Iron and Tar Removal Requires Special Products

Iron Removal from Car Surfaces and Wheels Requires the Right Cleaner

Iron removal is perhaps the least-known special step in car washing, even though iron particles can be found on every car’s body. A large amount of iron dust comes from brake pads, which gradually accumulates not only on the wheels but also on the car’s paint surface. Iron particles are also released into the air from train and tram tracks as well as from industrial sources. New cars are often transported by rail, so even brand-new vehicles can have iron particles on their surfaces.

Iron removal from a car’s paint and wheels should be done at least once or twice a year over the entire vehicle — and always before waxing or coating. Without iron removal, contaminants remain trapped between the paint surface and the protective wax or coating. Iron particles are angular in shape and adhere firmly to the microscopic irregularities of paint and wheel surfaces. The largest particles can even be seen with the naked eye, and they are especially visible on the lower sides of white cars as rust-colored spots in different stages of corrosion.

The least abrasive way to remove iron from paint is by using specially formulated chemical agents. The active ingredient in iron removers is either sodium or ammonium mercaptoacetate. These compounds work by rapidly changing the physical and chemical composition of iron particles, causing them to detach easily from the paint surface. During this chemical reaction, a red coloration appears — a typical sign of iron removal products.

An iron remover, such as KORREK Pro Irox, is sprayed onto all car surfaces and allowed to react for a few minutes, making sure it doesn’t dry on the surface. The car is then thoroughly rinsed with a pressure washer, and the process can be repeated if necessary. The red reaction color is water-soluble and rinses off completely.

Tar and Oil Stains Also Require Special Products

Tar, fuel, and oil stains are another type of dirt that require special cleaning agents to remove from a car’s painted surfaces.

In tar removal, a tar remover — a hydrocarbon-based solvent — is sprayed onto a dry car or only on the affected areas. The solvent should be allowed to work for as long as possible without drying on the surface. The effect can be enhanced by lightly brushing the tarred areas with a brush designed for this purpose. Finally, the tar remover should be thoroughly rinsed off.

KORREK Pro TFC Tarex is a professional-grade car shampoo designed to remove tar. Similarly, KORREK Pro TFC Tar & Glue is a professional hydrocarbon-based, slow-evaporating solvent cleaner for removing tar and adhesive residues. The use of these professional products requires an oil separator drain.