The Complete Prep Workflow: Decon, Correction, and Coating Application Order

A superior ceramic coating result begins with meticulous preparation. This guide walks you through the critical phases of decontamination, correction, and application. Each step is essential for maximizing durability, gloss, and hydrophobic performance.

Follow this detailed workflow to ensure your coating bonds properly and delivers a long-lasting, flawless finish with professional-level protection.

Phase 1: The Decontamination Wash

The objective of this step is to remove all embedded contaminants from the vehicle's surfaces, creating a truly clean foundation.

Step 1: Safe Wash Protocol

A safe wash minimizes the risk of inflicting new scratches or swirl marks to the paint.

1. Pre-Rinse: Thoroughly rinse the entire vehicle with a pressure washer or strong hose stream. This removes loose dirt and grit, preventing it from being dragged across the paint during the contact wash.

2. Foam Cannon Application: Apply a thick layer of pH-neutral snow foam to the entire vehicle, starting from the bottom and working your way up. Allow the foam to dwell for 3-5 minutes. The foam will encapsulate and lift larger dirt particles from the surface, further reducing scratching risk.

3. Two-Bucket Contact Wash: Prepare two buckets, each with a Grit Guard. One bucket contains your car shampoo solution, and the other contains plain water for rinsing your wash mitt. Wash the vehicle from top to bottom, one panel at a time. After each panel, rinse the mitt in the clean water bucket before reloading it with shampoo from the wash bucket. This protocol prevents cross-contamination.

4. Rinse Thoroughly: Once the contact wash is complete, rinse the entire vehicle to remove all shampoo residue. Do not dry the vehicle at this stage.

Step 2: Chemical and Mechanical Decontamination

With the surface dirt removed, the next step is to eliminate contaminants that have lodged themselves into the clear coat. The following order is critical for effectiveness.

• Iron Remover: Spray an iron fallout remover onto the wet paint and wheels. The product will chemically react with embedded ferrous particles (from brake dust or industrial fallout), changing color (typically to purple) as it dissolves them. Let it dwell for the manufacturer-recommended time without letting it dry, then rinse completely.

• Tar Remover: Apply a tar and adhesive remover to a microfiber towel or directly to lower body panels where tar spots are common. Gently wipe the spots to dissolve the tar. Rinse the treated areas again.

• Clay Bar Treatment: The final decontamination step removes any remaining bonded contaminants. With the vehicle still wet, use a clay bar or clay mitt with a generous amount of clay lubricant. Glide the clay over the paint in straight lines, panel by panel. You will feel the surface transition from rough to perfectly smooth as the clay picks up contaminants. Rinse the vehicle a final time.

Phase 2: Paint Correction and Surface Preparation

This step refines the paintwork to a flawless state and prepares it for coating adhesion.

Step 3: Drying and Masking

1. Drying: Dry the vehicle completely using a high-quality microfiber drying towel or a filtered air blower. An air blower is preferred as it eliminates all contact and can force water out of panel gaps, mirrors, and trim pieces, preventing drips during polishing.

2. Masking: Use automotive painter's tape to mask off all sensitive areas. This includes plastic trim, rubber seals, headlight edges, and sharp body lines. This protects them from accidental contact with the polisher and polish residue buildup.

Step 4: Inspection and Paint Correction

This is the stage where paint defects are permanently removed.

1. Inspection and Test Spot: Use a high-intensity swirl-finder light to inspect a panel. Identify the severity of defects like swirls, scratches, and haze. On a 2'x2' test spot, determine the least aggressive pad and polish combination that achieves your desired level of correction.

2. Correction Execution: Based on your test spot, proceed with either a one-step or multi-step correction.

• One-Step Correction: Use a medium-cut polish and a foam polishing pad to remove 60-80% of defects while enhancing gloss. This is ideal for daily drivers.

• Multi-Step Correction: Use a dedicated compounding step with a heavy cutting pad to remove severe defects, followed by a polishing step with a finer polish and pad to refine the finish and maximize gloss.

Step 5: Panel Wipe

This is the final and most critical step before application. Polishing oils and residues must be completely removed for the coating to bond.

• Action: Mist a dedicated panel prep spray or an Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) solution (15-25% dilution) onto a panel.

• Process: Using a clean, short-nap microfiber towel, wipe the surface in straight lines. Use a second, clean towel to perform a final wipe, ensuring no residue remains. The surface should be completely sterile.

Phase 3: Ceramic Coating Application and Curing

This step must be performed in a controlled environment: indoors, well-lit, and with stable temperature and humidity as specified by the coating manufacturer.

The Prep and Application Workflow Checklist

Step 6: Curing and Aftercare

The period immediately after application is vital for the coating to harden and achieve its full potential.

• The First 24 Hours: Keep the vehicle completely dry and indoors. Do not touch the paint. The coating is still hardening, and contact can cause imprints.

• The First 7 Days: Avoid washing the vehicle with any soaps or chemicals. If the car gets wet from rain, gently dry it with a plush microfiber towel to prevent water spots from forming. Do not allow bird droppings, tree sap, or other contaminants to sit on the surface.

Following this exact workflow—Wash, Decon, Correct, Wipe, Coat—is the best  way to guarantee a professional-grade result. Each step builds upon the last, culminating in a durable, high-gloss finish that validates the time and effort invested.