How to Properly Decontaminate Your Car's Paint Like a Pro

Never, ever do a full decontamination in direct Aussie sun. The chemicals will dry on the paint and cause staining that is a total pain to remove. Early morning or late arvo is best.

Blast the car down with water to remove loose dirt. If you've got a foam cannon, use it now. We want to get as much 'easy' dirt off as possible so we aren't rubbing it into the paint later.

Wheels are usually the filthiest part. Clean them before the body so you don't splash wheel grime onto clean paint later. Use your iron remover here too.

Perform a thorough two-bucket wash. You aren't trying to decontaminate yet, just getting the surface film of dirt off. Work from the top down.

While the car is still wet, run your hand (inside a plastic sandwich bag) over the paint. If it feels bumpy, you've got work to do.

On a clean, wet car, spray your iron remover over the entire vehicle. Focus on the lower panels and the rear, where brake dust and rail dust accumulate most.

Wait 3-5 minutes. You'll see the product turn purple as it reacts with iron particles. Do not let it dry! If it starts to dry, mist it with a bit of water.

Blast the iron remover off completely. Be thorough around window seals and door handles where it likes to hide.

Dry the lower panels quickly and spray your tar remover on any black spots. Let it sit for a minute, then wipe away with a sacrificial microfibre.

Give the areas you used tar remover on a quick wash to neutralise the chemicals.

If using a clay bar, cut it into 3 or 4 pieces. Knead one piece into a flat disc about the size of three fingers.

Spray your clay lube onto a 40x40cm section of the paint. You want it dripping wet. No such thing as too much lube here.

Gently glide the clay over the lubricated area using horizontal or vertical straight lines. Never use circular motions.

You'll hear the clay 'scratching' at first. That's the contaminants being pulled out. When the clay glides silently and smoothly, the section is done.

Look at the bottom of the clay bar. If it's brown or grey, fold it over and knead it to a clean surface. If you drop it on the ground, chuck it away. It's dead. Don't risk it.

Wipe the section dry with a clean microfibre and move to the next panel. Work from the roof down to the dirtiest sections at the bottom.

Don't forget you can clay your windows and headlights too! It makes water bead off glass amazingly well.

Once the whole car is clayed, give it one last rinse to get rid of any leftover lubricant residue.

Dry the car thoroughly using your large microfibre towel and maybe a dedicated car blower if you've got one for the cracks.

Use an IPA spray or a panel prep to wipe down the car. This removes any leftover oils from the clay lube, leaving the paint truly 'naked'.