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Removing Paint Contamination

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Old Jun 27, 2005 | 02:31 PM
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Default Removing Paint Contamination

Removeal of Paint Contamination

Paint contamination consists of tiny metal shavings from brake/rail dust and industrial fallout. These kinds of contaminations affects all paint surfaces and can cause serious damage when left untreated. Paint contamination can be felt as a "rough or gritty" texture on the paint’s surface and can lead to tiny rust spots. This contamination can’t be removed by washing, waxing and polishing.

The following are three major causes of paint contamination that your motorcycle is exposed to.

1. RAIL DUST: This type of dust is produced from the friction of train wheels against rail tracks Anytime a motorcycle is parked or travels near railroad tracks is subjected to rail dust contamination.

2. BRAKE DUST: This type of dust is produced from the friction of brake pads rubbing against the rotor. This metal on metal friction releases tiny amounts of bare metal into the air and on the roads where it collects to all vehicles.

3. INDUSTRIAL FALLOUT: This is another word for pollution, industrial fallout is a byproduct of the heavy industry in our country.

TESTING FOR PAINT CONTAMINATION:

After washing and drying your motorcycle, put your hand inside a sandwich baggy and lightly run your hand over the painted surface. It should glide over the paint’s surface like glass. If your painted surface has a rough, gritty like texture, it indicates the presence of paint contamination.

REMOVING PAINT CONTAMINATION:

There is no wax or chemical treatment that can prevent or protect against this contamination.
Compounding with an abrasive polish may remove the contamination but it can only be done a few times before removing too much of the top clear coat finish.
The best remedy, a special clay bar that was developed in Japan. This clay safely removes the contamination by pulling it off the painted surfaces. It will not cut or perform any abrasive action normally associated with polishing or compounding. Clay bars will not remove scratches, swirls, dull, oxidized paint or restore surface gloss. This is accomplished by polishing the surface after claying. Polishing alone will not remove paint contamination.
Claying will not remove paint or the clear coat finish. It can be used as often as necessary to keep the surface free of contamination and smooth.

We at D & S Detailing use poly bars -they don’t dry out with age-do not decompose with repeated uses-works well on all painted surfaces and is clear coat safe-easy to work with-and almost leaves no residue on the surface making clean up easy.

HOW TO USE CLAY BARS:

Clay bars should always be used on freshly washed, clean surfaces. Dirt on the surfaces could cause scratches.
When claying always use a prescribed lubricant which prevents heating caused by the friction created when rubbing the clay bar.
Lightly mist the area to be worked and place the clay bar in the palm of your hand and rub it across the lubricated area using moderate pressure (it’s not necessary to apply a lot of pressure)
You should feel a slight grabbing at first , as you continue to rub the bar should begin to glide over the painted surface. When the bar moves freely you are done. Wipe any residue off the surface with a dry micro fiber towel and continue to the next area to be done.
As the bar becomes soiled , simply pull, stretch and refold to expose a new and clean side of the bar. Do not use a bar that has dropped to the ground.
By now the surfaces should be smooth as glass. Remove any left over residue and smudges with a dry clean micro fiber towel.
The final step is to apply your favorite wax or paint sealant, if you have unwanted scratches or swirls use scratch removal before applying your wax or paint sealant.


 
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