your hand, it will be smooth and uniform to the touch. If you can still feel any unevenness under your fingers, you should use the so-called claying. This is a labor-intensive process, but it is the only way to get rid of the heaviest dirt and even the paint layer.
Other advantages of paint decontamination
Decontamination will certainly work on the paint of quite old vehicles. It turns out that paints with a lot of scratches, dull over time, or those that have been left in the parking lot for a long time have a chance for a new life. Decontamination will restore their natural color and the shine of new varnish. In addition, decontamination of metal elements, such as rims or decorative strips, is the best option for such vehicles. With just a few preparations, you can do a lot for your vehicle. You can then create a vehicle with a dazzling appearance from old junk.
