Claybar vs. Iron Remover 50/50 Test

[DetailKitty]

Interesting write up! Thx!

Like a some others here, I don't always use an iron remover either... don't feel so bad.

[Bruno Soares]

Nice to see results like that. I assumed clay would pick up the things that are normally broken down by iron remover and it did. So that proves that iron remover is not a must but if used before claying, it makes the claying process easier and with less chances of marring, as others said above.

On a bigger job, that involves a coating, I think iron remover doesn't add much to the cost and just gives peace of mind while making the claying job easier.

On a smaller job, just a wax or sealant after a polish job, then I think leaving the iron remover out is probably fine to keep costs low.

For a coated car that needs a decontamination job, then iron remover is the way to go IMO. I wouldn't clay a coated car if I don't plan on polishing it and applying the coating again.

[Desertnate]

Interesting results. Thanks!

I've always clayed and wondered if I'd gain anything by doing an iron removal too. This is helpful.

[DetailZeus]

Nice to see results like that. I assumed clay would pick up the things that are normally broken down by iron remover and it did. So that proves that iron remover is not a must but if used before claying, it makes the claying process easier and with less chances of marring, as others said above.

On a bigger job, that involves a coating, I think iron remover doesn't add much to the cost and just gives peace of mind while making the claying job easier.

On a smaller job, just a wax or sealant after a polish job, then I think leaving the iron remover out is probably fine to keep costs low.

For a coated car that needs a decontamination job, then iron remover is the way to go IMO. I wouldn't clay a coated car if I don't plan on polishing it and applying the coating again.

That's how I feel, I'd only use a iron remover on paint if I'm doing a decon.

If the paint is *so* neglected/trashed that I'm worried about marring from claying realistically it's going to need a compound anyways in which case any marring is moot. I'd probably reach for a degreaser before an iron remover for paint.

[Eldorado2k]

That's how I feel, I'd only use a iron remover on paint if I'm doing a decon.

What the heck is a “decon”? Lol.

Edit: Nevermind, I got my iced coffee.

[David Puddy]

I'm still learning the jargon so I have the same question. I assume "decon" is short for decontamination? If so, what does that mean in parlance? Chemical (iron removal) + mechanical (clay/synthetic equivalent) decontamination only without paint correction or protection?

[Rsurfer]

If so, what does that mean in parlance? Chemical (iron removal) + mechanical (clay/synthetic equivalent) decontamination only without paint correction or protection?

If you decontaminate, you won't have protection. You can decontaminate without correction, but you should protect.

[David Puddy]

I understand, he made it sound like decontaminates without doing anything else so I was curious why someone would do that.

[DetailZeus]

I meant decontaminating a coated car when you're trying to refresh an existing coating. I generally don't clay unless I'm going to polish afterwards.

[David Puddy]

Got it-that makes sense. Thanks for educating me.