Surface Decontamination
Iron, tar, sap, and overspray removal. Pulls bonded contamination the wash cannot. Required prep step before any paint correction or coating.
Most jobs in this service: $89–$249
Typical duration: 90 minutes - 2 hours
What is included
- Foam pre-soak
- Iron remover (color-changing) on paint and wheels
- Tar and sap remover on affected panels
- Clay bar treatment over the whole vehicle
- Final rinse
How we do it
- Foam: Lift loose contamination before any contact.
- Iron: Spray iron remover on paint and wheels, watch it turn purple where iron particles react, rinse.
- Tar: Direct tar remover on tar dots, let dwell, wipe off.
- Sap: Solvent on bird droppings and sap, dwell, rinse.
- Clay: Clay bar the whole vehicle, panel by panel, with quick detailer as lubricant.
- Rinse: Final rinse to remove any clay residue.
Recovery time
None. Drive immediately after.
When this is not the right call
If your paint is already clean and recently waxed or sealed, you may not need decontamination — wipe a panel with your fingertip through a plastic bag, and if it feels smooth, the contamination is not bad enough to need this.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need decontamination?
If your paint feels rough when you slide your fingertip across it (with a plastic bag between finger and paint), yes.
What is the orange brake dust on my wheels?
Iron particles. Brake dust is iron. Iron remover dissolves it.
How often?
Once or twice a year for daily drivers. Before any paint correction or coating, always.
What clients say about surface decontamination
-
★★★★★
Full detailing and full body wash, auto interior vacuuming. The Sonata looked amazing after a full detail and we're so thankful for the opportunity to give you mobile car detailing services in Raleigh.
Adriana Y. · Raleigh -
★★★★★
Car looks fabulous. Fantastic work, professional and very communicative! Highly recommend. Our full car detail service gave the Mercedes GLS some life and it looks fantastic — we're so grateful for your business and positive feedback.
Michelle M. · Raleigh -
★★★★★
Booked online without knowing what to expect. Excellent communication. They were running late, sent a message. Very convenient to have them come to your home. Very professional. I had water spots that were taken away. They are not bad at…
Laura G. · Raleigh
Get a quote for Surface Decontamination
Serving the Raleigh area
Mon-Sat 8am-6pm