Is Iron-X really necessary?

[AutowerxDetailing]

this might be the best post you've made on here so far, haha.

i agree. people will go through an intensive soup to nuts restoration...and their paint condition will be terrible. i see it ALL. THE. TIME. at shows...even higher level shows.

I wish they made special glasses that would hide swirl marks so I could enjoy car shows like when I was a kid.

[SeanChav]

even before I got into detailing hard core, I had enough common sense (which doesn't seem very common anymore) to not be wiping my car down with quick detail spray in the middle of the day with the sun blasting down on everything.... and don't get me started on the ppl that use the same MF towel on the whole car AND their wheels

[parshooter]

I say iron X is optional but clay is must if you feel roughness on surface
(taking about average daily driven cars)

if you choose to do both, Iron X and then Clay.

If you use Iron X, do you really need to clay? Doesn't seem there would be anything there for the clay to remove.

[gski]

If you use Iron X, do you really need to clay? Doesn't seem there would be anything there for the clay to remove.

Iron X only removes ferrous (iron-containing) contaminants. "Claying" will remove non-ferrous contaminants bonded to the paint such as tar, sap, overspray, etc.

[roguegeek]

This sounds like something I'd want to incorporate into my process, but the cost is something to consider. What are Iron X alternatives that are effective and safe on paint? I'm reading Meguiar's DUB Wheel Cleaner and some Sonax products. What else is available?

[DasBurninator]

This sounds like something I'd want to incorporate into my process, but the cost is something to consider. What are Iron X alternatives that are effective and safe on paint? I'm reading Meguiar's DUB Wheel Cleaner and some Sonax products. What else is available?

Adam's deep wheel cleaner is probably the best priced one. Performs well too. For paint decon use you can dilute it 1:1

Don't let any of these type of products dry on the paint.

[mtndriver]

I have a 2016 Charger SRT Metallic Grey on order. If the car ships with plastic, etc. to Kansas City do I really need to use IronX on the paint prior to claying? I plan a pre wash polish after claying and then BFWD. I can see ironX on the wheels perhaps but I don't want to perform steps that may not accomplish anything or be necessary.

The past ten years I went through two silver MBs and had not heard of the ironX recommendation despite being on these forums. Those cars with claying and BFWD looked fabulous. I''m not arguing or saying it's not a good product, just wanting to be convinced, or not, that I really need this step on a metallic grey. Thanks.

[Priyaka]

Is it necessary? No. Is it advisable? Yes. You don't know how long the car may have been sitting around on a lot uncovered after it was manufactured before being shipped.

Perhaps you may want to test a panel or two to see how much contamination there is to determine if it is worth chemically decontaminating the entire car?

[Paul A.]

I would try it and see what, if any, bleeding you get. I think i read earlier in this thread that Mike P uses it much more frequently than i do and always gets reaction. I am of the opinion that i want it out of and off my paint. Especially my wife's car that's white. I don't want anything left behind that could potentially turn into a nice little rust dot on her otherwise perfectly white paint.

[FUNX650]

•IronX, or its ilk, necessary?
-Depends on numerous factors, IMO.
-Each individual knows best: what man-made
and environmental contaminates their
vehicle(s) face...in the areas they reside.

•But, let there be no doubt that, IMO: whenever
an iron-contaminate remover/dissolver is used...
it definitely becomes a necessity, and behooves an
individual to apply an LSP to the paint—as it now
contains/has "holes" in it—caused from where there
once were iron-contaminates abiding.


NOTE:
By stating: "apply an LSP to the paint"...
What I'm really saying is: 'ensure that the paint,
from now on, always has upon it a film-layer
of an LSP'!


Bob