HOW TO PREPARE THE CAR FOR TREATMENT?

IMPORTANT!

This article deals with washing a car BEFORE applying a seal or if you have NOT treated the car with a seal. If the car has been treated with Onyx products, the Maintenance Guide must be followed.

A thorough cleaning of the car is usually performed in the spring and fall. It is a complete and in-depth cleaning as well as treatment of the car's surface. We cover all the steps for all types of dirt. Car washing in the winter is more rare and is the reason why it is in the spring where we carry out a thorough cleaning. With the right tools, it is also easy and effortless. After a thorough cleaning and treatment, washing and maintenance will be a breeze!

The car is exposed to many different types of dirt, especially under Norwegian conditions. Each type of dirt just goes away with a specially designed cleaner. It is quite useless to remove brake dust and tar with car shampoo. Even if you can force it scrub away, you are left with new scratches and faded varnish.

This guide shows step-by-step cleaning methods that can remove various types of dirt from the surface. Spend plenty of time on a thorough wash, the better done the easier it is to have a clean car in the future!

Degreasing

Degreasing is done on a dry car. Spray degreasing directly on the paint. Avoid using degreasing on the windows so that it does not run down between the door and the door cover.

Prewash - The most important step

Prewash is definitely the most important stage of a thorough cleaning. Do it carefully and do not take shortcuts!

A thorough prewash will remove contaminants, dust, dirt and pollen from the car's surface. Detergents for prewash can be divided into two categories. Prewash with a high pH value also removes wax from the car's surface. We use this when you need to clean the car completely and apply a new coating. A thorough cleaning of the car requires the most effective cleaning agent. Read more about prewash here…

Hand wash (mechanical)

After prewash, mechanical cleaning is performed, ie hand washing. The most recommended hand wash is a wash glove. The advantage of a washing glove is that it "eats / absorbs" the dirt, so that it does not lie on the surface. If you still want to use a sponge, then one that is coarse / uneven is recommended so that the dirt will be packed to a greater extent inside the sponge. When using a "regular" sponge, the dirt will accumulate on the surface of the sponge and will act as sandpaper which will potentially damage the paint and cause washing scratches.

When washing with a washing glove, it is good to use an effective solvent. Preferably the same as you used for prewash. Car shampoo does not provide a complete cleaning. When using a washing glove, the surface should now already be 90% clean after a thorough but careful prewash. The purpose of the washing glove is not to scrub, but to glide easily over the surfaces and spread the detergent. This enhances the effect of the detergent.  Read more about hand washing here…

Removal of iron particles

Iron removal is a good idea to do at least a couple of times a year, spring and fall are perfect. You do not need to do this with every wash or if you have treated the car with Onyx Coating. Removal of iron particles is done after prewash and hand washing. This removes small iron particles that are stuck in the paint, as well as those that have already begun to oxidize. Metal particles are often the cause of small rust stains in the paint and can not be removed with ordinary detergents. Read more about metal particle removal here…

Tar removal

Tar removal is also part of a complete treatment. Tar removal is good to perform at least a couple of times a year, preferably in spring and autumn. It is not necessary to perform this step at each wash.

Removal of small stains consisting of glue, tar, fuel and the like is carried out after a thorough prewash and hand washing. These impurities can damage paint when they come in contact with heat or direct sunlight. Read more about tar removal here…

Clay

If the surface of the paint feels rough and uneven, even after removing iron and tar. This can be due to tough stains such as glue and other impurities in the surface. Clay works in the same way as mechanical removal of dirt. It eats up dirt on the surface. It is important to use enough oil / lubricants so that the clay does not rub against the surface. It should slide gently on top of the "clay lube" oil without any resistance. Read more about claying here…

After claying, the surface should be completely clean of all types of dirt and grime. After this step, you can proceed to treatment.

Treatment

See Instructions for Application…