Car Decontamination for Paint Correction Help

tobefair-idontcare · 05-30-2019, 04:52 PM

Hey guys, going to start some paint chip repair and a little bit of localized paint correction on the areas I touch up. I have done a tone of research online on how to correctly touch up rock chips and smooth paint, however most instructions ignore how to decontaminate your paint prior to the process. I was thinking mostly dirt and old wax needs to be removed so I planned to clay bar and use a degreaser style soap to remove old wax. Any tips or suggestions that can make the process easier? Any lessons learned that you can pass on that so I don't need to learn them myself? Also, how did you go about decon'ing the car prior to prep?

Thanks!

John in VA · 05-30-2019, 08:17 PM

Iron X, or another version of it, might help remove contamination from the paint before you use the degreaser.

ooshnoo · 05-31-2019, 09:06 PM

Use Iron X after washing, then apply the clay bar. That'll remove the wax.

rjd598 · 06-01-2019, 05:42 PM

1)use a soap designed for stripping waxes/sealants
2)use an iron remover
3)clay all surfaces
4)polish/compound as needed
5)use a product like "eraser" or isp mixture
6)lay down your preference of wax/sealant/coating

Billfitz · 06-01-2019, 08:57 PM

Wash it, then clean the area to be painted with a rag and lacquer thinner. It won't bother the paint, it will remove anything that might prevent the new paint from bonding.

rjd598 · 06-03-2019, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Wash it, then clean the area to be painted with a rag and lacquer thinner. It won't bother the paint, it will remove anything that might prevent the new paint from bonding.

No hahahah don't spread this information. It's not necessary at all when the steps right above are literally the right way to do it. Why on earth would you ever use lacquer thinner on your paint this is not the 1960's or whenever they used to pull that crap.

Billfitz · 06-03-2019, 08:57 PM

You do it because it works, in the 1960s, today, and all the years in between. That's why it's recommended here:
https://www.automotivetouchup.com/rtsdirections.htm

What they call Prep Solvent is lacquer thinner, packaged in a spray bottle.

05-30-2019, 04:52 PM	#1
tobefair-idontcare Second Lieutenant 54 Rep 286 Posts Drives: BMW 340i Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: D.C. iTrader: (5)	Car Decontamination for Paint Correction Help Hey guys, going to start some paint chip repair and a little bit of localized paint correction on the areas I touch up. I have done a tone of research online on how to correctly touch up rock chips and smooth paint, however most instructions ignore how to decontaminate your paint prior to the process. I was thinking mostly dirt and old wax needs to be removed so I planned to clay bar and use a degreaser style soap to remove old wax. Any tips or suggestions that can make the process easier? Any lessons learned that you can pass on that so I don't need to learn them myself? Also, how did you go about decon'ing the car prior to prep? Thanks! __________________ 17' 340ix\|Track Handling Package\|MPPSK\|MP Stage 2.5 ECU Tune\|MP Stage 2 Trans Tune\|AP Intake\|763M Wheels
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05-30-2019, 08:17 PM	#2
John in VA Colonel 998 Rep 2,212 Posts Drives: 2015 228i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (6)	Iron X, or another version of it, might help remove contamination from the paint before you use the degreaser. __________________ ____________________________________________ 2015 BMW 228i in EstorilBlau II Metallic / Terra Dakota Leather - 6-speed manual, M Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Harman Kardon premium sound, Anti-theft alarm system, Blue Metallic Matt Accent Moldings, Aluminum Hexagon Interior Strips, Anthracite Headlining
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05-31-2019, 09:06 PM	#3
ooshnoo Lieutenant Colonel 887 Rep 1,699 Posts Drives: 2014 428i and 2018 X5 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X5 [0.00] 2014 BMW 428i [10.00]	Use Iron X after washing, then apply the clay bar. That'll remove the wax. __________________ ___________________ 2014 F32 428i M-Sport 2018 F15 M-Sport
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06-01-2019, 05:42 PM	#4
rjd598 Banned 1770 Rep 6,696 Posts Drives: F30 340i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego,CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	1)use a soap designed for stripping waxes/sealants 2)use an iron remover 3)clay all surfaces 4)polish/compound as needed 5)use a product like "eraser" or isp mixture 6)lay down your preference of wax/sealant/coating
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06-01-2019, 08:57 PM	#5
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8276 Rep 16,139 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Wash it, then clean the area to be painted with a rag and lacquer thinner. It won't bother the paint, it will remove anything that might prevent the new paint from bonding.
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06-03-2019, 08:57 PM	#7
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8276 Rep 16,139 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	You do it because it works, in the 1960s, today, and all the years in between. That's why it's recommended here: https://www.automotivetouchup.com/rtsdirections.htm What they call Prep Solvent is lacquer thinner, packaged in a spray bottle. Last edited by Billfitz; 06-03-2019 at 09:09 PM..
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