Can decontaminating cause problems?

Can decontaminating cause premature clear coat failure without proper protection?

I had an older car I decontaminated, paint corrected, and put on a sealant. The car broke down several times and eventually stopped getting washed and the protection faded. The clear coat started failing on the hood.

I have a much newer and more reliable car now and would like to fix some scratches and put on a protection. But if I get lazy later and don't upkeep the protection, will I cause more damage than if I just left it alone?

Clear coat failure is usually due to being worked too much to the point where it is too thin, or too much sun, or no protection on the surface. All of those factors can cause the clear coat to dry out and start peeling.

I guess it depends on what products are being used. If it's an acid based product it shouldn't be used on paint. If it's overly harsh, it shouldn't be used on paint. IF it's overly aggressive it shouldn't be used on paint. If it's sandpaper, you sure better know what your doing if it touches paint.

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Originally Posted by cruzer23

Can decontaminating cause premature clear coat failure without proper protection?

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My opinion is - "no".

Of course, any type of decontamination, be it mechanical with detailing clay or iron remover with Iron-X type products, afterwards a person should polish and seal the surface.


Decontaminating removes the things that WILL cause corrosion of the paint. And a SMOOTH surface will last longer than a textured surface, thus the reason to polish and seal after decontamination.



:)