Iron X is an automotive detailing product made by the company CarPro that falls into the category of Fallout Removers. CarPro is seen as one of the leaders in Nanotechnology paint coatings with their CQuartz and Immortal ranges, and innovators of bleeding iron and fallout remover.

Let’s start at the beginning for those that may be new to these types of products and go into a bit of detail about what exactly a fallout remover is and what it should be used for in your car care regime.

What is a Fallout Remover?

A fallout remover is a special product aimed at decontamination (On Paint and other Surfaces such as Alloy Wheels) that has the chemical ability to help you to remove iron oxide particles from a surface without having to remove them mechanically. These particles are loosened up and agitated via a chemical process that allows them to be rinsed off safely.

What Is Fallout On A Car?

Fallout is a term used to describe the appearance of iron particles on the surface of paintwork, making it look dirty. These iron particles come from brake and suspension components on vehicles, as well as nearby roads which have been treated with salt during winter months. The small pieces eventually settle onto the car’s surface, leading to an unsightly, patchy discoloration that can be difficult to remove.

These particles are normally embedded deep within the paintwork, so traditional methods such as washing are ineffective at removing them completely.

Here is an example of a car’s paint that has been heavily affected by Fallout, so you will be able to identify whether or not your car could do with some iron decontamination.

Why You Need To Remove Fallout From Your Car

If you want to keep your car’s paintwork looking shiny and new, it is important to remove fallout and iron particles from the surface.

The main issue with fallout and iron particles is that they are abrasive; when dragged across the paintwork as you wash or dry your car, they act like tiny pieces of sandpaper, leaving behind swirl marks and scratches. Over time this has an accumulative effect which makes your paint look duller and more aged than it should.

To prevent this, you need to remove the fallout and iron particles as soon as possible – preferably before they have a chance to become embedded in the paintwork.

When you apply car wax or a similar product, you need the surface to be perfectly clean and smooth. Products will not bond properly on a rough surface. Removing fallout is simply part of proper decontamination and one of the most important steps in detailing any car

There are a multitude of Iron Removers and Decontamination products ( Or methods such as Claying – but that is another discussion entirely and I will cover that another time ) available which have been specifically designed for this task, but today we are going to look at CarPro Iron X specifically.

What are the Different Types of Iron X products?

There are three main types of Iron X products. These are

• Spray

• Soap

• Paste

Let’s go into a bit more detail about Each type of product, and which might be the best to use in a particular situation.

What Is Carpro Iron Remover Spray (Original)

The Original and arguably the best, Iron X Paint and Wheels Decontamination System was developed as a method of removing paint contamination beyond what can be removed by washing alone. If you are familiar with detailing clay, you will know it is capable of removing above-surface contaminants that have bonded to the paint.

Car Pro Iron X is designed to remove what lies below the paint surface as well as above. Iron X sprays on as a transparent liquid. As the cleansing liquid begins to work into the dirt and grime, the formula begins to turn purple/ red ( Bleeding ).

The purple/red colouration is the Iron X Cleaner forming a bond to the sintered iron on the car paint and wheel and changing its state to a water-soluble complex for easy removal. Stubborn, baked on grime may take a small amount of agitation.

Rinse car paint and wheels thoroughly with a power washer and wipe dry. It is proven to deliver a clean, smooth vehicle that is protected from the harmful effects of paint contamination

Is CarPro Iron X Spray Safe to use on Clear Coat Paint?

Yes. CarPro Iron X is safe to use on all types of paint, including clear coat finishes. It is formulated using a unique blend of chelating agents that bind to the metal particles and lift them away from the surface without damaging the paint or leaving behind any residue.

Is CarPro Iron X Spray Safe to use on A Ceramic Coated Car?

Yes. It is safe to use CarPro Iron X on a car that has been ceramic coated as it contains no acids or alkalis, which can be dangerous on soft coatings. This means it can be used without fear of damaging the coating. The spray will remove any bond-breaking iron particles and fallout from your car’s paintwork without causing any harm.

Is CarPro Iron X Spray Safe to use on Aluminium, Chrome, Anodized, Alloy, or Clear coated wheels?

CarPro Iron X is safe to use on all types of painted wheels and rims, including aluminium, chrome, anodized alloy, and clear-coated surfaces. However, it is always recommended to do a small spot test prior to using the product in order to ensure there are no adverse effects.

Will Iron X Deteriorate Wax?

No, CarPro Iron X will not deteriorate wax. It is a safe product to use on pre-waxed surfaces as it does not contain any abrasive ingredients that would cause damage or strip away your existing layer of protection. However, it is recommended to reapply wax after using this product as the iron particles have been removed and therefore a new coat of wax is necessary for optimal results.

Why Does Iron X Smell So Bad?

It is important to note that CarPro Iron X does have an intense odour which some may find unpleasant. The scent is caused by the active ingredient Hydrofluoric Acid, a strong acid used for removing iron particles from paintwork. It is recommended to use a respirator mask when using this product and ensure you work in a well-ventilated area for safety.

It should also be noted that IronX Paste should only be used in well-ventilated areas and gloves are recommended when handling the product.

 

I’ve been buying this product for years. It does exactly what it says on the bottle.If you can get over the horrendous smell, it will get the job done quickly and effectively.

Where to Buy Carpro Iron Remover Spray?

