PPF Prep: The Hidden Dangers Beneath the Shine

Athiq ur Rahman
May 22
3 min read

The story of a Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, brake-dust fallout, and the decontamination step that saved its paint and upheld our legacy.

Coffee, Cars, and an Unexpected Discovery

Saturday morning. A pristine white Porsche 911 Carrera GTS glides into Automobilia for a full-body Paint Protection Film (PPF) install. The owner wants that showroom glow locked in for good.

As always, our team starts with a meticulous wash, foam bath, clay bar, and hand towel dry. Under the bay lights the paint looked flawless until we ran our fingers across the surface and felt the faintest “sandpaper” drag. "Uh-oh".

Pro Tip: If it feels rough, something nasty is embedded in the clear coat - no matter how glossy it looks.

What Are Iron Contaminants, Anyway?

Source: Hot brake rotors & pads shed microscopic iron particles that land on nearby panels.
Problem: The shards embed in paint and wheels, then oxidize (rust) and expand.
Consequence: Left untreated, you get tiny rust blooms or pockmarks. Seal them under PPF and you’ve basically laminated the problem in 4K forever.

Enter the Purple Rain: Our Iron X Fallout Remover

Cue the superhero montage. We misted the entire Porsche with CarPro Iron X, a pH-balanced solution that seeks iron like a truffle pig.

Spray-down: Even, generous coat over paint, wheels, and crevices.
Wait 3–4 minutes: The magic happens - clear turns vivid magenta wherever iron is hiding.
Agitate (lightly): Soft-detail brushes coax the chemical reaction deeper into pores.
Jet rinse: High-flow water shears away the purple runoff - along with every last particle.
Clay & inspect: A fine-grade clay mitt confirms the paint is now slick-glass smooth.

Picture This: A flawless white fender streaked with purple “bleeding” rivulets. Proof - the treatment is working, not harming!

Why This Step Can’t Be Skipped—Ever

PPF Magnifies Imperfections - The film is optically clear; anything trapped beneath becomes more obvious.
Permanent Preservation - Once cured, PPF is essentially a clear time capsule. Good if the surface is perfect; terrible if contaminants are present.
Warranty Protection - Film manufacturers can void warranties when improper prep leads to adhesion failure or rust spots.
Cost vs. Prevention - Fixing iron-spot etching after PPF means removing film, correcting paint, and re-installing - $$$.

The Big Reveal

With the Carrera chemically decontaminated, clayed, polished, and panel-wiped, the PPF went on like glass. Under the studio lights the white paint looked liquid-smooth, and the owner could see zero trace of the brake-dust fallout that almost became a permanent souvenir.

Key Takeaways for Every Car Lover

Mistake	Result	Our Fix
Skipping chemical decon	Rust blooms under film	Iron X fallout removal
“Looks clean enough” mentality	Rough texture & poor film adhesion	Clay + inspection lights
Generic wash bay prep	Swirl marks sealed in	Two-bucket, pH-neutral wash & spot lighting

Thinking About PPF? Start with the Right Prep.

Your car might be hiding iron fallout right now. Regardless of how often you wash it. Curious what’s on (or in) your paint?

Swing by Automobilia for a quick spotlight inspection and a chat with our techs. No pressure, no sales pitch. Just real answers from people who live and breathe proper paint care.

Because the only thing worse than not protecting your paint is protecting it wrong.