Clay

[MonsterCav]

I was reading some posts and someone mentioned that if you use a clay bar, it could marr the paint. Is this true? Could the clay do more damage then help? Im planning on detailing the car tomorrow, so should I not use the clay kit?

[sneek]

if you use the consumer clay you will be fine. Just be sure to use plenty of lube with the clay. If you are using the Professional Aggresive clay then it may cause marring. I think that you will like the clay kit

[MonsterCav]

Yeah, I bought the smooth surface kit. Thanks for the quick answer.

[TH0001]

I was the one who said that. I didn't mean to cause concern, but anytime you rub anything on the surface of your car, you can cause marring. The person posted they had a brand new black car, and I was just making the point that you might but light marring in the surface with the clay.

The consumer grade is very fine grade and shouldn't do much if any damage, so just make sure you use alot of lubricant and make sure your surface is clean so your not dragging anything. I need to be clear before I speak (or type). Sorry if I caused any concern. Just be aware that clay is abrasive and take your time and you will be FINE!

[Murr1525]

Well, as mentioned in the other thread, clay sort of 'sands' the surface of the paint to get anything sticking up that shouldnt be there. Since the paint will be smooth, anything sticking up must be a contaminant, and then the QD protects the paint itself.

Unfortunately, we sort of have to use the same words to describe things, and sometimes the difference between really really mild and agressive, or what is being abraded isnt clear. Clay abrades contaminants, not the paint.

The clay in the Quick Clay / Smooth Surface clay is very mild, and when used with a lubricant like the QD, and turned when dirty, will not marr the paint.

The Agressive Clay in the detailer line is much more agressive, and you should plan to remove light marring afterwards.

Similarly, ScratchX is abrasive, in that it abrades the paint but leaves a perfect finish behind. Sometimes it can be hard to grasp the idea, but it works. And the mild clay works too.

Hopefully this helps.

[MonsterCav]

One more question. I have a 03 cavalier (dark yellow). It is not too swirly or scratched. Kept in good shape. Should I use the scratch X or the crystal paint cleaner? I would like the polish and wax to look good.

[Murr1525]

Well, it depends on your expectations. It sounds like it is 'not too swirly', so there might be a few marks around.

If it looks good to you after claying, just use the DC#1. DC#1 can remove very mild swirls.

Or, you can spot treat the bigger swirls, then go over everything with DC#1.

If arent happy with the looks after claying, you can go over everything with ScratchX so you remove all the swirls.

Personaly, if you are happy with how it looks after claying, just DC#1 everything. If you see a big swirl in the future, you can use the ScratchX in your next detail.

[the other pc]

Personally, if was trying to remove any swirls at all by hand I’d skip the DC #1 altogether and go straight to ScratchX.


PC.