question on smooth surface clay kit

[Michael Stoops]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

OK, a silver car that's almost 20 years old and the clay is coming up black. Well, you obviously are NOT pulling paint pigment on the clay so that's not a worry. Oxidation (or possibly clear coat failure) also would not be transferring black material onto the clay. What will do this is a heavy degree of bonded contaminants, meaning it sounds like you're doing everything just right.

Odds are what you're up against is really, really severe contamination of the surface and the consumer level clay is just not quite up to the task. 19 years of accumulated junk can be pretty nasty, and with a clay as gentle as a typical OTC clay kit provides (Meguiar's, Mother's, Clay Magic, etc) you're going to exceed the ability of the product. If you have a Car Quest or Finish Master in your area see if you can get some of our C2000 Professional Mild Blue Clay and use that instead. It's a fair bit more aggressive than the consumer clay, and we've had several instances at our Thursday Night Open Garages where this clay has been an enormous help with heavy contamination. You'll get a single 200 gram bar in the jar, and no Quik Detailer lube, but you will use it exactly the same way you're using the consumer product. Just be sure to tear off 1/3 to 1/4 and use that rather than using the whole 200 gram bar at once.

[Peter.kelly]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

Not Claying the Vinyl trim are you? Or directly under it? It can get prett black down there...

[Murr1525]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

well guys I spent about 2 hours yesterday clay barring the roof of the car I got 3/4 of it done it came out real smooth and boy what a difference.

the only problem now is the quick detailer is done and the clay is a real dark ugly color so I need more clay. as Murr said I am wasting clay so I think I am going to use ultimate compound then come back and clay.

What do you guys think?

can somebody recommend something else

thanks for the help you guys are awesome.

If you got one part good, then there is hope. Did you really use all the clay, or maybe you can knead the clay differently?

Try the cleaner first, sounds like you are going to need it anyway. A small test area will be ok. Try an application or two of the cleaner, maybe use terry for the first of the applications if you need more bite...

There is also a time and place for washing with Dawn.... if the paint seems in good shape, not dried out, just dirty, this may be a good idea also.

[noobhax0r]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

Sounds like the car has just been neglected. Also have you washed this car before your claying? I clayed a DD car that has been neglected for ~5 years... totally destroyed that clay, but the paint came out alright once the claying was complete.

[yrdln]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

well guys I spent about 2 hours yesterday clay barring the roof of the car I got 3/4 of it done it came out real smooth and boy what a difference.

the only problem now is the quick detailer is done and the clay is a real dark ugly color so I need more clay. as Murr said I am wasting clay so I think I am going to use ultimate compound then come back and clay.

What do you guys think?

can somebody recommend something else

thanks for the help you guys are awesome.

[tcope1]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

Are you possibly hitting any rubber parts? This will turn the clay black very quickly.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

I hate to bring this up. Your paint could be beyond hope. The reason I say this is because a couple of years ago, I did my daughters Silver Ford Taurus. I clayed, and clayed and clayed. I was continually getting up black stuff. I put a call in to Mike Phillips, He diagnosed the problem immediately without me even mentioning the color of the car.

It could be that it is just been neglected to long. I hope this is not the case. But I just wanted to mention another possibility.

[Murr1525]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

in regards to what murr said about using the paint cleaner first, you should clay before using a paint cleaner to make sure all stuck contaminents are removed according to micheal stoops.

If the surface is pulling up so much loose dirt that it is clogging the clay bar before bonded stuff is removed, then clay is just being wasted. You can remove the loose dirt with a strong paint cleaner to try to prevent the clogging, then come back to the bonded on dirt with the clay. Then you may want to use a paint cleaner again after.

Obviously an extreme case, but a car that has sat out in bad weather for 20 years might count as an extreme case. Can happen for cars used at race tracks also, or other real dirty situations.

[79elcamino]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

if its the first time you've clayed the car then there is going to be a lot of stuff stuck to the paint, you might want to try the mild clay bar, but if u have patience keep using the clay you have and you will remove all the stuff on the paint just remember to make sure the surface of the clay is clean, in regards to what murr said about using the paint cleaner first, you should clay before using a paint cleaner to make sure all stuck contaminents are removed according to micheal stoops.

[AndrewR/T]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

Meguiar's make a mild and aggressive clay aside from their consumer clay. Start with the least aggressive method and work your way up from there. Try a test spot on the top of the trunk or hood and clay just that area to see if it's improved. A good scrub with some gold glass soap wouldn't hurt either.

[Murr1525]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

Well, if it is the first time, there is likely a whole lot of stuff on the surface, whether dirt/sap, oxidation, etc.

I am sure you would notice clear coat failure, so I am not sure about jumping to that.

Stronger clay may help, but you also may find it best to use a paint cleaner first, then go back to claying. Picking up something like Swirlx, or Ultimate Compound would be a good paint cleaner, which you could work into the paint, then come back and clay after.

[yrdln]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

You might be claying areas where the clear coat has failed. Post up some photos to give us a better idea.

unfortunately I don't have a camera or I would have posted pictures

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

You might be claying areas where the clear coat has failed. Post up some photos to give us a better idea.

[yrdln]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

Is this your first time cleaning, waxing, etc?

unfortunately it is I have been looking at the forums and got interested and wanted to try the products to see what the resuls would be like.

[Murr1525]

Re: question on smooth surface clay kit

Is this your first time cleaning, waxing, etc?