Nearly every detailing shop will carry Iron X Spray. It’s best to buy in bigger size containers if you know you are going to use it frequently. Buy the eco refill packs, these save the cost for the plastic bottle and triggers + its weight for delivery – that’s just my two cents, as I tend to use it quite a lot of this product to keep my car free from contaminants.

Amazon Carry a very good value 4 Liter Refill bottle of Iron X which is exceptional Value and should last quite a while. Once you initially get all the fallout off your paint, it is quite easy to maintain it by using a few sprays every couple of washes on affected areas. Check out the latest deals on amazon for this product using THIS LINK

If you don’t want to commit to buying a giant 4-litre bottle and want to test it out for yourself to see whether you like this product or not, you would be better off buying the standard-size bottle ( 0.5 litres ). 

How To Use Iron X Spray

Everybody has their methods to apply these types of products, but the recommended usage instructions are as follows

Step 1: Begin by making sure all surfaces are cool to the touch and that the vehicle is in a shaded area.

Step 2: Thoroughly wash and dry your car to remove any dirt, dust, or debris.

Step 3: Shake CarPro Iron X spray bottle well before use.

Step 4: Start spraying the Iron X directly onto the car’s paintwork in a back and forth motion, making sure to overlap each section by 50%.

Step 5: Allow Iron X to dwell on the surface for up to three minutes in order for it to effectively break down the iron particles.

Step 7: Rinse off Iron X completely with a hose or pressure washer ensuring no residue remains.

                                                                                                                                                                     

 

Another Option for Paint and Surface Decontamination is Iron X Soap.

What is Iron X Soap?

CarPro Iron X Snow Soap is a snow foam pre-wash or detergent specifically designed to remove fallout, dirt, and grime from cars. The combination of active ingredients in the soap helps break down iron particles, making them easier to remove during the wash process. This product can be used with any type of foam lance or gun and should be applied liberally before rinsing off with a hose or pressure washer.

It could also be used in conjunction with the spray version to make sure you remove every last bit of contamination.

 

 

Where to buy Carpro Iron X Snow Soap?

As above, Iron X Soap can also be picked up on Amazon online ( I find it usually ends up being the cheapest) but you can keep up to date on the latest price by following the link HERE

 With A Foam Cannon

• Rinse vehicle well

• Add Iron X Snow Soap to Foam Cannon

• Set your foam cannon to provide the foam concentration you prefer

• Snow foam your car as normal and allow it to dwell

• Wash gently but thoroughly with a wash mitt

• Rinse thoroughly

How To Use Iron X Snow Soap As A Hand Wash

• Rinse vehicle well

• Apply 1 squirt of Iron X Snow Soap directly to wash mitt and wash a panel

• Move to next panel(s) and repeat 

• Allow Snow Soap to react but rinse off before it can dry on the surface

CarPro Iron X Paste

Iron X Paste is one of CarPro’s most powerful wheels cleaners and is specifically designed to remove even the toughest and most stubborn stains on wheel surfaces caused by brake dust deposits. Unlike other wheel cleaners, IronX Paste is pH neutral and safe to use on all wheel surfaces while still providing an incredibly effective cleaning action.

The paste form of Iron X is more concentrated than the spray, meaning it can be used with pinpoint accuracy on hard-to-reach areas or tough stains. A small amount of paste on a still-damp vehicle will go a long way and its thick consistency helps to ensure that it stays in place while it dwells.

 

 

Where to buy Carpro Iron X Paste?

As above, Iron X Paste can also be picked up on Amazon – Check the current Price HERE

Already bought it and want to know How to Use?

How to Use Iron X paste on Isolated spots:

1.- Using the bottle to apply simply squeeze a dot of product onto the stubborn spot

2.- Allow to dwell for about 5-6 minutes or as needed.

3.- Agitate and rinse thoroughly or agitate and allow to dwell further if necessary

How to Use Iron X paste on Widespread Areas:

1. Don’t – Buy the Spray Or  Soap Instead it’s just easier for working on larger areas in my experience.

Iron XSpray Vs Soap Vs Paste

So now that you have a fairly comprehensive understanding of what Iron X is, which one is the one to go for when making that purchase? Well, it depends on your specific needs and application the is the simple answer.

When to use Spray

The go-to for most general applications – if you are unsure where to start, this is probably the best bet as it should cover all bases except in particular cases where there is extreme contamination.

When to use Snow Soap

This is aimed at maintenance purposes and not initial decontamination. It is capable of decontamination if diluted around 1 part snow soap to 8 parts water but it will never be as strong as the liquid spray or the iron x paste.

When to use paste

This is the strongest inorganic particle remover, in it’s most basic form a more concentrated version Of the liquid spray.

It’s not as convenient as the spray, but using a damp (soaked then squeezed out) closed-cell sponge. Apply the concentrate to the sponge, and wipe onto the surface of the car and leave to react before rinsing off.

This is probably the most economical of the lot, it’s also great for really clinging onto wheels that are heavily contaminated for a full cleaning effect when applied to the wheel with a detailing brush

Let me know in the comments what your favourite Version of Iron X is, and if you have any of your recommendations. Don’t forget you can pick up a range of different fallout removers over on the DriveDetailed Store

Happy Detailing.

About the Author – Darren O Hara

Darren is the founder of the DriveDetailed blog and is a keen detailing enthusiast living in the rainy south of Ireland. When he is not cleaning his car he is always researching ways he can improve his techniques and enjoys testing out out new products.

Darren currently drives an Audi TTRS and is a big fan of performance cars.

You can follow Darren on Instagram @darrenoharacork

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