how much pressure on the clay?

[pohljm]

Mike, thanks for all the great information you shared with the acurazine guys last saturday. One thing either I missed, or just neglected to ask you is in regards to the clay process. I know that with the scratch-x we need to put some passion behind the pad. Taking clay and rubbing it all over my nice finish has always been a kind of counter intuitive process for me, but I have gotten beyond that and have clayed several of our vehicles with nice results. My question now is should i really be putting more pressure on the clay to allow it to work better/faster? do i need to worry that I may apply to much pressure and introduce imperfections with the clay? or is the abrasive fine enough that i do not need to worry? assume we are using one of the OTC meg's claybars.

The other question I had has to do with the vertical panels on the car, obviously surface bonded contaminants are more prevalent on the horizontal surfaces and require more attention with the clay, do you typically go over all surfaces with the clay or concentrate on the horizontal and spot touch the vertical panels where needed?

[Ryan L.]

Re: how much pressure on the clay?

You almost no pressure on the clay...the clay will pick everything fine by just going over the same area a couple times (5-6).

You can go over the whole car, but the horizontal surfaces do have more contamination, so it might take a few more passes than on the vertical surfaces.

Hope this helps a little and Welcome to MOL

[Murr1525]

Re: how much pressure on the clay?

Just to toss in, since Mike mentioned it in one of my posts;

For overspray, and really stuck on stuff, a fair amount of effort can be needed.

But for just your general dirt, little pressure and lots of lube works fine.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: how much pressure on the clay?

My question now is should i really be putting more pressure on the clay to allow it to work better/faster?

do i need to worry that I may apply to much pressure and introduce imperfections with the clay? or is the abrasive fine enough that i do not need to worry? assume we are using one of the OTC meg's claybars.

How much pressure depends upon how stubborn the contaminants are, the type of contaminants and the amount, try light pressure first, around 3 pounds or so, and if you're working on something really tough like some paint overspray you may need to exert about 8 pounds or so.

The other question I had has to do with the vertical panels on the car, obviously surface bonded contaminants are more prevalent on the horizontal surfaces and require more attention with the clay, do you typically go over all surfaces with the clay or concentrate on the horizontal and spot touch the vertical panels where needed?

Some people inspect the sides by feeling them and if they discover bonded contaminants they clay the sides, others clay them no matter what just to be sure.

[Ticman]

Re: how much pressure on the clay?

I have found that tailgates and rear ends collect a lot of contamination as well. Especially SUV's and Van's.

Tic

[rammsteinmatt]

Re: how much pressure on the clay?

I have found that tailgates and rear ends collect a lot of contamination as well. Especially SUV's and Van's.

Tic

yes, as the air goes around a car, the flow seperates, and there is a large low pressure region behind the car the more boxy a vehicle, the bigger the low pressure region. look at how dirty the back of a semi-trailer gets (this is why the back of the car is often more dirty than any other part when you do some serious driving). this attracts all this fun stuff from the road surface, and the exhaust particles to grab onto the rear of the car.

well, before i start to ramble, the back and horizontal surfaces gather the most junk the claybar needs to pick up. of course this doesnt answer the question. i apply a very light pressure, i dunno maybe 2-3 lbs, just enough to hold the clay firmly agains a vertical surface. of course paint overspray and sap require a little more work

[George Wax]

Re: how much pressure on the clay?

Mike, would it not be possible to mar the paint surface if you exert eight pounds of pressure with a clay bar. I remember exerting to much pressure with my clay bar and it did mar the surface which needed to be high speed buffed by Joe from Superior Shine...

[Murr1525]

Re: how much pressure on the clay?

Remember, 8 pounds is for bad overspray, really bonded things, etc. So you might even be needing a more agressive clay. And at that point, yes, it could marr your paint.

[PhantomR/T]

Re: how much pressure on the clay?

I have found that tailgates and rear ends collect a lot of contamination as well. Especially SUV's and Van's.

Tic

I drve my truck for 100 feet, my tailgate is covered with sand or whatever else my tires picked up from the road.