How We Decontaminate Your Paint Before Coating: A Step by Step Breakdown

Callum Foster

At Spotless Detailing, when customers book in for ceramic coating, one of the most common surprises is how much prep goes into the process before the coating even touches the paintwork.


Why? Because ceramic coating is only as good as the surface it bonds to.


You can have the best coating in the world, but if it’s applied over embedded contaminants or minor paint defects, it won’t perform or last the way it should. That’s why our team puts such a huge focus on prep work and paint decontamination before every ceramic job.


Here’s a breakdown of how we make sure your car’s paint is in prime condition before protection begins.

Step 1: Citrus or APC Pre Wash

We’ll often use citrus degreasers or all purpose cleaners initially, to start breaking down any build up of dirt, debris and bug splatter. We will then do a thorough rinse to remove all of the muck that has loosened, tand therefore reduce the risk of dragging dirt across the paint in the next stages.

Step 2: Snow Foam

We then go in with a thick layer of snow foam and mitt this in using a soft microfibre wash mitt to really clean the paintwork and remove any remaining grime from the surface.


Step 3: Iron Fallout Remover

This is where things get satisfying and a bit shocking.

We apply Gtechniq Iron Fallout Remover, which reacts with embedded iron particles (brake dust, rail dust, etc) and turns purple as it dissolves them. You’d be surprised how much contamination builds up, even on new or low mileage cars.

Step 4: Tar Removal

Next, we use a tar remover to tackle any stuck-on black spots from road tar or adhesive residue. This step is crucial for a smooth finish and ensures the polishing stage goes smoothly.

Step 5: Clay Bar Treatment

The final step in the decontamination process: we gently glide a clay bar over the surface, picking up any remaining microscopic contaminants that other products missed. After this, the paint feels glassy smooth to the touch and is ready for polishing and coating.


What Comes Next?

With a perfectly clean and decontaminated surface, we move on to machine polishing, which removes swirl marks, hazing, and oxidation. Once the paint is refined to the level required, whether the customer has requested a light machine polish, single-stage, or two-stage correction, we can then begin applying the ceramic coating.

Why It Matters

Skipping proper prep is one of the biggest reasons ceramic coatings fail. At Spotless Detailing, we treat every vehicle like our own, making sure every layer we add is worth it, because it’s built on a foundation of care and precision.

Interested in Ceramic Coating?

If you're considering ceramic coating and want results that last, don’t cut corners on prep. Let’s talk about how we can protect your car the right way.


📍 Visit us in Perth or Elgin
📞 Or send us a message to request a quote

       sales@spotlessdetailing.co.uk

       01738 481666

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