Before winter arrives, we often think about washing the vehicle and applying a wax, sealant, or ceramic protection.

But before protecting the paint, you must first ensure that it is truly clean and decontaminated.

Even after a wash, several contaminants can remain stuck to the bodywork: ferrous particles, road tar, water spots, and insect residues.

Autumn is therefore the ideal time to perform a complete automotive decontamination before winter, and then apply the protection of your choice to a properly prepared surface.

Ferrous contamination

Ferrous particles are tiny metallic particles that settle on the paint and wheels.

Contrary to what one might think, they do not come solely from the brakes.

The sand, dust, and road grime that settle on the vehicle can also contain metallic particles. When this damp dirt dries directly on the bodywork, some of these particles remain on the paint.

It is largely for this reason that ferrous contamination is often more significant on the lower door panels, fenders, wheels, and the lower parts of the vehicle.

Over time, these particles can oxidize and become visible as small orange spots, especially on light-colored paint.

The solution: CARPRO IronX

CARPRO IronX is designed to chemically remove ferrous particles present on the vehicle's exterior surfaces.

It allows you to remove this contamination before proceeding with paint preparation and applying protection.

Road tar contamination

Bitumen and road tar are mainly projected onto the vehicle while driving.

They are generally found on:

• side skirts;
• the bottom of the doors;
• fenders;
• the rear of the vehicle.

They often appear as small black dots that are strongly bonded to the paint.

A conventional automotive shampoo is generally not enough to remove them effectively.

The solution: CARPRO TarX

CARPRO TarX is designed to dissolve road tar, bitumen, and certain stubborn road contaminants.

The goal is to let the chemistry soften the contamination to avoid unnecessarily scraping or rubbing the paint.

Water spots and mineral deposits

When water dries on a vehicle, it evaporates, but the minerals it contains can remain on the surface.

This creates the infamous water spots and mineral deposits that are particularly noticeable on:

• the hood;
• the roof;
• the windows;
• horizontal surfaces.

The longer these deposits remain on the surface, especially with heat and sun, the harder they become to remove.

The solution: CARPRO Spotless

CARPRO Spotless is designed to remove water spots and mineral deposits present on exterior surfaces.

It helps to properly prepare the surface before applying protection.

When the spots have already etched or attacked the clear coat, however, polishing may become necessary.

Insect contamination

The front bumper absorbs a good portion of the impacts, but insect residues can also be found on:

• the windshield;
• the headlights;
• the mirrors;
• the grille;
• the hood.

As they dry, insect residues can adhere strongly to surfaces and become more difficult to remove.

It is better to treat them chemically than to try to remove them by scrubbing aggressively.

The solution: CARPRO BugOut

CARPRO BugOut allows you to soften and loosen insect residues before washing.

It is particularly useful on areas directly exposed to the road such as the bumper, headlights, windshield, and mirrors.

A wash is not a decontamination

A vehicle may look clean after washing while still retaining several contaminants on its paint.

Washing primarily removes surface dirt.

Decontamination removes contaminants that remain stuck or embedded after washing.

A complete preparation can therefore include:

Wash → Insects → Bitumen → Iron → Water spots → Mechanical decontamination if needed → Protection

A clay bar or a decontamination towel can then be used when embedded contamination remains on the paint.

The ideal approach, however, is to chemically remove as many contaminants as possible before this step in order to limit friction on the clear coat.

Why decontaminate before winter?

Because protection should be applied to a clean and properly prepared surface.

During the summer and autumn, the paint gradually accumulates road contaminants, iron, bitumen, insects, and mineral deposits.

If you apply your protection directly over this contamination, you are not properly preparing the surface.

Before the arrival of salt, calcium, snow, and slush, take advantage of your autumn preparation to reset the paint.

4 contaminants. 4 CARPRO solutions.

Ferrous particles → CARPRO IronX
Road tar and bitumen → CARPRO TarX
Water spots → CARPRO Spotless
Insects → CARPRO BugOut

Decontaminate first. Then protect.

Your wax, sealant, or ceramic protection will then be able to be applied to paint that is clean and ready to face the winter.